Valuation of Stamps
Stamps have at times been immensely popular as a collector's item, but have gone down in value over the past decades. The rarest stamps are, however, still in high-demand among philatelists. Through an appraisal you can check whether you have the beautiful material that collectors are looking for.
We do appraisals for:
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History of stamp collecting
The stamp's popularity as a collector's item began soon after its first issue. In 1840, the British issued the world's first postage stamp, the Penny Black. It had a value of 1 penny and showed Queen Victoria. This first stamp ushered in a new era in which not the recipient but the sender became responsible for the shipping costs. Not long after this first issue, people started collecting stamps. In nineteenth century England there was even talk of a 'timbromania', a mania for collecting stamps.
The 1970s and early 1980s also saw a boom in philately. At that time, speculators purchased unused (MNH condition) stamps. As a result, many stamps from this period are now worth very little. But there is still a good market for rare stamps. We also see newly emerging collectible markets such as China.
Valuation of stamps in Zaventem
Every Thursday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Free stamp valuation
- Certified appraisers
- No appointment needed
- Free coffee and tea
- Free parking in front of the door
How does a valuation of stamps work?
The value of stamps can easily be found on the internet and in catalogs. However, if your collection contains rare stamps, unique copies or consecutive series, it is wise to have it looked at by one of our professionals. At Heritage Auctions Europe, appraisal of stamps is done for free during our walk-in day every Wednesday or on any other day by making an appointment. You will also regularly encounter Heritage Auctions appraisers at stamp fairs. We only charge costs when you want an official valuation report or if you decide to offer your stamp(s) for sale at one of our auctions.
Tip: we advise you not to sort your stamps yourself. You can damage your stamps with this. Any damage results in a loss of value. You can contact us with all your questions about the safe storage and transport of stamps.
What determines the value of your stamp collection?
When you come to us for an appraisal of stamps that you have received through inheritance or as a gift, your first logical question is: what is the value of my collection if I sell?
The value that our appraisers assign to certain stamps or an entire collection depends on the supply and demand at that time. Of course, old stamps have a fixed value. But if there is a high demand for a particular stamp at any given time, the price will automatically rise. Sometimes, it can be better to wait with selling your stamps until a more favorable time on the market. On the other hand, if the valuation of the stamp collection turns out to be profitable for you, our auction house can assist you in selling your collection. In both cases we assist you with advice and assistance.
When our experts appraise your stamps, they take a close look at:
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The condition of the stamp and whether it is damaged or not.
- Whether it's a forgery or not.
- The prevailing market conditions.
- The frequency in which it is now offered on the market.
- Whether the stamp is canceled or uncancelled.
- If the stamp or the postal item has a special or rare stamp.
Would you like to know what your stamps from home or abroad can yield? Then have them appraised by our top professionals. We have more than twenty years of experience in such valuations and can also advise you on domestic and international auctions.
