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Rare Stamps Consignment
Sotheby's is your best resource for selling rare stamps at auction. Since our first postage stamps auction was held in 1872, Sotheby’s has represented the most significant and famous philatelists, including Sir Maxwell Joseph, Ryohei Ishikawa, Robert Gibbs, Sir Gawaine Baillie and Lady Mairi Bury. Our sale catalogues have become highly valued reference works within the collecting community. The world's most valuable stamp, British Guiana 1c Magenta, was sold at Sotheby's New York for 9,480,000 USD.
Our specialists invite collectors to consign other world-famous stamps that might include Treskilling Yellow, First Two Mauritius, Baden 9 Kreuzer, Inverted Jenny, Inverted Dendermonde, Hawaiian Missionaries, Red Mercury, Inverted Swan, Penny Black, Sicilian Error of Colour, Tiflis, and Post Office Mauritius or even Postmaster Provisionals.
Although Sotheby’s focuses on high-value, single-owner collections, our team offers free saleroom estimates for more modest properties and can recommend reputable outlets for sales by auction or private treaty. To learn about the value of your collection, simply submit images and information to Sotheby's through our easy-to-use online estimate form. Our specialists will review your submission and contact you to let you know of its sale potential.
Find Out the Value of Your Rare Stamps
Submit photos and information about your rare stamp collection to begin your complimentary estimate request.
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Rare Stamps Sold at Sotheby's
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Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the best time to sell my unique and rare stamp collection?Rare stamps of the classic period issued during the mid- to late-19th century are in constant demand. Collectible stamps with curious printing errors can command significant premiums. For example, in 1918, a sheet of 100 recently-introduced 24-cent airmail stamps was discovered with the centre inverted; the “Inverted Jenny” now sells for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Although Sotheby’s focuses on high-value, single-owner collections, our team offers free saleroom estimates for more modest properties and can recommend reputable outlets for sales by auction or private treaty.
- How is the value of my stamps determined?Sotheby's specialists have decades of experience in appraising and identifying old and rare stamps from around the world. Simply submit clear photographs of the front and back of your antique stamps and our specialists will carefully review the stamp or stamp collection and determine whether it is indeed collectible.
More information on how to sell with Sotheby's
Sotheby’s is your best resource to buy and sell an old stamp, uncanceled stamp, mint postage stamp, scarce stamp, unused block of stamps, sheet of postage stamps, stamp collection or rare stamp such as a British Guiana 1c Magenta, Treskilling Yellow, First Two Mauritius, Baden 9 Kreuzer, Inverted Jenny, Inverted Dendermonde, Hawaiian Missionaries, Red Mercury, Inverted Swan, Penny Black, Sicilian Error of Colour, Tiflis, Post Office Mauritius or Postmasters’ Provisionals. Also collectible are a plate block, imperforate pair, inverted image, essay, proof, specimen, used single, unused single, original gum, pane, cover, first day cover, bisect, and never hinged stamps.