Condition

The condition of stamp collectibles is a description of a stamps paper, gum (when dealing with mint stamps), and ink characteristics. The most adequate description of a stamp should be concise but still use as many words as necessary to properly describe the stamp. For example, a early British colonial stamp issued from the tropics might have many faults that need addressing, and the stamps description may be as long as a paragraph to note this. Despite this, old issued stamps with faults may still yet be very valuable due to price or rarity of pristine examples, or their possible lack of existence.

Positive Conditions -

• The stamp collectibles should have a crisp and clear printing impression that is on a line-engraved issue,
• The stamp should possess wide margins between the separations and the design itself,
• The stamp collectibles should possess rich colors as if it were hot off the press,
• There should be selvage that is attached to the stamp, especially when it comes to older issued stamps,
• Used stamps with rare or usual cancellation,

Faults -

A fault is anything that has damaged, altered or otherwise changed the stamp or the appearance of the stamp since the point in time where it was printed, except for postal marks such as a cancellation, pre-cancels and overprints.

• Gum faults include mint copies that have been re-gummed, or uncancelled copies that do not have any gum. If there is something stuck on the gum, like a fingerprint or dirt, this is also considered to be a fault for stamp collectibles.
• Paper faults include pieces that are missing, tears or holes, creases or folds or stains on the paper. If the paper has thinned because the stamp back has been peeled away in part or completely, this is a paper fault. Another paper fault involves heavy hinge remnant in stamp collectibles.
• Color faults on stamp collectibles include chemical changes in the stamp color or stains. Attempting to remove a cancellation may also change the color of a stamp.
• Perf faults include shortened perforations or perf tips that have been cut off in order to create a straight edge which indicates that the stamp was cut with a scissors. Other perforation faults include perforations that are notably shorter than others or perforations that were clearly pulled off.
• Face faults include when something is stuck on the stamp, or when the stamp is scuffed or has non-postal marks on it such as crayon marks, pencil marks or pen marks.

Stamp conditions can vary significantly from one country to the next, and the standards are not typically the same across the board based on printing technologies and region. Sometimes you will buy a stamp that is not in high condition with a note that mentions that it is very fine for the country, which explains that it will be hard to find stamps of the same high quality in that region.

Photo credits: karen horton

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Knowing the meanings of certain stamp terms is an important part of stamp collecting because it means you have a thorough understanding of what you are doing. Here are some of the stamp terms that are well worth knowing:

Adhesive – This is, in actuality, exactly what a stamp is. A stamp is simply a piece of paper that pays for postage when it is applied to a piece of mail. A stamp is a piece of paper that has a pressure sensitive or gummed back.

Airmail Stamps – These are postage stamps that are used to pay postage rates for airmail. The United States stopped issuing airmail-specific stamps during the 1970s, which was when they began to send all mail via air.

As Is - This is a term that is often used in auctions, denoting that a stamp is being sold without any additional guarantees attached to it.

Authentication Mark – This is a tiny mark appearing on many rare and older postage stamps. What it is meant to do is to denote that the stamp has been examined by an expert, and that its authenticity has been approved.

Backstamp – This is a postmark that is applied to a cover’s reverse, indicating the transit or the receipt of mail.

Block - This is an un-separated, even numbered selection of stamps, such as a block of four stamps, six stamps, twelve stamps or so on.

Bogus - This is a fictitious label that appears like a stamp, but that is created specifically for being sold to collectors. Bogus stamps are not used for postage, but simply for displaying and collecting.

Cancel - This is a marking that indicates that a postage stamp has already been used.

Catalog - This is a comprehensive listing of revenue and postage stamps, including their illustrations and their current price valuations as well.

Catalog Value – This is the value of a particular stamp as given or indicated by a particular stamp catalog.

Centering – This is the position of the design of the stamp in relation to the margins that surround it. Centering is particularly important in the determination of a value on a stamp.

Classic Stamp – This is an early stamp issue that has the connotation of rarity.

Coil - These are stamps that are prepared in rolls from between 100 and 1000 stamps that are inserted into vending machines.

Commemorative – These are stamps that are issued for the purpose of honoring a person, a place or an event.

Condition - This is the stamp’s overall state, including the state of the gum, the centering of the stamp, the presence of damage on the stamp and so on.

Counterfeit - This describes a stamp or a cover or a cancellation that was created in order to deceive.

Crease – This is a fold indicating a weakening of the stamp’s paper.

Photo credits: karen horton

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When people are just starting out, the idea of stamp collecting can be relatively confusing. This is because it can be difficult for starters to distinguish regular stamps from valuable ones. Collecting stamps is a truly enjoyable hobby, however, so many more serious collectors recommend that the best possible way to start out collecting stamps is simply to do so in a hobby sense. In other words, when you are beginning collecting stamps as a hobby, I would be wise for you to choose the stamps that appeal to you on a visual basis rather than attempting to purchase stamps simply because they appear to be valuable. When you dive into the world of collecting stamps as a hobbyist rather than as a serious collector, that is when you can learn how to participate in stamp collecting without feeling the pressure of the investment aspect of the game.

Depending on what type of stamp collection you are seeking, collecting stamps can easily become an expensive and time intensive hobby, but it does not need to be! Many hobby shops and stamp dealers offer stamp packets that come at a reasonable price, allowing for people to begin their collection on a quick start basis. Initially, individuals should become their stamp collections with a broad range of different stamps, giving themselves a good opportunity to see all of the various types and designs that are made available. It is vital that collectors learn how to develop their own unique taste, building a collection on their personal preferences so that they can best enjoy their collection.

A great way to jump start your stamp collecting endeavor is to jump online and use internet resources to your fullest ability. You can purchase a stamp price book that will help you begin exploring the basic values of different stamps. It will be also helpful if you can find ways to connect with other people who are collecting stamps, especially online or through community groups. A small amount of guidance in the world of collecting stamps can really go a long way in preparing you for the arena around you. When you collect stamps, if you are collecting for value, you should leave the stamp on the paper because it allows the stamp to be preserved. If you are collecting purely for entertainment and hobby value, then you may want to have a stamp album that you can stick your stamps in. If you are not sure what purpose you are collecting for, preserving the integrity of the stamps by keeping their backs on is definitely advisable.

Above all else, if you are feeling overwhelmed with the entire endeavor, there is never anything wrong with asking for help. There are plenty of knowledgeable people online and in the community that can help you get started. Asking for help is definitely going to be better than doing something wrong and potentially harming a valuable stamp in the process.

Photo Credits: paladinsf

Originally posted 2009-06-30 05:07:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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It does not matter if you are just beginning in the stamp collecting world, or if you have been collecting avidly for years: There are a number of stamp collecting supplies that are truly essential to your collection. What this means is that you absolutely cannot do without these essential stamp collecting supplies if you want your collection to grow and your hobby to be successful. The stamp collecting hobby may be relatively inexpensive for most people, but you are going to need to invest a nominal amount of money into these necessary stamp collecting supplies in order for you to collect your stamps the right way. Here is what you need to have in terms of stamp collecting supplies in order to grow your stamp collection.

Stamp Collecting Albums -

Before you begin your stamp collecting hobby, you need to find a stamp album that is going to work well for your needs. You can buy stock books allowing you to slip your stamps into tiny pockets for example. You can also purchase a standard stamp album, available where stamp collecting supplies are sold, and you can mount each stamp individually onto the pages. This may take a little bit more time and effort, but the stamps look great!

Corner Mounts –

When you mount your stamps, what you are going to need is a bunch of corner mounts which are inexpensive and come for about $3 per 1000 or so. They will help you mount your stamps onto your pages.

Tongs -

The purpose of tongs is truly vital as far as stamp collecting supplies go. Most tongs are specifically used when people are trying to soak the paper away from the stamp back. Tongs offer a gentler touch than what the human hand can offer. They can handle stamps without the stamps becoming dirty or harmed in the process. An excellent pair of tongs can be found for less than $5 and these tongs come in a wide variety of different sizes and styles as well. You would do well to experiment in order to figure out which type of tongs is best going to meet your needs.

Stamp Books -

If you are looking to know more about not only collecting stamps, but also stamp collecting supplies, then it would benefit you to purchase a book on collecting stamps. A single good instructional book can be extremely informative and helpful to a new collector or a seasoned one. Shopping online is a great way to find out what types of stamp collecting supplies are out there, because there are plenty of stamp collecting enthusiasts out there that want to share their craft and you can take advantage of this by shopping online through their stores and learning more about what it is that they have to offer.

Photo Credits: Thomas Hawk

Originally posted 2009-06-15 05:31:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Condition Guide of Stamp Collectibles Condition The condition of stamp collectibles is a description of a stamps paper, gum (when dealing with mint stamps), and ink characteristics. The most adequate description of a stamp should be concise but still use as many words as necessary to properly describe the stamp. For example, a early British......
• Postage Stamp Collecting Terms There are a number of terms that are specific to postage stamp collecting within philatelic circles. These postage stamp collecting terms are especially important when it comes to grading stamps and evaluating stamps for their value, rarity and collectability. The more that you know when it comes to postage stamp......
• All About Collectible Postage Stamps The art of collecting collectible postage stamps is a hobby that has become popular with several millions of Americans as well as people all throughout the world, including young and old alike. Many people that are just beginning with collectible postage stamps enjoy the thrill and the challenge that comes......
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The art of collecting collectible postage stamps is a hobby that has become popular with several millions of Americans as well as people all throughout the world, including young and old alike. Many people that are just beginning with collectible postage stamps enjoy the thrill and the challenge that comes with finding stamps that come from a variety of different time periods. There are also sophisticated hobbyists collecting collectible postage stamps that are rare or particularly valuable because their primary focus is placed on increasing the financial value of the collection that they are putting together. In other words, collectible postage stamps are capable of appealing to a wide variety of different people including young and old, serious or beginner, and for a variety of different reasons as well.

It should definitely be noted that the collection of collectible postage stamps differs greatly from the formal study of collectible postage stamps, which is a concept known as philately. Therefore, not all postage stamp collectors are philatelists, and not every philatelist is a postage stamp collector.

The History of Collectible Postage Stamps

The first ever postage stamp was issued back in the year 1840 in Britain. The stamp, which is known as the Penny Black, pictured an image of Queen Victoria, and it was printed without any perforations, which meant that it needed to be cut out from a single sheet in order to be used by the owner of the stamp.

Postage stamp collecting finally became a hobby in around 1860, and then around the 1920s is when the hobby really began to pick up steam. Stamps that were issued during this period of time do not generally carry very much value because they are still quite widely available today.

Collecting Facts for Collectible Postage Stamps

There are errors that are made when stamps are printed, and this will result in stamp images that are upside down or off center for example, and these collectible postage stamps tend to be the ones that greatly increase the value of the stamp. There are many collectors out there that are specifically looking for collectible postage stamps that contain these types of printing errors since they are rare and likely to fetch a higher price.

Many people that collect collectible postage stamps tend to focus on one specific type of stamp, like those issued by a certain nation for example. Some of the most popular collectible postage stamps are European stamps and Asian stamps for example because they feature stunning artistic qualities. There are other types of collectible postage stamps as well including commemorative stamps, revenue stamps and pictorial collectible postage stamps for example.

Photo Credits: aldo c zavala

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One of the first things that you need to think about as a new collector is what stamp collecting accessories are right for you. One of the first decisions to make when it comes to stamp collecting accessories is to find the right stamp album for your needs, because there are a wide variety of different brands out there on the market. If you would like to go with a good beginner stamp album then you might go for a Scott National one, which is probably one of the most versatile when it comes to the market.

There is space for nearly every United States stamp that exists today including a wide variety of minor varieties that you are not going to find in other albums because no spaces are provided for them. There is a back of the book section available that is arguably better than any other stamp collecting album out there as well. It has spaces for officials, parcel post, special delivery, postage dues, revenues; duck stamps and so on and so forth.

Another question that is frequently asked when it comes to finding the right stamp collecting accessories is how stamps should be mounted in your album. The personal recommendation here is for you to make use of black mounts. They tend to be a little bit pricey but they are going to do a much better job of protecting your investment, at least in the long run. If you are collecting inexpensive used stamps, then using hinges is going to work just fine, but you should never, ever use a hinge for mounting a mint stamp that hasn’t ever been hinged before because it is going to drastically reduce the value of your stamps. Make sure that you are reading the specific instructions for these stamp collecting accessories before you use them so that you do not end up ruining your stamps unnecessarily.

The next step when it comes to stamp collecting accessories is to purchase a catalog that is going to give you a better idea of what your stamps are worth. It is suggested that you get a Scott Specialized catalog because it is going to list nearly every variety of stamp in existence. Scott sells a really nice pocket catalog as well that comes at a fraction of the price, but having the Specialized version is generally a better idea because it takes every single topic in much greater depth to inform you on everything that you need to know about stamp collecting inside and out.

There are a number of other stamp collecting accessories that are worth having. Shop around and make sure that you choose the stamp collecting accessories that are best going to meet your needs and maintain the integrity of your stamps.

Photo Credits: Marcin Wichary

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Many collectors looked forward to the debut of the Bob Hope stamp on May 29, 2009.

Not only stamp collectors, but also fans of comedy in general and Bob Hope in particular anticipated the stamp’s release.

The history of the Bob Hope stamp release and the first day cancellation caricatures is an interesting one that bears repeating.

The best first day cancellations do what is fairly difficult to accomplish when designing a postmark – capture the essence and personality of the subject in a way that attracts and interests collectors, but make it so that it can be reproduced in a small enough size and simple lines that are needed for a cancellation.

Many wondered if it would be possible to capture the larger-than-life personality of an American icon like Bob Hope in such a cancellation.

The research team studied reams of material in developing the Bob Hope stamp cancellation. In the process of this research, the team came upon drawings of Hope by a popular artist, Al Hirschfeld.

The team thought the drawings captured Hope and his personality well, but discarded them because they assumed the legal issues including copyright would prohibit their use. They put the drawings aside for a time, and moved on with researching other possibilities.

However, once a member of the team decided to give it a try, they found success. In short order, all obstacles were removed, and the caricatures were incorporated into the cancellations.

Stamp collectors and Bob Hope lovers alike are delighted not only with the Bob Hope stamp, but also the cancellations which, in this case, an important completion to the image on the stamp itself.

The drawings add the touch of whimsy and delight to the stately portrait of a smiling but subdued Hope. In the combination, you see not only Hope the ambassador of good will and humor, but Hope the cutup on the Road to Morocco or wherever else he was traveling that day.

On Friday, May 29, 2009 the stamp was officially launched. The date was chosen because it would have been Hope’s 106^th birthday. He died at the age of 100 in 2003. His wife, Delores, celebrated her 100^th birthday the Wednesday before the ceremony, but she was not able to travel to the release ceremony.

The Bob Hope stamp first day ceremonies were held on board the USS Midway in San Diego. Hope was well known for his charitable performances for the troops in cars since WWII. He’s the first citizen to receive a Congressional recognition as an honorary U.S. Armed Services veteran, event though he never officially served in any branch of the military.

He performed twice on the USS Midway during his military visits.

Collectors can purchase the first day issue of the stamp through July 29. The stamps can be purchased at their local post office, the Post Office web site (www.usps.com) or over the phone at 1-800-STAMP-24.

The stamps should be placed on envelopes addressed to the collector or others, placed in a large manilla envelope, then mailed to

Bob Hope Stamp

Postmaster

PO Box 85530

San Diego, CA  92186-5530

The envelopes will be postmarked with the first day postmark and mailed to the recipients with no additional charge.

Photo Credits: dbking

Originally posted 2009-06-02 10:46:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• 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......
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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 collecting rare stamps online is a great way to accomplish this. On the internet you will find some of the best possible places to get your stamps because you will find an endless variety of stamps from all over the world, many of which are offered with the best possible prices.

One of the first places that you may want to try out when it comes to collecting rare stamps online is an online auction site. Not only are there online auction sites that cater to all needs such as eBay, but there are also online auction sites that are specifically tailored to the needs of people learning about collecting rare stamps online. You should be able to browse online looking to see what types of rare stamps you can find that will fit in not only with your taste but also with your budget as well.

You should have no trouble finding a wide variety of different websites online that teach you all about collecting rare stamps online. This is because it has become really popular for people to collect rare stamps. When you are ready to collect rare stamps online, there are a couple of different considerations for you to make:

- * First and foremost, what types of stamps are you interested in collecting? If you like to collect stamps that have animals on them, or that hail from a certain period of time, or that come from a certain country, then collecting rare stamps online that are the complete opposite of what you normally collect is not going to help you in any way, shape or form. Make sure that you are keeping your collection goals in mind, because collecting expensive rare stamps is not the reason why you should be collecting in the first place.

- * Next, you are really going to need to consider your personal budget when it comes to collecting rare stamps online. You are not going to want to spend more money than your budget can allow on stamps because you want to have a rare piece in your collection, if it means not being able to collect the other stamps you want with time. You need to budget for all of the stamp purchases that you plan to make when you are going about collecting rare stamps online.

A great place to get started when it comes to collecting rare stamps online is the rare stamp store, found at http://www.rarestampstore.com. There are plenty of unique rare stamps here for you to consider working into your budget.

Photo Credits: gruntzooki

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• Valuing your Stamp Hobby Many aspiring stamp hobby collectors end up wondering if it would be possible to get rich through the collection of stamps. The truth is, no, you are not likely to turn a stamp hobby into a million dollar endeavor. Most philatelic stamp hobbyists are never going to become rich from......
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Many people do not think of collecting postage stamps as a suitable collection, because collecting small sticky images and placing them in plastic sheets in a binder or book does not appear to be the most exciting past time in the world. The truth is, however, that collecting stamps can be a truly enjoyable past time for many people, because it is something like a treasure hunt. There are so many different stamps to find and collect, and stamp collectors are constantly looking for more. You can also specialize in certain types of stamps, such as foreign stamps, United States stamps, stamps from a certain year or era, collecting postage stamps in certain colors and so on and so forth. What this means is that no two stamp collections will ever be alike.

Many people like collecting postage stamps because of the process by which stamps are created. Although different stamps are created using different manufacturing methods, the process of creating a print from which a stamp will be made is long, tedious and extremely detailed, which is attractive to many people. When you realize how much work went into the creation of the stamps that you are collecting, that is when you can really and truly appreciate your stamp collection and the origin of each stamp that you have.

Collecting postage stamps is also capable of being a lucrative hobby or past time because you can get your hands on some truly old and difficult to find stamps, and this will allow you to make some money if you ever decide to sell your collection. Nobody really knows which stamps are going to end up being rare, difficult to find or costly in the future, so many collectors simply work to get their hands on as many stamps as they can find, hoping someday that their collection will be worth some money.

Collecting postage stamps is not always easy, but it can be enjoyable and extremely fun if you are willing to be diligent in your hunt for treasure. You can buy stamps online or through antique stores and collectibles stores or you can trade stamps with other stamp collectors like trading cards until you find the stamps that you are looking for. You do not only have to collect antique stamps, though, as today’s stamps will be antiques someday, and you can begin building your collection now if you intend to continue collecting stamps for many years. You may even consider collecting recent stamps now so that your children may have “older stamps” when they have grown.

If you are not yet collecting postage stamps, but you are looking for a hobby that you will find enjoyable and beneficial to your mental health, then you may want to consider giving it a try. You can find a lot of information about buying, selling and collecting stamps online in order to jump start your collection today.

Photo Credits: Wisconsin Historical …

Originally posted 2009-05-28 05:15:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Important Stamp Terms Knowing the meanings of certain stamp terms is an important part of stamp collecting because it means you have a thorough understanding of what you are doing. Here are some of the stamp terms that are well worth knowing: Adhesive - This is, in actuality, exactly what a stamp is.......
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Stamps -> Worldwide -> Postal History

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

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