STAMP COLLECTING WORLD: 200706

Wednesday

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

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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

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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

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Michael Russell - EzineArticles Expert Author

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

Tuesday

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

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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

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Monday

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.

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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

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Thursday

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".