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Sunday, August 28, 2016

A Look At The Basics 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.

For starters, pay close attention to the manner in which you store your stamps as it can affect their physical appearance in the long term. To keep them safe, make sure the location you choose for storage purposes is devoid of moisture. The primary material used in the manufacture of stamps is paper. It is common knowledge that moisture always causes the fading of colors in light materials. For example, a bright green color can turn a shade lighter. This is a factor that will be looked at when making an appraisal.

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 also gets analyzed from time to time, especially considering the fact that it is what primarily determines the functionality of a stamp. If there is too much wearing off, do not make any changes on your own. Some people occasionally get tempted to buy gum to use in refurbishing their stamps. When dealing with an experienced dealer, spotting signs of refurbishment is really simple.

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.

When looking for a professional to handle your appraisals, ensure you get the right person for the job. You do not want to end up selling your stamps for less than they are worth. There are a number of qualities that an ideal dealer should have.

The most important one is having membership in a professional body in their trade. Being a member of a professional association always guarantees a dealer access to useful information concerning postage stamps. Such professionals always know how to price collections and the best techniques to use to ensure they remain in mint condition.

If your plan is to engage in the appraisal business for a long time, it is a good idea to study every aspect of the trade in detail. Make an effort to identify and master all the stamps available with regard to their characteristics. Rare collections cost a lot of money most of the time. Once you become knowledgeable enough, there will be no need to hire professionals when selling. Taking charge of what you do is always gratifying.




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