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| About Stamp Collecting How do I start collecting stamps? Will it cost me a lot to start a collection? What kinds of stamps are there? How do I remove stamps from envelopes? How should I organize my stamps? What kind of stamp albums can I buy? How do I put a stamp in the album? Is there anything else I need? How can I tell what a stamp is worth? How should I judge the condition of a stamp? Where else can I find stamps? What other stamp materials can I collect? Other philatelic collectibles. Are there any stamp groups I can join? |
| There's nothing like a colorful marine aquarium to bring the amazing aquatic world of reefs, plants and animals to the surface.Or an excursion through the desert to explore the diverse world of creatures thriving in hot, dry climates. That's right, stamps take you on "eco-cruise" through our earth's radically different ecologicalcommunities. Stamps offer us insight into the major cultural trends and inventions of the 20th century through the Celebrate the Century program.Plus they honor the artists and authors who shaped our vision of the future. You'll find the pulse of our great country living in the large collection of postal stamps.Stamp collecting can be a lifelong fun and educational hobby for all ages. It's easy to start your own collection without a big investment. Read on to find out how to start your own collection. |
| How do I start collecting stamps? It's easy. You can start by simply saving stamps from letters, packages and postcards. Ask your friends and family to save stamps from their mail. Neighborhood businesses that get a lot of mail - banks, stores, travel agencies - might save their envelopes for you, too. Or, start your collection by choosing one or two favorite subjects. Then, collect only stamps that fit your theme - art, history, sports, transportation, science - whatever you choose! This is called topical collecting. |
| Will it cost me a lot to start a collection? No! Start with used stamps and a few inexpensive accessories (such as a small album and a package of hinges), and you can have a great time on a limited budget. Remember to put stamps, albums and hinges on your birthday and holiday wish lists, too! |
What kinds of stamps are there?
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| How do I remove stamps from envelopes? If you wish, you can save whole envelopes with stamps on them and store them anywhere -- from shoe boxes to special albums. But if you want to remove stamps from envelopes, it pays to be careful. The best way to remove stamps from envelopes is to soak them. Here's how:
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| How should I organize my stamps? However you want to, of course - it's your collection. But be sure to protect them so they don't get damaged or lost. You can attach your stamps to loose-leaf paper and put them in a three-ring binder. Or, arrange them in a more formal album, which you can buy in stores. |
| What kind of stamp albums can I buy? Some stamp albums feature specific categories with pictures of the stamps that should appear on each page. You may want to select one with loose-leaf pages so you can add pages as your collection grows. A stock book is an album with plastic or paper pockets on each page. There are no pictures of stamps, so you can organize the album your way. |
| How do I put a stamp in the album? It's best to use a hinge -- a small strip of thin plastic with gum on one side. Unlike tape or glue, hinges let you peel the stamp off the page without damaging it. Hinges come either folded or unfolded. Here's how to use a folded hinge:
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| Instead of a hinge, you can insert the entire stamp into a mount - a small, clear plastic sleeve. Mounts are more expensive than hinges, but they protect stamps from air, dirt and moisture. |
| Is there anything else I need? Here's a list of other equipment you may find helpful: Glassine envelopes are made of a special thin, see-through paper that protects stamps from grease and air. You can use them to keep stamps until you put them in your album. A stamp catalog is a reference book with illustrations to help you identify stamps. It also lists the values of used and unused stamps. A magnifying glass helps you examine stamps by making them appear larger. A perforation gauge measures perforations along the edges of stamps. Sometimes the size and number of perforations (or "perfs") are needed to identify stamps. A watermark tray and watermark fluid help make watermarks on stamps more visible. A watermark is a design or pattern that is pressed into some stamp paper during manufacturing. |
| How can I tell what a stamp is worth? Ask yourself two questions: "How rare is it?" and "What condition is it in?" The price listed in a stamp catalog gives you some idea of how rare it is. However, the stamp may sell at more or less than the catalog price, depending on its condition. Always try to find stamps in the best possible condition. |
| How should I judge the condition of a stamp? Stamp dealers put stamps into categories according to their condition. Look at the pictured examples to see the differences among categories. A stamp in mint condition is the same as when purchased from the post office. An unused stamp has no cancel but may not have any gum on the back. Mint stamps are usually worth more than unused stamps. You can begin to judge the condition of a stamp by examining the front of it. Are the colors bright or faded? Is the stamp clean, dirty or stained? Is the stamp torn? Torn stamps are not considered "collectible." Is the stamp design centered on the paper, crooked or off to one side? Are all the perforations intact? Has the stamp been canceled? A stamp with a light cancellation is in better condition than one with heavy marks across it. Now look at the back of the stamp. Is there a thin spot in the paper? If so, it may have been caused by careless removal from an envelope or hinge. |
| Where else can I find stamps? Check the classified ads in philatelic newspapers and magazines at your local library. Also, there is a listing of philatelic publishers below. These publishers will send you one free copy of their publications. Then you can decide if you'd like to subscribe. |
What other stamp materials can I collect?
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Other philatelic collectibles include:
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| Are there any stamp groups I can join? Yes! Stamp clubs can be a great source for new stamps and for stamp collecting advice. These clubs often meet at schools, YMCAs and community centers. Ask your local postmaster or librarian for the locations of stamp clubs in your area, or click here for a list of Organizations & Resources. |
