Stamp Collecting

Stamp Collection -> Worldwide -> Collections, Lots

Building up a stamp collection is a hobby for thousands of people and it is one of the oldest forms of collectibles. For those that are just getting started with their stamp collection, there are a few things to remember to make sure that it goes smoothly.

1. Start with a target

It often helps to have a target in mind when you begin building up your stamp collection. For example, you can set out to collect nothing but French stamps, or you can try to find British stamps that were produced during the reign of Queen Victoria. By picking a narrow target, you can start to see results in less time and you’ll be more motivated to keep working on your stamp collection. This is also a great way to build up a very valuable collection, especially if you are targeting only rare stamps.

2. Buy a proper stamp collection book

In order to keep track of your stamp collection, it is vital to have a book. This will allow you to find stamps that you may be missing, and you will also have a safe place to store your stamps where they won’t be exposed to air and dust. This will help them hold their value longer. It is also neat to see your book being filled up as you increase your stamp collection and this can be a great motivator to keep looking for more stamps.

3. Always be on the lookout for new stamps

You never know when you may come across a rare stamp and it’s a good idea to keep updated on any auctions in your area that may contain these collectibles. Estate sales are another great place to shop and sometimes, you may be able to purchase a stamp collection that has already been put together for you. Other great places to find stamps include second hand stores, antique stores and at online auctions.

4. Stay informed and learn about stamps

In order to be able to build a good stamp collection, you need to have a good idea of the different values of stamps, as well as which ones you may be more interested in. Buy a few books about collecting stamps and subscribe to newsletters and magazines that are devoted to this hobby. You can learn a lot just by reading them and you’ll be able to keep in the loop on new stamp editions, as well as upcoming auctions for rare stamps.

5. Getting children interested in stamp collections

Local post offices sometimes hold stamp drives or encourage people to place used stamps in a box so that children can start their own collections. This is a great hobby for kids, and with a little help, they can start building their own stamp collection while they are still young. Try to find something that they are interested in, and use this as a springboard to help you find stamps that they may enjoy based on these interests.

Originally posted 2008-09-05 14:00:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Where to Buy Stamps Online People who break into the world of stamps often find themselves wondering about where to buy stamps online as well as in person. Having a guide to the best places for where to buy stamps is always a good idea. One of the places where you can buy stamps online......
• 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......
• Ireland Stamps Stamps -> Europe -> Ireland When postage stamps were first issued in 1840, Ireland was still a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Ireland used the stamps created by Britain until the Irish government took power in Ireland in 1922. Then they printed Irish text over the British......
• United States Stamps 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......
• The Most Essential Stamp Collecting Supplies 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......

• Principles for Good Blog Design, pt 2 4 - To reiterate... Some of your blog posts are going to be more popular than others. Once you recognize which blog posts these are, keep them from being buried by finding a way to highlight them. You may have a popular posts section in the sidebar of your blog,......
• Federal Reserve Notes Coins and Paper Money -> Paper Money: US -> Large Size Notes -> Federal Reserve Notes One of the most interesting collectibles in the field of coins and paper money are federal reserve notes. However, there is quite a bit of confusion out there about what these notes really are.......
• The Complete Idiots Guide to Simple Home Repair by Judy Ostrow So many home repair books offer project tips and advice, but most fall into the rather dry reading category. There are few that you actually want to take up and read, and for the most part, these books fall into the reference only category. Judy Ostrow’s latest book, The Complete......
• How to Lose Weight Over the Long Term When you first start a diet, it's easy to get all excited about the amount of weight you're losing and how great you look. Unfortunately, most of us reach our goals and then go off of our diets. Within a few months, we may be back where we started, or......
• Put Your Knees and Hips Into Your Swing While we all know that our knees and hips can have a disastrous effect on our swing when used improperly, they can actually help you hit a better drive when you use them the right way. Let's focus on each one and work on some exercises that will help you......

• George V UK Great Britain Stamps
• Covers UK Great Britain Stamps
• Back of Book Canada Stamps
• Postal Cards Stationery Back of Book United States Stamps
• Revenues Back of Book United States Stamps

Stamps -> Europe -> France and Colonies

Collectors of stamps that also enjoy history are commonly drawn to French stamps for many different reasons. These are unique items that often depict the struggle for freedom, and the French stamps from the colonies are considered to be very valuable as well as rich in history. If you have never seen a French stamp before, or you are completely new to collecting them, there are a few things you should know.

1. What year is the stamp?

This can have a very big impact on its overall worth. For example, French stamps from the 1800’s are considered to be very rare and will usually depict revolutionary scenes. The Marianne is probably the most popular stamp of this time and although they are not easy to find, if you do see one in good condition, this is the perfect stamp to collect. While there are Marianne’s available from many different eras, the earliest ones are considered to be the most valuable.

Pay special attention to the date of the stamp and if you can’t find it, you may want to ask the seller for more information about them. Typically, the older French stamps will be a little worn or used, and you can generally tell by the vibrancy in color or lack thereof how old the stamp is.

2. Is it an actual French Stamp or a Colony Stamp?

This can have a big impact on the overall value of the stamp. While some collectors prefer to stick the mainland when collecting French stamps, others prefer the colonial versions. Take a look at both and see which one will strike your fancy. Some of the colony stamps are worth a great deal more than regular stamps, but there is no general rule. Rare stamps are always valuable, especially if they are in good condition.

In the later part of the 1800’s the colony stamps would typically have Cerese on the front or the Emperor Napolean III. For the very rare stamps, look for the ones that were produced between the periods of 1859 and 1865. These are hard to find, and will usually have an Eagle and a Crown.

3. How good is the overall condition?

When it comes to figuring out how much a French stamp is actually work, this is usually the deciding factor. Look first for the ones that were never used, since they will typically have the highest value. Next, look for French stamps that were used, but are still in fantastic condition. Stamps with tears or rips are generally worth much less overall and should only be collected by those that aren’t terribly considered about value and are more interested in the history behind the stamp.

Ideally, a French stamp should be in near perfect to good condition, and will still contain the original adhesive or gum. Stamps that have hinges are also considered to be good investments, provided that the hinge is still intact. You can start your search for French stamps online and find some truly remarkable deals.

Originally posted 2008-08-28 14:00:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Collectible Stamps Stamps -> United States -> 19th Century - Unused Finding the best collectible stamps can sometimes be difficult, especially if you don’t know what to look for. It’s never easy to guess when it comes to stamps, and if you are a serious collector, it pays to subscribe to stamp......
• Antique Postage Stamps Stamps -> Worldwide -> Postal History When it comes to collecting stamps, most collectors dream of being able to find the perfect antique postage stamps. By far, these are usually the ones that are the most valuable and in many cases, they are the most visually interesting. If you are......
• 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......
• First Day Cover Stamps 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......
• 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......

• Collecting Rare Collectibles 101 There are all kinds of different collectibles out there, including rare collectibles and more common collectibles for example. If you are interested in collecting rare collectibles, then knowing how to identify them, find them, price them, display them and sell them are all very important considerations to make. Here is......
• DVD Review: The Ultimate Golf Learning Experience When it comes to instructional golf DVD’s the content can be a bit dry, but this was one DVD that completely broke that mold. By incorporating funny little movies, and some world class tips from professional golfers, The Ultimate Golf Learning Experience is really just that. Whether you’re brand new......
• Earn a Profit Collecting Rare Coins If you are looking to earn a profit with a unique type of collection, then one of the collection options that you may want to consider is rare coins. When you are collecting coins for the purpose of an investment, then it is probably going to follow that you are......
• Stamp Prices Going Up The price of stamps goes up an entire penny on Monday. If you use a lot of stamps you may consider buying 100 of the Forever Stamps at $41. This will save $1 vs. buying them next week. I know a great many people that will consider this. Some of......
• Canadian Coins Coins and Paper Money -> Coins: Canada -> Commemorative Whether you are from Canada, or just interested in collecting Canadian coins, there are plenty of options out there and many of these coins are actually quite valuable. Before you get started with your collection, it’s a good idea to know......

• Belgium Colonies Europe Stamps
• Spain Colonies Europe Stamps
• Postal History Worldwide Stamps
• Netherlands Colonies Europe Stamps
• Rare Handbags