Stamps -> United States -> Collections, Lots

When it comes to finding stamps of great value, US postage stamps are usually the most popular. In fact, many of these stamps may be worth more than $100k, and frequently will go well above that. When you are shopping for collectible US postage stamps, it helps to know what to look for so that you can make a good purchase. Here are some signs that you have a winner on your hands.

1. The gum is still intact.

For stamps made after the last part of the 19th century, there should be gum attached to the back. Adhesives were introduced in US postage stamps during this time period and if you can find one that still has the original gum, that is quite a feat indeed. This can make a difference of several thousand dollars in terms of overall value.

2. The stamp was never used.

While some highly collectible US postage stamps may still have value if they are used, you should always look for stamps that are still in their original books, or were never actually used. If you can find uncirculated US postage stamps, they are worth even more money.

3. The overall condition is very good.

Used or not, the US postage stamp you are trying to collect should be in the best possible condition. Stay away from stamps that are torn, missing pieces or in general bad condition. It is better to have a postmark on one than it is to have half a stamp. Always try to buy the stamps that are in the best condition first since they will generally be worth much more money.

4. The hinge is still intact.

The small piece of paper that was used to connect US postage stamps together is known as a hinge. If you can find a stamp that still has its hinge, it is generally worth more money than those that don’t. However, the hinge should be firmly attached and not hanging lose. If that occurs, the value will go down.

5. The historical figure depicted on the stamp.

This can be a big determiner in the overall value of a US postage stamp. For example, stamps depicting famous presidents such as Abraham Lincoln are generally more valuable. The same is true for famous founding fathers, like Benjamin Franklin, or even present day celebrities.

6. The stamp has a mistake.

This is actually a good thing, as long as it occurred when the stamp was manufactured. Error stamps are actually worth quite a bit of money and many collectors will limit their collections to only these odd creations. If you find a stamp that just looks a little wrong, do a little research on it. It may be a very valuable US postage stamp.

Whenever you are collecting US postage stamps, the overall condition should be your guide. While damaged stamps may be cheaper to collect, they just don’t have the same value as those that are in perfect shape.

Originally posted 2008-08-26 14:00:17. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Some people choose to go about collecting wine to earn money, and other people get into the art of collecting wine just because they are passionate about wine. It does not matter why you are collecting, for profit or for pleasure, the art of collecting wine is one that requires a bit of an investment in order for you to get started. Enjoying it and collecting it are two very different things, and you need to understand this if you want to get the most out of the art.

When it comes to the art of collecting wine, one of the most vitally important things that you are going to want to consider is where you are going to keep the wine. One of the most substantial portions of your investment is going to go toward making sure there is a suitable place for storage that you can use when collecting wine. The motive here is going to be to make sure that your wine collection is going to be allowed to increase in its value rather than decreasing in value. The storage of your wine and the way that you keep your wine are going to make a huge difference in how well your wine is kept and collected. If you want your wine to last a long time and age beautifully, the right location is vitally necessary.

Wine that is protected, kept and collected in the most suitable conditions is going to age nicely. This is how you turn your collecting wine passion into collecting vintage wines. If your wine collection does not have the chance to be stored properly, then your wine is going to deteriorate, and nobody is ever going to appreciate your wine. If you ever try to sell your vintage wine, rest assured that it will have tell tale signs of being treated wrong, and everyone will know that you did not take your collecting wine hobby seriously.

When it comes to collecting wine, you should plan on doing some extensive research on how many wines are out there. Different wines have different storage requirements. What types of wines are you interested in collecting? How is this going to affect your wine storage situation? Make sure that you have the right storage for your wine before you buy it – Otherwise you will be caught ill prepared, and the quality of the wine that you are collecting will suffer as a result. Your wine bottles need the right temperature, the right humidity, the right air quality and many other details in order to age properly, and so you have to make sure that you have control over these things before you take your collecting wine hobby to the next level.

Photo Credits: NancyHugoCKD.com

Originally posted 2009-11-05 03:20:52. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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