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

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Stamps -> Stamps -> Asia

The first India stamps were called Scinde District Dawk, getting their name from the place of their first use in the Sindh district of India. Typically the paper stamps were on some shade of white paper with the design stamped in blue ink, and the wax discs were usually made from red wax. The Scinde District Dawk stamps were only used for about 2 years before the British Eash India Company suppressed them, so these early stamps are the most valuable.

These early India stamps were used for the first time in 1852, when India was attempting to reform its postal system. Messages had been carried on foot for centuries by runners, but over the previous year the use of horses and camels to transport messengers more quickly had become the standard. With the postage reform, the stamps were used to show that postage had been paid, an innovation that was set to allow the British East India Company to earn more profits because messages would be delivered more quickly.

Anything that would speed the delivery of messages and goods would benefit the ruling power in India at the time, the East India Company. While deliveries were still snail-slow by today’s standards, they did improve with the new postal system allowing a message to be delivered in a month or two, rather than 5 or 6. In 1854 the East India Company attempted to make a new stamp the standard postage, but the citizens wouldn’t embrace the new design. A later India stamps design featured Queen Victoria as well as the East India marking and was used until 1858 when India rebelled against the company.

In 1931, India stamps began features other things besides monarchs and profiles, instead bearing images of fortresses and even animals. Another exciting facet for stamp collectors are India’s commemorate stamps, like the stamp commemorating the 1950 inauguration of India, and stamps that honor Mahatma Gandhi.

India stamps are popular with world stamp collectors because the earliest stamps produced in this country typically cost less than the first stamps produced by most other countries. And the early hand-embossed stamps are not so rare that you’ll likely never find one. In fact, early stamps are still discovered from time to time even by the most casual collector, making a great addition to any comprehensive stamp collection. Later India stamps bear some of the most beautiful stamps designs in the world.

As when buying any stamps, be sure the India stamps seller is knowledgeable about the stamps, whether you’re buying from a shop or an online auction on eBay or other auction site. If the picture on the stamp isn’t clear, ask the seller to provide another, clearer picture. Be sure to ask questions about the condition of the stamp, like whether it’s been damaged, whether the back is gummed and what condition the gumming is in, if the stamp has been canceled and if there are any imperfections or creases of which the seller is aware.

Originally posted 2008-11-18 14:00:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Stamps -> Worldwide

Stamps of Newfoundland were first issued in 1857, with the country continuing to issue its own stamps until 1949. Newfoundland has over 300 of its own stamp issues, making this a popular category for collectors who need to impose boundaries in their collecting to reign themselves in a bit from wanting to buy everything. These stamps are sought out by collectors because of their beauty and uniqueness.

Few countries show their entire histories in their stamps like Newfoundland. A study of the stamps of Newfoundland can reveal all the major events in the country’s history until Newfoundland became part of Canada in 1949. Every major milestone in the nation’s development is featured on stamp, making these stamps unique and interesting.

The earliest stamp was a Pence issue. Of all the early stamps of Newfoundland, the 12 pence orange stamps of 1860 rank as some of the most valuable because only 1000 were produced. One went at auction for 5 figures. It’s no wonder that counterfeiters sought to fool the public by counterfeiting this “rare” stamp. When one would appear, people bought them for top dollar, making counterfeiting a profitable venture.

The first people to appear on the stamps of Newfoundland were Queen Victoria together with her husband, Prince Albert, 8 years after the first stamps were issued. The Queen is white against a pale reddish background. Forty years after the first stamps were issued, Newfoundland printed its first commemorative stamps, marking the 400th anniversary of Cabots’ discovery of the country in 1497. The date of the stamp issue also marked the 60th anniversary of Victoria’s coronation. The themes on the stamps were popular activities at the time—hunting and fishing, logging and even mining.
A dozen stamps of Newfoundland were issued in 1919 to honor soldiers and sailors from WWI with stamps following that honored the first non-stop transatlantic flight, and the first airmail stamp. These airmail stamps are valuable to collectors and can to for hundreds to thousands of dollars at auction. Besides the investment value, the stamps are colorful, beautiful and unique and would be fabulous in any collection.

You can find a huge variety of stamps online in auctions like eBay. The drawback is that you can’t see the stamp in person before you purchase it. A reputable and concerned seller will offer up-close and detailed pictures of any item for sale including stamps of Newfoundland, and will take more pictures when asked to make sure they represent the item correctly to you.

You’ll want to ask about the gumming on the back, if there is any and what condition it’s in—original condition gumming is the most valuable on stamps of Newfoundland and any type of stamps, in general. Ask about tiny tears on the stamp and any perforation damage or irregularities. Do a little research into this nation’s stamps, because you might just come across one worth hundreds of dollars or more that’s for sale for less than a hundred because the seller isn’t familiar with stamp values.

Originally posted 2008-12-03 14:00:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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There are a number of terms that are specific to postage stamp collecting within philatelic circles. These postage stamp collecting terms are especially important when it comes to grading stamps and evaluating stamps for their value, rarity and collectability. The more that you know when it comes to postage stamp collecting terms, the better that you will be able to benefit when it comes to buying and selling the stamps that you are collecting. Here is some of the postage stamp collecting terms that you should know in order to get the most out of this pastime.

Crease – This is a fold that is present on the stamp. Creases are rated based on how faint or how heavy they are, and sometimes they can be pressed out or ironed out of the stamp.

Fading – Fading is characterized by a lightening in the ink on the stamp from any natural cause.

Imperforate Stamp – These are stamps that are originally sold without having any perforations.

Natural Translucency – This is a condition that has been commonly confused with having a thin spot. Natural translucency is typically ignored when it comes to grading stamps.

Original Gum – This is a stamp that has gum that is still in the same condition as when the gum was originally applied by the stamp manufacturer.

Pin Hole – A pin hole is a tiny hole in the stamp that you can see light through.

Previously Hinged – What this means is that the gum on your stamp is original, but there are disturbances in the gum that have occurred after the original printing. In some cases this is a sign of tampering, while in other cases it simply occurs as a result of natural causes.

Redistributed Original Gum – What this means is that the gum on the back of the stamp has been redistributed in an attempt to hide any imperfections in the gum.

Regummed – What this means is that new gum has been applied to the back of the stamp.

Repair – This is any attempt that has been made in order to cover up previous damage that the stamp or its gum have obtained.

Re-Perforated Stamp – A re-perforated stamp is the result of an addition of perforations to the stamp in order to defraud a stamp collector.

Scrape – What this means is that a fiber disturbance has occurred as a result of a surface abrasion, detracting from the quality or the caliber of the stamp.

Staining – This is a discoloration of the original color of the stamp.

Expertized and Graded Stamps – Expertizing and grading stamps helps to make sure that you are buying the original stamp in its best possible condition to ensure that you do not pay good money for something worthless.

Photo Credits: Gibsonclaire

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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 were issued. Australia was made up of six colonies, each with its own postal service and stamps. But in 1901, a department was created to serve the entire Commonwealth. Early colony-specific stamps could actually be used until 1966, however, when decimal currency was adopted and made them invalid.

The first stamp bearing the term “Australia” appeared in 1913 as a red 1 penny stamp that featured a kangaroo and a map. At the time, governing officials were greatly opposed to the idea of monarchs on their country’s stamps, but in 1913 a new government ordered a series of red stamps bearing none other than King George V. Stamps Australia King George V varieties marked a change from what the earlier government had wanted, yet the stamps were so popular, they lasted 23 years.

Stamps Australia King George V varieties are important because they were the first, but more than that they show great craftsmanship and skill on the part of the engravers. And don’t think that the first plain stamps are the ones you’ll be stuck with if you choose to collect King George V. In 1935, Australia issued a silver jubilee to entice people to buy the stamp.
A qualified stamp appraiser is your best bet for giving you quite an accurate price on the stamps. Though online stamp shops, stamp message boards, forums and Usenet groups can be used to get an initial impression of the value of the stamp. If you can get expert advice and thoughts on the stamps you want to buy, it will help you a great deal when shopping. When you’re looking for stamps Australia King George V varieties, the value can range quite a bit, even though these stamps aren’t particularly valuable ones.

Stamps Australia King George V varieties are for the avid collector, especially one who focus on world stamps or Australian stamps. When purchasing these stamps in an online auction, you’ll find almost every variety you could ever dream of. But you’ll also want to ask the seller about any damage, creasing or tearing around the edge. The condition of the back of the stamp is also important. Any gumming should be as close to the original state as possible.

Stamps Australia King George V varieties should be perforated evenly on all sides, but if not then an explanation about why the perforation is variable should help immensely. If stamps sustained damage at some point, some people will trim off the torn perforation and redo it, leaving the design on the stamp no longer in the center, but off to one side which lowers the value. Stamps with their cancellations and envelopes intact are great finds for your stamp collection, too, and overstamps can also add to the value.

Originally posted 2008-12-01 14:00:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Stamps -> UK (Great Britain) -> Victoria

For collectors of stamps from Great Britain, perhaps the most desirable stamp of all is the Queen Victoria Stamp. This is a rare stamp that was first made in 1840. The original value was one penny, but since that time these stamps have become much more expensive. You can easily expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars on an authentic Queen Victoria stamp.

While there are many of these available, it is important to know whether or not you have an authentic Queen Victoria stamp on your hands, or if it is a fake. Here are some easy guidelines to help you determine not only the authenticity of your stamp but whether or not it will be worth a great deal of money.

1. Overall Condition

Queen Victoria stamps that are in great condition will obviously sell for more money. If you are a serious collector with money to spend, look for an extremely fine or very fine condition stamp. These will typically have very small perforations on the edge and the entire stamp will be very clean looking and in overall good condition.

However, if the stamp is too perfect, you may not be dealing with an authentic Queen Victoria stamp. There should be some age and wear to the item if it is authentic.

2. Look for adhesive.

One of the world’s first adhesive stamps was the Queen Victoria stamp and these are worth an incredible amount of money. Ideally, you should look for one that has the majority of the gum intact, since these will be worth the most money. However, even stamps that only have a small amount of adhesive can still be worth a pretty penny.

If the adhesive is not dark colored, as it would be with age, this is a sign that it may have been added recently. Remember, if it looks too new – chances are that it is.

3. Avoid faults.

Unless you are merely collecting Queen Victoria stamps for the fun of it, you should avoid faults. These are imperfections that are the result of age and handling, and not from the original designer. If the stamp is torn, or has creases, it will be worth less money. However, little things like having a hinge still intact may actually increase the overall value of the stamp.

This is one case where perfection makes it easy to spot a fake. While collectors always look for Queen Victoria stamps that are in close to perfect condition, they will still have some age since they are so old. Avoid any stamps that are completely perfect.

Stamp collecting should be fun, so first and foremost remember that if you do come across an authentic Queen Victoria stamp, even if it was used on a postcard it is still a rare find. Take good care of it and you never know, it may increase in value over time. These rare stamps are a lot of fun to collect.

Originally posted 2008-08-24 05:00:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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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 Mail Society was established in 1923 as a place for people interested in these stamps to come together, talk stamps, make exchanges and enjoy their unique hobby.

If you want to collect US Air Mail stamps, you should learn a little bit of the history of this stamp so you’ll know what to look for, and you’ll be able to tell which stamps are the ones you want to collect and which aren’t really worth the purchase price. If you shop for these stamps in online auctions like those found on eBay, which is an excellent way to find a variety of stamps, then you’ll want to know which stamps would make a great part of your collection.

Sellers on eBay will almost always use the words “rare,” “vintage,” “antique,” and “hard to find” in their auctions, if even the item is readily available and not really worth anything. These words make their items come up in a searches for rare and vintage items, and increase their chances of selling at a good price. Knowing a little of the history of US Airmail stamps will help you distinguish between stamps that are a little more valuable and ones that they’re only saying are rare and highly collectible.

The first US Airmail stamps were created in 1918 at a value of 24 cents, because airmail postage was established at 24 cents per ounce. This stamp is known as the Curtis Jenny issue, and is number as the Scott C3. There are two other stamps from this “series” but the C3 24 cent Curtis Jenny was the first. A few months after this stamp was created, the airmail rate was actually reduced to 16 cents, so the 16 cent Curtis Jenny was released (these are known as the Scott C2) and then about 6 months later the price dropped again to 6 cents, necessitating the Scott C1 issue in that amount.

These early releases are distinguishable by color. The C3, the earliest stamp, came in rose and blue, while the 16 cent stamps were green and the 6 cent stamps were orange. All featured an airplane and look similar aside from their color and denomination. These are probably the most valuable US Airmail stamps because they were the first. Later stamps showed a US map, different types of airplanes, and some stamps were long thin stamps while others were tall.

The American Air Mail Society has pictures of almost every US Airmail stamp all the way back to those first Curtis Jenny stamps, and is a valuable resource when you’re searching for stamps online. Stamps rarely bear the date, so comparing the stamps with the pictures at this website will ensure that you’ll purchase the exact stamps you want.

Originally posted 2008-11-15 12:35:19. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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• 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......

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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 center within a decorative frame. The first stamps produced were the large Hermes heads, in 1861. The stamps came in 7 different denominations from 1 to 80 lepta, with larger denominations introduced later in 1876.

In the mid-1800s, the plates for these first stamps of Greece were showing wear and causing problems and irregularities with the stamps. So in 1886, the small Hermes head stamps were introduced, showing Hermes in profile again, but smaller with a different helmet, These were produced in more denominations and were printed until 1900.

The first commemorative stamps of Greece were printed to celebrate the 1896 Summer Olympics, which are considered our first modern Olympics. A commemorative 1906 Olympic stamp is also popular among collectors, but the 1896 stamps are the ones most popular among stamp enthusiasts today, especially the stamps in denominations of drachmas, because of their rarity. Another of the first early stamps of Greece is the Flying Mercury, so named for the Greek god gracing its face, that followed the Hermes-head stamps.

To distinguish between the early stamps of Greece, look at the Hermes head stamps carefully. The large Hermes head stamps are straight edged and numbered on the back. But the small Hermes head stamps were originally imperforate, then in 1891 some versions were printed with perforations.

One of the more interesting Hermes head stamps of Greece is the overprint from 1900 and 1901, known as A. M. stamps that were used chiefly for packages and international mail. They were printed over with black or red and new values, with the initials AM on them. This stood for the Greek words that basically meant “value in gold.” So these stamps had values based on the gold standard at the time. They cost more, while the Greek drachma actually fell in value. These overprints were replaced with actual AM stamps in 1902, during the same time the Flying Mercury stamps were released.

Other stamps of Greece include regular issue stamps, provisional stamps, and those used to commemorate special dates, like the 1913 issue of a stamp to commemorate Crete’s annexation to Greece. These were only used in Crete, and so have special significance as a limited circulation stamp.

When collecting stamps of Greece, online auctions like eBay are a good place to find a variety of stamps and even learn a little about the stamps with which you might be unfamiliar. You can often find mixed lots, to quickly build a collection. But if you’re looking for a particular stamp, you should be able to find it, or find a dealer who might have it at a later time. Be sure the seller provides a great picture of the stamps, and ask about any imperfections or damage.

Originally posted 2008-11-12 05:00:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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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.

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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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 tend to spend a huge amount of time collecting different stamps, and the majority of them will spend much of their lives in the act of collecting. There are some collectors that collect primarily with the intention of selling their stamps and stamp collections.

People with stamp collections tend to spend a significant amount of time, money and effort acquiring the stamps that they put into their collection, however many of these collectors make a vital mistake in that they are not selling their stamps when they become more valuable in order to make an income. The knowledge of where, how and when they should actually sell their stamps is a truly important part of the entire stamp collection process.

Here is something to consider: If you fill your stamp collections until the day that you die, what will become of your stamp collections once you have passed away? Your family may not appreciate the effort that has to go into selling your stamp collections for you. The collection, as a result, may not bring about the profit that you intended for it, so you should aim to sell your stamp collections yourself so that your family does not have to try to deal with it themselves. You need to take responsibility for your stamp collections by gaining the best possible profits that you can come the collection.

Many people with stamp collections decide to sell their collections to specialized dealers, but there are disadvantages to this method of selling because dealers typically give the lowest possible price for the stamps that they purchase, especially when they are buying a large quantity of stamps at a time.

Before you sell your stamp collection you need to determine what its market value is. Many collectors, unfortunately, do not have the necessary knowledge to determine what the true condition is for a stamp, and so it may be vital to see a professional for proper stamp collection evaluation.

A collection of stamps is also capable of being sold through private treaty, meaning that you are selling your collection to another stamp collector with a private agent acting as a go between. The agent would act as a middle man, and the middle man would also be a stamp dealer or a private auction house. The agent will make sure that the sale is fair regardless of whether you are selling an entire collection or a single stamp. The private agent should also receive a percentage of the sale, so this is a slightly more costly option but still worthwhile for you to consider.

Photo Credits: kevindooley

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