Inherit a stamp collection? Here's what to do.

Email us at durbanostamps@gmail.com if you can't find an answer to your question.

What should I do now?

We hear from non-collectors on a daily basis that have just inherited a stamp collection or they are the Power of Attorney to an aging parent and need help. We usually are told that no one in the family is interested in continuing the collection and they just do not know what it is worth, where to go, what to do or how to dispose of their loved one’s collection.

Here is our step-by-step guide to assist you in having a collection appraised and/or sold.

1.) Go to the Canadian Stamp Dealers Association website and look for a CSDA member in your area that can discuss the collection and understand what disposal options they provide. Not all CSDA members are dealers and some may not buy all collections or travel to review them. Once you have found a dealer (like Durbano Stamps) that you feel confident working with, then arrange for that dealer to meet with you where the collection is located to provide an onsite appraisal. You should not feel forced to move it from its current environment. Durbano Stamps will always travel to see you and is an active buyer that always buys collections intact – we do not just cherry-pick the better items.

2.) Most dealers will not charge for a quick appraisal provided you are local but some may charge a travel fee if you are remote. At Durbano Stamps we will provide you with at least one NO CHARGE hour to review your collection and give you a verbal opinion.

3.) After the initial appraisal, you will be presented with some options. These are the options that Durbano Stamps usually presents:

(a) the stamps are of little value and you should consider gifting them to a young niece or nephew that may be interested in continuing the collection. If that is not an option then consider donating it to a local charity, a church group or mail it to the OXFAM Stamp Out Poverty program in Ottawa.

(b) the collection is extensive and will require more time to review at an added cost to cover our appraiser's time. This is also mandatory if a written appraisal is needed for Legal, Probate or Insurance purposes. If the collection requires more time to appraise, then you (the seller) will be given some options to consider before the appraisal can continue.

(c) the collection has higher value items or is highly specialized then you have other options available including sending some or all of it to a public stamp auction to be sold. You may also consider selling it yourself on eBay or through consignment sales but the final cost of selling may be high and the duration may be long. It is usually best to sell better items using a recognized auction house that uses multiple live bidding channels including in-person, via phone and online.

(d) the collection is of modest value and the appraiser/dealer will tender you a reasonable cash offer that considers many aspects including the scope of the collection, its age, its condition, the number of duplicates and its current saleability.

4.) It has been my experience that most collections can be appraised within an hour after which time a fair market price for the whole collection will be established. If you (the seller) agree to that price and the result is a direct, same day purchase by Durbano Stamps then our appraisal fee (if one was previously agreed to) is waived.

I trust that this information helps guide the non-collector in properly getting appraisals, assessing potential buyers, and then confidently selling their loved one's collection. If you have any questions concerning "What should I do with my inherited stamp collection" please contact Patrick Durbano directly. He can be reached at (416) 407-2422 or anytime by email at DurbanoStamps@gmail.com.

We are members of the CSDA

As an active member of the Canadian Stamp Dealers Association, we adhere to all of the principles of fair trade. For more information on our Code of Conduct the website by clicking on this link (CSDA - Code of Ethics). Patrick Durbano is also a member of CSDA Executive Board of Directors.

Would you like to you have a stamp collection appraised? Contact us now.