September 21st, 2009 — European Stamps, Old Postage Stamps, Queen Victoria Stamps, US Postage Stamps
One of the best ways to get interested in stamp collecting is to take a look at some old postage stamps. These are truly unique items and although they may not be as glitzy or as useful as today’s stamps, there are some that are truly unique and very valuable. When you’re looking for collectible old postage stamps, there are a few things to look for to see whether or not you have a truly valuable stamp in front of you.
1. Ink Color
Typically, old postage stamps used either red, brown, green or blue ink. The colors should be a bit faded, especially if the stamp was made in the late 1800’s. During this time more intricate designs were put into circulation but for the most part, the colors stayed the same. There is no real theory behind why these ink colors were used, but it does make it easier to find old postage stamps and authenticate them.
2. Designs
Old postage stamps will typically contain historical events or figures that were popular during that time. Just as we have celebrity stamps today, old postage stamps commemorated special events and people as well. In countries where there was a monarch, that would typically be the person that would adorn the majority of stamp designs. In republics, symbols of freedom were commonly used. Very old stamps will generally be less intricate, but towards the 19th century, design capability improved and many stamps produced during this time period are very ornate.
3. The Adhesive
Stamps that were produced before the late 1800’s typically did not have any form of adhesive. They were usually glued into place by the send of the mail or the post office. However, in the 1880’s, special adhesives were introduced that allowed people to easily attach their stamps to their mail on their own. Old postage stamps will usually have what is referred to as “gum” on the back. This “gum” will typically be brown or yellow in color due to age. If you can find an old postage stamp that still has the “gum” intact, you have a very rare find indeed.
4. The Condition
The condition of old postage stamps will have a large bearing on their value. Collectors usually try to find stamps that were never circulated, and that are still intact and free of rips or tears. While there are few old postage stamps that are incredibly valuable no matter what condition they may be in, it is important to try to find the best possible stamps if you are collecting with an eye of amassing valuable old postage stamps. One or two flaws are generally acceptable, but collectible stamps should be free of any major damage.
5. Demand
There are many old postage stamps that are in high demand and at times, you will see new ones that suddenly come into vogue. If you are trying to save money, you can collect old postage stamps that may not yet be popular. If they are still in good condition, you may just have a future winner on your hands.
Originally posted 2008-09-02 05:00:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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September 14th, 2009 — Canceled Postage Stamps, Stamp Collecting, Used Stamps
If you are interested in getting into stamp collecting, but the brand new, mint condition and rare stamps are a little out of your price range, canceled postage stamps make a great alternative. While these are still quite valuable, especially depending on the type of stamp that you have, the entry costs are much lower and they are much easier to find. When you’re ready to get started collecting canceled postage stamps, there are a few tips you’ll need to keep in mind.
1. What is the overall condition of the stamp?
Just because a stamp has been canceled, doesn’t mean that it needs to be in rough shape. Ideally, the entire canceled postage stamp should be intact and should not have any tears or rips. In most cases, these stamps will have the backing of the envelope that they were once affixed on, but this should not affect their value overall and is to be expected. The main thing to focus on is the whole condition, and whether or not the actual stamp has been damaged. This is quite common since many people try to peel off a canceled postage stamp, instead of just cutting it out of the old envelope.
2. What year was the stamp made?
This will be one of the biggest determiners of overall value. If you can find a very old canceled postage stamp from the early 1900’s, or one that was created for a specific promotion since then, chances are it will be pretty valuable. Look for old stamps whenever possible, but keep in mind that even newer ones can be collectible.
3. Is the stamp in demand?
Stamps that are in demand will sell for more money, even if they are canceled postage stamps. Try to keep an eye on the market demand, through either a collector’s magazine or online. This will help you learn which stamps you need to be shopping for and which ones will be more expensive. This also works by providing you with an idea of overall value if you try to purchase a canceled postage stamp from a retailer or seller.
4. How badly marred by the postmark is the stamp?
This is an issue that is grounded more in aesthetics than actual value, but it can be important. Try to find canceled postage stamps that do not have large postmarks obscuring their overall design. However, if you can find one that has a great postmark from a town that is no longer in existence, or if the stamp was canceled on a specific important date, they may actually be worth more money.
No matter what kind of canceled postage stamps you decide to buy, it is important to keep everything organized and in good shape. Once you find the perfect stamps, don’t forget to take care of them and place them in a special book or display case to prevent further aging. It is best to seal these stamps away from air if at all possible.
Originally posted 2008-09-16 05:00:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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August 12th, 2009 — Stamp Collecting, stamp collection
Collecting old stamps, especially vintage postage stamps can bring great value. Collecting old stamps can be fun and educational, it can be affordable, and it can bring about understanding of history, art, travel and many other areas of culture as well. Here is an explanation of why collecting old stamps can be beneficial to you.
1 – Stamps are enjoyable. Collecting old stamps is something that is personal, and as a result it can be really enjoyable. You can collect any type of old stamps that you want and you can collect them in any way that you like. There is no right way or wrong way for you to collect stamps, and the only time that it matters what you collect is when you intend to sell your stamps. If you are collecting purely as a hobby, then what you collect and how you collect is completely up to you.
2 – Stamps are affordable. Collecting old stamps can be really affordable if you know where to buy your stamps and how to value the stamps that you buy. You can easily come across 100+ year old postage stamps for as little as $1.25. Even extremely old stamps can be affordable, especially if they are in postal condition which means that they have been used. Collectors looking to sell their stamps won’t be interested in these used stamps, but why can’t you purchase them if you are collecting purely for your own personal enjoyment?
3 – Stamps are Cultural. Every time you open up your stamp album, the stamps you have collected are you going to take you to different places historically, geographically and culturally as well. You can collect stamps from American history, World history, wars, different geographical locations around the world, art periods, renaissance periods and anything else that you like. If you have a particular passion in your life, there are more than likely going to be old stamps that correspond with it. Are you a music buff? Choose historic music stamps. Do you love animals? There are plenty of old stamps that feature state animals, endangered animals and so on. Stamps are very culturally diverse, and there are thousands upon thousands of different directions to take your stamp collection in.
4 – Stamps are Valuable. You can come across old stamps that are extremely valuable. Stamps can easily be worth thousands of dollars because of different things such as rarity or because of a tiny error in printing. If you care about the value of your collection, then rare old stamps are a good way for you to go.
5 – Stamps are important. Stamps, new and old, allow us to communicate through writing letters. The way that mail was sent was revolutionized by the first adhesive stamp in the world, which was invented in England.
Photo Credits: kevindooley
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