US Stamps

Stamps -> US Stamps : 19th Century Unused, 19th Century Used

US StampsCollecting 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 collectors would give their eye teeth for. Here is a quick guide to most collectible US stamps that are currently available.

1. US Franklin Z Grill – 1867  US Stamp
This one may be hard for the average collector to find since only two were ever made. While all Z Grills are considered to be collectible, these two stamps are by far the most valuable. One recently sold at auction for just under $1 million.

2. Hawaiian Missionary Stamps – 1851 US Stamp
The first stamps that were issued by what would later become the state of Hawaii are considered to be incredibly rare and will fetch upwards of $225k at auction. The first series were missionary stamps. They got this name from the multitude of American missionaries that were stationed in the islands during that time period. These were the same stamps that they used to write home and report on their efforts at spreading the gospel.

3. Abraham Lincoln – 1867 US Stamp
This is a very rare stamp indeed, but you may be able to find one since there are least more than two in existence. It features the Z Grill and is considered to be collectible due to the Civil War that was raging at the time and the history behind the stamp. If you are lucky enough to come across one of these, it can easily sell for more than $200k if it is in good condition.

4. Shield, Eagle and Flags – 1869 US Stamp
This stamp is so valuable that even one that no longer has gum on the back can still be worth more than $3500 if the rest of the stamp is in good condition. These are a little easier to come by for the average collector. Keep your eyes open however for one that is both unhinged and has gum since this can be worth more than $200k.

5. The Declaration of Independence – 1869 US Stamp
One of these used will sell more for more than $800, but if you can find one that is still intact, it can be worth a lot more. Many of these stamps, in mint condition, will sell at auction for more than $200k. Again, this is an easier stamp to find since more of them were issued.

US Stamps offer more than just a valuable collectible. Each one has a rich history tied to it that links us to our past. If you are just starting your collection, it is fun to see just how many rare stamps you can come across, and you never know just what treasures you may find. This is a great hobby for kids, and you can teach them a lot about the United States through these rare and valuable stamps.

Originally posted 2008-08-17 05:00:56. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Beginning a Stamp Collecting Hobby

frencharchitecturestampsStarting 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.

First and foremost, it is said that the first rule of a stamp collecting hobby is to determine what type of stamp you would like to collect. You need to take care of your collection as well, as part of your stamp collecting hobby. When it comes to choosing a type of stamp to collect for your stamp collecting hobby, some of the options that are available are to choose a specific type of location, a specific type of design or a specific period of time. You can just as easily choose a historical period to collect, a specific country, an animal that you fancy or a holiday or special occasion, because there are a multitude of different stamps out there to choose from.

Some people with a stamp collecting hobby like to collect one issue of a certain stamp within a volume, one type of stamp only, or some collect as many different stamps as they can. Once you have decided what variety of stamp collector that you would like to be and what type of stamps you most want to collect, the next step in the process is going to be for you to learn how to care for your stamps properly and completely.

The first thing that you should know is that when handling your stamps you should always be using stamp tongs. While stamp tongs are similar to tweezers, they are not like tweezers because their ends are not pointy. You should never substitute tweezers for actual stamp tongs, otherwise you may end up severely damaging your stamps. Stamp tongs are vital because you should never touch the stamps with your fingers, otherwise the oils in your skin may damage the stamps. When you view stamps, they should always be laid out across a clean sheet of paper in order to minimize the amount of contamination that they experience.

The basic necessary types of tools and supplies that you are going to need for your stamp collecting hobby will require stamp tongs, an envelope for storage, a storage box for the envelopes to be stored in, and anything else you need to get the full enjoyment out of your stamps. As your collection grows, so should your arsenal of stamp collecting hobby tools, including glassine envelopes and nice books for you to store your stamps in. The more that you invest in your stamp collecting hobby, the better the results will be because your stamps will be better cared for and will last a lot longer as a result.

Photo Credits: architekt2

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