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

Originally posted 2009-10-14 03:18:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Collecting Stamps as an Enjoyable Hobby 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......
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• US Postage Stamps 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......
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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

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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

• Guide to Selling Stamps and Stamp Collections Often people ask me for advice on what to do with their newly inherited or given stamp collection, usually with a bent on selling it. These are a few pointers I have slapped together. Number one: do not get your hopes up. Most people see albums or boxes full of......
• The Right Stamp Collecting Accessories 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......
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• Stamp Collector Stamps -> Worldwide -> Collections, Lots Few types of collectors get more excited and enthusiastic about a new acquisition than a stamp collector. Stamp collecting is one of the most popular hobbies in the world, enjoyed by young children, the elderly, and every age in between. Over 20 million people......
• History of Postage Stamp Collecting With the creation of the postage stamp came the birth of the concept of postage stamp collecting. This occurred just shortly after the first postage stamps were introduced in the year 1840 by Great Britain. Plilately, the study of postage stamp collecting has been derived from phileo, the Greek word......

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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

Originally posted 2009-10-01 03:50:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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• 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......
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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

Originally posted 2009-09-30 03:47:17. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Beginning a Stamp Collecting Hobby Starting a stamp collecting hobby can be popular and rewarding if you like the idea of stamps. If you are just getting started with your own stamp collecting hobby and you are trying to figure out where you need to get started, the following tips should prove to be helpful.......
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• Collecting Commemorative Stamps A commemorative stamp is essentially a stamp that was created in order to honor something, such as for example a special occasion, a special person or a special place. Most commemorative stamp varieties are printed in very small batches, and sometimes they are only printed one time and then never......
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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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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

• Spain Stamps Stamps -> Europe -> Spain & Colonies When looking for old Spain stamps, online auctions like eBay are a great place to search. Often, auctions are in lots so you get several stamps to add to your collection, often from many different countries and time periods. Some stamps can also......
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• 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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Stamps -> Worldwide -> First Day Covers

Collecting first day cover stamps is a popular subset of stamp collecting in general. Those who look for these types of stamps are an enthusiastic and passionate group, many even belonging to societies designed to promote first day covers and first day cover collecting.

First day cover stamps are stamps that were used on their first day of issue that were canceled with a mark that announces the stamps first date of issue. Often first day covers were issued on a date that has some significance with the subject of the stamp. Those types of covers are typically more valuable than others. The “city of issuance” or the city in which the stamp is first issued and sold usually has some tie to the subject of the stamp, as well.

The difference between collecting stamps and collecting first day cover stamps is quite marked. To collect first day covers, you must acquire the entire postcard or envelope on which the stamp was used, rather than the just the stamp itself. The object is to have the envelope completely intact so that the entire cancellation stamp is visible. While many stamps are canceled carelessly, first day covers are typically very straight and aligned so that all the writing is easily visible and readable.

First day cover stamps are the actual newly issued stamp that’s used on the envelope. The first day cancellation is the cancellation marked used, which will state the first day of issuance and the city of issuance. While some first day cancellations are little more than the standard bar lines with the city and the date, some were elaborate pictorial cancellations.

Some more terminology you should known when collecting first day cover stamps deal with the difference types of cancellations used. A show cancellation is a pictorial cancellation that has some tie to a stamp show or other related event. A bullseye cancellation lacks the long straight or wavy bars that extend over the stamp and much of the envelope. These are round cancellations that bear the date of stamp issue, the city and zip code. Some bullseye cancellations are known as “sock-on-the-nose” cancellations, because they were designed to be centered properly.

Round date cancellations are like a bullseye cancellation but much larger, and typically not used for first day of issue cancellations but are sometimes used on stamps depicting special events. Two types of machine cancellations are Model D and Imprinter cancellations, each made from a metal die and rubber die, respectively. Hand cancellations are some of the most desired by collectors, because the stamp was done by hand, typically because the first day cover stamps were considered artistic and unique, and too nice to be canceled by a mere machine!

Online auctions are a great place to find first day cover stamps, whether you’re searching in general or looking for a particular cover. If the photo isn’t large enough for you to read the cover, ask the seller for a better shot so you can be sure of what you’re getting.

Photo Credits: cliff1066™

Originally posted 2008-10-22 05:00:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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With the wide availability of different stamps from all over the world, there is an enormous selection from you to take from when it comes to buying postage stamps online. The following tips should help you when it comes to expanding your stamp hobby by purchasing and even selling your postage stamps online.

- Choosing recent stamps when you buy postage stamps online tends to make it easier for you to get your hobby started. This is because more recent stamps are generally more readily available as well as less expensive, and they can also generally still be found in high quality condition as well.

- You are going to want to decide when buying postage stamps online if you are interested in collecting cancelled stamps or mint stamps. Mint stamps are pristine stamps that have never been used, and they are generally capable of earning you more money when you sell them. Cancelled stamps on the other hand have been used and have been stamped already by the post office have already served their purpose, which is something that some collectors are going to prefer.

- When you buy postage stamps online, you are only going to want to buy a complete stamp. If you find that one particular stamp is proving to be difficult to find, then you are going to risk having to buy another complete set later on in order to get the single rare stamp that you are looking for.

- You should be aiming to focus on one particular type of stamps when you are buying postage stamps online. Some collectors begin their collections by buying only a specific type of stamp, such as stamps that feature planes or birds. Other collectors decide to find stamps that come from a specific country or a specific state. Some collectors on the other hand only collect stamps that come from a particular time period.

Regardless of whatever types of stamps you decide that you want to collect, it is important that you know that stamp collecting should be about enjoyment first and foremost. You should enjoy collecting your stamps rather than thinking purely about making any money on this particular hobby. Stamp collecting can certainly be profitable, but it should be enjoyable first and foremost and only profitable after the fact. When it comes to buying postage stamps online, you should focus on finding the stamps that you enjoy first and foremost, before you focus on the stamps that will earn you a serious profit. This is going to ensure that you always get enjoyment out of the hobby, even if it does not always turn a profit for you.

Photo Credits: yorkville

Originally posted 2009-09-22 03:57:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Stamps -> Worldwide -> Collections, Lots

Few types of collectors get more excited and enthusiastic about a new acquisition than a stamp collector. Stamp collecting is one of the most popular hobbies in the world, enjoyed by young children, the elderly, and every age in between. Over 20 million people in the United States collect stamps, with some of them enjoying the hobby very casually without much in depth knowledge of the individual stamps and their histories. But some enjoy the study of stamps, also known as philately, and use that detailed knowledge to amass a large and comprehensive collection of stamps from all over the world.

Stamp collecting is so popular that some small countries produce beautiful stamps in limited editions of far more than necessary for their country’s postal needs because collectors buy them and increase their revenue. Stamp collectors interested in collecting, not just for the satisfaction of acquiring certain stamps but as an investment, go in search of rare and valuable stamps.

A young Queen Victoria graced the first postage stamp issued in Britain in 1840. Called the Penny Black, one had to cut it from a sheet of stamps with scissors. Mint and unused Penny Blacks are scarce and valuable, but even a casual collector could find used Penny Blacks in online auctions for affordable prices. Those that are in the worst condition can even be purchased for $20-$40 dollars, and those in the best condition are usually available for less than $200—a very affordable price when you consider you’d be owning the first stamp ever created, with a value that’s only likely to rise.

Most stamps, even very old ones, can be found and collected affordably, making it a great hobby for children and people from any walk of life. While the advent of email and electronic bill paying have greatly reduced the need for stamps, decreased stamp production could put a damper on those who collect modern stamps. But a stamp collector with a collection of older stamps would do well to maintain the collection as the value will likely rise even as stamps become less necessary to our society.

A stamp collector has a variety of choices when choosing which stamps to collect. Some only collect stamps from one country, but aim to acquire one of each type. Others choose only certain types of stamps, like commemorative stamps, stamps in other shapes like circles or triangles, or stamps bearing images of certain things like celebrities or a type of animal. Other collectors choose to collect in general, gathering stamps from all over the world with no real rhyme or reason, just choosing the ones that appeal to them. There’s no wrong way to collect stamps because it’s a very individual hobby.

When purchasing stamps, a stamp collector should ask a few key questions. Is the stamp uncirculated or used, and is it damaged? Also find out if it’s an irregular stamp or one with an error, both of which can sometimes make the stamp more valuable.

Photo Credits: creative location

Originally posted 2008-10-13 05:00:15. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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