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How to Find a Stamp Dealer or Appraiser
The safest way to find a stamp dealer is to begin with a professional directory, then screen for location, specialty and the exact service you need. A dealer who sells stamps, a buyer making an offer, an auction consignor and an appraiser are not interchangeable roles.
Where to start
Use the American Philatelic Society Dealer Directory to identify members by region and specialty. The directory is a useful filter, not a guarantee of price, availability, licensing, insurance or outcome. Recheck the business’s current identity, contact details, services and written terms before sending anything.
Choose the service before the person
| Service | What you receive | Main question |
|---|---|---|
| Direct sale to a dealer | A purchase offer | Is this a net cash offer, and when is payment made? |
| Consignment | Sale through the dealer for a fee | What are commission, insurance, payment and unsold-item terms? |
| Auction | Exposure to bidders, subject to fees and reserves | What is the estimate, reserve, seller commission and settlement schedule? |
| Formal appraisal | A written opinion for a stated purpose and date | What qualifications, market, scope, fee and conflicts apply? |
A dealer’s offer reflects that dealer’s resale costs, risk and inventory needs. It is not an independent appraisal. For an estate, insurance, tax, donation or legal matter, ask whether a qualified written appraisal is required and whether the appraiser has a financial interest in buying the property.
Prepare a useful first inquiry
- State the countries, approximate years and quantity.
- Describe singles, sets, albums, covers, sheets, unused postage and any certificates separately.
- Provide clear overview photos plus front and back images of potentially important pieces.
- Ask whether the dealer handles this material and offers buying, consignment, auction referral or appraisal.
- Ask about consultation fees before arranging a visit or home call.
The APS notes that an in-person review is generally more productive than trying to describe a collection by phone or email. Preserve the collection’s order, albums, annotations, envelopes and certificates; do not soak, clean, re-gum or re-hinge items in preparation.
Before transferring the collection
Create an inventory and dated photographs. Record who takes possession, the purpose, declared or insured value, shipping method and return deadline. For a consignment, get the commission, extra fees, reserve authority, insurance, payment timing and treatment of unsold material in writing. For a direct purchase, compare more than one informed offer when the value justifies it.
Buying from a dealer
Ask for the exact country, issue, catalog number, condition, alterations, certificate and return privilege. A membership badge does not replace an object-level description. Used stamps cannot be reused as postage, while unused U.S. postage and collectible market value must be evaluated separately.
Our stamp valuation guide explains how to identify comparable sales, and the stamp collecting center organizes related identification resources. This site does not provide appraisals, buy collections or operate a dealer directory.
Directory and guidance reviewed September 12, 2026. Confirm each business’s current terms and applicable local law directly.