A buying quote
A buying quote is an offer to purchase. It tells you what a particular buyer will pay for the collection as it stands, today. Mine is free, based on your description and photos, and comes by email with a short note on what drove the number.
Good for: deciding whether to sell, comparing offers, and getting a realistic sense of what a collection is worth on the market.
Not good for: insurance documentation, estate or tax filings, or any situation where you need an independent opinion. A buyer is, by definition, not independent.
A formal appraisal
A formal appraisal is a written report by a qualified appraiser stating a value for a specific purpose: insurance replacement value, fair market value for an estate or donation, or something similar. It describes the items, the method and the appraiser's qualifications, and the appraiser charges a fee for the work, usually by the hour or by the project.
Good for: insurance schedules, estate settlements, equitable distribution among heirs, divorce proceedings, and charitable donations.
What to look for in an appraiser: credentials from a professional association such as the American Society of Appraisers, the International Society of Appraisers or the Appraisers Association of America; experience with paper ephemera or postcards specifically; and independence, meaning they will not offer to buy what they appraise.
Insurance value versus market value
The two numbers differ. Insurance replacement value is what it would cost to replace the items by buying comparable cards at retail, and it is usually higher. Fair market value is what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller, and it is the standard used for estates and donations. A buying quote is closer to wholesale: what a buyer pays to acquire a whole collection that they then have to sort and resell.
Donating a postcard collection
Museums, libraries and historical societies sometimes accept postcard collections, especially local views. If you plan to claim a tax deduction, talk to a tax professional first. Larger noncash donations carry specific documentation requirements, and above the $5,000 threshold a qualified appraisal is required. An institution cannot appraise a gift it receives.
Can I get a free postcard appraisal?
Not a formal one. Qualified appraisers charge for their work, and they should. What is free is an opinion of value from a buyer, through a quote. Many people find a quote is all they really needed: they wanted to know whether the album in the closet was worth a little or a lot.
How to prepare either way
Whether you want a quote or a formal appraisal, the preparation is the same:
- Keep the collection intact, exactly as found.
- Do not clean, trim, flatten or remove cards from albums.
- Make a rough count and note how the cards are stored.
- Photograph the whole collection, some album pages laid flat, a selection of the best cards, and a few backs.
- Write down anything you know about who collected the cards, when and where.
Postcard appraisal near me
Appraisers who specialize in postcards are uncommon, and few advertise locally. Professional association directories let you search by specialty and location, and many appraisers work from photographs for collections that are not extraordinary. For a simple answer to "what is it worth if I sell it", a quote by mail from a buyer is usually faster.
Questions people ask
How much does a postcard appraisal cost?
Formal appraisals are priced by the appraiser, typically by the hour or by the project, and the cost depends on the size of the collection and the purpose of the report. Ask for a written estimate before work begins. A buying quote, by contrast, is free.
Can a postcard dealer appraise my collection?
A dealer can tell you what they would pay, which is useful, but a dealer who might buy is not independent. For insurance, estate or tax purposes, use an independent qualified appraiser.
Do I need an appraisal to sell my postcards?
No. To sell, you need offers, not an appraisal. Many sellers get a free quote, compare it with other options, and decide.
Do I need an appraisal to insure a postcard collection?
For a valuable collection, many insurers ask for documentation, and an appraisal or a detailed inventory with photographs helps. Check with your insurer about what they require.
What should I bring to an appraiser?
The complete collection or good photographs of it, a rough count, any notes or provenance, and the purpose of the appraisal, since that determines the kind of value the appraiser reports.
What a good appraisal report contains
A formal appraisal should identify the appraiser and their qualifications, state the purpose of the appraisal and the type of value being reported (for example fair market value or insurance replacement value), and give the effective date. It should describe the items, usually grouped for a large postcard collection with notable cards listed individually, explain the method and market evidence used, and include the appraiser's signature and a statement of independence.
For a postcard collection, good evidence means comparable sales of similar cards, not asking prices. Ask the appraiser how they will source comparables before you hire them. If a report gives a single large number with no description or reasoning, it is not much use to an insurer, an executor or the IRS.
Keep the report with your records and update it if the collection changes significantly or many years pass.
Whatever route you choose, keep a copy of every quote and report together with photos of the collection. It makes later decisions far simpler.
Sources and further reading
Ready to sell? Compare where to sell old postcards, or see how to sell old postcards step by step.