While tripping merrily through the mail, John Williams was overheard
 JW> I refered to the Harding as mint only to specify it was not used.
 JW> I don't think It is worth the $15,000 in the catalogue, However it's 
 JW> perf's measure right to be the #613.  I have had it to a shop to have
 JW> it appraised, But he told me that he would have to take it in the back
 JW> to check for watermarks.  I told him in no uncertain terms that he was
 JW> a dishonest man, because I knew there was no matter of a watermark on
 JW> this stamp.  Another man told me he would give me $3,000 But I don't
It's been quite few years since I've been a collector (decided I had too
many hobbies, so the stamps and the 1:25 car models went, leaving me the
model railroad and the record collection), but that $3000 seems like a pretty
fair price.  I'll tell you how I arrive at that.  I used to deal with
several dealers who would SELL any stamp they had at half catalog.  That
brings it down to $7500.00.  Now the dealer has to make a profit, and he's
tying up cash, so most dealers I know will buy for about half of what they
expect to sell it for.  That makes it $3250.  Knock off a little for the
fact yours is not "perfect", and there you are!
 JW> know if this is a fair price or not.  If you or anyone else knew of a
 JW> very honest person that I could talk to about this and the rest of the
 JW> collection, I would appreciate hearing of them. My collection is Very
 JW> extensive, however, my knowledge of it is limited, It was my
 JW> inheritance from my grandfather who collected since 1918.  I don't
 JW> wan't to sell the whole thing, but I don't have any other way to pay
 JW> the doctors.  I appreciate your reply, sorry if I am cluttering this
 JW> Fidonet. 
The quickest way to sell your stamps would be to take them to a reputable
dealer.  You can "shop around" a little, but in fairness, if you DO take
them to a dealer, and expect a free fair appraisal, you do need to let
him know you're selling them as a "lot", and that he has a fair to good
chance of aquiring them.
The other alternative would be to sell the stamps individually by mail
auction.  I know a lot of record collectors do this through "Gold Mine"
magazine, I believe you could do the same thing through a classified ad
in something like "Linn's Stamp News".  You will probably get more for
the "special" pieces, but the "run of the mill" stamps will sit, and it
will take longer to sell them.
US stamps, other than "rarities" like your Harding, or the 1923 "upside
down" airmail, or "Zeppelins" are NOT generally very valuable.  You can
still buy most of the commemoratives from the 1930's, 40's and 50's at
face value!  For some reason, for these to be really worthwhile you need
at least "plate blocks".  This is why I suggest offering it to a dealer
as a "lot".  
Just to give you an example, I had a US album, with about $1500 catalog,
a German Album at about $1000 catalog, an Israel album at about $1000,
and a "world wide" general collection at maybe $1500.  When I sold them
(this was in the late 70's, early 80's), I got $275 for the US, $200 for
the German, a hundred bucks for the "world" and he didn't want the Israel
(I still have it).
Hope this is of help.  Remember, these are my opinions only, others may
disagree.
Don
... And on the 8th day God said "OK Murphy, you're in charge."
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