Stamp Collecting

Collecting stamps, also known as philately, is a popular and can be an educational past time. Stamp collectors save stamps from letters, especially those from other countries. They also search out old stamps that represent a past time. Stamp enthusiasts can be found everywhere. Their notebooks and clear envelopes filled with stamps are fascinating to look at. Many of the stamps they collect can be rare and very valuable as well.

There are a few things needed when starting a stamp collection these include a stamp album and special mounting tapes called hinges. Other tools you will find useful are a pair of small tongs or tweezers for carefully lifting stamps specially if they are old and delicate these are also needed to prevent oils off your fingers from damaging the stamps. You will also find a magnifying glass for finding minute details very useful as there rarity of defects in a stamp can really enhance their value. The beginning philatelist can start with the stamps on the mail that arrives every day. To remove a stamp from an envelope, carefully tear away the envelope from around the stamp being careful not to tear the stamp itself. Now soak the stamp in warm water. The remaining piece of envelope will turn loose, allowing you to lift the stamp from the water with the tongs.

Lay the stamp on absorbent paper. When dry, place a heavy book on top of the stamp to flatten it. As a past time, stamp collecting requires precision and neatness. Place the dried and flattened stamp in the album by using one of the hinges, or store it in one of the tiny clear envelopes unique to stamp collecting.

Many collectors specialize in collecting currently available commemoratives as a past time. Stamp designs are varied, beautiful and interesting. Commemoratives are those special stamps that are released by the post office for a limited time. They can commemorate special people or events. Most nations print commemorative stamps from time to time. American stamps have featured wild life, artists, antiques, and many other themes. In fact, there is an annual contest in which American school children compete to draw the best picture of a wild duck. The best duck art is featured on a stamp.

A fun way for a young person to build a collection of foreign stamps is to find a few pen pals in foreign countries. This activity helps people make friends as well as broadening their outlook. There are also companies that will send out introductory collections of foreign stamps in order to get stamp collecting customers on their mailing lists. These collections are usually colorful and contain a wide variety.

Collecting stamps is an educational past time. Stamp collections can sometimes become very valuable to the right people. If you are looking for a new hobby or past time, collecting stamps might be for you!

Finding information on postage stamps for online information, hobbyists can check catalogs like Scott’s, societies like the American Philatelic Society, authentication centers like the Postal Stamp Experts, or buying and selling auctions like eBay. The best way to further your love of stamp collecting is to immerse yourself by taking advantage of every possible resource available. Read on for some noteworthy suggestions on how to get started.

The first stop for serious stamp collectors who are looking to buy or sell should be a catalogue. The most popular reference guide is the Scott’s Catalogue, but Stanley Gibbons, Minkus and the US Postal Service Catalogue of Stamps also make great resources.

You can check out Scott Online site for the internet version of the Scott’s Catalogue. The internet version is available ten days prior to the print version and is emailed directly to you.

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Over 100 years of triumphs, disappointments and culture can be found in china stamps. From the original “Dragon” collection, to Mao Zedong stamps, to the $2,550 Anna Nizam Charminar stamp, you’ll be dazzled by the stories told in such poignant images. Here you’ll find a description of a few of the valuable and culturally significant China stamps.

Overprints of China stamps were common during the early 1900s. An overprint is the addition of text after a stamp has already been printed (usually to raise the price in relation to inflation). Because of the ever-changing economy, some stamps from that time period — such as the Sun Yat-sen — rose in value up into the thousands of dollars.

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Ebay stamps have made stamp collecting an affordable hobby. Often times, one can find great deals at a fraction of the cost — with some stamps costing as little as one cent! Additionally, stamps can be traded or sold on the site as well, giving their collectors the ultimate target market to maximize profits.

With bids starting as low as one cent, it’s crazy not to check out the Ebay stamps page! To get started buying stamps on Ebay, just register, browse the categories or type keywords into the search engine.

When you find an item you like, place a bid and select maximum amount you’re willing to spend, then Ebay will bid on your behalf against other bidders. Or you can choose the “buy it now” option and you’ll have to pay the - buy it now price - to avoid all competition. Buyers can pay with a credit card, checking account, mail or through PayPal.

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Stamp collecting is a life-long hobby for art enthusiasts, traders and hobbyists alike. Much depends upon the quality of the stamps and to preserve your collection, you’ll also need some stamp collecting supplies.

Archival stock books, stamp albums and computer organizer software are stamp collecting supplies that help collectors organize, maintain and protect the stamps. Archival stockbooks are made up of stiff pages with pockets where stamps can be set, without using any kind of hinge or adhesive. This can be good for the person who likes to rearrange or find an inexpensive option for keeping duplicate or lesser important stamps.

The best option for professional hobbyists looking to maintain more valuable stamps is an album — either pre-printed or blank. Kids and beginners often love the pre-printed albums because they provide informative descriptions about particular stamps and give them something to aspire to with their collection.

Online software is good for traders. It’s advisable to look for programs that will scan and separate a full sheet into individual files, since this is a great time saver.

The next thing to purchase facilitates the affixing of the stamps into your album. Stamp Hinges are small rectangular pieces of paper coated with a sticky gum. Collectors are encouraged to buy “peel-able” hinges to prevent damaging hinge marks on them. After lightly moistening the hinge, affix the short end to it and the long end to the page, which will allow interested buyers to examine the back of the stamp without completely unsticking it.

Collectors should never use glue or tape to affix them! In fact, unhinged ones are ideal but exceedingly rare. Metal Stamp Tongs are used by philatelists to hold them without getting finger oils on them.

Varieties include length (ranging from 4-8 inches) and tip (shovel or pointed). Pointed tips are great for intricate positioning but can also tear the stamp so the shovel tips are more practical.

The third category of supplies deals with examination. A Magnifying Glass (with a lens power of 3-4) reveals subtle imprints, color and watermarks. Serious philatelists will purchase a Perforation Gauge and a Watermark Detector to really get a good look. Perforation Gauges measure the holes between two or more of them, which can sometimes reveal a rare stamp from an ordinary one, or a unique stamp from one a collector already has in his or her collection.

It is used by sliding the gauge along a stamp and reading the “perf number” once the holes are aligned. A Watermark Detector will alert collectors to unique markings, rare ones or even clever forgery attempts. Just like money, stamps have hidden designs, invisible to the naked eye, that guarantee authenticity. Some collectors choose to use black trays and Benzine droppers to view watermarks.

The last category is informational. Magazines, books and catalogs can be a great source of knowledge as to what the market offers and how one’s collection stacks up. The stories regarding many of them is rather amazing and can make a great archival paragraph to keep in the collection!

Stamp collecting supplies are crucial regardless of whether you are a beginner buying the first album, hinges and magnifying glass — or a professional purchasing a perforation gauge, watermark detector and collecting software.

Mike Selvon has some great stamp collecting articles for the hobbyist, where you can find out more tips on stamp collecting supplies.

All you need are a few supplies to turn a few postage stamps into a full-fledged hobby. Musicians, athletes and hikers need the proper equipment and so do you as a stamp collector. This article will look at some of the supplies you will need as a collector of stamps.

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Postage stamp collecting is so widespread that there are organizations, festivals and magazines all dedicated to the subject.

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The United States postage stamps history is full of wars, printing innovations, price changes and culture.

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There is a big misconception between stamp collecting and philately. Philately is the study of stamps whilst stamp collecting is just that. A collector of course can be both.

Stamp research is called Philately. Many Americans become drawn to this large field of research. This attraction with stamps and all of the history concerning them has started a hobby connected to philately, which is stamp collecting. Read more »

By : Kevin Bauer

Discover how millions of people all over the world collect stamps as an exciting and rewarding hobby and make it extremely profitable.

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