The BlogGetting started
How to Build a Stamp Want List That Dealers Can Actually Fill
The fastest way to fill the holes in your album is a good want list. Here is how to write one a dealer can actually use.
Every collector knows the feeling: you open your album and see the empty spaces staring back at you. Browsing for the stamps you need can be fun, but it can also take a long time, especially for specific issues, plate blocks, or harder-to-find stamps.
That is where a stamp want list comes in. A want list is simply a written list of the stamps you are looking for. Send it to a dealer, and they can check their stock and let you know what they have. At Carolina Mountain Stamps, we match want lists from our shelf stock every day. Here is how to build one that gets results.
Why Use a Want List?
- It saves time. Instead of searching page after page, a dealer who knows their stock can pull what you need.
- It saves money. You buy only the stamps you need, not duplicates.
- It keeps you organized. A want list doubles as a checklist of your collection's gaps.
- It helps with harder items. Some stamps rarely show up in general browsing. A want list puts you first in line when they come in.
Step 1: Know What You Have
Before you can list what you need, you need an accurate picture of what you already own. Go through your album or stock books and note what is filled. Many collectors keep an inventory in a notebook or simple spreadsheet so they can update it as new stamps arrive.
If your album is arranged in catalogue order, this step is much easier, because empty spaces correspond to specific stamps.
Step 2: Use Scott Numbers
The single most helpful thing you can include on a want list is the Scott catalogue number for each stamp. Descriptions like "the red Washington stamp" can match dozens of different issues. A Scott number identifies one specific stamp.
For U.S. stamps, a want list might look like:
- U.S. Scott 1053
- U.S. Scott C10
- U.S. Scott 1029, plate block
For worldwide stamps, always include the country name with the number, since each country has its own numbering. Our guide to Scott catalogue value explains how Scott numbers and prefixes work.
Step 3: Specify Mint or Used
Tell the dealer whether you want:
- Mint never hinged (MNH): unused with original gum and no hinge marks
- Mint hinged: unused, but with evidence of a hinge
- Used: postally cancelled
- Either: if you are flexible
This one detail can make a big difference in price and availability.
Step 4: Note the Format
Are you looking for a single stamp, a plate block, a full sheet, a booklet pane, or a first day cover? Be specific. Carolina Mountain Stamps fills post-1939 U.S. MNH plate blocks by want list, so if that is what you collect, say so clearly.
Step 5: Set Your Condition Standard
Condition matters to price. If centering is important to you, or you want to avoid stamps with faults like thins or tears, include a short note. If you are filling spaces in a beginner album and just want a nice example, say that too. Being clear helps the dealer send what you actually want.
Step 6: Include a Budget or Price Limit
If you have a budget per stamp or for the order overall, share it. Since most items at Carolina Mountain Stamps are priced about 20 percent under Scott Catalogue Value, you can estimate costs in advance using a current catalogue.
Step 7: Keep It Neat and Current
A clean, well-organized list is easier to fill. A few tips:
- Group stamps by country, then list in Scott number order
- Use a separate section for plate blocks, covers, or souvenir sheets
- Remove stamps as soon as you get them so you do not receive duplicates
- Include your name, email, and shipping preference
Want List Example
Here is a simple format you can copy:
Name: Jane Collector
Email: your email address
United States, mint never hinged: Scott 1030, 1031, 1035, 1038
United States, plate blocks, MNH: Scott 1053, 1094
Great Britain, used: Scott 286, 287
Notes: Fine or better centering preferred. Budget around $20 for this order.
Topical and Country Requests Work Too
Not every collector works from specific numbers. If you collect a country or a topic, such as birds, lighthouses, or royal events, you can send a request describing what you are looking for. Carolina Mountain Stamps welcomes specific country or topic requests by email.
How to Send Your Want List to Carolina Mountain Stamps
- Email your list to sallyc@ix.netcom.com with "Want List" in the subject line.
- We check our shelf stock for matches.
- We let you know what we have and the price.
A few shop details to keep in mind:
- There is a $5.00 minimum order.
- Shipping is $1.00 on small lots, and larger orders receive a shipping quote.
- Email is the fastest way to reach us, since voicemail can be unreliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a stamp want list?
It is a written list of the specific stamps a collector is looking for, usually identified by country and Scott number.
Do I need Scott numbers for a want list?
They are the clearest way to identify stamps, but you can also send country or topic requests.
Can I send a want list for plate blocks?
Yes. Carolina Mountain Stamps fills post-1939 U.S. MNH plate blocks by want list.
Start Filling Those Empty Spaces
A good want list is one of the best tools a collector can have. Email yours to sallyc@ix.netcom.com, browse our eBay store, or stop by our booth at Needful Things Mall on Route 64 in Hendersonville.
