Stamps -> Books and Manuscripts -> Back of Book

United States stamps are fun to collect and you will have many different varieties from which to choose. If you are looking for a hobby for your kids, or you are just interested in US history, these stamps are a great link to our past and a valuable way to learn more about this country. If you want to collect United States stamps, there are a few things to remember. These tips will help you build up a very valuable collection.

1. Consider the Era

Stamps have been produced in America from the colonial period and there are numerous stamps from this time period that can still be found today. Colonial United States stamps are rare finds indeed, as are Confederate stamps. Whether you are interested in collecting for a specific year, or you just need to know which ones to look for, the older the better is true in the majority of cases. Keep your eyes open, you never know what you may find.

2. Think outside the book

There are many valuable United States stamps that were never actually used as stamps. These back of the book stamps, such as Duck Stamps are still quite rare and many of them will bring in thousands of dollars at auction. Although it is always nice to find stamps that were meant for circulation, you should also consider collecting at least a few back of book stamps as well.

3. Special Events Matter

Stamps that are designed to commemorate special events are always quite valuable. For example, the first flight United States stamps are highly sought after and commemorate the Wright Brothers and their contributions to the aviation industry. There are also United States stamps that were printed in honor of certain presidents as well as other public figures and important events that occurred throughout the history of this country. Learning about these stamps can be quite an education.

4. Condition Matters

By far the most valuable United States stamps are the ones that are in pristine condition and were never actually circulated. However, these are rare and may be priced out of reach of the average collector. You can still find some great stamps however if you keep your eyes open. In fact, in many cases, you can get a collection or lot of stamps at auction and discover a rare find right inside.

5. Errors Aren’t a Bad Thing

Although you would think that a United States stamp that was printed poorly or had an error would be worthless, the opposite is actually quite true. There is a huge market for oddity stamps, stamps with errors on them and what collectors refer to as “freaks.” Keep an eye out for stamps that may not look just right – you may have a gold mine on your hands.

FDCs are also very popular stamps and there are literally thousands of United States stamps that are considered to be collectible. Start building your collection today and see what rare finds you can come across.

Originally posted 2008-09-25 14:00:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Stamps -> Topical-and-Specialty -> Famous People

The Marilyn Monroe stamp was released on June 1, 1995, on what would have been Marilyn’s 69th birthday. It joined the ranks of what the United States Postal Service calls “blockbuster” stamps, like the Elvis stamp, and some commemorative stamps like those honoring Civil 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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