How to collect postage stamps and where they sell them. The most expensive and rare stamps of the USSR. Postage stamps of the USSR and their cost

Collecting is a type of human activity recognized as the most popular hobby in the world. What do people collect? Everything from traffic jams and similar trinkets to expensive cars.

A collection is an ordered collection of things united by a common characteristic.
Collecting is a widespread, interesting and often expensive hobby.

What true collectors do not collect: stamps, coins, toys, souvenir magnets, postcards, weapons, watches, dolls, mugs, books, candy wrappers, sea shells, books, maps, flags, etc.

Wealthier people collect paintings, weapons, rare books, cigarettes, icons and wines. Significant amounts of money are spent on this type of hobby. The cost of some collectible exhibits reaches hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Some people even collect cars, planes and ships. There are enormous opportunities for those who want to do this. You can collect items easier and cheaper, but the activity will not lose its originality.

The amazing imagination of people is amazing when you find out what people collect. Many people collect incredible things. It turns out that there are collectors of bricks, just bottles and medicine bottles, cameras and celebrity autographs.

What are collectors of various items called?

Collectors of certain items are called by different names. People who collect matchsticks are called philumenists, and postcard collectors are called philocartists. Humophilia - collecting candy wrappers from chewing gum. Plangonologists are doll collectors. Hepatophiles collect ice cream wrappers, and vromologists collect cheese labels. Collectors of magnets are called memomagnets. collecting money in the form of paper signs, faleristics - awards. Psaligraphophilists collect newspaper clippings, conchiophilists collect seashells.

What do lepidopterophilists collect? Butterflies. There are many such unusual names. It is impossible to list everything.

Numismatics

A person who collects coins is called a numismatist. The word "numismatics" comes from the Latin numisma - coin. began to be practiced in the 14th century. And as one of the fields of science, numismatics arose in the 18th century.

In Russia, Peter I initiated coin collecting. He bought (1721) in Hamburg a collection of Moders coins for the Kunstkamera.

Now the collection of the Russian State Hermitage includes 63,360 ancient, 360,000 Western European, 220,000 Eastern and 300,000 Russian coins. Their age is equal to the period from the 7th century BC to the present day.

Of the world's most famous ancients, the largest was found in China. Total weight is about 500 kilograms. The oldest of these coins was minted in 206 BC. Its owner was a man who lived in the 13th century.

Philatelics

A person who collects stamps is a philatelist. Philately as a field of collecting emerged in the 1840s. At that time, postage stamps were introduced into circulation (1840).

In Russia, the emergence of philately is associated with the release of the first stamps in Russia (1858) and envelopes (1845). In the 19th century, a 6-kopeck stamp for eastern correspondence envelopes (1863) was valued by collectors at 100, and a 5-kopeck stamp for a Moscow Post envelope (1846) was valued at 1000 German marks.

Today there are many regional philatelic organizations with their own websites.

Philatelics and numismatics are the most popular types of collecting.

There can be a huge number of ideas about collecting. Collecting will never lose its relevance, and, on the contrary, will be replenished with the latest original ideas.

Collecting is a fun and interesting activity in which both adults and children are involved. One of the most popular types of collecting is philately, which is associated with the collection and study of postage marks. Such signs include: postage stamps, couplings, blocks, postmark impressions, stickers, etc. Collecting stamps is the most popular area of ​​philately. This activity, in addition to its fascination, has another advantage - it is cheap, since postage stamps, in comparison with the same coins, are not so expensive. Because of this, even a schoolchild can become interested in philately.

Album for collectible stamps

How to start collecting?

A person who collects postal stamps is called a philatelist. How can you become a collector?

1) Getting started collecting postage stamps is not difficult, the main thing is to know how to start. On initial stage you can familiarize yourself with the necessary information about the basics of philately - you can find the necessary information on specialized electronic resources, in particular, on thematic collectors’ forums. At the initial stage of involvement in philately, it does not hurt to purchase several postage stamps, thereby starting to collect them. You can make a purchase from experienced postage stamp collectors, and you should not focus on just one type or collection of stamps, it is advisable to buy different copies. It’s easier and cheaper to buy stamps in batches, but this way you can purchase a large number of copies of the same type. If you want to acquire stamps at the initial stage, you should buy them separately.

2) Buying stamp pliers is a mandatory step in getting involved in philately. This device is often confused with tweezers. Stamp pliers and tweezers are similar to each other and function in the same way, but special pliers do not damage the stamp paper: the design of the pliers allows you to easily grasp and lift the stamp, even from a flat surface. On sale you can find different models of tweezers for brands - with sharp, hook-shaped and rounded ends. Philatelists with extensive experience in collecting do not recommend buying tweezers with too sharp ends, since these can damage the paper from which most types of stamps are made. Is it possible to do without tongs altogether? The answer to this question will be negative, since frequent contact of brands with the skin of the hands will lead to contamination of the former.

Stamp crimpers

3) No matter how many stamps a philatelist has, it is recommended to sort all collectible items according to some criteria. For example, this could be the country of manufacture or year of manufacture. You can also sort stamps by the images printed on them, and this type of collecting will be called thematic philately. For example, you could group stamps that feature only airplanes or celebrities. Some philatelists sort specimens solely by color (size and shape).

4) Once a collector has collected a certain number of stamps, he should take care of how the collection will be stored. Improper storage of stamps will lead not only to their loss, but also to the loss of their attractive appearance, and, therefore, their value. How to prevent such a situation? If a collector has collected a small amount of copies, then for the first time you can stock up on several envelopes in which to fold certain types marks. However, this method of storing a collection has a significant disadvantage - if a philatelist has to remove only 1 copy from an envelope, then he will have to take out the entire contents of the envelope and look for the required stamp. Therefore, most in the best possible way storing the collection involves placing stamps in a special album.

You can find a large selection on sale different models albums for storing stamps. They differ from each other not only in size and cost, but also in the type of pages. However, all stamp albums have a lot in common. For example, the sheets of all albums are made of soft cardboard.

Each page is covered with a transparent film attached to the sheet according to the pocket principle: the film is attached to the side and glued to the sheet from the bottom. The cardboard itself plays the role of a background for the stamps. It is offered in black or white. Albums with black pages are more expensive compared to those with sheets white, however, the former have an advantage. The main advantage of albums with black sheets is that dark background favorably sets off stamps, which for the most part are printed on light paper.

Popular among collectors are albums whose pages are made of Manila cardboard. The sheets of such albums are equipped with individual pockets designed for inserting copies of the collection. In addition, albums of this type have an affordable price and excellent wear resistance. However, this model also has disadvantages. In particular, one of them is that the bottom of the stamps is not visible on the pages of such an album.

5) For collecting, you will also have to buy other equipment. For example, a magnifying glass is a must-have for a stamp collector. On sale you can find magnifying glasses that differ from each other not only in diopters, but also in size, as well as the presence additional functions(for example, this could be an illuminated magnifying glass or a model equipped with a stand). You can also buy a photographic tray, press, spare stamp albums, envelopes, etc.

Studying a brand with a magnifying glass

6) If a person decides to engage in philately, then he must be prepared for the fact that he will often have to communicate with other collectors. For example, once a collector has sorted through all the specimens, he will discover that many of them are duplicates. Throwing away or destroying these is not an option, because perhaps other philatelists do not have these exact stamps in their collection. Exchange of stamps is a common practice among philatelists, which allows not only to get rid of excess stamps, but also to replenish your collection with missing items.

Determining brand value

The ability to determine the value of a stamp is a required skill for every philatelist. How to determine the value of copies:

1. The main criterion for the value of stamps is the year of their issue, but determining it is not as easy as it might seem at first glance, because most stamps do not indicate the date of issue. You can determine the age of a specimen from the image. The thing is that the issue of many types of stamps is dedicated to some event in history or the anniversary of such an event. The stamps are at least several decades old and are made of rough paper.
2. To determine the city and country in which the stamp was issued, it is worth paying attention to the inscriptions depicted on the copy. If there are inscriptions on it foreign language, then they should be translated, which will allow you to “read” the history of the brand.
3. On high quality stamps the image is placed strictly symmetrically on the canvas. To assess symmetry, you can examine the stamp under a magnifying glass.
4. Also, to determine the value of a brand, you can pay attention to the sticker, which is a strip of gummed paper that secures the copy on an envelope or postcard. The most valuable, from the point of view of philately, are the stamps that have such a sticker preserved, and if it has a peppermint flavor, then the value of such a specimen increases several times.
5. You can also evaluate a brand by its perforation features (perforation is done so that copies can be easily separated from each other). Thus, stamps with small perforations of a round shape are considered ancient, and therefore the most valuable for collectors. You can measure perforation using a special device called a tooth gauge.
6. The presence of markings on a specimen significantly reduces its value. A stamp that does not have such a stamp will become a desirable acquisition for many collectors.
7. Those specimens that are collected in a collection according to such criteria as subject matter are also considered valuable. If stamps from the same series are offered separately, their value decreases.
8. Unique stamps are considered valuable by many collectors. What is the uniqueness of the brand? To understand the essence of this criterion, you should know that copies that have gone on sale in the last 60 years cannot a priori be considered unique, since they were produced in quantities equal to several tens of millions. But defective stamps (with incorrectly written dates, inaccurately applied images) are very much valued by philatelists, since there are very few similar copies, which means that they are valuable.

There are brands that have zero value. First of all, this applies to copies with perforation defects, as well as dented, torn, dirty and punctured stamps.

Many new philatelists are interested in the question of where to buy (sell, evaluate) stamps. In fact, this is not difficult, because on the Internet there are a huge number of thematic forums dedicated to philately. Here you can find those who buy and sell brands and offer them your services. As for the evaluation of specimens, this task can be entrusted to collectors or dealers with experience. The latter not only evaluate stamps, but also, for a fee, will find the client a buyer for his stamp or a seller offering the desired collector's item.

Philately is a fascinating activity for many collectors, which has not lost its popularity over the years. In addition, the hobby of collecting brings profit to people, which is also an advantage of such an activity.

Philately is not only an exciting activity, but also a good source of income. Owners of the collection can sell stamps at any time in order to improve their financial situation, having previously found out the prices for them.

Today it is not difficult to put up philatelic items for sale, there is always a demand for them, and passionate collectors are ready to pay a lot of money for a decent card. For a transaction to be successful, its assessment and execution must be trusted exclusively to experienced specialists.

ASSESSMENT OF BRANDS

The price of some philatelic rarities is simply amazing. Buying stamps - profitable business. For example, an uncanceled 10-kopeck stamp of the USSR from 1925 was sold for $18,000. After looking through the catalog of offers from philatelic salons, you can make right choice in favor of an organization with a good reputation, which will buy the brand and pay decent money for it.

Addresses

Before you sell your own collection or individual postage stamps, you should find out their approximate price. This can be quite difficult for a non-professional to do. The purchase price of stamps is influenced by several factors.

1. Age. The cards do not indicate the year of manufacture, so it can be difficult to determine exactly how old a specimen is at first glance. It is worth paying attention to the type of paper, the image (it is possible that the stamp is dedicated to some historical event), and the purpose of use.
2. Place of issue of the stamp. The value of the card depends on the city. Each country produces them in its own language.
3. Presence of a branded sticker. It is a strip of gummed paper. Old stamps usually do not have it if it has already been pasted into an album or on an envelope. Philatelists especially appreciate the mint stamp sticker, over which the adhesive is evenly distributed.
4. Marking. Marking that is too noticeable reduces the value of the brand. Cards on which it is lightened or applied barely noticeably are more valuable.
5. Perforation form. Using a gear gauge - special device to measure the size of perforation - determine the size of the holes along the edge of the paper web. On old stamps it is round, clear and neat.
6. Uniqueness. Rarity and exclusivity depend on the circulation and the number of copies preserved. Stamps issued over the past 60 years have little value. Stamps , which were printed in the USSR are sold at not the highest prices. This is explained by the fact that it went on sale in a circulation of more than 150 million. Of great interest to philatelists are defective copies where there are printing errors or the image is upside down. Collectors are willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for rare stamps.

The value of the stamp is affected by the condition of the stamp. “Light” cancellation does not spoil the appearance of the card and does not affect its artistic value. Such items are highly valued by philatelists.

If the stamp is “rough” (traces of careless cancellation remain on its surface), then the stamp may lose value. Cancelled stamps may be rejected if an expert considers that the ink hides a counterfeit.

If the stamp bears a full postmark, where the date, place and time of cancellation are clearly visible, collectors are willing to pay handsomely for it.

Where is the best place to sell stamps?

The price of philatelic material can range from 10 dollars to several thousand. foreign currency. Owners of valuables often ask the question: where to sell stamps profitably and safely, so that they can be assessed by a professional before making a transaction.

Today, specialized philatelic salons that purchase stamps enjoy special trust. Stores and collectors price printed items below their actual value, trying to get the best deal for themselves.

The list of services of philatelic salons includes the purchase of stamps of the USSR , postal materials periods Tsarist Russia, RSFSR, Russian Federation, evaluation of foreign stamps, regardless of the topic of collecting. A catalog of organizations involved in the purchase of stamps will allow you to find out brief information about the offered prices and choose a salon where you can contact for help.

A little history

The first postage stamp was issued in England in 1840. By the early 50s of the 19th century, a new hobby arose that swept the whole world - philately. Collecting rare stamps was carried out as simple people, as well as famous personalities and representatives of ruling dynasties: Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Rainier of Monaco, A.K. Faberge and many others. Back in the days Russian Empire Circles and clubs were organized for philatelists, where owners of rarities could sell stamps or replenish them with a new copy. They compiled catalogs that included a variety of brands from different parts of the world. The headquarters of the International Philatelic Federation, which includes national philatelic unions of 75 countries on the planet, is located in Zurich.

With the disappearance of communism, not only the political but also the financial structure of the state changed. Entrepreneurs have more opportunities to realize their ideas and build a quality business. At the same time, the collecting market began to develop, and the number of interested people grew every year.

It is known that in Soviet times, many citizens loved to collect various items, including medals, orders, coins, banknotes, flags, signs, badges and stamps. The dominant organization released them in large quantities, promoting their ideology to the masses. For example, stamps were made in honor of national heroes, anniversaries, etc. Soviet stamps price catalog began to attract collectors a long time ago.

What is philately? First of all, this is an exciting activity for extraordinary and inquisitive individuals who strive to learn history through stamps. In addition, collecting products is a profitable business. You can sell USSR postage stamps and their prices in specialized stores.

If someone wants to invest money, but does not know how to do it, you can pay attention to an interesting hobby - philately.

Every collector wants to eventually assemble an exclusive collection of products. After all, these exhibits have artistic value and are classified as miniature graphics. Today, philately is a popular hobby; there are millions of people around the world who are passionate about this activity. Having collected a full-fledged collection, it is possible to study the history of postal services. The specimens will also help create a picture of world civilization. You can always analyze USSR stamps, cost catalog prices.

Note that philately has existed for about two hundred years; for some collectors it has become the meaning of life. Each stamp has an original design, inscription, and decor. The highest prices are for rare exhibits.

History of the brand

In the 19th century, the most expensive exhibit was released, which immediately became a collector's item. Since then, copies have constantly changed design and image. Analyze all postage stamps by year with pictures in special editions.

Experts conducted an auction analysis in 2008 and found that the most expensive stamp was the 1857 copy. The price for the stamp was about 700 thousand US dollars. It depicted a double-headed eagle. Now only a few exhibits of such stamps have survived.

Since 1832, stamps began to be used as payment for postal services. After several developments by Treffenberg and Chalmers, stamps began to be printed in batches. They indicated the cost of delivery of the goods. The price depended on the weight of the parcel. USSR postage stamps catalog prices sell through online resources.

Let us remember that Rowland Hill was the first to propose using stamps to pay for postage. He is also credited for creating the sketch for the first postal copy. It was printed in Britain in the mid-19th century. Later, the Universal Postal Union established details and signs for each state.

Over time, stamps began to be perceived not only as an attribute of sending letters, but also as a collectible item. There was even a scientific discipline about stamps - philately.

After Britain, other European powers, including Imperial Russia, began to use stamps. In 1957, a ten-kopeck stamp was printed in Russia. It featured a coat of arms and a robe. Now this brand can be sold on the market for $500,000. Prices for postage stamps can be obtained from experts.

The first printed publication in the country appeared in 1861, in which one could find the most famous exhibits of that time. A few years after the catalog was issued, the postal service began using stamps when delivering letters. The government began to produce exhibits different shapes: oval, round, rhombic shape. They also came with or without roots.

You can view USSR stamp prices in a specialized printed publication, which contains a full description of all copies, including photographs. After the revolution, the first Soviet stamp was printed, depicting a hand with a sword and chain. It was in circulation for only a few years, so the price for such a stamp is high. The resources have a catalog of USSR stamps and their prices.

In the early 1930s, the first open exhibition by a stamp collector was held, and in honor of this, a product called “Cardboard” was released. In total, no more than 550 such exhibits were printed. Today it is very difficult to find such specimens; the approximate price at auction is $500,000.

Of course, professional collectors are more interested in rare stamps. It is very difficult to find these stamps, as they are in private collections. It is no less easy to purchase rare items; they usually come with a huge price tag, which scares off many buyers. However, collectible lots are a means of reliable investment. Over time, you can make good money on a unique collection of stamps. USSR postage stamps catalog prices to sell at online auctions, indicating the real cost of the copies.

When the Soviet circus turned 40 years old, the authorities wanted to issue a stamp in honor of this event. However, disagreements over the founding of the circus played a decisive role in the cancellation of these brands. And only on the 60th anniversary of the circus, the government finally released a stamp called “Blue Gymnast.” Now these specimens are considered rare, so many philatelists are ready to pay a lot of money for it. You can study valuable stamps of the USSR and their value with photos through the catalog, which contains all the information about the exhibits.

“Limonka” is also considered a valuable brand on the market. A copy was released in 1925. The price for uncanceled exhibits is higher, so professional collectors monitor the latest market trends. The fact is that some of the stamps were not finished printing; as a result, a very small number of stamps of this type came into circulation. The last time such a stamp was sold at auction was $20,000.

In the late 1950s, due to political unrest, the release of copies in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Poltava was blocked. The authorities first removed the entire batch from circulation and then destroyed it. According to experts, only a few dozen stamps have survived. A similar situation happened with the exhibit called “Flight of Peace and Friendship.” Cancelled stamps of the USSR, their value is fully described in printed publications, their photographs are published there for detailed study.

In addition, there are brands with their own unique history. This factor affects the final cost of the series. For example, the copy “Levanevsky with overprint” contains a typographical error, which is highly valued by philatelists on the market. Also the stamp “Flight Moscow – San Francisco via North. pole 1935" is classified as a rare specimen.

By order of the USSR, “Consular Fifty Kopecks” items were made specifically for the embassy in Germany. This example has an overprint, which forced the authorities to withdraw the stamps from circulation. In other words, stamps containing errors in the text are much more expensive on the market than all others. However, there are only a small number of such brands throughout the country.

When it became possible to transport letters and parcels by plane in the country of the Soviets, the government issued the first multi-colored series of stamps. This exhibit depicted a Fokker F-111 aircraft. In the 2000s, this brand was sold on the market for $87,000. But to send airmail from Franz Josef Land to Arkhangelsk, the “Second International Polar Year” stamp was used. All information is available in the catalog, which describes rare stamps of the USSR, catalog prices.

In the early 1930s, the “Slate Blue Airship” stamp was created, which was printed in light blue, although the original plan was to have a brown tint. Since then, collectors have dreamed of owning rare pieces. Not long ago, a toothless stamp was sold at auction for $130,000. A catalog of USSR postage stamps can be sold using special online auctions. Before you buy or sell a stamp collection, you need to find out the real value of the exhibits.

Also sell the USSR postage stamps catalog in specialized retail outlets at predetermined prices. The cost of products is determined by the condition of the brand, so store cultural values better in albums.

In the 1980s, the “Cosmos” stamp was issued, dedicated not only to the space successes of the USSR, but also to the Soyuz T-5 and T-7 spacecraft. Let us remember that at that time the country occupied a leading place in space exploration, so the authorities released paraphernalia with redoubled power. Stamp catalogs from 1980 will tell you in more detail about all the copies on this topic.

Rare stamps of the USSR price of the early 1990s are divided into a number of series. For example, then stamps were made in honor of Keres, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Lenin, Victory Day, etc. The government also released a batch of exhibits called “Boris Yeltsin. The first president of Russia."

Evaluation of exhibits

To correctly determine the value of stamps, you need to evaluate the condition of the copies. It is important to remember that the price tag depends on the following things:

1. Condition of the brand.
2. Number of copies issued.
3. Date of manufacture.
4. Defects.
5. Deviations from sketches, glue residues, overprints, etc.

If the collection contains postage-cancelled stamps, they will be worth much less on the market than other exhibits. In this case, pure stamps will go under the hammer for higher prices. Stamps issued in honor of some memorable date, can be sold on the market at a high price.

The least valued stamps are those without teeth and those that are damaged. Philatelists prefer to pay attention to rare and valuable exhibits with a unique history.

Now on the Internet there are a large number of advertisements like “selling USSR postage stamps, prices catalogue”. However, it is better to make deals with trusted online resources. To know full list The best online auctions can be found on specialized forums where experienced philatelists communicate with each other. There is also information about trading platforms with a positive reputation. In this regard, before putting up an original collection of stamps for auction, it is better to consult with real specialists.

Interested sale of old stamps? Can't find where to buy old stamps at an attractive price? Welcome to the online auction Soberu.ru - here you can update your collection at any convenient time!

Vintage postage stamps - a philatelist's cherished dream

Old postage stamps are the cherished dream of, perhaps, every philatelist. The postage signs themselves have no value, being simply very small colored pieces of paper. And they become valuable because some other collector wants to have them in his collection and is willing to pay good money. The price of these popular collectibles depends on certain changes:

• in economics
• in people's moods
• in fashion
• in trends.

However, over the years the cost increases significantly. Sometimes antique postage stamps can cost a fortune, so this hobby is considered an excellent investment.

Of course, the oldest stamp is considered to be the very first official postage sign - the “Penny Black”, issued in the spring of 1840. You will have to pay approximately from 10 to 200 dollars for such canceled old stamps. The price of a pure “Black Penny”, preserved in perfect condition, can reach tens of thousands of dollars.

How to determine the value of old stamps?

How to determine the value of postage marks? To begin with, it is recommended to look for information in relevant reference publications. You can track the history of existing copies and find out their value using special encyclopedias or catalogs. The most famous are the Scott catalog (American) and the Michel catalog (German, very detailed). The figures are entered into them after a thorough analysis of the philatelic market, and these, of course, are only recommended prices.

In addition, you can use online resources. There are many sites that make it easy to determine the uniqueness and value of payment tokens. For example, some stores on the global network, which are full of advertisements for Buying or Selling old brands, have thousands of copies in their assortment. By exploring them, it’s easy to find the collectibles you’re interested in. You can also search for the necessary information on philatelist forums, ask questions, or simply chat with like-minded people.

Happy shopping and selling, gentlemen, collectors!