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

Originally posted 2009-07-26 05:35:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Condition

The condition of stamp collectibles is a description of a stamps paper, gum (when dealing with mint stamps), and ink characteristics. The most adequate description of a stamp should be concise but still use as many words as necessary to properly describe the stamp. For example, a early British colonial stamp issued from the tropics might have many faults that need addressing, and the stamps description may be as long as a paragraph to note this. Despite this, old issued stamps with faults may still yet be very valuable due to price or rarity of pristine examples, or their possible lack of existence.

Positive Conditions -

• The stamp collectibles should have a crisp and clear printing impression that is on a line-engraved issue,
• The stamp should possess wide margins between the separations and the design itself,
• The stamp collectibles should possess rich colors as if it were hot off the press,
• There should be selvage that is attached to the stamp, especially when it comes to older issued stamps,
• Used stamps with rare or usual cancellation,

Faults -

A fault is anything that has damaged, altered or otherwise changed the stamp or the appearance of the stamp since the point in time where it was printed, except for postal marks such as a cancellation, pre-cancels and overprints.

• Gum faults include mint copies that have been re-gummed, or uncancelled copies that do not have any gum. If there is something stuck on the gum, like a fingerprint or dirt, this is also considered to be a fault for stamp collectibles.
• Paper faults include pieces that are missing, tears or holes, creases or folds or stains on the paper. If the paper has thinned because the stamp back has been peeled away in part or completely, this is a paper fault. Another paper fault involves heavy hinge remnant in stamp collectibles.
• Color faults on stamp collectibles include chemical changes in the stamp color or stains. Attempting to remove a cancellation may also change the color of a stamp.
• Perf faults include shortened perforations or perf tips that have been cut off in order to create a straight edge which indicates that the stamp was cut with a scissors. Other perforation faults include perforations that are notably shorter than others or perforations that were clearly pulled off.
• Face faults include when something is stuck on the stamp, or when the stamp is scuffed or has non-postal marks on it such as crayon marks, pencil marks or pen marks.

Stamp conditions can vary significantly from one country to the next, and the standards are not typically the same across the board based on printing technologies and region. Sometimes you will buy a stamp that is not in high condition with a note that mentions that it is very fine for the country, which explains that it will be hard to find stamps of the same high quality in that region.

Photo credits: karen horton

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Knowing the meanings of certain stamp terms is an important part of stamp collecting because it means you have a thorough understanding of what you are doing. Here are some of the stamp terms that are well worth knowing:

Adhesive – This is, in actuality, exactly what a stamp is. A stamp is simply a piece of paper that pays for postage when it is applied to a piece of mail. A stamp is a piece of paper that has a pressure sensitive or gummed back.

Airmail Stamps – These are postage stamps that are used to pay postage rates for airmail. The United States stopped issuing airmail-specific stamps during the 1970s, which was when they began to send all mail via air.

As Is - This is a term that is often used in auctions, denoting that a stamp is being sold without any additional guarantees attached to it.

Authentication Mark – This is a tiny mark appearing on many rare and older postage stamps. What it is meant to do is to denote that the stamp has been examined by an expert, and that its authenticity has been approved.

Backstamp – This is a postmark that is applied to a cover’s reverse, indicating the transit or the receipt of mail.

Block - This is an un-separated, even numbered selection of stamps, such as a block of four stamps, six stamps, twelve stamps or so on.

Bogus - This is a fictitious label that appears like a stamp, but that is created specifically for being sold to collectors. Bogus stamps are not used for postage, but simply for displaying and collecting.

Cancel - This is a marking that indicates that a postage stamp has already been used.

Catalog - This is a comprehensive listing of revenue and postage stamps, including their illustrations and their current price valuations as well.

Catalog Value – This is the value of a particular stamp as given or indicated by a particular stamp catalog.

Centering – This is the position of the design of the stamp in relation to the margins that surround it. Centering is particularly important in the determination of a value on a stamp.

Classic Stamp – This is an early stamp issue that has the connotation of rarity.

Coil - These are stamps that are prepared in rolls from between 100 and 1000 stamps that are inserted into vending machines.

Commemorative – These are stamps that are issued for the purpose of honoring a person, a place or an event.

Condition - This is the stamp’s overall state, including the state of the gum, the centering of the stamp, the presence of damage on the stamp and so on.

Counterfeit - This describes a stamp or a cover or a cancellation that was created in order to deceive.

Crease – This is a fold indicating a weakening of the stamp’s paper.

Photo credits: karen horton

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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

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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 to start out collecting stamps is simply to do so in a hobby sense. In other words, when you are beginning collecting stamps as a hobby, I would be wise for you to choose the stamps that appeal to you on a visual basis rather than attempting to purchase stamps simply because they appear to be valuable. When you dive into the world of collecting stamps as a hobbyist rather than as a serious collector, that is when you can learn how to participate in stamp collecting without feeling the pressure of the investment aspect of the game.

Depending on what type of stamp collection you are seeking, collecting stamps can easily become an expensive and time intensive hobby, but it does not need to be! Many hobby shops and stamp dealers offer stamp packets that come at a reasonable price, allowing for people to begin their collection on a quick start basis. Initially, individuals should become their stamp collections with a broad range of different stamps, giving themselves a good opportunity to see all of the various types and designs that are made available. It is vital that collectors learn how to develop their own unique taste, building a collection on their personal preferences so that they can best enjoy their collection.

A great way to jump start your stamp collecting endeavor is to jump online and use internet resources to your fullest ability. You can purchase a stamp price book that will help you begin exploring the basic values of different stamps. It will be also helpful if you can find ways to connect with other people who are collecting stamps, especially online or through community groups. A small amount of guidance in the world of collecting stamps can really go a long way in preparing you for the arena around you. When you collect stamps, if you are collecting for value, you should leave the stamp on the paper because it allows the stamp to be preserved. If you are collecting purely for entertainment and hobby value, then you may want to have a stamp album that you can stick your stamps in. If you are not sure what purpose you are collecting for, preserving the integrity of the stamps by keeping their backs on is definitely advisable.

Above all else, if you are feeling overwhelmed with the entire endeavor, there is never anything wrong with asking for help. There are plenty of knowledgeable people online and in the community that can help you get started. Asking for help is definitely going to be better than doing something wrong and potentially harming a valuable stamp in the process.

Photo Credits: paladinsf

Originally posted 2009-06-30 05:07:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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If you are interested in collecting stamps, then you probably already realize that stamp collecting is something that can be very valuable for a number of different reasons. Some old postage stamps are valuable simply because they are the only one of their kind, while others are valuable because they have been printed incorrectly. Some old postage stamps are valuable because they were printed to be a part of a special edition collection. It can be pretty difficult to know what the value is for certain old postage stamp varieties. Fortunately enough, there are a number of resources that are made available in order to help you determine what your old postage stamps are actually worth so that you can place a value on your collection.

Find an Expert or Professional

There are a wide variety of experts in the stamp collecting field. You will be able to find experts in stamp collecting events and conventions, in clubs for stamp collecting, or you may even know someone that is an expert in stamp collecting. Try asking around and you will more than likely come across someone that can make it easier for you to determine the value for your old postage stamps.

It may even be a good idea for you to find a number of different experts. What you will find over time is that multiple experts in this field are going to have diverse opinions about old postage stamps. Asking a number of different experts for advice and then averaging out their advice will help you determine a value for your stamps.

Stores for Stamp Collecting

There are several stores throughout the country that specializes specifically in stamp collecting. You should be able to find a lot of information from these places pertaining to valuing old postage stamps. The owner and the staff members in the store will typically have a great amount of knowledge regarding the valuation of old postage stamps. In addition to learning just what your stamps are actually worth, you will also receive a wealth of other knowledge from these people regarding stamp collecting.

Online

There are plenty of stamp collecting resources to be found on the internet. There are plenty of webpages online that are dedicated to the art and the science of stamp collecting. They will help you value your old postage stamps and they will teach you a lot about collecting. There are plenty of online resources to explore when you want to learn about postage stamp collecting as well as when you are trying to place a value on your old postage stamps. This is a great place to begin when you are trying to build up your stamp collecting knowledge or to find out what your collection is really and truly worth.

Photo Credits: karen horton

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• Collections, Lots UK Great Britain Stamps

If you are collecting valuable stamps of any type, then you need to have a good understanding of how to store and display them. Your collection of valuable stamps is going to require a lot of attention as well as care. If you are investing time and money into the accumulation of your stamps, then why wouldn’t you put time and effort into knowing how to store and display them?

There are plenty of ways to store your valuable stamps without putting them on display - But what if you want them to be on display so that you can enjoy them and take pride in them – But you want to keep them safe at the same time? Most collectors of valuable stamps tend to prefer for them to be kept in stamp albums, which are reliable in terms of storage and display, there are other options that are available to you and that typically provide a greater level of flexibility when it comes to storing the variety of different items that you are collecting.

Having a good display is vitally important if you are serious about enjoying your valuable stamps. Your valuable stamps should absolutely be a source for entertainment as well as pleasure since you have put a lot of time and work into acquiring them. To get the most out of your collection of valuable stamps, you will need clear plastic sheeting, stamp pages, paper or cardboard, a scanner and printer and clear book folders as well.

You should be growing with your collection of valuable stamps, rather than just trying to grow your collection. This means that your method of storing your stamps and displaying your stamps needs to grow and evolve along with you. You should not end up finding yourself buried in stamps with no place to store them or display them. Instead, your method of storage should also be growing along with your collection so that there is always a place waiting for a new stamp.

The real key to storing your valuable stamps is to know how you want to display them. When you have a solid idea of how you feel your stamps will be most visually appealing, you can create a display or storage method that coincides with that belief. This way, you can create a unique method of storage and display that meets your unique and individual needs. Commercial and store bought options very rarely are able to achieve this. Let your collection grow, and collect all of the valuable stamps that you can get your hands on, but you must absolutely make sure that you have a storage and display method that accommodates them if you want to get the most that you possibly can out of your collection.

Photo Credits: yorkville

• Cuba Stamps Stamps -> WorldWide The first Cuba stamps were made available in April of 1855, 15 years after the first postage stamps were printed in Great Britain. Before the advent of the postage stamp in Cuba, letters were often delivered to the addressee requiring him or her to pay the postage.......
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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

• Ireland Stamps Stamps -> Europe -> Ireland When postage stamps were first issued in 1840, Ireland was still a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Ireland used the stamps created by Britain until the Irish government took power in Ireland in 1922. Then they printed Irish text over the British......
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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

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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

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