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.

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

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.

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