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News | Evaluation, purchase and sale of old postage stamps

21.04.2023 Author: Mihail Petrov

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Many people ask me where they can have their old postage stamps evaluated or possibly sold. The truth is that there are several options, each with its own specifics. The easiest way to get an initial idea of the value is to browse websites that publish catalog prices. For Bulgarian stamps, you can use Philatelybg.eu, and for foreign ones – stampworld.com. There you will find indicative catalog values by year and series, but you should keep in mind that the actual selling price almost never reaches the catalog price. In most cases, old stamps are bought for around half of their catalog value, and sometimes even less, unless you own a truly rare and sought‑after issue.

Another option is to contact a professional evaluator from the Union of Bulgarian Philatelists or the local philatelic societies in cities such as Varna, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Pleven, Shumen, Dobrich, Ruse, and others. A professional can evaluate your stamps for a fee and may even be interested in purchasing them. This approach is suitable if you have more valuable issues, because the service is not cheap, and proper evaluation requires long‑term experience and in‑depth knowledge.

You can also sell your stamps yourself on international platforms such as eBay or Delcampe. This is a convenient way to reach a wider audience, but you should keep in mind that these websites charge commissions for every sale. Therefore, you need to set a higher price to cover the transaction costs.

There is also another option, which I personally chose – to keep my stamps and continue developing my collection. If philately appeals to you, it can become a wonderful hobby that brings enjoyment, knowledge, and new friendships. Sometimes the collector’s value and the emotional connection to the stamps turn out to be more meaningful than any sale.

To better understand which postage stamps and postal products have been issued over the years and what their approximate prices are, you can use our online catalog on PhilatelyBG.eu. The catalog contains complete information about Bulgarian postal issues, including images, descriptions, varieties, and indicative catalog values. It is a useful tool for both beginners and advanced collectors.

Registered users of the site have the ability to create their own personal Collections directly in the catalog. Adding a stamp or issue takes just one click, and the system automatically calculates the catalog value of the entire collection. This makes it easy to track the series you own, organize your materials, and structure your collections professionally.

Another useful feature is Image Search. If you have a stamp but don’t know what it is, which year it is from, or what its approximate value might be, you can simply upload a photo and the system will automatically recognize the image and suggest the closest matches from the catalog. This is especially convenient for people who are just starting out or have inherited stamps without any information.

On social media, you can follow news about stamp issuing in the Facebook group “Philately Bulgaria – New Generation,” as well as participate in groups for buying, selling, exchanging, and gifting stamps. The official page “Philately Bulgaria – New Generation” also offers up‑to‑date information and useful materials.

Philately is a beautiful and intelligent hobby that can bring you many pleasant moments, new knowledge, and valuable contacts. If you have any questions, you can always contact us through the contact form on the website.

For guidance on what postage stamps and postal products have been issued and at what approximate prices , you can use our Postage Stamp Catalogs .
 
Facebook group for news in branding:
PHILATELY BULGARIA
 
Sites where you can sell your old postage stamps:
Facebook groups:
PHILATELY (BUY, SELL, EXCHANGE, GIVE)
Philately Bulgaria - New Generation - official Facebook page of the site.
 
Sites for sale (with commissions):
E-bay
Delcampe.net
 
If you have any questions, please ask them via our contact form :)