Selling stamps in New Zealand

Your stamps for sale generally fall into one of these categories:
• a carefully assembled collection that the collector has decided to sell;
• a stamp collection passed down from a family member that needs assessment for possible sale;
• new stamps purchased from a PostShop that have a printing error.

In all cases Ashford Stamps Ltd can provide a professional opinion on the best method of sale. We understand that not everyone with stamps to sell is a stamp expert, so we can offer helpful assistance without obligation.

"What are my stamps worth?" If there are items we are interested in purchasing we can make a cash offer, or perhaps suggest alternative avenues for disposal. There is no charge for a verbal purchase valuation.

Before visiting us for a purchase valuation please phone or email Brian Rumsey for an appointment. You can drop in without an appointment but there is a small risk we may be closed on the odd occasion.

Ashford Stamps is located Upstairs at 1 Ngaire Avenue, Newmarket, Auckland with free parking outside. Be sure to make your way up the stairs - don't get confused with the other businesses downstairs. Brian can help you with any heavy boxes. Telephone (09) 520 5946 or email ashford@stampsale.com.

If outside of Auckland please contact us with brief details of the collection for valuation. We can then advise the best way for us to view the stamps for assessment.

It is best to leave the collection exactly as it stands rather than spend unnecessary time tidying or sorting. We are constantly assessing all types of stamp collections and the presentation is not important in the valuation process. However, it is important to show us everything, including old envelopes and postcards as well as the stamp albums. Sometimes just one boring old envelope can be worth more than all the stamps in the album!

Most collections can be assessed to a useful degree of accuracy while you wait. Once we discuss an approximate value it is sometimes helpful for us to borrow the collection for a few days if it is particularly large or complicated. This will allow us to devote some quality time towards a detailed valuation, frequently assisted by our library of reference books and catalogues. If you prefer not to leave the collection we can usually come to a suitable arrangement.

The value of a stamp collection is often determined by the knowledge, enthusiasm and budget of the collector. Some collectors make frequent purchases from stamp dealers or stamp auctions. For top quality rare stamps we aim to offer the best market prices possible. For very large or valuable collections we can often exceed the offers of general stamp dealers who buy anything that is offered to them.

On the other hand, collections passed down through the family or assembled by purchasing new First Day Covers from the Post Office can often be of little value to advanced collectors. Sometimes collections are in poor condition. Although it may be disappointing to the owner, in some cases we may not be interested in purchasing.

Printing errors of current stamps (or older stamps) are very interesting to us. We have often purchased misprinted stamps for hundreds of dollars, and on a couple of occasions many thousands of dollars. If you have stamps missing the perforations, with misplaced perforations cutting through the designs, stamps with a colour missing, or any other printing faults we are keen to see them.

Managing Director and valuer is Mr Brian Rumsey. Since 1983 Brian has been involved in most aspects of professional philately, including valuations, retail, mail order and stamp shows. Brian is on the executive committee of the New Zealand Stamp Dealers Association, a trade body committed to upholding professional and ethical standards in the industry. Brian is also part of the expert committee of the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand, a small group of expert philatelists used in the consultation process to identify rare New Zealand stamps or determine authenticity.