r/stampcollecting Jul 30 '26

How do you know which stamps deserve a second look in a huge collection?

5 Upvotes

I’ve been reading through some of the inherited collection posts here, and one part of the process still seems almost impossible to me.

Imagine opening several albums and boxes containing thousands of stamps. Some are already arranged, some are loose in envelopes, and many appear to be duplicates. You know almost nothing about stamps, but you also don’t want to accidentally overlook something interesting.

Sorting everything by country seems manageable. What I don’t understand is what happens after that.

There obviously isn’t enough time to measure every perforation, check every watermark or research every stamp individually. During a first pass, what would make an experienced collector pull one stamp aside for a closer look instead of placing it with the common ones?

Once you find something that might be worth researching, what do you normally check first?

I’m not looking for a valuation of any particular stamp. I’m mostly trying to understand how collectors avoid spending months researching every common stamp without accidentally passing over something important.


r/stampcollecting 5h ago

What would you name this collection?

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21 Upvotes

r/stampcollecting 2h ago

Help me understand my grandfather's stamp collection (Swiss portion)

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7 Upvotes

So I am not a stamp collector and really don't know anything about stamps, but I would love to know something about the collection of my grandfather. He died in 1984, before I was born. As I understand it he was an incredible collector, with a collection of stamps from all over the world. He hand wrote all his notes in the most beautiful calligraphy. Anyway, my mother inherited a portion of the collection. I live in Switzerland, and last time I was home I took a few photos of the Swiss part of the collection. I would love to know what people think of this collection, as I have no idea at all. My mother has always wondered if we should get these looked at by an expert, or insured. I wonder if anyone can advise if this is something worth doing?


r/stampcollecting 1h ago

Need some help with these German stamps please.

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Upvotes

Hi, I've been looking through a stamp collection my grampa gave me in the 90s and was wondering about the line of German stamps in the photo, are they very common, desirable etc, any insight appreciated. Thank you


r/stampcollecting 1d ago

Scott #1 with an interesting cancel

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24 Upvotes

Scott 1b with a PF cert 85 but that isn't the interesting part. It has a Tallahassee cancel. Florida became a state in 1845. No 1s were issued in 1846. Florida and especially western FL was a backwater. Sparsely populated. Makes this stamp quite unique and adds value. Note the "ASSEE" on the cancel


r/stampcollecting 17h ago

Canada Back of the Book

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3 Upvotes

r/stampcollecting 22h ago

Scott #9 but has 2 perfs? UGG!

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3 Upvotes

r/stampcollecting 1d ago

Cool internet-themed stamps I bought in Beijing

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32 Upvotes

r/stampcollecting 2d ago

Australia £1 (Arms) 1949

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45 Upvotes

r/stampcollecting 1d ago

24¢ Washington 1861 — Scott #60/#70? MAR 4 1861 Cancel — Before Issue Date?

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11 Upvotes

Looking for help from U.S. classics specialists.

This appears to be a 24¢ Washington of the 1861 issue, potentially the old Scott #60 Dark Violet/First Color or a #70 variety.

The problem is the red cancellation: it appears to clearly read MAR 4 1861.

That is months BEFORE the accepted August 1861 appearance of this issue. Scott lists #70c, 24¢ violet on thin paper, with an earliest documented use of Aug. 20, 1861. Even the historical Scott #60 First Color is associated with the August 1861 printing.

The stamp appears pale violet/gray-violet on thin/translucent paper.

So what am I looking at? Forged or added cancellation? Color changeling? Misidentified issue? Something connected to the old #60 First Color?

I’m not claiming a pre-issue discovery — I’m trying to understand how a stamp of this design ended up with an apparent MAR 4 1861 cancellation. Any help identifying the stamp and especially the cancel would be appreciated.


r/stampcollecting 2d ago

Scott 6

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35 Upvotes

I have restarted collecting US used classics mainly 1-39. I thought I would share some recent purchases over time. This hobby is fascinating in terms of stamp history, plating (what sheet), wearing on the plate or recutting etc. I wish more people would get interested. I have the resources now to obtain high quality. I think they will hold value but...one never knows. Here is a 6 graded 90 recently by PSE. Also PF 90. Only 8 grade higher.


r/stampcollecting 1d ago

stamp collectors/experts(?)

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1 Upvotes

r/stampcollecting 2d ago

Scott 8A

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11 Upvotes

I said I would post some more. One of my favorites graded 95 by both PF and PSE. Valuable blue town cancel. Plate 4. 17R4


r/stampcollecting 1d ago

What else to add to my Canadian stamp collection?

3 Upvotes

Just getting started here! Right now I have a Anaxyrus fowleri (Fowlers toad endangered species), Africville stamp, and probably a few other old stamps my grandfather left behind before he passed away

What other notable Canadian stamps should I consider adding to my collection?

If they include Queen Elizabeth II or anything British/Commonwealth related, I’d be open to that too.


r/stampcollecting 2d ago

Here is my stamp collection!

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14 Upvotes

Do you guys see any production errors or anything else that make my collection high value?


r/stampcollecting 2d ago

Scott 39. ?fake cancel or legit

5 Upvotes

I have restarted collecting stamps over the past 18 months. Mostly US used classics of high quality bought at Siegel, Kelleher or Rumsey. This is an interesting conumdrum. It came from a remainder lot I won at Siegel. The Scott 39 was used for international postage for only one year and was decommissioned due to the cicil war. Used are very rare with only 130 documented. This does not have a cert and may well have a fake cancel but a friend who certs for PF looked it over and can't find anything to call it a fake. But is is not an expert on this stamp. Opinions?


r/stampcollecting 2d ago

MY FIRST EXCHANGE !!!

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone 👋 i am starting my postcard exchange journey .

I have a collection of used and new stamps and postcards that I am looking to exchange

Let's exchange postcards and stamps

I am from India

I would love to send everyone that sends me ☺️


r/stampcollecting 3d ago

Father’s stamps

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19 Upvotes

I am not a stamp collector, nor do I have any knowledge about the value of stamps. My father has collected over the years, but he hasn’t kept up with technology (he’s in his 70s), and he asked me to see if these have any value, or if I could acquire information regarding them. Both of us would appreciate any input from your community! Thanks so much.


r/stampcollecting 3d ago

What year is this?

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11 Upvotes

I have my great grandfather’s & my grandfather’s stamp collection. Found this one and being a military family I just want to know what year the stamp would be? I think the uniforms are from 1870s, possibly.


r/stampcollecting 3d ago

1870 national banknote issue(no grill) complete set

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86 Upvotes

r/stampcollecting 3d ago

Simpsons Stamps

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19 Upvotes

Found these bad boys!


r/stampcollecting 3d ago

Damaged deliveries

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11 Upvotes

Honest answer here. I finally received an order I made but when I got it I could see that the envelope was bent. It’s pretty obvious that it happened during the mailing process but the seller only put it in a dealer’s card and a glassine envelope. Is that the standard and everyone else I’ve bought from has just been going above and beyond or what are your thoughts?


r/stampcollecting 4d ago

Very Happy Update on the Frog Stamps

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40 Upvotes

Hello everyone! Some of you may have seen this post of mine wherein I asked all of you whether a sheet of "frog stamps" I bought were legit or not. Spoiler to anyone who hasn't seen the post: no, they were not!

I wanted to thank you all again for the wonderful support and the amount of information that you gave me, a newbie, about spotting counterfeit stamps! It feels really cool to know those things now as I begin collecting them. I still love frogs, still love stamps, and still would like to get more frog stamps, lol, so I can also use the knowledge to hopefully get more of them! But I've also been using some of the skills to spot other fakes online while trying to find more stamps I'd like to collect.

I also didn't know the stamp ceremonies were a thing before this experience, and they sound really cool. I'd love to attend one someday! I've been keeping my eye out for any new stamp announcements to see if there's a ceremony I can attend in the future.

As a very happy update, u/roastsucklingpotato reached out and offered to send me their First Day of Issue memorabilia for the frog stamps. It included two of the first day of issue envelopes, the ceremony agenda and invitation, and a genuine sheet of the frog stamps. I didn't originally realize the sheet would be included, so it was a wonderful surprise! After much searching I have finally acquired a dream stamp set. I am so beyond happy and grateful for the generosity. I was frog spotting on my lunch break today, and spotted a bunch of Northern Leopard Frogs, which are on one of the stamps, and it all felt so very wonderful.

So yes, happy update! And hopefully my collection will continue to grow in the future :D


r/stampcollecting 4d ago

How do i know the stamp is rare and has value?

0 Upvotes

I have around 500s of stamp which at least 30+ years. But how do i know which one is rare.
Making photos of each and asking one by one is practically consumes lots of time.


r/stampcollecting 4d ago

I miss trading with someone 😅. I have too many duplicates I don’t need. Looking to trade 100 of my worldwide stamps for 100 USA earlier 1900’s-1950’s. I won’t send duplicates and appreciate the same. 😎 Who wants to trade with me? I’m in the USA.

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16 Upvotes