If you are unsure about what area of collecting you would like to concentrate on, you may want to consult a beginning collectors book. These "how-to-books" can be purchased or ordered through a local stamp dealer or bookstore, or you may find them at your local library. Because one of the first things you will learn through collecting stamps of other countries is geography, you may want to get an atlas, globe or world map to help you see where the country is located, or to help locate countries which issued stamps you have in your collection.
Several stamp atlases have been published for philatelists; they show "dead" countries that formerly issued stamps, as well as current nations. Sometimes, collectors decide to collect stamps not by country of issue, but because of something else. There are people who collect stamps that are oddly shaped, or items that aren't technically stamps, such as labels and seals.
These are commonly called cinderellas because they appear to be something they're not. Some people collect revenue stamps, which are used by the country of issue to tax items. Many more people collect stamps according to topic, such as animals, like birds, or fish, people on stamps, such as authors or scientists, or sport scenes, flowers, art or crafts, the list of stamp collections by topics is practically endless.
If you have decided to collect according to a country, topic, or any other area of stamp collecting that you want to concentrate on, you may want to keep in touch with others who are collecting the same way. There are numerous specialized stamp clubs locally or nationwide.
Many of these clubs can be found through web searches using the terms "stamps" and your collecting topic. Often when a club has members around the country, the only way for them to keep in touch with each other is through a magazine, newsletter, or bulletin. You may want to subscribe to a philatelic magazine that covers your interests. There are stamp journals which let you know what is going on in the field in general, and keep you up to date on new discoveries.
There are stamp journals which are devoted to studying and describing stamps and covers. Whatever area of collecting you wish to collect in, there is an enormous amount of information available to help you enjoy your hobby. The best place to start is a local stamp club.
You've probably already made that first step, now you can try and decide which kinds of stamps or envelopes you'd like to collect and which materials you'll need to help you. Good luck, and remember—enjoy yourself, because the main reason for collecting stamps is for the fun of it! Click to view social media share links. Introduction to Stamp Collecting. Is there anything else I need? How can I tell what a stamp is worth? How should I judge the condition of a stamp?
What other stamp materials can I collect? Are there stamp groups I may join? Are there more stamp resources online? You can start by saving stamps from letters, packages, and postcards. Many beginning collectors choose a favorite subject like art, history, sports, transportation, or animals as the theme of their collection. You can have a great time on a limited budget with just a few inexpensive accessories such as an album and stamp hinges.
There are many types of stamps—for example, commemorative, definitive, and special—and formats such as sheets, booklets, or coils. Stamps may be conventional adhesive "lick-and-stick" or self—adhesive "no-lick, peel-and-stick". Definitive stamps are the most common. Generally less than an inch square, they are printed in large quantities, and often more than once.
Commemorative stamps, larger and more colorful than definitives, are printed in smaller quantities and typically only once. They honor people, events, or subjects of importance to American life and culture. Soaking is the best way to remove stamps from envelopes. Tear the envelope around the stamp, leaving a small margin. With the stamp facing down, place into a pan of warm, but not hot, water. After a few minutes self-adhesive gum may take longer , the stamp should sink to the bottom.
When all adhesive is dislodged, remove the stamp preferably using stamp tongs. Place the stamp between two paper towels and put a heavy object, such as a book, on top to keep the stamp from curling as it dries.
Leave overnight. The best way to store stamps is in a stamp album or on loose leaf paper in a binder. Affix your stamps by using stamp hinges , glassine strips with gum on one side, or stamp mounts , clear plastic sleeves that offer better protection for unused stamps. Collectors use a variety of other materials and accessories.
How do you remove a stamp from an envelope? Then, according to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, soak the stamp, face down, for a minutes in cool water. Where will you store your stamps? You can store stamps in an album or on loose leaf paper in a binder, by using stamp hinges, glassine strips with gum on one side, or stamp mounts, which are clear plastic sleeves. Transparent glassine envelopes can also protect your stamps from grease and air.
How can you tell what a stamp is worth? Get yourself a stamp catalogue. The most common one in the U. That will give you an idea of how much different stamps are worth, based on how rare they are.
Who else is collecting stamps? There are lots of stamp clubs around — both online and locally. Ask your local postmaster or librarian or visit www.
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