How to get started with stamp collecting?
How to soak stamps:
- Pour some clean warm water into a bowl and float each stamp (with the design facing upwards) on the surface.
- Float as many stamps as you can accommodate at any one time.
- Leave for 10 to 15 minutes so the water can impregnate the gum which is making it stick to the paper.
- Use your fingers to gently peel the stamp away from the paper. ...
How can I begin stamp collecting?
- Who are the potential suppliers? While most stamp traders will stock some stamps that feature your desired theme, some have better ranges than others. ...
- Should you collect the stamps mint or used? This is a personal choice. ...
- Will you collect first day covers?
- Will you include other philatelic products such as stamp packs, maximum cards and so on?
What do you call person that collects stamps as hobby?
- Knowledge and learning
- Relaxation and stress reduction
- Personal pleasure (including appreciation of beauty, and pride of ownership)
- Social interaction with fellow collectors and others (i.e. ...
- Competitive challenge
- Recognition by fellow collectors and perhaps even non-collectors
Is stamp collecting dying as a hobby?
Whilst it is true that stamp collecting is in decline, reports of its death are greatly exaggerated. The average age of a stamp collector is about 60 plus and there doesn’t appear to be a shortage of people who, when they reach their latter years, turn to philately as a hobby. How do you collect stamps for beginners?
What is stamp collecting?
Le Philatéliste by François Barraud (1929). Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects. It is related to philately, which is the study of stamps. It has been one of the world's most popular hobbies since the late nineteenth century with the rapid growth of the postal service, as a never-ending stream ...
Who was the first collector of stamps?
It has been suggested that John Bourke, Receiver General of Stamp Dues in Ireland, was the first collector. In 1774 he assembled a book of the existing embossed revenue stamps, ranging in value from 6 pounds to half a penny, as well as the hand stamped charge marks that were used with them.
What is a corner block stamp?
Corner blocks or plate blocks – compose a block of stamps from one of the four corners of the stamp sheet. Collectors usually opt for a block of four stamps, complete with the selvage area which will sometimes have the printing details on it.
What are the tips of a stamp tong?
Stamp tongs with rounded tips help to prevent damage to stamps from skin oils and rough handling. Clockwise from top left: hinge-mounted stamp, stamp about to be hinge-mounted, stamp damaged by a hinge, stamp hinges. Making stamp mounts at home by hand. Perforation gauge.
What is online stamp collector club?
Online stamp collector clubs often contain a platform for buying/selling and trading. Large numbers of relatively recent stamps, often still attached to fragments or envelopes, may be obtained cheaply and easily. Rare and old stamps can also be obtained, but these can be very expensive.
What is the most complete collection of all time?
A worldwide collection would be enormous, running to thousands of volumes, and would be incredibly expensive to acquire. Many consider that Count Philipp von Ferrary 's collection at the beginning of the 20th century was the most complete ever formed. Many collectors limit their collecting to particular countries, certain time periods or particular subjects (called "topicals") like birds or aircraft.
What is the American Topical Association?
The American Topical Association is now a part of the APS and promotes thematic collecting as well as encouraging sub-groups of numerous topics. The Collectors Club, often referred to as the Collectors Club of New York, is a private club and philatelic society in New York City.
What is stamp collecting?
Stamp collecting term for overprint altering or establishing a stamp's face value. Illustrated or descriptive label attached to a stamp. Stamp collecting term for metal tweezers used for safe and easy handling of stamps. A group of stamps with the same theme, such as space travel or Disney cartoons.
What is a coil stamp?
Coil Stamp. Stamp produced in a roll for use in vending machines. Usually identified by a pair of straight edges on opposite sides. Commemorative Stamp. Stamp issued specifically to honor a person, place or event; usually on sale for only a short period of time. Commemorative Sheet.
What is a self adhesive stamp?
Self-Adhesive. A stamp with a pressure-sensitive adhesive that does not require moistening to affix the stamp to paper. Selvage. Stamp collecting terminology for unprinted paper around panes of stamps, sometimes called the margin.
What is a postmark on an envelope?
Envelope or card postmarked on the affixed stamp's first day of use. Envelope or card carried on the inaugural mail flight between two points. Series of small dots embossed on a stamp allowing ink from the postmark to sink in, thus preventing cleaning and reuse of the stamp.
What is a small collection of stamps?
A small collection of foreign stamps. If you have decided to collect according to a country, topic, or any other area of stamp collecting that you want to concentrate on, you may want to keep in touch with others who are collecting the same way. There are numerous specialized stamp clubs locally or nationwide.
How to tell when stamps are ready to be handled?
You can tell when the stamps are ready to be handled, they will float free from the envelopes. Not all stamps soak well. If you have stamps with purple ink or cancellations on them, you may want to soak them separately, because these colors may run, discoloring other items in the container.
What is a superb stamp?
Try to acquire the finest possible specimens. Stamps are rated in condition from poor to superb. A stamp which can be called "superb" is one of the finest quality. That means it has perfect centering, brilliant color and perfect gum.
What is a stamp journal?
There are stamp journals which are devoted to studying and describing stamps and covers. A variety of philately bulletins and pamphlets. Whatever area of collecting you wish to collect in, there is an enormous amount of information available to help you enjoy your hobby. The best place to start is a local stamp club.
What is a good stamp?
"Good" stamps are those which are off-center, but fairly attractive.
Why are stamps so small?
Because stamps are small, it is often difficult to see all of their minute detail with the naked eye. Magnifying glasses, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes, will help you not only see the design better, but also, in some instances discover small details which can help distinguish one stamp from another.
What does stamp atlase show?
Several stamp atlases have been published for philatelists; they show "dead" countries that formerly issued stamps, as well as current nations. Sometimes, collectors decide to collect stamps not by country of issue, but because of something else.
What is stamp collecting?
Stamp collecting is a rewarding hobby for all ages. However, it can be quite challenging if you don’t know the meaning of the stamp terminology that’s widely used by collectors and dealers. This guide to stamp collecting abbreviations has been compiled for those who may need a bit more clarity to fully understand the various classifications ...
What is a charity stamp?
Charity stamp: A stamp which was issued with a premium or surcharge for charitable purposes. Circular date stamp (CDS): A circular cancellation mark which often has the date and place name or location within it. Classic: One of the earliest stamp issues from a country, usually up to about 1900.
What is a defm stamp?
Defective Mint (DEFM): A stamp which has heavy creasing, thins or missing perforations, but would otherwise be classed as in a 'mint' state. Defective Used (DU): When a stamp is in 'used' condition but it also has noticeable defects, such as small tears, creases, clipped perforations or thins.
What is a commemorative stamp?
Commemorative stamp: A stamp issued to mark a person, special event or anniversary - which is usually only on sale for a limited period of time. Commemorative Sheet: A sheet of stamps with a commemorative inscription to mark an event or anniversary.
What is a straight edge stamp?
Straight edge (SE): A philatelic term for when one or more edges of a stamp do not have perforations. Not to be confused with a coil stamp (always has two edges without perforations), a booklet stamp (can have one, two or three edges without perforations) or an imperforate stamp (which has no perforations).
What is a coil join stamp?
Classic: One of the earliest stamp issues from a country, usually up to about 1900. Coil join: A tab which unites two sections from a roll of stamps. Coil Stamps: Stamps which were produced in rolls for use in vending machines and can often be identified by a pair of straight edges on opposite sides.
What does AU stand for in stamps?
Average Used (AU): A stamp in a good used condition with cancellation marks, small defects or heavier postmarks. Bisect: Describes part of a stamp cut in two for separate use; usually during an era of stamp shortages.
What does a dead country stamp mean?
Dead country: A ‘dead country’ stamp was produced in a country or territory which no longer exists or no longer produces postage stamps.
When were the UK regional stamps introduced?
Introduced by the Post Office in 1958, the UK's regionals were intended to revive the tourist industry of the Channel Islands and meet calls for more representative issues. The stamps were issued for Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
What does "changeling" mean on stamps?
Changeling: Referring to a stamp with changed colours from the original. This can be accidental or intentional. Cinderella: a label or stamp that is not valid for postage. Cinderellas, so called as they are not invited to the ‘postal party’, include seals, advertising labels, poster stamps, local post stamps and more.
What is an arrow in stamps?
These are not accepted to pay postage. Arrow: A V-shaped marking applied to stamp sheet margins which serves as a guide for cutting. Bisect: To bisect, is the process in which a stamp is physically halved, whilst also keeping its original full value. Therefore, each half will be worth half the stamps original price.
How to keep stamps from foxing?
To prevent foxing, stamps should ideally be stored at a temperature of less than 18 ºC and a humidity of 55 to sixty percent. Obviously, this would be difficult to achieve in a home environment and so the next best thing is to store your stamps away from sources of heat or direct sunlight, in a well-ventilated room.
What is the name of the stamps that depict King George V in a naval uniform?
Admirals: The 'admirals' is the name given to three British Commonwealth series of stamps that depict King George V in a naval uniform. Aerogram: This is a pre-paid airmail letter which can be folded to form an envelope. These are usually lower cost than regular airmail.
What is an albino stamp?
These are usually lower cost than regular airmail. Albino: A completely un-inked stamp design with no colour. This can occur if two sheets of paper are fed through the press at the same time, or if no ink is applied. Such errors are more common on postal stationary than stamps.
What is a stamp book?
Stamp Vocabulary. The gum or coating on the back of a stamp which allows you to attach it to an envelope. A book for storing stamps. Most albums consist of pages preprinted with stamp images, although a stockbook with pockets to hold stamps may also be considered an album.
What is a coil stamp?
Coils are issued for use in dispensers or vending machines or for automatic affixing equipment. A stamp issued for a limited period of time, usually at the first-class rate and in a larger format than most stamps. Commemoratives usually honor persons, organizations, events or causes on significant anniversaries.
What is the position of the design on a postage stamp?
The position of the design on a postage stamp. On perfectly centered stamps, the design is exactly in the middle (there is equal spacing on all four sides between the perforation and design). Stamps sold in rolls. Two opposite edges (most often the top and bottom) usually have straight edges rather than perforations.
How many stamps are in a pane?
Most panes consist of at least six stamps. A design or artwork on the left hand side of an envelope, found primarily on first day covers. A mark used by the post office to show that a stamp has been used. The position of the design on a postage stamp.
Overview
Collecting
Stamp collecting is generally accepted as one of the areas that make up the wider subject of philately, which is the study of stamps. A philatelist may, but does not have to, collect stamps. It is not uncommon for the term philatelist to be used to mean a stamp collector. Many casual stamp collectors accumulate stamps for sheer enjoyment and relaxation without worrying about the tiny details. The creation of a large or comprehensive collection, however, generally requires some p…
History
It has been suggested that John Bourke, Receiver General of Stamp Dues in Ireland, was the first collector. In 1774, he assembled a book of the existing embossed revenue stamps, ranging in value from 6 pounds to half a penny, as well as the hand stamped charge marks that were used with them. His collection is preserved in the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.
Postage stamp collecting began at the same time that stamps were first issued, and by 1860 th…
Equipment
A few basic items of equipment are recommended for proper stamp collection. Stamp tongs help to handle stamps safely, a magnifying glass helps in viewing fine details and an album is a convenient way to store stamps. The stamps need to be attached to the pages of the album in some way, and stamp hinges are a cheap and simple way to do this. However, hinging stamps can damage them, thus reducing their value; today many collectors prefer more expensive hingeless …
Acquiring stamps
The main ways of acquiring stamps are through retail market stamp dealers who have online websites, or post on eBay or other forums, and conduct local stamp show dealer "bourse" events. The way to buy wholesale is to attend auctions and there are many auction companies around the world that offer regular auctions, most lots sold at one advance over the underbidder no matter what the price. These are called unreserved auctions. Reserved auctions are the same except a …
Collecting specialties
A worldwide collection would be enormous, running to thousands of volumes, and would be incredibly expensive to acquire. Many consider that Count Philipp von Ferrary's collection at the beginning of the 20th century was the most complete ever formed. Many collectors limit their collecting to particular countries, certain time periods or particular subjects (called "topicals") like birds or aircraft.
Organizations
There are thousands of organizations for collectors: local stamp clubs, special-interest groups, and national organizations. Most nations have a national collectors' organization, including the American Philatelic Society (APS) in the United States; the Royal Philatelic Society London and Philatelic Traders Society in United Kingdom; and the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada. The Internet has greatly expanded the availability of information and made it easier to obtain stamp…
Rare stamps
Rare stamps are often old and many have interesting stories attached to them. Some include:
• The British Guiana 1c magenta is the world's most famous and valuable rare stamp.
• The Canada 12d Penny Black
• The Canada 10 Cent Montreal Small Queen Pale Milky Rose Lilac First Printing