Stamp Collecting

The art of collecting collectible postage stamps is a hobby that has become popular with several millions of Americans as well as people all throughout the world, including young and old alike. Many people that are just beginning with collectible postage stamps enjoy the thrill and the challenge that comes with finding stamps that come from a variety of different time periods. There are also sophisticated hobbyists collecting collectible postage stamps that are rare or particularly valuable because their primary focus is placed on increasing the financial value of the collection that they are putting together. In other words, collectible postage stamps are capable of appealing to a wide variety of different people including young and old, serious or beginner, and for a variety of different reasons as well.

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

• Collecting Stamps as an Enjoyable Hobby When people are just starting out, the idea of stamp collecting can be relatively confusing. This is because it can be difficult for starters to distinguish regular stamps from valuable ones. Collecting stamps is a truly enjoyable hobby, however, so many more serious collectors recommend that the best possible way......
• US Postage Stamps Stamps -> United States -> Collections, Lots When it comes to finding stamps of great value, US postage stamps are usually the most popular. In fact, many of these stamps may be worth more than $100k, and frequently will go well above that. When you are shopping for collectible US......
• Duck Stamps Stamps -> United States -> Back of Book-> Duck Stamps If you are a lover of wildlife, or simply enjoy collectible stamps, the US stamp collection called the Duck Stamp is a terrific stamp to consider learning more about. These are not actually valid for postage, and were first released......
• Australia Stamp King George V Stamps -> Australia 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......
• Setting Up a Postage Stamp Collection Many people come by the idea of setting up a postage stamp collection in different ways. Some people come across a single stamp that inspires them while others fall in love with the hobby after someone they know exposes them to it. No matter how you came by the concept......

• The Pros and Cons of Old Coins and Your Collection Old coins provide an incredible glimpse into the history of a nation, helping younger generations to see what life was like back in older times. When we collect old coins, we look into more than just the coin itself, but into history. This is one of the many benefits of......
• Top 3 Reasons for Collecting Money Money is something which has been collected almost as soon as it was first brought into existence. While the only people who could afford to collect money in the past were the wealthy, these days it seems that there are more people collecting money than ever before. The reasons for......
• Collecting Walt Disney Collectibles One of the types of Walt Disney Collectibles that is available to you is Walt Disney Classics Collection or WDCC, which was originally introduced in the year 1992 at a collectibles show known as South Bend Collectible Show. Three years of work went into the creation of this collection of......
• Value of a Coin Collecting Book Collecting coins is simply a hobby or a passion for some people, but for other people it is truly a science. For at least the past century, people have been taking this hobby much more seriously and now there are a myriad of different coin collecting book options to choose......
• The Joy of Dollar Coin Collection When it comes to collecting money there are several different types of paper money and currencies which one can collect. Some types of coins and paper money can be easy to access, while others may offer a certain level of difficulty. Some people are attracted to collecting certain types of......

• Edged Weapons Original Period Items Vietnam (1961-75) Militaria Collectibles
• Postage Stamp Vending Machines Banks, Registers & Vending Collectibles
• People Postcards Collectibles
• Kitty Collier Collection Tonner By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls & Bears
• Collector Plates Fitz & Floyd Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles

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

• Guide to Selling Stamps and Stamp Collections Often people ask me for advice on what to do with their newly inherited or given stamp collection, usually with a bent on selling it. These are a few pointers I have slapped together. Number one: do not get your hopes up. Most people see albums or boxes full of......
• Setting Up a Postage Stamp Collection Many people come by the idea of setting up a postage stamp collection in different ways. Some people come across a single stamp that inspires them while others fall in love with the hobby after someone they know exposes them to it. No matter how you came by the concept......
• U.S. Air Mail Stamps Stamps -> United-States -> Postage Collecting US Airmail stamps has become such a popular hobby, by both those who collect all sorts of stamps and those who are just interesting in United States airmail stamps, that there are clubs and associations based on just that hobby. The American Air......
• Beginning a Stamp Collecting Hobby Starting 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.......
• US Civil War Stamps Stamps -> Topic & Specialty -> War The United Postal Service issued a sheet of 20 stamps in 1995 with the theme of the US Civil War. The Civil War was the deadliest war in American history, resulting in the death of 620,000 soldiers and an untold number of civilians.......

• Making the Transaction From Hobby Coin Collecting to Serious Coin Collecting There are some people who see coin collecting as a simple and fun hobby. They like to pick out coins that they enjoy looking at and reading about, and add coins to their collection every few months. There are others who are incredibly serious about their collections and their hobby,......
• Collecting Money World Wide There are several money collectors here in the United States and around the globe. There are even some people who make special trips to other parts of the world just for the purpose of collecting currencies for their personal collections. Many people go to some of the events and trade......
• The Customs of Coin Collecting The world of coin collecting is a fascinating and interesting world that has plenty of quirks and distinctive traits. The world of coin collecting is slightly different than many other forms of collecting, catching may first-time collectors somewhat off guard. If you are thinking about getting into coin collecting and......
• The 3 Reasons why Mint Collectible Coins Are Valuable The Sheldon grading scale is by and large the most used grading scale for dealing with collecting coins. The top of the grading scale is reserved for those coins which can hold the status of being in mint state. These coins are the most valuable of all of the coins......
• Get to Know the Most Collectible Coins in the World There are quite a few people in the world collecting coins. The coins which are being collected range from the ordinary to the extremely rare. The kind of people collecting coins also range from the child collecting the coins they find in pocket change to the serious collectors spending millions......

• Ann Estelle Collection Tonner By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls & Bears
• X Country Xl 500 Ski Machines Cardiovascular Equipment Gym, Workout & Yoga Exercise & Fitness
• Collection Nugget Gold Bullion Coins & Paper Money
• Collection Bars, Rounds Silver Bullion Coins & Paper Money
• Gothic & Horror By Type Dolls Dolls & Bears