I was stunned when my eBay parcel arrived covered in stamps – little did I know they were rare royal editions worth £99

A WOMAN has been left totally gobsmacked after a parcel she ordered from eBay arrived covered in stamps. 

The anonymous woman, named Meg, explained that she ordered something online, from eBay, and was left shocked at the packaging when it arrived.

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Rather than just one single first or second class stamp, the shoppers’ parcel was marked with six royal stamps. 

The recipient, who is from the UK, took to social media to share her astonishment, showcasing her post that had been decorated with Princess Diana stamps from 1998. 

Alongside the post, which was shared on the ‘mildlyinteresting’ thread, the Reddit user, who writes under the username @IndigoBlue14, wrote: “My copper wire off eBay arrived with SIX different collectable Princess Diana memorial stamps from 1998.”

Each stamp denoted a gorgeous picture of the late Princess Diana, and all of which were marked with the number 26. 

Stunned at the stamps, the woman shared: “It was delivered by the postman straight to me but I thought they had to be stamped.”

Each stamp was valued at 26p at the time – a stark contrast to today’s £1.35 for a first-class stamp.

But now, these sets of collectable stamps are being sold on eBay for a whopping £99 – yes, you heard that correctly.  

And interestingly, another Reddit user claimed to have received a parcel from the same seller recently. 

The woman said: “Hey, you ordered off the same seller as me.

“I also got copper wire and a parcel covered in train stamps from the 70s and 80s.”

To this, the author replied: “Someone [is] using up a dead relatives stamp collection I suspect.

“This is genuine and both I and the seller are in the UK, not the USA.” 

REDDIT USERS REACT

Many other Reddit users were charmed by the seller’s unusual approach, with one even requesting the stamps. 

One Reddit user asked: “If you don’t collect stamps, is there any chance you can send them to me?

Seems weird but perhaps these stamps are still valid

Reddit user

“My mum collects stamps and I’m sure she’d love them!” 

In response, the author responded: “I don’t collect stamps. Send me a PM and I’ll happily post you the envelope.” 

Another Redditor wrote: “Stamp collecting is a good example of scarcity without demand.” 

At the same time, a third user explained: “Seems weird but perhaps these stamps are still valid.” 

Find out more on rare stamps

BRITS who have an old stamp collection cluttering up their home may not realise they could be sitting on a small fortune.

Stamp collecting has seen a decline in popularity, largely attributed to the rise of modern technology, but some stamps could be worth thousands.

Stamp collectors – known as philatelists – who’ve clung onto their old stamp collections could end up laughing all the way to the bank if they’ve chosen wisely.

Stamp collectors, or philatelists, as they’re commonly called, that’ve held onto their old hobby could end up laughing all the way to the bank –  but only if they’ve chosen wisely.

Many of the most valuable stamps in the world were issued in the UK.

And if you’re lucky enough to be in possession of one of the rarest, you could earn yourself up to £500,000 by trading it in.

We’ve rounded-up four of the rarest and most valuable.

1. Penny Black (1840)

• Significance: World’s first adhesive postage stamp.
• Value: Up to £3,000 depending on condition.
• Features: Black ink, profile of Queen Victoria.

2. Two Penny Blue (1840)

• Significance: Second adhesive postage stamp.
• Value: Up to £5,000 for a mint condition stamp.
• Features: Same design as Penny Black but in blue.

3. Plate 77 Penny Red (1863)

• Significance: Extremely rare due to printing error.
• Value: Up to £500,000.
• Features: Red ink, profile of Queen Victoria, “Plate 77” identifier.

4. Tyrian Plum (1910)

• Significance: Withdrawn before release.
• Value: Around £130,000.
• Features: Plum color, King Edward VII profile.

Whilst one eBay seller shared: “I can shed light. I’m an eBay seller myself and with postage costs soaring, some of us have taken to buying out old worthless stamps collections off of other sites for less than face. 

“The USPS does not care how many or what kind of stamp you use, as long as the cost of postage is covered.” 

Following this, someone else penned: “Right now, people are not collecting stamps. The older generation that did are dead or dying off. 

“When you take these fairly rare stamps for resale, there just isn’t anyone buying them, at least not for a price that would be seen as reasonable.”

Today, Royal Mail has mandated the inclusion of barcodes on all stamps as part of their extensive modernisation efforts. 

However, there are some exceptions to the change, as Royal Mail said: “Special Issue stamps that are produced as one offs to commemorate an event as we are not adding barcodes to these types of stamps so non-barcoded versions remain valid for postage after 31 January 2023.”

The chain added: “Christmas Stamps: although we are adding barcodes to Christmas Stamps — non-barcoded Christmas Stamps will remain valid as postage after 31 January 2023 — so there is no need to swap them out.”