Here’s How to Start Your Own Stamp Collection
Have you been searching for a new hobby?
The start of each new year offers the perfect time to expand your interests. This is the time of year when many people decide to get in shape, become more social, or look for hobbies that will keep them busy while teaching them a new skill.
Here we take a look at how to start a stamp collection for beginners. Becoming a philatelist is an exciting experience that will introduce you to the various types of stamps, from common stamps to expensive stamps and everything in between.
Keep reading to discover insight that will make starting a collection from scratch as enjoyable as possible.
Reasons to Collect Stamps
People start collecting stamps for many reasons. This often includes a love of history, a desire to learn more about the world, and the intrigue of where specific stamps originated and the places they’ve traveled to over the decades.
There’s also a financial incentive to collect stamps. After all, many stamps are worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars each. Thus it’s possible to build a collection that appreciates into an impressive investment.
Stamp Collectors vs Philatelists
As a newbie to the world of stamps, you will encounter the term “philatelist” to describe someone who collects stamps. And yet there’s actually a difference between a collector and a philatelist.
A collector simply collects and enjoys their stamps, whereas a philatelist studies their stamps, thus taking a deep dive into the historical significance of each stamp.
Getting Started
The key to getting started is to understand how much you are willing to invest in your collection. Keep in mind that you need to educate yourself as much as possible. This will help you understand the value of each item so that you can get the greatest possible value from your investment.
Stamp Collecting Essentials
There are a few essentials you’ll need to maximize your stamping collecting experience. This includes a stamp tweezer, binders, magnifying glass, stamp catalogs, watermark detectors, and a perforation gauge.
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Acquiring Stamps
You can purchase stamps from a variety of sources. This includes your local post office, stamp retailers, special events throughout the world, and other collectors.
Understanding the Condition of Stamps
There are three primary stamp conditions to keep in mind when purchasing items for your collection.
Used stamps have been actually used, they feature postal marks that provide date and location information. Fine-used stamps have been used, but the markings are extremely light. Unused stamps have never been used, thus they should be free of markings and are often still wrapped in plastic.
Storing and Caring for Your Collection
When collecting stamps, it’s important to keep them safe and clean. The key is to store them in albums, then place your albums in a cool dry location. This is especially important with expensive stamps.
A Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Stamp Collection
It’s no secret that the world of stamps has a long and fascinating history. Fortunately, this guide to starting a stamp collection will help you understand everything you need to know to make the most of this enjoyable and educational pastime.
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