How to Sell Old Postage Stamps

Analyze any gathered collections. Check for themes, such as country of origin or common year. Complete collections of related stamps are usually worth more than collections or books containing mismatched or random stamps, no matter their age.

Preserve other materials that may be worth as much or more than the stamps themselves. According to the experts at the Stamp Domain website, sent envelopes can have rare stamps attached. When intact and in good condition, they can be worth more than the stamp alone. Aged philatelic literature, such as pamphlets or books, can also be very valuable.

Appraise the stamps yourself using a copy of the "Scott Postage Stamp Catalog." The American Philatelic Society recommends this six-volume set as the best method for appraising the worth of postage stamps without the help of a professional.

Bring the collection or particularly interesting postage stamps to a stamp dealer or professional appraiser. Peter Aitken explains on his stamp collecting website that an appraiser may give you a more fair estimate because they are not interested in purchasing the collection. A dealer may offer you an amount immediately to purchase the collection, but it can be hard to know if they are making a fair offer.

List the most valuable stamps, or the whole collection, for sale on a stamp auction website. There are also a wide variety of stamp selling periodicals published around the country which will publish your offers for a small fee. Contacting a stamp club, especially for specialty stamps, is another good way to generate sales and interest.