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

• Properly Storing Your Stamp Collection Stamp collecting can be a rewarding hobby that provides insight into past decades and trends; however, it can also be a space hog. With books upon books filled with stamps or detailing the stories behind the stamps you own, you may quickly find yourself with limited room to keep new......
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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

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• US Stamps Stamps -> US Stamps : 19th Century Unused, 19th Century Used Collecting stamps from around the world is a popular hobby for many, but there are also many valuable stamps that are hard to find. US Stamps in particular can be very rare, and there are quite a few that......
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- 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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Stamps of Newfoundland were first issued in 1857, with the country continuing to issue its own stamps until 1949. Newfoundland has over 300 of its own stamp issues, making this a popular category for collectors who need to impose boundaries in their collecting to reign themselves in a bit from wanting to buy everything. These stamps are sought out by collectors because of their beauty and uniqueness.

Few countries show their entire histories in their stamps like Newfoundland. A study of the stamps of Newfoundland can reveal all the major events in the country’s history until Newfoundland became part of Canada in 1949. Every major milestone in the nation’s development is featured on stamp, making these stamps unique and interesting.

The earliest stamp was a Pence issue. Of all the early stamps of Newfoundland, the 12 pence orange stamps of 1860 rank as some of the most valuable because only 1000 were produced. One went at auction for 5 figures. It’s no wonder that counterfeiters sought to fool the public by counterfeiting this “rare” stamp. When one would appear, people bought them for top dollar, making counterfeiting a profitable venture.

The first people to appear on the stamps of Newfoundland were Queen Victoria together with her husband, Prince Albert, 8 years after the first stamps were issued. The Queen is white against a pale reddish background. Forty years after the first stamps were issued, Newfoundland printed its first commemorative stamps, marking the 400th anniversary of Cabots’ discovery of the country in 1497. The date of the stamp issue also marked the 60th anniversary of Victoria’s coronation. The themes on the stamps were popular activities at the time—hunting and fishing, logging and even mining.
A dozen stamps of Newfoundland were issued in 1919 to honor soldiers and sailors from WWI with stamps following that honored the first non-stop transatlantic flight, and the first airmail stamp. These airmail stamps are valuable to collectors and can to for hundreds to thousands of dollars at auction. Besides the investment value, the stamps are colorful, beautiful and unique and would be fabulous in any collection.

You can find a huge variety of stamps online in auctions like eBay. The drawback is that you can’t see the stamp in person before you purchase it. A reputable and concerned seller will offer up-close and detailed pictures of any item for sale including stamps of Newfoundland, and will take more pictures when asked to make sure they represent the item correctly to you.

You’ll want to ask about the gumming on the back, if there is any and what condition it’s in—original condition gumming is the most valuable on stamps of Newfoundland and any type of stamps, in general. Ask about tiny tears on the stamp and any perforation damage or irregularities. Do a little research into this nation’s stamps, because you might just come across one worth hundreds of dollars or more that’s for sale for less than a hundred because the seller isn’t familiar with stamp values.

Originally posted 2008-12-03 14:00:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Stamps -> Stamps -> Asia

The 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 wax discs were usually made from red wax. The Scinde District Dawk stamps were only used for about 2 years before the British Eash India Company suppressed them, so these early stamps are the most valuable.

These early India stamps were used for the first time in 1852, when India was attempting to reform its postal system. Messages had been carried on foot for centuries by runners, but over the previous year the use of horses and camels to transport messengers more quickly had become the standard. With the postage reform, the stamps were used to show that postage had been paid, an innovation that was set to allow the British East India Company to earn more profits because messages would be delivered more quickly.

Anything that would speed the delivery of messages and goods would benefit the ruling power in India at the time, the East India Company. While deliveries were still snail-slow by today’s standards, they did improve with the new postal system allowing a message to be delivered in a month or two, rather than 5 or 6. In 1854 the East India Company attempted to make a new stamp the standard postage, but the citizens wouldn’t embrace the new design. A later India stamps design featured Queen Victoria as well as the East India marking and was used until 1858 when India rebelled against the company.

In 1931, India stamps began features other things besides monarchs and profiles, instead bearing images of fortresses and even animals. Another exciting facet for stamp collectors are India’s commemorate stamps, like the stamp commemorating the 1950 inauguration of India, and stamps that honor Mahatma Gandhi.

India stamps are popular with world stamp collectors because the earliest stamps produced in this country typically cost less than the first stamps produced by most other countries. And the early hand-embossed stamps are not so rare that you’ll likely never find one. In fact, early stamps are still discovered from time to time even by the most casual collector, making a great addition to any comprehensive stamp collection. Later India stamps bear some of the most beautiful stamps designs in the world.

As when buying any stamps, be sure the India stamps seller is knowledgeable about the stamps, whether you’re buying from a shop or an online auction on eBay or other auction site. If the picture on the stamp isn’t clear, ask the seller to provide another, clearer picture. Be sure to ask questions about the condition of the stamp, like whether it’s been damaged, whether the back is gummed and what condition the gumming is in, if the stamp has been canceled and if there are any imperfections or creases of which the seller is aware.

Originally posted 2008-11-18 14:00:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Crease – This is a fold that is present on the stamp. Creases are rated based on how faint or how heavy they are, and sometimes they can be pressed out or ironed out of the stamp.

Fading – Fading is characterized by a lightening in the ink on the stamp from any natural cause.

Imperforate Stamp – These are stamps that are originally sold without having any perforations.

Natural Translucency – This is a condition that has been commonly confused with having a thin spot. Natural translucency is typically ignored when it comes to grading stamps.

Original Gum – This is a stamp that has gum that is still in the same condition as when the gum was originally applied by the stamp manufacturer.

Pin Hole – A pin hole is a tiny hole in the stamp that you can see light through.

Previously Hinged – What this means is that the gum on your stamp is original, but there are disturbances in the gum that have occurred after the original printing. In some cases this is a sign of tampering, while in other cases it simply occurs as a result of natural causes.

Redistributed Original Gum – What this means is that the gum on the back of the stamp has been redistributed in an attempt to hide any imperfections in the gum.

Regummed – What this means is that new gum has been applied to the back of the stamp.

Repair – This is any attempt that has been made in order to cover up previous damage that the stamp or its gum have obtained.

Re-Perforated Stamp – A re-perforated stamp is the result of an addition of perforations to the stamp in order to defraud a stamp collector.

Scrape – What this means is that a fiber disturbance has occurred as a result of a surface abrasion, detracting from the quality or the caliber of the stamp.

Staining – This is a discoloration of the original color of the stamp.

Expertized and Graded Stamps – Expertizing and grading stamps helps to make sure that you are buying the original stamp in its best possible condition to ensure that you do not pay good money for something worthless.

Photo Credits: Gibsonclaire

Originally posted 2009-09-15 03:39:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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stamps -> Stamps -> Asia

India stamps were first used in 1852, and were known as the Scinde Dawk stamps, during the country’s postal system reform. This came after centuries of messages being carried in India on foot by runners who followed paths, and about a year of horses and camels transporting messengers instead of runners. The whole system was revamped to offer better communication, and mostly to make commerce easier for the British East India Company. The stamps showed that the fee for the transport of the message had been paid in advance.

These first India stamps were hand stamped onto paper or a small disc of wax, with the British East India Company’s mark in the center, and the name of the stamp around the edge. They derived their name, Scinde District Dawk, because they were first used in the Sindh district. These stamps were on white or off-white paper, printed in blue. The wax stamps were red wax affixed to paper. Because these stamps were only used for 2 years and then suppressed, they’re rare and highly collectible.

The East India Company had a great stake in making the postal system work more efficiently, because faster deliveries meant more profits, and a better system could cut months off delivery time. They tried introducing new India stamps in early 1854 but were unsuccessful. Then in 1855, a new stamp featuring Queen Victoria that stated East India Postage on its face was used until 1858, after India rebelled against the East India Company’s hold over the country.

The first stamps featuring images besides profiles and heads came in 1931, with fortresses and buildings representing their government’s move from city to city. The first India stamps after India gained its independence were issued in 1947, and feature India’s flag. Many commemorative stamps have been released over the years, including those that commemorate India’s inauguration in 1950, and one memorializing Mahatma Gandhi.

Part of what makes collecting India stamps such a fun and rewarding hobby, is that these early hand-embossed stamps are still being discovered today by collectors. Also, the early imperforate stamps are less expensive than early stamps from most other countries across the world, and so easier to acquire and collect, especially for the casual and beginning collector. For those who collect more modern and current stamps, the designs on Indian stamps are some of the most varied and beautiful in the world.

If you’re looking for India stamps online in auctions like eBay, be sure that all the pertinent information is available in the auction. If it’s not, ask the seller pointed questions. If he picture of the stamps is blurry or from too far away, you might not be able to see any imperfections or damage on the stamp, so ask for a clearer picture or move on to a seller who provides them. India stamps with military covers are a popular specialty within India stamp collecting, so if you can find these you’ll have an interesting and historical piece for your collection.

Originally posted 2008-11-13 05:03:13. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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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 were issued. Australia was made up of six colonies, each with its own postal service and stamps. But in 1901, a department was created to serve the entire Commonwealth. Early colony-specific stamps could actually be used until 1966, however, when decimal currency was adopted and made them invalid.

The first stamp bearing the term “Australia” appeared in 1913 as a red 1 penny stamp that featured a kangaroo and a map. At the time, governing officials were greatly opposed to the idea of monarchs on their country’s stamps, but in 1913 a new government ordered a series of red stamps bearing none other than King George V. Stamps Australia King George V varieties marked a change from what the earlier government had wanted, yet the stamps were so popular, they lasted 23 years.

Stamps Australia King George V varieties are important because they were the first, but more than that they show great craftsmanship and skill on the part of the engravers. And don’t think that the first plain stamps are the ones you’ll be stuck with if you choose to collect King George V. In 1935, Australia issued a silver jubilee to entice people to buy the stamp.
A qualified stamp appraiser is your best bet for giving you quite an accurate price on the stamps. Though online stamp shops, stamp message boards, forums and Usenet groups can be used to get an initial impression of the value of the stamp. If you can get expert advice and thoughts on the stamps you want to buy, it will help you a great deal when shopping. When you’re looking for stamps Australia King George V varieties, the value can range quite a bit, even though these stamps aren’t particularly valuable ones.

Stamps Australia King George V varieties are for the avid collector, especially one who focus on world stamps or Australian stamps. When purchasing these stamps in an online auction, you’ll find almost every variety you could ever dream of. But you’ll also want to ask the seller about any damage, creasing or tearing around the edge. The condition of the back of the stamp is also important. Any gumming should be as close to the original state as possible.

Stamps Australia King George V varieties should be perforated evenly on all sides, but if not then an explanation about why the perforation is variable should help immensely. If stamps sustained damage at some point, some people will trim off the torn perforation and redo it, leaving the design on the stamp no longer in the center, but off to one side which lowers the value. Stamps with their cancellations and envelopes intact are great finds for your stamp collection, too, and overstamps can also add to the value.

Originally posted 2008-12-01 14:00:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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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 War veterans. 400 million stamps were printed (almost as many as Elvis’ 500 million stamp print run), and while they’re popular with collectors, the value is generally no more than the face value of the stamp.

A stamp collector might enjoy owning a sheet of these stamps, or a single Monroe stamp, because they’re boldly colored, with Marilyn’s platinum hair, bright red lipstick and glitzy dress. And because they represent one of the most famous pin-up and movie stars of all time. But a Marilyn Monroe buff and collector will surely want these stamps in their collection because they’re just one more way to show that America never could get enough of Marilyn, and even over 30 years after her death they still feel the need to immortalize her beauty.
While Marilyn was a bonafide bombshell and movie star, maybe her humble beginnings and her struggle once she became popular help keep her an object of obsession and interest, one worthy of being honored with a Monroe stamp, after all these years. Born Norma Jean Baker, she started out in a way that few would associate with later fame. Childhood sexual abuse and poverty were just some of the tragedies of her early life. She lived in a series of foster homes and orphanages because her mother suffered from breakdowns that left her institutionalized.

She married at 16 to escape such a life, and soon began posing for pin-ups after her picture was taking while working in a factory. She didn’t get the name Marilyn Monroe until she was signed with RKO pictures, dyed her hair blonde and began appearing in small parts in films. Nude calendar photos in Playboy and a few starring roles shot her to fame in the early 1950s, and less than 10 years later she was dead of a sleeping pill overdose. Few stars are with us so short a time and then memorialized in ways like the Monroe stamp, but Marilyn captured the national consciousness and made people take notice.

A Marilyn fan and collector can find the Marilyn Monroe stamp on eBay or almost anywhere Marilyn memorabilia is sold. Chances are that a person wanting the stamp because it features Marilyn Monroe will care less about the stamp quality than the picture. So cancelled stamps, degummed stamps and other things that make it less desirable for a stamp collector are easy to find, and are relatively cheap.

But for those who want the stamp because it’s part of US stamp history, you’ll want to find a sheet of uncut stamps in excellent condition on eBay or elsewhere. Though given the date of its release, a Monroe stamp with a first day cancellation can be a great part of your collection.

Originally posted 2008-12-24 14:00:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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