Twenty Million Stamp Collectors Can't be Wrong

There is a difference between stamp collectors and those who extensively study stamps, which is called philately. Most people enjoy collecting stamps as a form of recreation. They don't spend time worrying about minute details. Those who indulge in philately are typically those who tend to invest large amounts of money in the buying of stamps. They make it a point to understand the finer points of a stamp and the rarity or desirability of a particular stamp. Rare stamps are rising increasingly in value and for some this can be quite an investment.

Stamps are an extremely portable item unlike the bigger items such as paintings or sculptures. They're tiny and much easier to display in an attractive album that can be displayed or locked in a safe depending on the value of the stamps one owns. Many people arrange stamps in varying ways, some by country while others like to place them according to their sizes. Still others will arrange them by topic.

There have been an incredible number of stamps that have been created over the decades. For one to have a complete comprehensive collection they would have to have literally thousands of albums to hold them all. Typically your average collector will limit their collection to a specific topic or types of stamps. Some collect only stamps from a specific country while others will look for those stamps from a certain time frame. Whatever the range that collectors are limiting themselves to, one can be certain that there will always be some very interesting pieces in the collection.

With the sheer number of stamp collectors there are today, there are now thousands of clubs and organizations for these collectors to exchange information about their passion. The Internet has also opened up huge opportunities for one to search for a particular stamp or investigate a certain type of stamp that they may be looking for. Just about any postal system all over the world has had some rare stamps. They can be postal errors or simply a very limited number that had been printed. One of the rarest stamps around is the 1-cent Z grill stamp. There are only two of these stamps known to exist. One is on display in a library in New York, under lock and key. The other one is available to collectors.

Stamp collecting began roughly in the 1800's. In the beginning it was considered mainly a child's hobby. It wasn't until the late 1800's that these children, now adults began to study existing stamps and read up on plate flaws and general production information. In the early 1900's there was a sharp increase in the number of stamp collectors when people found that there was value and profit in certain stamps. This encouraged people to begin looking for specific stamps. With the onslaught of Internet communication, emails and text messaging, it may be that stamps will grow even more in value as they become more and more scarce.

Darren Williger is an over-caffeinated, low carbohydrate eating, winemaking enthusiast who writes for WindPurifier.com, RareStamp.com, and MarketingSuccess.biz
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darren_Williger

Buy Postage Stamps

OK so you got mail - to post that is! You obviously now need to buy a postage stamp? Well the obvious place to go would be the Post Office - but have you ever though that this is not the only place to purchase them from?

Depending on exactly what you need you may be able to buy your postage stamps online. A quick search on www.google.com shows there are over 3 million sites for the search term buy postage stamps so looking closely at some of these sites will show you the procedure on buying stamps online.

One site I found - stamps.com allows you to buy postage stamps and print them off on your own printer!

Instead of going to the post office - have a look for the blue-and-red U.S. Postal Service logo at grocery stores, drugstores and mini-marts. Also look for stores that specialize in mail and shipping services. Swing by the ATM machine and buy stamps while you make deposits or withdrawals. You can even go to USPS to simply have stamps mailed to your home.

If you want cheaper stamps - You can even get stamps for below the face value! Buy them in a greater quantity from a dealer. They have so many they actually reduce the price below what the stamps originally were worth (sometimes), especially if you have $25 or more to spend all at once on a whole bunch.

Ebay.com is also a great source to buy postage stamps. Research carefully to find both new and uses postage stamps as well as special and hard to get stamps. When searching ebay, mix up your search terms such as postage stamps, stamp collections, first day of issue stamps and so on. This will give you a wide range of stamps to choose from.You could even begin your own little business by trading and buying and selling postage stamps.

So good luck and happy buying of postage stamps.

Tony Robinson is a keen stamp collector and also has a range of First day of Issue envelopes. His site is at http://www.betterpostagestamps.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Robinson

The Hobby of Stamp Collecting

Stamp collecting is a popular and rewarding hobby. If you are just starting out and would like to know where to start, here are some helpful tips.

It is said that the first rule of stamp collecting is to find a particular type of stamp you think you would like to collect and to take care of your collection. Some suggestions for types of stamps to collect are location of the stamp (i.e. country, state, etc.), stamp design, or a stamp for a particular season/holiday.

Some people collect one issue of a stamp in volume, one type of stamp only (sometimes referred to as a specialist), and some people collect all the stamps that are able to.

Once you have decided what type of stamp collector you want to be and what sort of stamps you want to collect, you need to learn how to properly care for your stamps.

The first piece of advice is to always use stamp tongs when handling your stamps. While stamp tongs bear a resemblance to tweezers, they are different from tweezers in that they do not have pointy ends. Tweezers should not be used in place of actual stamp tongs as they may damage stamps.

Stamps should not be handled with fingers or laid out on bare table surfaces as the natural oil in human skin and any particulates that may be on the table will cause damage to the stamp over time. When viewing stamps, they should be laid out on a clean piece of paper to avoid as much contamination as possible.

The basic necessary supplies for stamp collecting are the stamp tongs, an envelope to store your stamps in and a storage box to store the envelopes in. It is important to note that the stamp tongs will need to be purchased from a stamp store or can be found at a stamp show.

Once your collection grows, it is suggested that you invest in glassine envelopes for your stamps. These envelopes are made for stamp collecting and are semi-transparent. The glassine material is found to have no harmful effects on the stamps it stores.

It is suggested that once your stamp collection has grown and you have isolated what particular types of stamps you like to collect, you may wish to invest in a album for stamp storage.
http://stampcollectinghq.com Everything you need to know about the hoby of stamp collecting.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Francis

Postage Stamps

Postage stamps are an adhesive label stuck on envelopes and other postal packages, as proof of the deposit of fee paid for postal services. The first country to issue postage stamps was United Kingdom.

Postage stamps are traded through various outlets of the post office, and are issued by the government. Postage stamps are available in various forms and dimensions. There are memorial postage stamps committed to various important events. Postage stamps are also issued to give respect to national personalities, or other extremely important personalities. There are also a range of other types of postage stamps available that depict diverse cultures and geographical features. Many postage stamps also have birds and animals as their theme.

Postage stamps differ according to the way they are used. The main kinds of postage stamps in use are airmail stamps, postage due stamps, special delivery stamps, and express mail stamps. The rates of postage stamps usually differ according to the weight of the postal article and the nature of the mail.

Self-adhesive postage stamps and water-activated type of postage stamps are available. Postage stamps by and large have details such as the name of the country, year, and the value of the stamp. These days, there are postage stamps that are sold around the holidays that are a sign of the season, such as Christmas and Hanukkah. Individuals may also opt to buy postage stamps that have messages on them, such as stamps that are sold to generate funds for charities. Apart from, raising fund for charities, there are various other postage stamps that help medical institutions and health organizations raise adequate funds.

Philately is the collection and study of postage stamps, and many a philatelist would pay an exorbitant amount to get a rare stamp. Stamps that are collector?s items can be bought at auctions or online.

Postage provides detailed information on Postage, Postage Stamps, Postage Meters, Postage Rates and more. Postage is affiliated with Postage Meter Tape.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ross_Bainbridge

Amazing Stamp Collecting In America

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.

Normally, stamp collecting starts by acquiring a few stamps and choosing a certain type of stamp that the collector will pay attention to. Stamps can be acquired for the collection either through the postal office, private letters, dealers of stamps, making a trade with fellow collectors of high quality and rare stamps in whatever type that is chosen.

Although, the philatelic hobby might appear to be hard or vague, it really is not. It is not an uncommon idea to study and collect stamps. There are over 100 countries throughout the world that have a group of people called philatelists (people that study stamps).

In the year 1886, numerous philatelists joined together in America and formed the American Philatelic Society(APS). It has been over a century now, the APS gives its members not only a way to get together with other enthusiasts, but also provide many programs and information to help in the pleasure and enrichment of the collecting experience. Over a long time, many people have helped APS by donating, selling different publications, and collecting dues of members. The group of people in APS is large and may not be overlooked. In America, there are over 44,000 philatelists members of APS officially. There are a large number of people getting involved but have yet to discover APS. This great amount of people is validated by the fact that many states have conventions in the area for people excited about Philately. There is another philatelic association in America with many experts and that is the Philatelic Foundation.

There is a large variety of collections that are available. Many have postage stamps which came from different countries (mainly those of age).These include stationery postage, revenue stamps, and first day cover stamps.

However, there is one category that stands out in the USA. These are Federal Duck stamps, which duck hunters need. The purpose of these is to conserve the environment and help the ducks. A popular conservationist by the name of Ding Darling created the first Federal Duck stamp in 1934. After a while it became a tradition and many wildlife artists competed. The winner of the competition had his or her design picked to be on the new Federal Duck stamp for the year. That person gained a good reputation and was held in high regard for winning the competition. The American government works with local state agencies and the Department of Interior to manage the sale of Federal Duck Stamps. The sales of the stamps produces a large enough revenue that new wetlands can be acquired which help to preserve and protect the ducks.

First-day covers (FDCs), which many stamp collectors are finding more interesting, are stamped envelopes that are terminated on the same day the stamps were released. Some of the FDCs that were designed later will bear the motif of a special stamp’s issue, also called a cachet. In 1923, George W. Linn a famous philatelist cacheted the first FDC for the Harding Memorial stamp issue. Many people consider cachetmaking an art form today and is accomplished by different means. These ways include lithography, drawing straight on the envelope, using laser printer, and block printing. There are several cachetmaking companies like Colorano, House of Farnam, and Artcraft that make a large amount of the cacheted stamps in America.

Stamp collecting in the U.S. was not always easy to follow. During the 1920s, the U.S. stamp values were much higher. This motivated countless Americans to acquire large quantities of U.S. stamp issues in mint condition and hoping to sell them much later for a profit. Since there was an abundance available in the market, they are priced only a little more than their original face value.

The trend of stamp collecting and philately in America may increase in the coming years. Email and internet use has many critics saying that philately interests will go down. Many people still need stamps and demand is continuing as stamp designs change frequently. The world of philately will continue to be an exciting place.

To find more great Stamp Collecting tips please visit: www.MyStampCollecting.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Todd_Lavergne

Stamp Collecting Basics

Stamp collecting is the most popular hobby in the world. Philately is a broader term for the study of stamps, and it is frequently - but wrongly - equated to stamp collecting.

Through stamp collecting, people find information about history, currency, science, politics, arts, architecture and customs of different nations and countries of the world. All stamp collectors have fun with their stamps because no collection is ever complete, and there is always a challenge.

First, decide whether you would like to collect unused (mint) or used (canceled) stamps. If starting a mint stamp collection, purchase unused stamps from the post office. And if you see interesting stamps coming in the mail - collect them.

Many collectors prefer used stamps because they are less expensive or they may cost you nothing.

Some collectors save stamps by "topic": for instance, if you are interested in ships, you may want to collect stamps of ships and boats. Car fans often collect stamps with cars on them. You can disregard the countries and only collect stamps that have pictures that you like. Some people like to collect stamps of one or several countries, but which are all of the same subject. Popular topical themes are birds, cats, butterflies, flowers, sports, space, art, chess, famous people and other.

Specialized collecting means that you can collect all the varieties of a single stamp or collect stamps used for a special purpose.

Country collecting is usually done chronologically by date of issue, sub-divided into reigns or political periods.

Some collectors specialize in collecting only the first stamps, one for each country that has ever issued a postage stamp, or collecting first-day covers.

Some areas of collecting cost less than ten cents a stamp, while others can cost thousands of dollars.

A lot of people collect "Cinderellas" - stamps that are not official stamps issued by a country's postal administration. Cinderella collectors include in their collections local postage issues, telegraph stamps, tax stamps, forgeries and counterfeits.

The "hobbies" section of your local library may have basic books about stamp collecting, and the reference department may have a set of stamp-collecting catalogs. To find the value of a specific stamp, visit some good stamp-collecting web sites.

If looking for more information on stamps and stamp collecting, the local post office is the best place to start.

Albreht Moy owns Old World Maps website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Albreht_Moy

Stamp Collecting - A Time-Honored Hobby

Philately, or stamp collecting, is a time-honored hobby enjoyed by collectors all over the world.
Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects, such as covers (envelopes or packages with stamps on them). Stamp collecting can be fun and certainly easy.
Stamp collecting a very rewarding hobby because it immensely enhances the general knowledge of the collector.

Stamp collecting is a special mix of the structured and the unstructured, and you can make it a personal hobby that will not be like anyone else's.

Collecting stamps is a treasured hobby that people around the world have enjoyed for centuries. Stamp collecting started in 1860's with teenagers who started to collect stamps.

The collecting of stamps can be a fun and educational lasts you a lifetime.

Stamp collecting provides you skills which will help you connect to the history of a specific location, person, animal or thing. Stamp collecting is not a new trend of the people and the hobby is sweeping through out the world.

Collecting stamps is a very interesting hobby that is preferred and loved by the people throughout the world. Stamp collecting is the act of gathering of Stamps and basically the labels placed on the letters as charge for the postal delivery that are issued by the country or by the post office.

Stamp collecting is considered to be one of the most popular hobbies in the world This is despite the fact that there is not that much money that can be made from it even if the person has some of the oldest stamps dating back to the 19th century.

The new collector can start this hobby at any age and have a collection of both local and foreign postage, there are a lot of places where the collection can begin the first place is usually through the mail that the person has delivered to there home.

It has become common place to declare that the future of stamp collecting is bleak, due to the increasing popularity of e-mail, other electronic forms of communication.

The Internet has greatly expanded the availability of stamp collecting information and has also made it easier for starting and intermediate stamp collectors to obtain stamps, covers and other philatelic material.

You can spend a lot of money for this wonderful hobby if you want to but you don't have to.

However you start, stamp collecting is a hobby that you can continue through your life. For more than 150 years, stamp collecting has been the hobby of choice of royalty, movie stars, sports celebrities, kings, presidents, and hundreds of thousands of other people.

Tony Harries
www.jacksworldshop.com/TheStampAuction
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Harries

What To Do With Old Stamps: 2 Easy Stamp Projects

Stamp collection has been around for many decades as one of the most popular hobbies. However, as we go into the twenty-first century where correspondence between two people miles apart can be done faster through email, stamp collection has already been forced into the background.

The presence of electronic mails has given stamp collecting two implications: (1) that although the number of stamp collectors have diminished, (2) the value of old and rare postal stamps have acquired more value now than ever before. This is good news to stamp collectors around, especially those who have the rarest and largest stamps in their collection.

However, some perennial stamp collectors are faced with the question: what to do with common, ordinary stamps? Throwing common or ordinary stamps are out of the question. Throwing stamps away will definitely not do for the avid stamp collector no matter how common the stamp may be. Common and cheap stamps can’t also sell for much. Thus, the question persists: what to do with old, common, ordinary stamps?

Here are two easy projects for the stamp collector.

Framed Stamp Collage

For the framed stamp collage project you will need scissors, glue or paste, loads of common or ordinary stamps and a large cardboard. You can choose to cut your cardboard to an irregular or desired shape or simply choose to leave it rectangular. This cardboard will serve as your base for the collage.

Simply paste and position old, common or ordinary stamps onto the cardboard. It is recommended to use same-sized stamps to achieve even sides. If there is not enough same-sized stamps to use, start gluing the differently sized stamps from the center of the cardboard going outward. Make sure that you do not use too much glue. This will result to unevenness on the collage surface.

Color schemes may add an interesting detail to your stamp collage. You may use warm-toned stamps at the left moving to cool-colored stamps into the right. You may even use a pattern for the stamps. The possibilities are endless. Imagine what you want to see in a framed stamp collage hanging on your living room and work on it.

Once all the stamps are pasted with your desired pattern on the cardboard, you can now have it framed in your local framing shop and hung on to your living room. As a stamp collector, you will be able to express your identity subtlety and at the same time, add character to your living room.

Stamp Collage Place mats and Coasters

If you want to use your old common and ordinary stamps to create character in the dining room, you can also do so. The materials and process for this second project is very much the same as the first. Only, the cardboard serving as the stamp collage base, or, in this case, the place mat or coaster, will have to be cut according to the size you want.

Paste in the stamps onto the cardboard according to the pattern that you want. Again, make sure to apply just enough glue to keep the collage surface even. To add an antiqued-tone effect, dabble a few granules of coffee or sponge the surface with coffee.

Once your place mats and coasters are nice and dry, it is time to bring them to your local laminator and have your place mats and coasters laminated for use.

Years and years as a practicing artist have taught me to waste not, want not. There is beauty and functionality even in the most mundane, ordinary, unexciting things of everyday. It is up to the artist in you to see the potential and make the mundane special, the ordinary extraordinary and the unexciting, exciting. And although anyone can argue by saying that he or she is anything but an artist, these simple projects will hopefully encourage you to waste not on your old common stamps and want not in the simple delights of stamp collage and stamp collecting.

JB Anthony is the webmaster of http://www.stampcollecting.hottestniches.com For more articles, information, resources, stamp-collecting ideas, please visit http://www.stampcollecting.hottestniches.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JB_Anthony

Collectible Postage Stamps

Humans are notorious for collecting and hoarding. Many people have collections of some sort - be it collecting coins, cars, dolls, china, art work and a myriad of many many other collectible items. Stamp collecting is no exception. The art of stamp collecting is known as Philately.

Collectible postage stamps aren’t necessarily the highest dollar value - or most valuable stamps. Virtually all stamps will feature something that appeals to a stamp collector, instantly making the item a collectible. Whilst most collectors aspire to own stamps worth large sums of money, many who enjoy the hobby simply collect and/or purchase stamps they find visually interesting.
The obvious source for finding stamps is a post office, but shopping for collectible stamps at such a location barely scratches the surface in terms of what’s available. By using the Internet, you gain access to stamps from around the world. One of the best internet resources for a stamp collector is eBay, the world’s single largest marketplace.

An east strategy to begin a collection is to ask family and friends to collect the stamps off mail they have received. remember to ask them not to try to take the stamp off the envelope - leave that task for yourself top do properly.

Some of the most popular collectible postage stamps feature images of pop culture icons. Disney characters, Elvis Presley, and Princess Diana have all been honoured with their own postage stamps. For those new to the world of philately, these celebrity stamps make the ideal starting point. They feature familiar faces we all know and love, and many of them are available at economical prices. You may also choose an event such as the olympic games as a theme for your first collection - think of where your own interests lay - and follow that interest. For example - you may be interested in flowers, animals or cars - so you could use those themes as the theme for your first collection.

Of course on eBay, you’ll find thousands of auctions for collectible stamps, ranging from affordable celebrity-themed stamps to the extremely valuable. The auction website is also a wonderful place to find stamps from countries other than your own. By using Find-Your-Item.com, you can effortlessly discover new stamps to add to your collection. eBay has been designed with efficiency in mind and is completely free for shoppers to use. Simply input a few keywords to begin your collectible stamp quest, or browse by category to view the full range of stamps up for auction on eBay.

Good luck and happy stamp collecting.

Tony Robinson is a keen stamp collector and also has a range of First day of Issue envelopes. His site is at http://www.betterpostagestamps.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Robinson

Amazing Stamp Collecting In America

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.

Normally, stamp collecting starts by acquiring a few stamps and choosing a certain type of stamp that the collector will pay attention to. Stamps can be acquired for the collection either through the postal office, private letters, dealers of stamps, making a trade with fellow collectors of high quality and rare stamps in whatever type that is chosen.

Although, the philatelic hobby might appear to be hard or vague, it really is not. It is not an uncommon idea to study and collect stamps. There are over 100 countries throughout the world that have a group of people called philatelists (people that study stamps).

In the year 1886, numerous philatelists joined together in America and formed the American Philatelic Society(APS). It has been over a century now, the APS gives its members not only a way to get together with other enthusiasts, but also provide many programs and information to help in the pleasure and enrichment of the collecting experience. Over a long time, many people have helped APS by donating, selling different publications, and collecting dues of members. The group of people in APS is large and may not be overlooked. In America, there are over 44,000 philatelists members of APS officially. There are a large number of people getting involved but have yet to discover APS. This great amount of people is validated by the fact that many states have conventions in the area for people excited about Philately. There is another philatelic association in America with many experts and that is the Philatelic Foundation.

There is a large variety of collections that are available. Many have postage stamps which came from different countries (mainly those of age).These include stationery postage, revenue stamps, and first day cover stamps.

However, there is one category that stands out in the USA. These are Federal Duck stamps, which duck hunters need. The purpose of these is to conserve the environment and help the ducks. A popular conservationist by the name of Ding Darling created the first Federal Duck stamp in 1934. After a while it became a tradition and many wildlife artists competed. The winner of the competition had his or her design picked to be on the new Federal Duck stamp for the year. That person gained a good reputation and was held in high regard for winning the competition. The American government works with local state agencies and the Department of Interior to manage the sale of Federal Duck Stamps. The sales of the stamps produces a large enough revenue that new wetlands can be acquired which help to preserve and protect the ducks.

First-day covers (FDCs), which many stamp collectors are finding more interesting, are stamped envelopes that are terminated on the same day the stamps were released. Some of the FDCs that were designed later will bear the motif of a special stamp’s issue, also called a cachet. In 1923, George W. Linn a famous philatelist cacheted the first FDC for the Harding Memorial stamp issue. Many people consider cachetmaking an art form today and is accomplished by different means. These ways include lithography, drawing straight on the envelope, using laser printer, and block printing. There are several cachetmaking companies like Colorano, House of Farnam, and Artcraft that make a large amount of the cacheted stamps in America.
Stamp collecting in the U.S. was not always easy to follow. During the 1920s, the U.S. stamp values were much higher. This motivated countless Americans to acquire large quantities of U.S. stamp issues in mint condition and hoping to sell them much later for a profit. Since there was an abundance available in the market, they are priced only a little more than their original face value.

The trend of stamp collecting and philately in America may increase in the coming years. Email and internet use has many critics saying that philately interests will go down. Many people still need stamps and demand is continuing as stamp designs change frequently. The world of philately will continue to be an exciting place.

To find more great Stamp Collecting tips please visit: www.MyStampCollecting.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Todd_Lavergne

Collectible Postage Stamps

Humans are notorious for collecting and hoarding. Many people have collections of some sort - be it collecting coins, cars, dolls, china, art work and a myriad of many many other collectible items. Stamp collecting is no exception. The art of stamp collecting is known as Philately.

Collectible postage stamps aren’t necessarily the highest dollar value - or most valuable stamps. Virtually all stamps will feature something that appeals to a stamp collector, instantly making the item a collectible. Whilst most collectors aspire to own stamps worth large sums of money, many who enjoy the hobby simply collect and/or purchase stamps they find visually interesting.

The obvious source for finding stamps is a post office, but shopping for collectible stamps at such a location barely scratches the surface in terms of what’s available. By using the Internet, you gain access to stamps from around the world. One of the best internet resources for a stamp collector is eBay, the world’s single largest marketplace.

An east strategy to begin a collection is to ask family and friends to collect the stamps off mail they have received. remember to ask them not to try to take the stamp off the envelope - leave that task for yourself top do properly.

Some of the most popular collectible postage stamps feature images of pop culture icons. Disney characters, Elvis Presley, and Princess Diana have all been honoured with their own postage stamps. For those new to the world of philately, these celebrity stamps make the ideal starting point. They feature familiar faces we all know and love, and many of them are available at economical prices. You may also choose an event such as the olympic games as a theme for your first collection - think of where your own interests lay - and follow that interest. For example - you may be interested in flowers, animals or cars - so you could use those themes as the theme for your first collection.

Of course on eBay, you’ll find thousands of auctions for collectible stamps, ranging from affordable celebrity-themed stamps to the extremely valuable. The auction website is also a wonderful place to find stamps from countries other than your own. By using Find-Your-Item.com, you can effortlessly discover new stamps to add to your collection. eBay has been designed with efficiency in mind and is completely free for shoppers to use. Simply input a few keywords to begin your collectible stamp quest, or browse by category to view the full range of stamps up for auction on eBay.

Good luck and happy stamp collecting.

Tony Robinson is a keen stamp collector and also has a range of First day of Issue envelopes. His site is at http://www.betterpostagestamps.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Robinson

What To Do With Old Stamps: 2 Easy Stamp Projects

Stamp collection has been around for many decades as one of the most popular hobbies. However, as we go into the twenty-first century where correspondence between two people miles apart can be done faster through email, stamp collection has already been forced into the background.

The presence of electronic mails has given stamp collecting two implications: (1) that although the number of stamp collectors have diminished, (2) the value of old and rare postal stamps have acquired more value now than ever before. This is good news to stamp collectors around, especially those who have the rarest and largest stamps in their collection.

However, some perennial stamp collectors are faced with the question: what to do with common, ordinary stamps? Throwing common or ordinary stamps are out of the question. Throwing stamps away will definitely not do for the avid stamp collector no matter how common the stamp may be. Common and cheap stamps can’t also sell for much. Thus, the question persists: what to do with old, common, ordinary stamps?

Here are two easy projects for the stamp collector.

Framed Stamp Collage

For the framed stamp collage project you will need scissors, glue or paste, loads of common or ordinary stamps and a large cardboard. You can choose to cut your cardboard to an irregular or desired shape or simply choose to leave it rectangular. This cardboard will serve as your base for the collage.

Simply paste and position old, common or ordinary stamps onto the cardboard. It is recommended to use same-sized stamps to achieve even sides. If there is not enough same-sized stamps to use, start gluing the differently sized stamps from the center of the cardboard going outward. Make sure that you do not use too much glue. This will result to unevenness on the collage surface.

Color schemes may add an interesting detail to your stamp collage. You may use warm-toned stamps at the left moving to cool-colored stamps into the right. You may even use a pattern for the stamps. The possibilities are endless. Imagine what you want to see in a framed stamp collage hanging on your living room and work on it.

Once all the stamps are pasted with your desired pattern on the cardboard, you can now have it framed in your local framing shop and hung on to your living room. As a stamp collector, you will be able to express your identity subtlety and at the same time, add character to your living room.

Stamp Collage Place mats and Coasters

If you want to use your old common and ordinary stamps to create character in the dining room, you can also do so. The materials and process for this second project is very much the same as the first. Only, the cardboard serving as the stamp collage base, or, in this case, the place mat or coaster, will have to be cut according to the size you want.

Paste in the stamps onto the cardboard according to the pattern that you want. Again, make sure to apply just enough glue to keep the collage surface even. To add an antiqued-tone effect, dabble a few granules of coffee or sponge the surface with coffee.

Once your place mats and coasters are nice and dry, it is time to bring them to your local laminator and have your place mats and coasters laminated for use.

Years and years as a practicing artist have taught me to waste not, want not. There is beauty and functionality even in the most mundane, ordinary, unexciting things of everyday. It is up to the artist in you to see the potential and make the mundane special, the ordinary extraordinary and the unexciting, exciting. And although anyone can argue by saying that he or she is anything but an artist, these simple projects will hopefully encourage you to waste not on your old common stamps and want not in the simple delights of stamp collage and stamp collecting.

JB Anthony is the webmaster of http://www.stampcollecting.hottestniches.com For more articles, information, resources, stamp-collecting ideas, please visit http://www.stampcollecting.hottestniches.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JB_Anthony

How Do You Start a Stamp Collection?

Regardless of how you start or which direction you go, Gather up all your incoming parcels and envelopes and ask all your friends and relatives to save theirs for you, too. Even if you only plan to collect mint-condition stamps, all the used varieties you obtain can help you see what is available and give you some material you can use for trade. And, if you're lucky, you may find something especially interesting in the mail that you can show to your friends. After that happens for the first time - whether it's a particularly nice, pictorial postmark or a badly printed stamp - and you show it off, you may see interest among your friends and family increase considerably.

Almost all new U.S. stamp issues are available at your local post office. I hesitate to say ALL of them are available, because the post office that has ALL of them on hand is rare. Nevertheless, you won't find a more convenient place to shop for stamps. Leave it to the U.S. Postal Service to have a store in every town!

When you begin purchasing stamps for your new collection, be sure to tell the postal clerk. In fact, tell every postal clerk as you utilize his or her services. You will eventually find that one clerk tends to take better care of the stamp collectors, while others may show no interest at all. Catering to the wants and needs of stamp collectors is usually far down on the clerk's list of priorities, but the basic good nature of that one clerk can help you. Today, each clerk has his own consignment of postage stamps and one clerk's stock may include more commemoratives or other items of interest, while the next clerk may opt for the more basic designs. If you are looking for a particular stamp or set of stamps and one clerk does not have them but the next clerk does, the two clerks can swap stamps of the same denomination. The U.S. Postal Service considers postage stamps "accountable paper", so each clerk must account for all the stamps consigned to him or her.

By all means, don't press the clerk for special service. You, as a stamp collector in a normal queue of postal patrons, rate nothing extra. Perhaps commenting, however, on how nicely the USPS-issued uniform he or she is wearing compliments their eyes may rate some extra help. It's worked for me.

After doing all this schmoozing at the local post office, you should have enough mint stamp sources to decide if you want to continue collecting them. If so, the U.S. Postal Service offers traditional-mail and Internet-based ordering from its Kansas City Missouri depository. The mailing address is USPS, Stamp Fulfillment Services, P.O. Box 219424, Kansas City, MO 64121-9424 and the Web address is http://shop.usps.com. Request to be put on the mailing list for the free quarterly publication, USA Philatelic, which depicts all U.S. stamps currently available from the USPS mail-order division.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Hobbies Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Stamps Collecting has Never Been So Easy

Collecting stamps has been a popular pastime ever since there were stamps to collect. Collecting stamps has never been easier and collecting isn’t just for the gray-haired gentleman who spends his days poring over his stamps.

When collecting stamps, it’s important to have at least some definition of what you’re hoping to achieve. Some people collect only historical stamps. That is, they’re only looking for the old, rare stamps that are highly sought and prized by collectors. This is a noble goal, but probably not much fun for those without the finances to make those rare purchases. If you’re simply looking for a great hobby, start searching for unusual stamps or collect stamps postmarked in other states and/or countries.

Take a look at some ideas that can help you get your stamp collection off to a good start, or give your current collection a real boost.

Don’t keep your stamp collection a secret. While Great-Aunt Margie isn’t likely to want to sit down and hear the history of every stamp in your collection, letting her know that you’re a stamp collector could be the best move you’ve ever made. She may have a stash of letters in her attic from that special beau who wrote to her from Europe during World War I! Or she may have the letters her grandmother sent back home during her trek across the country in a covered wagon. And she just may remember to mail you a postcard from her next trip to a foreign country. The most unlikely people may be the ones to help you expand your collection, so let family and friends know that you’re collecting stamps.

The Internet can be a very useful tool for those collecting stamps. All you really need to do is find an online forum for stamp collecting and start trading stamps with others creating collections similar to yours. In most cases, you’ll be able to send a letter and the recipient will send one back to you – instantly adding stamps to your collection. Because this is a relatively inexpensive request, you may also get people to send you stamps who aren’t looking for a return letter.

Another idea for collecting stamps that works well for youngsters is to simply be looking for those unusual, strange or “cool” stamps. Your post office will likely have a good selection and you can let your child help you choose each time you need a new book of stamps. Take one off to add to the collection and see how many great stamps are available. Don’t forget that the postal service will also let you create your own stamps with photos you upload to their website!

Collecting stamps can be a great way to connect with your child, and can create a hobby that will span a lifetime.

About The Author

Bob Benson is the founder of Stamp Collecting online. You can check out our website at http://www.stamp-collecting-supply.info.

contact@loan-source.co.uk

Stamp Collecting by Theme-An Individualist Approach

Stamp collecting has taken an interesting turn in recent years. Rather than buying a stamp album with printed pages showing illustrations of each stamp to be pursued, many collectors are creating their own unique collections reflecting personal interests.

Themed collections can focus on stamps from the collector's native country or abroad; on particular historical periods; on famous individuals depicted on stamps; or on animals, flowers, or any number of other themes.

Follow the major events of American history as illustrated by stamps issued over the years; or analyze the rise and decline of the British Empire with stamps from British India, Ceylon, Burma, and other former colonies. Collect stamps from around the world honoring the late Princess Diana, or stamps reflecting the popular culture of many countries.

The first postage stamp in the world was printed in 1840 by Britain. The "Penny Black" was followed quickly the same year by stamps from the young United States; by 1860 most countries around the world were issuing their own stamps to facilitate mail delivery. While no one knows precisely when stamp collecting became a hobby, it certainly followed soon after the widespread use of stamps.

Specializing in vintage stamps can be a costly enterprise, but stamp collecting doesn't have to be expensive. Choosing to focus on current issues from around the world lowers the cost considerably; numerous dealers offer wide-ranging collections for often remarkably inexpensive prices, along with the tools and supplies needed to care for and display stamps.

Stamp collecting opens up a vast body of knowledge to the collector. Every stamp issued is a tiny window onto the world, a glimpse into a country's culture, politics, and natural environment as well as a chronicle of the main events in its existence.

It's quite a hobby.

Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire. She has written numerous articles for local and regional newspapers and for a number of Internet websites, including Tips and Topics. She expresses her opinions periodically on her blog, http://beyondagendas.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aldene_Fredenburg

Getting Your Stamp Collection Started

Stamp collecting is definitely a fun and interesting hobby for those who get the bug. It gives you an opportunity to collect tiny pieces of history from all over the world. You might even consider them as little artifacts that open up a new world of exploration. By following a few of these suggestions, you'll be on your way to an enriching and past time.

First, you'll need to decide if you'd like to choose a theme for collecting, such as a specific group of countries or a timeline, perhaps only stamps with animals depicted or nature scenes. It's up to you, and the choices are virtually endless. Then again, having a "general" collection of everything is a great choice too!

You may want to start out by purchasing sheets of new stamps, maybe even from specific countries. You could even ask family and friends to save stamps for you from their mail. This is a good, easy way to begin your collection. It adds meaning to your stamps too if you receive some from someone who's important to you.

Once the word is out about your new hobby, you'll probably receive gifts of stamps for holidays and birthdays. This will help your collection grow, and special limited edition and commemorative stamps may be acquired too.

You can then begin to narrow down what your preferences are. Do you prefer old stamps over new? New stamps are easier to find, but if you're up for a challenge, old stamps are exciting to try to track down. Save any you don't want to keep for trading with other collectors down the road.

Gathering supplies is an important step as well. You'll want to keep your stamps in order and in good condition. A loose leaf binder with plastic removable pockets, small glassine envelopes and stamp tongs for gentle handling are all important tools you should acquire. Eventually you'll want to have a magnifying glass to inspect stamps closely, and stamp books or catalogue with information about stamps available.

Be careful when removing stamps from envelopes. Carefully steam the stamp off over a bowl of water, and peel off with stamp tongs. Let it dry before storing it.

The internet is the single most useful resource to get started. Stamp collection clubs, organizations, blogs and classifieds are all excellent places to begin.

Once you have a collection you're proud of, show it off to friends and family! Maybe one day you can even start your own website on the subject. Have your stamps displayed with stories on how you acquired them or start your own discussion board. Whatever you do, have fun and happy collecting!

Glenn Cutforth is a writer, graphic designer and publisher of quality eBooks at Maxx Publishing http://www.MaxxPublishing.com

If you're interested in getting into Stamp Collecting as a hobby, you'll find a wealth of information, tips and resources at his website, Stamp Collecting Magic at http://www.stampcollectingmagic.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glenn_Cutforth

The Collection of Used Thematic Stamps

An educational and fun hobby for all the family that costs next to nothing!

In the age of iPods, computers and Play Stations keeping children happy can be extremely expensive. There are, however, some hobbies and interests that need not be financially draining and which are also designed to encourage your child's natural instinct for discovery and learning. The common misconception that stamp collecting can make a child more inward looking is far from true - in fact, collecting thematic stamps is more likely to make the child want to find out for themselves about the wider world, other nations and cultures.

Thematic stamps are a great starting point for a child's first stamp collection. Any number of events and anniversaries are celebrated on commemorative stamps of one type or another in a vast number of countries around the world. What could be an easier way to start than simply collecting the used commemorative stamps on the letters that arrive at your home every day? Or if you work in an office, for example, ask your colleagues to keep the stamps off the envelopes that arrive on their desks too - you will be surprised how quickly your child's collection grows. And an increase in international shopping, particularly with the advent of Internet auction sites like eBay, means that we now often receive interesting packages from foreign countries too - be careful that you don't tear the stamps on the envelopes as they may make a great addition to your child's thematic stamp collection.

International used thematic stamps can also be bought in jumbo packs that cost very little - cheap enough certainly to be affordable for most pocket money allowances. In fact, with some African and Caribbean countries actually producing a surfeit of commemorative issues to supply the collector's market, the values are consequently low - but the stamps are usually very attractive. Typically, a mixed pack will give your child a good choice of stamps in categories as varied as:

Sport – Football is always popular with World Cup stamps found in every corner of the globe.
The Animal World – Mammals, birds, fish, insects, reptiles...think of an animal – a stamp exists somewhere featuring it!
Walt Disney – Favourite characters on stamps are Mickey, Goofy and Donald Duck.
Famous People – Elvis Presley, Princess Diana, Charlie Chaplin and even Leonardo DiCaprio have been featured on stamp issues.
Transport – Trains, planes and automobiles as well as bicycles and boats – they are all found on stamps!

The only minor expense for the budding collector is the acquisition of some basic equipment - tweezers, maybe a magnifying glass and an album etc. These items, however, make excellent gifts when Christmas or birthdays come around - friends and family will never again be stumped for ideas as to what to buy the young stamp collector as a present!

Deborah Swain has been a keen philatelist since childhood.

She presently runs the stamp collecting Websites Penny Black 1840 and Elvis on Stamps.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deborah_Swain

Stamp Collecting - Lets Begin Here

The first thing to do is to once you have decided to become involved in collecting postage stamps - or Philately - is to select a particular area or topic for your collection.

Years ago when I first started my collection I wanted to get stamps from every country in the world. Nowadays, with so many countries producing so many stamp issues each year, forming a world collection would be a difficult task.

My suggestion if you are just starting out is to focus on the country in which you live for two main reasons. Firstly, you already have knowledge about your own country so this is a great place to start, and secondly, the postage stamps are readily available from your local post office and mail that comes to your home.

Or course, if you have a favourite country, penpals, or if your heart is set on a particular subject, start with that!

A very popular way of collecting is to take a subject or theme of interest and build a collection around it. This is called thematic collecting. For example- you may enjoy sports and decide to make your collection based upon sports and sporting activities.

The possibilities are endless for thematic collectors - animals, butterflies, sailing ships, painters, conservation - just use your imagination and let the stamps take you there.

The other main forms of collecting fall into the following categories:

Worldwide collections: stamps of all countries from 1840 to the present.

Geographic collections: stamps of a single country or a group of countries.

Specialised collections: usually built around the stamps of a single country but sometimes restricted to a small group of stamps or even the exhaustive study of a single issue.

Most beginning stamp collectors want to get lots and lots of stamps. One of the best ways to make a flying start is to buy a large packet of used stamps from a stamp dealer. (We recently bought a packet of 1000 mixed stamps for $12.) You will also find that ebay is a great source for purchasing stamps.

Also available are smaller packets of stamps at your post office.

One of the best (and cheapest) ways to build up your collection is by asking your relatives and friends to save you the stamps from all their letters. When you ask people to save their used stamps for you, it's a good idea to ask them for the whole envelopes. That way the stamps are less likely to be damaged. What I did on several occassions was ask at local businesses who get lots of mail if they would please keep the stamps off envelopes for me for 2 weeks

If you are purchasing packets of stamps, starting with the largest possible packet size is a good idea for two reasons. First, it provides a good start with enough variety to make it interesting. Second, it avoids duplication. If you go back later and buy a second packet, particularly if it's a theme-based packet (stamp dealers also sell packets of stamps based on the more common themes such as birds, flowers, etc), you may receive many of the same stamps.

Once you have your basic starting pack you can have fun sorting them into countries and themes and putting your favourites into your album.

Tony Robinson is a keen stamp collector and also has a range of First day of Issue envelopes. His site is at http://www.betterpostagestamps.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Robinson

Postage Stamp Collecting

Stamp collecting is one of the world's most popular hobbies. It includes the collecting of postage stamps as well as related objects. Related objects include envelopes or packages with stamps on them.

Stamp collecting is often mistaken for the term philately. Philately is the study of stamps and not collecting of stamps. Philatelists often collect objects of their study. However, it is not mandatory for them to do so. Usually, casual collectors gather stamps without taking into consideration the minute details. Nevertheless, collecting stamps in comprehensive or large quantities require philatelic knowledge. In some small countries, limited runs of elaborate stamps are designed so that stamp collectors purchase them. In these countries, stamp collectors prove to be a vital source of revenue. In such countries, the stamps produced exceed the postal needs of the country by a commendable margin.

People that indulge in stamp collecting generally observe the rise in prices of rare stamps. Some stamp collectors also indulge in Philatelic investment. Rare stamps are tangible investments and are portable. Collections of rare stamps are an attractive alternative to art and precious metals.

In order for stamps to be kept safely, it is advisable that they are kept in an album or stock sheet. There are different stamps that people normally prefer collecting. The most common type of stamps collected is known as definitive stamps. These stamps are generally printed daily.

Other stamps that are collected are commemorative stamps. These are special and are used to commemorate events, anniversaries, weddings, and birth. These stamps are sold only for a limited time and are mostly available at stamp dealers.

People also collect pictorial stamps as well. These stamps are printed with the lifestyle of the country as well as the country's scenery.

Revenue stamps that were also used in government documents were also collected previously. These were also used for telegrams. Stamp collecting is a widespread practice, even at present. This hobby is enjoyed by all ages. This is an attractive art and is studied by a section of people.

Postage provides detailed information on Postage, Postage Stamps, Postage Meters, Postage Rates and more. Postage is affiliated with Postage Meter Tape.

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Stamp Collecting for Profit

Stamp Collection can be a business built from a hobby. Millions of people all over the world collect stamps as a hobby, and the number is growing every day. It is indeed an exciting and rewarding hobby, and it can also be extremely profitable.

The price of stamps varies with supply and demand due to the number of collectors increasing but the price of stamps is steadily rising, as the supply of stamps diminishes and more people want to acquire them.

Most people start a collection for the pleasure and education just like any other hobby, but this hobby offers a financial reward as well, as collections experience a steady increase in value over the years.

It is possible to start your own business if you are experienced, and already have a good size collection.

For information about becoming a dealer, write to:

The American Stamp Dealer's Association 147 W 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

In the U.K and the Commonwealth: Stanley Gibbons Pty. Ltd.

How to start:

Some people start very early in life collecting stamps, it often begins as a gift of a small package of stamps given to a child, and the child becomes a collector for life. As the collection grows, some tools become essential:

* Stamp album
* Hinges
* Magnifying glass and tongs

They can be obtained from a stationary store or your local stamp dealer. You can find albums at any price, starting from about $5.00 to the most expensive one at about $200.00.

Stamps should always be handled carefully, because the condition is a very important factor in determining the resale value.

The various grades of stamps are: mint, very fine, fine, good and poor.

Specimens in outstanding condition often sell at many times their catalogue value, which is the reason not to mishandle any stamp, which could drastically reduce its value.

If you want to know if you have valuable stamps in your collection and are really serious about pursuing this hobby, you can buy the Scot's Standard Postage Stamp catalogue which lists every stamp in the world.

This is a three volume encyclopaedia and is the complete reference. You can also consult it at your local library, if you don't want to go to the expense for the time being.

To start your collection, ask everybody you know to save you stamps they get from different countries, also go through old letters and small boxes hidden in your attic. Chances are that you will be surprised to see how much you can find. Other cheap sources of supply are flea markets, garage sales and eBay.

Start swapping when you have doubles. There are many philatelic clubs all over the country and it would be very advisable for a serious collector to belong to one. This way you will become educated in this field and learn everything you can before you spend money on your collection. Stamp clubs also provide their members with possibilities to exchange and sell their stamps.

You should also read as much as you can about stamps by subscribing to a philatelic magazine or online, do a search for your closest club or magazine.

Where to sell your stamps:

Stamps are like any other commodity, you can always go to a dealer who will offer you the current wholesale value of your stamps, but you can do much better by selling to other stamp collectors by advertising in magazines and newspapers specialized in stamp collecting, and on eBay. Check several current issues of those magazines, it will enable you to compare the ads with what you have to offer.

If you want to buy stamps as an investment, try to buy a few moderately expensive stamps a year. Always buy quality instead of quantity, and diversify, do not invest heavily in a single area.

It is my opinion that stamp collecting is one of the best ways - and safest - to keep up with inflation.

So happy hunting and may you find the "Penny Black".

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Hobbies Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Stamp Collecting - Lets Begin Here

The first thing to do is to once you have decided to become involved in collecting postage stamps - or Philately - is to select a particular area or topic for your collection.

Years ago when I first started my collection I wanted to get stamps from every country in the world. Nowadays, with so many countries producing so many stamp issues each year, forming a world collection would be a difficult task.

My suggestion if you are just starting out is to focus on the country in which you live for two main reasons. Firstly, you already have knowledge about your own country so this is a great place to start, and secondly, the postage stamps are readily available from your local post office and mail that comes to your home.

Or course, if you have a favourite country, penpals, or if your heart is set on a particular subject, start with that!

A very popular way of collecting is to take a subject or theme of interest and build a collection around it. This is called thematic collecting. For example- you may enjoy sports and decide to make your collection based upon sports and sporting activities.

The possibilities are endless for thematic collectors - animals, butterflies, sailing ships, painters, conservation - just use your imagination and let the stamps take you there.

The other main forms of collecting fall into the following categories:

Worldwide collections: stamps of all countries from 1840 to the present.

Geographic collections: stamps of a single country or a group of countries.

Specialised collections: usually built around the stamps of a single country but sometimes restricted to a small group of stamps or even the exhaustive study of a single issue.

Most beginning stamp collectors want to get lots and lots of stamps. One of the best ways to make a flying start is to buy a large packet of used stamps from a stamp dealer. (We recently bought a packet of 1000 mixed stamps for $12.) You will also find that ebay is a great source for purchasing stamps.

Also available are smaller packets of stamps at your post office.

One of the best (and cheapest) ways to build up your collection is by asking your relatives and friends to save you the stamps from all their letters. When you ask people to save their used stamps for you, it's a good idea to ask them for the whole envelopes. That way the stamps are less likely to be damaged. What I did on several occassions was ask at local businesses who get lots of mail if they would please keep the stamps off envelopes for me for 2 weeks

If you are purchasing packets of stamps, starting with the largest possible packet size is a good idea for two reasons. First, it provides a good start with enough variety to make it interesting. Second, it avoids duplication. If you go back later and buy a second packet, particularly if it's a theme-based packet (stamp dealers also sell packets of stamps based on the more common themes such as birds, flowers, etc), you may receive many of the same stamps.

Once you have your basic starting pack you can have fun sorting them into countries and themes and putting your favourites into your album.

Tony Robinson is a keen stamp collector and also has a range of First day of Issue envelopes. His site is at http://www.betterpostagestamps.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Robinson

Postage Stamps Collecting

Postage Stamps Collecting

STEP 1: Before you start your new collection, decide on a theme that you are interested in and want to collect. Themes can vary from such topics as Sports, Countries, Flora and Fauna through to topics such as flags, pop idols and royalty. Now you can start by going to your local post office and purchase new stamps.

STEP 2: Take used stamps off your old mail. Note that it's sometimes more valuable to collect the entire envelope rather than stripping off the stamp because of a unique postmark date. There are a lot of people who collect "First Day of Issue" stamps and envelopes. You may also be interested in these types of collections.

STEP 3: You should also ask friends and family for their old stamps. Consider asking businesses to keep their envelopes and stamps for you also. Their saved envelopes also can be valuable.

STEP 4: Widen your postage stamps collecting areas to purchase stamps from dealers, who are often listed in newspaper classifieds and offer stacks of assorted stamps.

STEP 5: Order stamps through the mail or via Web sites, either by approval or by want list. "Approval" is when a dealer sends you assorted stamps and you choose which ones to keep. A "want list" is when a dealer checks his or her stock and quotes prices for specific stamps you want to collect. EBay is a great resource to continually buy and sell stamps. I also suggest surfing the internet to find good stamp sites that even offer a collector forum where you can chat with other collectors with similar interests to yours.

STEP 6: Once you are more experienced and know what you are looking for and the associated prices you can bid at stamp auctions or philatelic exhibitions. Take the time to look through the merchandise and make educated deals.

STEP 7: Trade with other fellow stamp collectors. Do this by meeting other stamp traders at shows, auctions and stamp clubs.

STEP 8: Once you have a postage stamps collection you need to arrange them in some sort of logical order. You may arrange them in your stamp album in date order, price order or whatever system you decide to follow.

STEP 9: Display and continue to build up your Postage Stamps Collection

Helpful tips and techniques.

Store your stamps where they will be safe and not damaged. A cardboard box or simple shoebox will do starters.

To assist your postage stamps collecting, check the prices of stamps in the most current price guides, such as the Scott Catalogue or the Blackbook Price Guide. Follow the instructions printed at the beginning of the guide for more information on examining and handling a stamp.

Tony Robinson is a keen stamp collector and also has a range of First day of Issue envelopes. His site is at www.betterpostagestamps.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Robinson

What is Philately Stamp Collecting

Philately, or the study of stamps, is a huge field of study that has captured the attention of many Americans over the years. This fascination with stamps and the history that surrounds them has led to a hobby related to philately, which is collecting stamps.

Usually, stamp collection begins with the acquisition of a first couple of stamps and the choice of a particular classification of stamps where the collector will concentrate his or her efforts on. The continued acquisition of the stamps for the collection is done either through personal letters, the postal office, trading with fellow collectors, or collectible stamp dealers, rare and high quality stamps under the chosen classification.

However, while it may seem that a philatelic hobby is far too difficult or obscure, it actually is not. The collection and study of stamps is not a completely novel idea; over 110 countries worldwide have a sort of society for philatelists (or stamp collectors and enthusiasts).

In the United States of America, philatelists banded together in the year 1886 under the umbrella of the American Philatelic Society (APS). For more than a century now, the APS provides its members not only an avenue to meet fellow enthusiasts, but also various services and informational programs to assist in the pursuit and enhancement of the collecting experience. Over this huge span of time, the APS has been kept alive by donations, sale of its various publications, receipt of payment for its services, and receipt of its members’ dues. The community of APS is not a small one that may be overlooked. In the country, there are more than 44, 000 philatelists formally part of the APS. There are many others who are new to the trade, or are yet to find their way to APS. This huge number is proven by the fact that various states hold annual philatelic conventions for enthusiasts in the area to meet and convene. Another philatelic association in the United States known equally for its expertise is the Philatelic Foundation.

Various classifications and concentrations of collection are available. Some of them include postage stamps from other countries (particularly those of age), postage stationery (including air letter sheets, government-issued post cards) that preceded the printing of the first stamp in the form we know today, revenue stamps, or first day cover stamps.

To read the rest of this article go now to http://www.stampcollecting.ws/Philately-Stamp-Collecting.html

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Stampcollecting.ws provides a range of articles and resources on stamp collecting that the stamp collector will find of great use

INVERTED JENNY ONE

The world’s most valuable stamp has long been considered the famed 1856 British Guiana one-cent magenta, an octagonal stamp with corners missing and postmarked “Demerara April 4, 1856.” No report of a second copy has ever been verified. This stamp sold for $935,000 at a New York auction in 1980, then the highest price ever paid for a single philatelic item in a public sale.

Among the most renowned of all U.S. philatelic material was a sheet of 100 bicolored 24-cent airmails, issued in 1918. The stamps feature as their central figure a picture of the Curtiss JN-4 biplane (commonly referred to as the Jenny), the aircraft designated for mail-carrying service, with the Jenny inadvertently printed upside down. Only one single sheet of the inverted centers has ever been found. After it was purchased in the 1920s, the stamps were separated into various singles, pairs, and blocks. The 24-cent Jenny invert has escalated steadily in value. In 1989 a block of four was sold at auction for $1 million.

Other famous, rare, or otherwise interesting stamps include the 1851 Baden 9 Kreuzer Blue Green stamp, the 1849 Bavarian 1 Kreuzer Black tête-bêche (two adjoining stamps printed upside down relative to each other), the 1851 Canada 12-pence Black (issued before Canada adopted the dollar as its unit of currency), the 1925 Honduras “Black” Airmail, the 1855 Sweden 3 Skilling-Banco (printed orange instead of green by mistake), and the 1851 Hawaiian “Missionaries”—2-cent, 5-cent, and 13-cent stamps so named because they were often used by American missionaries in Hawaii for correspondence sent back to the U.S. mainland.

THE PENNY BLACK

Through Hill's efforts, on May 6, 1840, Britain released the world's first officially issued adhesive postage stamp, a one-penny denomination universally referred to as the Penny Black. The stamp features a portrait of Queen Victoria on a black background, establishing a postal precedent in Britain. Since that time, all regular-issue British stamps have portrayed the reigning monarch. Moreover, like the Penny Black, no subsequent British stamp has been inscribed with the name of the country, a privilege reserved for the nation that invented the postage stamp.

A companion two-pence blue Victoria portrait stamp was placed on sale a few days later, and both denominations became so popular that many people bought them not only for postal use but for their design and value as souvenirs. Within days after these first stamps were issued, the hobby of stamp collecting was born. The Penny Black is not a rare stamp—many millions were issued—but, as the world's first adhesive issue, it remains highly regarded by philatelists (stamp collectors).

WHY COLLECTING STAMP

The first postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued by Britain in 1840. It pictured a young Queen Victoria, was produced without perforations (imperforate), and consequently had to be cut from the sheet with scissors in order to be used. While unused examples of the "Penny Black" are quite scarce, used examples are common, and may be purchased for $25 to $150, depending upon condition.

Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects, such as covers (envelopes or packages with stamps on them). It is one of the world's most popular hobbies, with estimates of the number of collectors ranging up to 20 million in the United States alone.

Collecting is not the same as philately, which is the study of stamps. A philatelist often does, but need not, collect the objects of study, nor is it necessary to closely study what one collects. Many casual collectors enjoy accumulating stamps without worrying about the tiny details, but the creation of a large or comprehensive collection generally requires some philatelic knowledge. This is especially important for those who intend to spend large amounts for stamps.

Stamp collectors are an important source of revenue for some small countries who create limited runs of elaborate stamps designed mainly to be bought by stamp collectors. The stamps produced by these countries far exceed the postal needs of the countries.

Some collectors, observing the generally rising prices of rare stamps, have taken to Philatelic Investment. Rare stamps are among the most portable of tangible investments, and are easy to store. They offer an attractive alternative to art, other collectible investments, and precious metals.