Stamp Collecting

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 stamp collecting supplies if you want your collection to grow and your hobby to be successful. The stamp collecting hobby may be relatively inexpensive for most people, but you are going to need to invest a nominal amount of money into these necessary stamp collecting supplies in order for you to collect your stamps the right way. Here is what you need to have in terms of stamp collecting supplies in order to grow your stamp collection.

Stamp Collecting Albums -

Before you begin your stamp collecting hobby, you need to find a stamp album that is going to work well for your needs. You can buy stock books allowing you to slip your stamps into tiny pockets for example. You can also purchase a standard stamp album, available where stamp collecting supplies are sold, and you can mount each stamp individually onto the pages. This may take a little bit more time and effort, but the stamps look great!

Corner Mounts –

When you mount your stamps, what you are going to need is a bunch of corner mounts which are inexpensive and come for about $3 per 1000 or so. They will help you mount your stamps onto your pages.

Tongs -

The purpose of tongs is truly vital as far as stamp collecting supplies go. Most tongs are specifically used when people are trying to soak the paper away from the stamp back. Tongs offer a gentler touch than what the human hand can offer. They can handle stamps without the stamps becoming dirty or harmed in the process. An excellent pair of tongs can be found for less than $5 and these tongs come in a wide variety of different sizes and styles as well. You would do well to experiment in order to figure out which type of tongs is best going to meet your needs.

Stamp Books -

If you are looking to know more about not only collecting stamps, but also stamp collecting supplies, then it would benefit you to purchase a book on collecting stamps. A single good instructional book can be extremely informative and helpful to a new collector or a seasoned one. Shopping online is a great way to find out what types of stamp collecting supplies are out there, because there are plenty of stamp collecting enthusiasts out there that want to share their craft and you can take advantage of this by shopping online through their stores and learning more about what it is that they have to offer.

Photo Credits: Thomas Hawk

Originally posted 2009-06-15 05:31:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• 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......
• Selling Stamp Collections If you are a stamp collector, one of the considerations you may end up making pertains to selling stamp collections. If you are interested in selling stamp collections, you are going to need to keep this in mind at all times and with every stamp that you buy. Stamp collectors......
• Collecting Postage Stamps Many people do not think of collecting postage stamps as a suitable collection, because collecting small sticky images and placing them in plastic sheets in a binder or book does not appear to be the most exciting past time in the world. The truth is, however, that collecting stamps can......
• Collecting Commemorative Stamps A commemorative stamp is essentially a stamp that was created in order to honor something, such as for example a special occasion, a special person or a special place. Most commemorative stamp varieties are printed in very small batches, and sometimes they are only printed one time and then never......
• Collecting Rare Stamps Online You may already have started up your own stamp collection, but how are you going to set your stamp collection apart from other people and their stamp collections? You are going to need to know where to look and shop around in order to find the best rare stamps, and......

• Debating: Paper Money or Coins There are plenty of different options available for anyone who is thinking about getting into collecting paper money and coins. While there are some people who try to have well-rounded collections and collect both types of currency, there are others who are simply looking to stick with one side of......
• Documenting Your Coin Collection A coin collection can be an important part of your life, taking up much of your budget and your time throughout the years. Those who put time, energy, money, and heart into their collections should be doing everything that they can for their collection. Many fail to realize that one......
• The Benefits of Antiques Insurance If you have a collection of antiques, collectibles or fine art, then you may find yourself wondering about insurance coverage, and how antiques insurance can possibly be used to cover your needs and ensure that your cherished items are protected. In general, antiques insurance is tricky because placing a value......
• 4 Good Things to Know About Canadian Coin Collecting Each country has coins which are collectable and rare for a variety of reasons. Each coin has a story and a legacy to it which tells part of a national history of a country. This is true of collectable and rare Canadian coins. Those who enjoy Canadian coin collecting have......
• 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,......

• Duck Mounts Taxidermy Fishing
• Air Mail Back of Book United States Stamps
• Memorabilia Publications & Supplies Stamps
• Book Ends Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
• Hobby Greenhouses & Terrariums Garden Structures & Fencing Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery

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 are a wide variety of different brands out there on the market. If you would like to go with a good beginner stamp album then you might go for a Scott National one, which is probably one of the most versatile when it comes to the market.

There is space for nearly every United States stamp that exists today including a wide variety of minor varieties that you are not going to find in other albums because no spaces are provided for them. There is a back of the book section available that is arguably better than any other stamp collecting album out there as well. It has spaces for officials, parcel post, special delivery, postage dues, revenues; duck stamps and so on and so forth.

Another question that is frequently asked when it comes to finding the right stamp collecting accessories is how stamps should be mounted in your album. The personal recommendation here is for you to make use of black mounts. They tend to be a little bit pricey but they are going to do a much better job of protecting your investment, at least in the long run. If you are collecting inexpensive used stamps, then using hinges is going to work just fine, but you should never, ever use a hinge for mounting a mint stamp that hasn’t ever been hinged before because it is going to drastically reduce the value of your stamps. Make sure that you are reading the specific instructions for these stamp collecting accessories before you use them so that you do not end up ruining your stamps unnecessarily.

The next step when it comes to stamp collecting accessories is to purchase a catalog that is going to give you a better idea of what your stamps are worth. It is suggested that you get a Scott Specialized catalog because it is going to list nearly every variety of stamp in existence. Scott sells a really nice pocket catalog as well that comes at a fraction of the price, but having the Specialized version is generally a better idea because it takes every single topic in much greater depth to inform you on everything that you need to know about stamp collecting inside and out.

There are a number of other stamp collecting accessories that are worth having. Shop around and make sure that you choose the stamp collecting accessories that are best going to meet your needs and maintain the integrity of your stamps.

Photo Credits: Marcin Wichary

Originally posted 2009-10-01 03:50:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• 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......
• 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......
• 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......
• 1909 Lincoln Stamp Set Stamps -> United States -> Collections, Lots The 1909 Lincoln stamp set represents the first time the United States Post Office had issued stamps that didn't promote or commemorate a current event. The public complained about the change in stamps in 1908 to Washing and Franklin stamps, because Lincoln had......

• 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......
• Antique Tools Collectibles -> Tools, Hardware and Locks -> Tools The market for antique tools is growing as many collectors seek a return to when times were simpler. The nostalgia value of old tools is great, but there are many antique tools that are actually quite valuable on their own. Whether you......
• 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......
• Save Time, Money and Space in Over 80 Ways If you're looking for handy gadgets, tools and various items that can save you time, money or space (or all three!) this list of more than 80 top products is just what you need. Everyone's got saving money on their minds these days- whether your at the grocery store, or......
• 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......

• Duck Stamps Back of Book United States Stamps
• Omron Step Pedometers Monitors & Pedometers Gym, Workout & Yoga Exercise & Fitness
• Scott Riggs Racing-NASCAR Fan Apparel & Souvenirs Sports Collectibles
• Step 2 Patio Sets & Picnic Tables Patio & Garden Furniture Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
• 4 Inch Step/Riser Sets Fitness Equipment Gym, Workout & Yoga Exercise & Fitness

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

Originally posted 2009-08-12 05:41:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Buying your Postage Stamps Online With the wide availability of different stamps from all over the world, there is an enormous selection from you to take from when it comes to buying postage stamps online. The following tips should help you when it comes to expanding your stamp hobby by purchasing and even selling your......
• Collecting Rare Stamps Online You may already have started up your own stamp collection, but how are you going to set your stamp collection apart from other people and their stamp collections? You are going to need to know where to look and shop around in order to find the best rare stamps, and......
• 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......
• Collecting Postage Stamps Many people do not think of collecting postage stamps as a suitable collection, because collecting small sticky images and placing them in plastic sheets in a binder or book does not appear to be the most exciting past time in the world. The truth is, however, that collecting stamps can......
• 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......

• How to Choose Your Foreign Currency for Collecting Foreign currency is an incredible market for those who are serious about coin collecting and collecting paper money. Simply put, foreign currency is often more intricate and more interesting than currency here in the United States. It offers a glimpse into a world with much more history than the United......
• 4 Things to Consider Before Collecting Paper Money Paper money collections can be some of the most interesting and unique collections out there. The rich history and elegant, often colorful design of the bills speaks volumes of different time periods in history. Those who turn to paper money collections will have the most eclectic collections of any kind.......
• 4 Things to Know about Collecting Old Paper Money If you are looking to start an interesting currency collection, you should look into collecting old paper money. Unlike normal coin collecting, collecting paper money is a little more time intensive, labor intensive, and rare. You must work harder for the collecting and to keep the collection both safe and......
• 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......
• Lladro Collectibles Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles -> Lladro-> Figurines When you look at the beauty and grace that is customary with Lladro collectibles, it’s hard to believe that the company originally specialized in jugs and basic kitchenware. It wasn’t until the mid 1950’s that the three original founders of the company, who......

• Chamber Classical Sheet Music Sheet Music & Song Books
• Duck Stamps Back of Book United States Stamps
• Collection Errors Coins: US Coins & Paper Money
• Organ Classical Sheet Music Sheet Music & Song Books
• 10" Tiny Kitty Collection Kitty Collier Collection Tonner By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls & Bears

A commemorative stamp is essentially a stamp that was created in order to honor something, such as for example a special occasion, a special person or a special place. Most commemorative stamp varieties are printed in very small batches, and sometimes they are only printed one time and then never again. The purpose of this process is to ensure that they remain unique and are considered to be a standard as a collector’s item.

Post services all over the world issue commemorative stamps every single year, typically with several different options for you to choose from upon their release. These commemorative stamp issues are different from regular standard stamps. Stamp collectors from all over the world are constantly on the look out for the perfect commemorative stamp, which is typically a commemorative stamp that fits in with the theme of their stamp collection and that is in mint or perfect condition.

There are a myriad of different commemorative stamps out there in the world already, and the number just keeps growing. As you can see from this list of examples, there is a commemorative stamp for practically every collector out there:

• Mickey Mouse and Ronald Reagan First Day Covers
• Greta Garbo US and Sweden Joint First Day
• John Wayne “The Duke” First Day
• Commemorative Panel for New York Subway
• King George V
• King George VI
• The 1948 Olympics in 4 different versions,
• The 1935 Jubilee in 4 different versions,
• The 948 Libertine in 2 different versions,
• The Trans Mississippi Exposition, issued in 1989
• The Columbian Exposition, issued in 1893
• The Pan American Exposition, issued in 1901

In addition to being able to buy any commemorative stamp that you like, you can also buy a specific commemorative stamp album where the work is already done for you, and the stamps are already there for you, arranged nicely in the perfect collection. This may take some of the fun out of the collecting process, but if your goal is to own a certain commemorative stamp, this might be the best way to do it.

There are commemorative stamp possibilities that date as far back as the eighteenth century, and there are examples like the 17 cent stamp in 1860 that was by New Brunswick and showed a Prince of Wales as they hoped that he would visit. There was an Abraham Lincoln stamp in 1966 as well that only cost 15 cents. This stamp was not officially declared as being a memorial to him, however, oddly enough. There are definitely a wide variety of different commemorative stamp options out there for you to choose from – All you have to do is find the commemorative stamp that you want the most and go for it.

Photo credits: carolyn.will

Originally posted 2009-11-04 03:50:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• 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......
• Spain Stamps Stamps -> Europe -> Spain & Colonies When looking for old Spain stamps, online auctions like eBay are a great place to search. Often, auctions are in lots so you get several stamps to add to your collection, often from many different countries and time periods. Some stamps can also......
• Collecting Postage Stamps Many people do not think of collecting postage stamps as a suitable collection, because collecting small sticky images and placing them in plastic sheets in a binder or book does not appear to be the most exciting past time in the world. The truth is, however, that collecting stamps can......
• Stamps of Greece   Stamps -> Europe -> Greece Stamp collectors who collect world stamps usually have a fondness for the stamps of Greece, with the bold designs, and the history they represent. The first stamps of Greece are called Hermes head stamps, because they feature a profile of the Greek god Hermes......
• 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......

• The Art of Coin Collecting: 5 Things to Look For Coin collecting is nothing short of an art form, a collection style that mixes the beauty and grace of cast metal and printed paper with a strong sense of history. Coin collecting is like no other collection in the word, full of unique characteristics that drive the coin collecting market.......
• Which Classic and Modern Commemorative Coins are Worth Collecting? The answer to the question of which classic and modern commemorative coins are worth collecting is subjective. There are many reasons as to why people collect coins. Some people collect coins which have a sentimental value to them or ones which represent an era in history they enjoy. Others collect......
• French Antiques Antiquess -> Antiquities -> Neolithic, Paleolithic Although the first thing that springs to mind in many people when the term French antiques is mentioned is Louis XVI furniture, there are numerous antiquities from this region that are incredibly valuable. France was the site of some of the first Paleolithic peoples......
• Getting to Know Money around the World If you collect money, it is likely that you will have a particular kind of money that you are looking to collect. While many are happy to collect just what it is that they are able to find form their country, there are others who will need to be able......
• 4 Ways to Collect Foreign Currency Foreign currency opens up a completely new world of collecting for those who are serious about coin collecting. Each country has a unique set of currency filled with history and rarity, which makes foreign currency collecting so intriguing. Those who are thinking about collecting foreign currency have a few different......

• Collector Plates Thomas Kinkade Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles
• George Washburn Right-Handed Acoustic Guitar Acoustic Musical Instruments
• California King Bed Skirts Bedding Home Store
• George Foreman Books & Video Gym, Workout & Yoga Exercise & Fitness
• Perfect Flame Charcoal Grills & Accessories Outdoor Cooking & Eating Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living