If you are interested in stamp collecting as more than just a hobby, it is important to focus on finding valuable stamps. These are the ones that will enhance your personal collection and provide you with a solid investment that you can count on. In addition to their value as a collector’s item, valuable stamps are also fun to find since many of them are quite rare. If you’re ready to start getting serious about stamp collecting, here are some of the most valuable stamps to look for.

1. Queen Victoria Stamps

The Queen Victoria stamps that were produced during her reign are some of the most valuable you can find. Look for the ones that still have their original gum on the back. These were the first stamps to actually have an adhesive, so they are worth more. The most valuable stamps from this era are the ones that are still in very good condition, without any rips or tears.

2. Famous President Stamps

The United States may not have monarchs, but we do have famous presidents and their faces grace some of the most valuable stamps. Abraham Lincoln stamps are very popular and many of these are worth several thousand dollars. The majority of the older stamps from this era do not have adhesive, but if you can find some that have not been circulated, they are incredibly valuable. Once again, you’re going to want to look for the ones that are in the best condition.

3. Colonial Stamps

Stamps that were made during the colonial period in the United States are considered to be very valuable stamps, but this also extends to other countries. For example, stamps produced in the French colonies are very valuable, especially the ones from Polynesia. These are quite often red, green or brown and although the colors may be faded, they are still worth a lot of money.

4. Duck Stamps

Duck stamps are a type of stamp that is produced in the United States and the proceeds of sales go to benefit wildlife funds. Although these cannot be used for mailing letters, they are valuable stamps in a large part due to their stunning artwork. Every year, new Duck Stamps are released, and artists submit their work for consideration to be on the new stamp. The Duck Stamps from the first few years of this program are very valuable stamps.

5. Stamps from Turbulent Times

Stamps that were produced during revolutions, wars and uprisings are considered to be among the most valuable stamps, simply because they commemorate important events. For example, the stamps that were made during the French Revolution are highly collectible and hard to find. Stamps produced in Germany during the Third World War are also considered to be quite rare and collectible.

When you’re trying to find valuable stamps remember that condition does count. Ideally, they should not be circulated, but if they were, they should be as free from marks as possible and they should not be torn or overly worn.

Originally posted 2008-09-22 14:00:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Old Postage Stamps Stamps -> United States -> 19th Century Unused One of the best ways to get interested in stamp collecting is to take a look at some old postage stamps. These are truly unique items and although they may not be as glitzy or as useful as today’s stamps, there are......
• 1909 Lincoln Stamp Set Stamps -> United States -> Collections, Lots The 1909 Lincoln stamp set represents the first time the United States Post Office had issued stamps that didn't promote or commemorate a current event. The public complained about the change in stamps in 1908 to Washing and Franklin stamps, because Lincoln had......
• Collectible Stamps Stamps -> United States -> 19th Century - Unused Finding the best collectible stamps can sometimes be difficult, especially if you don’t know what to look for. It’s never easy to guess when it comes to stamps, and if you are a serious collector, it pays to subscribe to stamp......
• Post Office Stamps Stamps -> United States -> Collections Post office stamps are a great collectible for kids to enjoy, and luckily, it isn’t all that hard to start a collection. Before you start building your collection, it’s a good idea to make sure that you have all the supplies you’ll need. This......
• Valuing of Old Postage Stamps If you are interested in collecting stamps, then you probably already realize that stamp collecting is something that can be very valuable for a number of different reasons. Some old postage stamps are valuable simply because they are the only one of their kind, while others are valuable because they......

• Basketball Cards Sports Memorabilia -> Autographs - Original -> Basketball - NBA -> Trading Cards Although when most people think of collectible cards, they automatically think baseball, basketball cards are actually incredibly popular. There are thousands on the market and many of them depict some of the best players that ever hit......
• Review Very Sexy for Her Perfume by Victoria's Secret The Very Sexy for Her Perfume by Victoria's Secret is one of the newest fragrances by the popular fragrancier, and it is the newest incarnation of fragrances from the Very Sexy line of fragrances. The Very Sexy for Her Perfume by Victoria's Secret features some really unique notes to make......
• GLOSSARY OF BOOK TERMS ads, advts, adverts Advertisements placed in the binding of the book. Advanced Copy A copy for booksellers and reviewers, either bound in paperwraps or a copy of the trade edition with a review slip laid in. aeg See All Edges Gilt. al See Autographed Letter. All Edges Gilt The......
• Hold On To Your Wallet: Stamp Prices Rising Again As we all work to save every penny we can, the postal service will be raising the prices of their first class mail stamp an additional two cents. The new price of the stamps, which are currently $.42, will move up to $.44 starting on May 11, 2009. The US......
• Avon Collectibles Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles -> Decorative Collectible Brands-> Avon The Avon Company has been a respected institution in the United States since 1886, and their line of decorative collectibles contain some of the most sought after pieces on record. The company first began producing Avon collectibles in the mid-1960’s and......

• 1971-80 FDCs 1951-Now Covers United States Stamps
• Space Event Covers Covers United States Stamps
• Plate Blocks Multiples United States Stamps
• Naval Event Covers Covers United States Stamps
• 1941-50 FDCs pre-1951 Covers United States Stamps

If you are a lover of wildlife, or simply enjoy collectible stamps, the US stamp collection called the Duck Stamp is a terrific stamp to consider learning more about. These are not actually valid for postage, and were first released in 1934 as a way to raise money for conservation projects. They quickly became incredibly popular and through the years this popularity has only grown.

The Duck Stamps are actually made for the US Fish and Wildlife Service by the US Postal Service and every year a new design is introduced. Recently, the postal service began holding contests were amateur designers could submit their duck stamp designs for a chance to win the prize of having their stamp be the one that was produced that year. This is a competitive, but fun event and thousands take part every year.

For every dollar that is spent on a duck stamp, the US Postal Service donates 98 cents to the Fish and Wildlife service. Through the years, this funding has become vital and has gone to many special waterfowl and wildlife conservation projects. Without the duck stamp, it is highly possible that many wildlife would now be extinct or at the very least, could have lost their habitats.

The popularity of the regular duck stamp led to a new program that was introduced in 1989. Called the Junior Duck Stamp program, the proceeds from this go back into education. Through this program, children are encouraged to design their own stamps for inclusion in the project and they also learn more about conservation. This project also took off and once more, the stamps became very popular.

Another recent change was the introduction of the pass system, where a duck stamp could be used to gain admittance to a National Park free of charge. While few people like to part with their duck stamps, this program has also been a success. The success of the numerous duck stamp programs has spread, and now many states have their own special national park and stamp programs that are modeled on this original.

The most collectible duck stamps are the ones that were produced during the early stages of the program, but nearly all carry some value. While the primary purpose of the stamps may be to fund conservation and education programs, there is also a large selection of the population that collects these stamps for their artistic value. You can typically find a new US duck stamp for around $15, but the collectible and desirable stamps from many years ago can fetch much more than that at auction.

Many consider the duck stamp to be the perfect introduction for children into stamp collecting. Since they can participate in the design process and enter the contest to have their design chosen, it is a great interactive form of stamp collecting that could spark a life long interest in becoming a philatelist. If you have children, consider getting them their first duck stamp and watch their creativity and love of nature blossom.

Originally posted 2008-08-20 05:00:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Monroe Stamp Stamps -> Topical-and-Specialty -> Famous People The Marilyn Monroe stamp was released on June 1, 1995, on what would have been Marilyn’s 69th birthday. It joined the ranks of what the United States Postal Service calls “blockbuster” stamps, like the Elvis stamp, and some commemorative stamps like those honoring Civil......
• Swiss Soldier Stamps Stamps -> Europe -> Switzerland Some people, even those who have been collecting stamps for years, may never have heard of Swiss soldier stamps. That’s because these stamps weren’t actually postage stamps for use at large, they were created for the Swiss soldiers who were activated to full duty to......
• Australia Stamp King George V Stamps -> Australia The first proper Australian stamps appeared in 1913, with the stamps Australia King George V varieties appearing about 6 months after the first stamps showed up in January. While some Australian stamps were originally issued in 1902, it was 1913 before stamps for the Commonwealth of Australia......
• Collecting Rare Stamps Online You may already have started up your own stamp collection, but how are you going to set your stamp collection apart from other people and their stamp collections? You are going to need to know where to look and shop around in order to find the best rare stamps, and......
• India Stamps Stamps -> Stamps -> AsiaThe first India stamps were called Scinde District Dawk, getting their name from the place of their first use in the Sindh district of India. Typically the paper stamps were on some shade of white paper with the design stamped in blue ink, and the......

• Couple of Ideas for Landscape Design Every tree and plant that you put into the ground helps the environment and helps to heal the ozone layer. If you want to contribute to a cleaner society, you will think about greening up your landscaping. Here are some examples of landscape design ideas that you can implement in......
• EarthTalk: Zoos' Species Survival Plan (SSP) Programs. Dear EarthTalk: Do zoos have serious programs to save endangered species, besides putting a few captives on display for everyone to see? Most zoos are not only great places to get up close to wildlife, but many are also doing their part to bolster dwindling populations of animals still living......
• Sunset Vista Designs Kathy Hatch Great Outdoors Land and Sea Collection 18" Garden Wind Chime - Blue Crab Info: Sunset Vista Designs Kathy Hatch Great Outdoors Land and Sea Collection 18" Garden Wind Chime - Blue Crab Wind Chime hangs 18" longMade of painted metal with bead accentDistinctive blue crab decoration from designer Kathy HatchMakes a unique and welcome giftWhether decorating your beach house or city condo,......
• DIY Landscape Design What You Need to Know What exactly does do it yourself landscaping and design consist of? Granted, both landscape, and design are words very common and used every day, certainly not words that would send you running for the dictionary. However, asking yourself precisely what do it yourself landscape and......
• Good News for Houston Bird Hunters Of course the tree huggers don't like it, but it looks like some one is going to get to have some fun in Waller. Luckily, Waller is only 20 minutes from my front door, I will be investigating what exactly this means for hunters and will keep everyone posted. From......

• Space Shuttle Program Space Programs Historical Memorabilia Collectibles
• Service Businesses Businesses for Sale Opportunities
• Fish Animals Collectibles
• Ornaments by Year Hallmark Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
• Postal History Covers United States Stamps