dimanche 4 septembre 2016

An Analysis Of Stamp Appraisals

By Gary Bailey


If you are an ardent collector of stamps, try the option of exchanging them for cash. There are several dealers who have established a niche in getting stamp appraisals in order to sell them. Before you take the step of putting a value on the collection in your possession, it is very important to ensure you fully understand the techniques to use to guarantee you great returns.

To begin with, you should know that the way you store the stamps always affects their value when selling. As such, store them in a room that is free from moisture. Stamps are usually made using paper. When exposed to weather elements, they tend to fade in color. A bright green one for instance may turn to light green. When making an evaluation, a typical dealer will look at the difference in color as compared to when it was originally bought.

Also remember to look at the texture. If your collection dates back several years, chances are most of the stamps have lost a lot of their original texture. Sadly, there is nothing you can do to improve this. The best thing you can do would be to get a professional dealer to put the highest value possible on what you have. You would be lucky if your collection is made out of durable materials.

Gum perforation is also a big role player in the evaluation process as dealers usually check whether it is still functional. If the gum in a set of stamps is worn out, simply sell the collection as it is. Avoid the temptation of adding gum bought in retail stores. Experienced dealers can easily tell the originality of the gum used in stamps.

When dealing with collections stacked close together in a small box, find out whether there are any stuck together. Do not separate them on your own if you do not know how to go about it. If you do so, you may damage the whole lot. Find a competent expert to handle such issues. Most professionals can easily work on delicate collections without damaging them.

Ensuring you get the most competent person to handle your appraisals is of the essence. It can be pretty disappointing to get a valuation that is not a true reflection of the value of what you have. There are many important qualities that all ideal dealers should have.

For instance, they should be members of professional associations with respect to their trade. This is a good method of getting access to crucial information on stamps. Professionals always have what it takes to set fair prices and keep collections in perfect condition.

If you plan on engaging in this type of trade for the long haul, it would be beneficial to study about it in detail. Do whatever it takes to master the different types of stamps available. Rare collections always cost more than those that are common. If you have the right knowledge, you will not have to hire professionals to do your bidding in future. It always feels great to take charge of your business.




About the Author: