valuating stamps

Hi,

through unpredictable happenstance, I happened to be in a position to "inherit"
a sizeable collection of stamps, perhaps numbering about 3000-4000 items.
I am not a regular collector, so all shorts of questions come up, at moments.

As of now, there is no need or incentive to sell or exhibit anything,
yet I would like to know what is their value, in either the monetary or,
the philatelic sense - I can appreciate that, as well!

* What is the established practice when you are in such situation?
* What would you do to assess a 1000 stamps in bulk and no frills way?
* And what is the easy/cheap way to store them, to defer any act in the future?

Any URLs to read would be most welcome!

tia,
H.