Stamp Collecting

Stamps -> Europe -> Germany & Area

A stamp booklet is now a popular way for countries to sell postage stamps because they’re smaller and easier to handle that a sheet of stamps or loose stamps. In the United States however, the booklet has given way to a folded sheet with stamps on each side, or a single sheet with stamps on each side, though they’re still commonly called “a book of stamps.”

The first stamp booklet, though not postage stamps, was issued in the United States, with the California State Telegraph Company’s booklets of telegraph stamps being issued in 1870. Western Union followed suit and issued stamps for its services in 1871 and in 1884 the postage stamp booklet was actually patented by A. W. Cooke of Boston.

But the first country to ever actually issue a postage stamp booklet was Luxembourg, turning out their first booklets in 1895. Sweden was the next country to try this new way of issuing stamps with their first stamp booklets appearing in 1898. The idea caught on worldwide and became commonly used across the world in the first half of the 20th century.

A stamp booklet typically consists of 10 to 20 stamps on a pane that’s folded and secured inside a cardboard cover. The first booklets were made by hand, by cutting sheets of stamps into smaller pieces and binding those within the cardboard. Later, they printed the panes separately onto large sheets then cut them individually, perforating only the edges between the panes. These booklets have stamp panes that feature 1 to 3 straight edges, though some do have middle stamps that are perforated all the way around because of the way they were designed.

For collectors, finding an intact early stamp booklet is almost impossible. The stamps were seen as purely utilitarian at the time and not viewed as anything possibly collectible or worth saving, so most stamp booklets were merely used and discarded when the stamps were gone. Empty stamp booklets, or just the covers, are worth little. Though if they are very old, they may be worth something to a collector who specializes in old stamp booklet covers and enjoys collecting them just to see how early stamp booklets were bound, or to see the different cover designs.

Many stamp collectors specialize in the stamp booklet because the variety is astounding. There are organizations, clubs and collector swap meets that all focus on stamp booklets over individual stamps. Generally, if a stamp has any value at all, a stamp booklet of that particular stamp is worth well more than the total worth of the individual stamps. The condition of the covers themselves figure into the value as well, with a perfect condition booklet of valuable stamps calling for a much higher price than a booklet of valuable stamps that has been creased, torn or stained.

Online auctions are an excellent place to acquire stamps from all over the world. The photo should show the stamp booklet both closed and opened. Ask about the condition of parts not visible in any photograph.

Originally posted 2008-10-24 05:00:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Many aspiring stamp hobby collectors end up wondering if it would be possible to get rich through the collection of stamps. The truth is, no, you are not likely to turn a stamp hobby into a million dollar endeavor. Most philatelic stamp hobbyists are never going to become rich from their stamp collections. Rather, most of these collectors are going to collect simply based on the sheer joy of having their collection as well as the thrill that is associated with searching for each individual stamp. Some philatelic stamp hobby collectors get a thrill from the beauty associated with the finished collection, and they also derive joy from the camaraderie that is associated with meeting other collectors. Having said that, it is also important to know that yes, some stamps are valuable.

According to Stamps.org, for example, the 1857 3 skilling stamp from the Banco Yellow of Sweden has a catalog value which is $2,000,000. The United States 1868 1 cent Z Grill stamp is reported to have sold for a value of $935,000 in the year 1988. Assuming that you do not own one of these million dollar stamps, how much is your stamp hobby worth?

Many stamps are only worth equal to their face value or less. Some, however, are worth more. A stamp’s value is going to be based on a number of factors, including the age of the stamp, the rarity of the stamp, whether the stamp is new or used and the condition of the stamp.

• Older stamps tend to be worth more value than newer stamps. The most valuable stamps are older than 40 years of age.
• How many of the stamp is currently in circulation? A stamp that is limited edition in nature is going to be worth more than a stamp that was released in mass circulation. If there are ten or less of a stamp, it may be truly valuable.
• New and unused stamps are worth more than stamps that have already been used on a piece of mail.
• Stamps that are in excellent condition will be worth more than stamps that are in poor condition. You should be checking for imperfections such as color problems, brightness problems, ink smears and tears in the stamp.

In order to value your stamp hobby, you should buy a book that lists the stamps and their values. Make sure that you are figuring in the condition of your stamp when using these valuation books. You also need to take care to be as objective as you possibly can. Only a professional is going to b able to give you an exact answer on the value of your stamps, but these books are also quite helpful. Check online or in your yellow pages to find a professional stamp appraiser if you want to know what your stamp hobby is really worth.

Photo Credits: karen horton

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