Stamp Collection Value

The first and foremost fact that I would like to state is, any pricing in the field of philately and postage stamp collection is made as per auction. The value that is ascertained before, is either an estimate or is a calculated value that is based upon some older sale price which was previously decided, based on another auction. There are countless factors such as, the quality of ink on the stamp, the number of such stamps in existence, age and history of the stamp and even the place where the stamp was made while fixing the value. An auction is the place to get the best value and rates for any stamp collection.

Factors Affecting Stamp Collection Value

Societies or clubs of stamp collectors often publish what is known as a collection value guide, which helps a person to ascertain the value of a certain stamp.

Age and Origin
One of the key factors that determines the value of any said stamp collection is the age of the stamp and where it originated. The age of course matters a lot as older the stamp, the greater is the value going to be. The origin of the stamp is one factor that tends to send a thrill in the minds of all collectors. Confirming the history of the stamp, actually finding the stamp's origin and place of manufacture will escalate the price of the stamp. Some of the best stamps that have high valuations, belong to former colonies, really short-lived governments, trial stamps, stamps with special watermarks and stamp series (stamps are printed in series) always tend to fetch a really high value.

Condition and Engineering
The condition of the stamp is one issue that does not have set rules. The condition of the stamp does matter but during auctions, people purchase virtually illegible stamps at really well prices. The engineering of the stamp goes hand in hand with age. The art of printing stamps is a really unique and hence, several factors such as the watermark, ink and paper of the stamp often tend to contribute to the price.

History of the Stamp
Stamps are printed in series, just like coins. Hence, stamps belonging to some specified series tend to bear a greater value. The rule of thumb goes that lesser the number of stamps in a certain series, the more is the price of the stamp going to be. The 'Inverted Jenny' of United States Postal Service is one particular stamp that depicts an inverted airplane (a printing error) and is worth a small fortune. Another one is the British Guiana 1c magenta which is often regarded to be the world's most famous stamp and was issued in British Guiana in 1856. Only one known specimen survives. So if you find one then you will probably become one of the world's richest person in literary a few minutes. Another example is the Uganda Cowries which were the worlds first adhesive stamps.

Stamps from Specific Era
At auctions, collectors are ready to pay through their nose, to get stamps that are really rare and are available in an entire set. Stamps from imperial colonies, short-lived states and governments, are really, really valuable. The only reason of such a high value is that such stamp series were printed in limited numbers and are rare. The value of an international stamp collection becomes very high in case the stamp has been used in a certain time period, or even to mail some important letters or documents that played a significant part in history. For example, the value of a collection of US stamps escalates if it contains pre-independence stamps of defunct stamps or limited edition stamps or the ones that have printing mistakes.

Thus, the history of the stamp and its entire journey in the world determines the value of the stamp. There are also some specified collections which are regularly sold by people such as Presidential collections or the Princess Diana stamp collection. Value of such collections tends to be high, but not exorbitant.