Stamp collecting or philatelic may be a rewarding and enjoyable pastime. There are tens of thousands of beautiful stamps to collect from many countries and historical periods. Stamp collecting is, therefore, both entertaining and instructive. Collecting stamps from other countries may teach you about different world regions. Stamps that symbolize aspects that make a country unique are generally available. This includes political leaders, well-known performers, animals native to that nation, historical events, historical individuals, and more.

This activity does not necessitate the purchase of pricey equipment. Simple stamp collecting supplies will come in handy.

Choose an area of interest that you’d want to gather before you begin. After that, it’s time to start collecting stamps by investing in some basic stamp collecting equipment. Hopefully, the information provided below will be of use.

Quick History of stamps

Knowing more about the postage stamp history can assist you in your quest to become a stamp collector. The first stamp, known as the Penny Black, was issued in 1840 in the United Kingdom. This little sheet of paper revolutionized how we transmitted mail and was a huge hit. Stamps have been manufactured in countries worldwide since then, with new designs being released every year.

Why Pursue it?

Stamp collecting is a fascinating and addicting pastime that allows you to learn about history, geography, art, and politics. It may be a therapeutic hobby or a way to meet individuals with similar interests and join groups and organizations. Stamp collecting is also a fantastic way to get your kids involved in social activities. It’s a non-tech pastime that might bring youngsters closer to their elders, who may have also gathered when they were small.

Some important stamp collecting jargon to learn

• Philately is the study of stamps and related topics.
• A definitive stamp depicts the profile of the monarch’s head and is meant for everyday usage over a lengthy period.
• A commemorative stamp honors an event or topic and is also referred to as a “Special” stamp because it is not always associated with an anniversary.
• A stamp that has been used postally and carries at least part of a postmark is referred to be “used.”
• An uncancelled stamp with its original gum in mint condition.
• Cancellation means a postal marking placed on top of a stamp to indicate that it has been sent through the mail and deface the stamp so that it cannot be used again.

Here’s an in-depth glossary of philatelic terms.  

What stamps can you compile?

There are numerous techniques to creating a stamp collection, such as focusing on a specific historical period, subcategory, or single nation of origin, as there are other collecting interests.

While picking a theme can help you organize your collection, make sure it represents your particular interests if you want to keep your pastime interesting.

Here are some categories to think about adding to your collection:

• By Country: Each country’s stamps are generally a reflection of that country’s culture and history, making this one of the most popular methods to categorize or create a collection. You may strive to collect at least one stamp from each nation, or you could concentrate on stamps issued throughout the reigns of various kings.
• By Historical Era: Creating a stamp collection based on a historical period allows you to acquire stamps worldwide. Every issue in the United Kingdom has a photograph of the reigning monarch. Other nations define eras in various ways, so focusing on a historical event or well-known era, such as war, allows you to collect stamps from all over the world but within the context of a single topic.
• By Topic or Theme: If you already have a hobby (planes, railroads, vehicles, famous people, buildings, or butterflies, for example), you may seek stamp designs related to that pastime. This will frequently allow you to collect stamps from several countries and periods based on a common topic.
• By Pattern: If you want to give yourself a challenge, look for stamps that have a unique or uncommon shape. You might even create a collection entirely of non-rectangular symbols, allowing you to seek triangular, circular, or square issues.
• By Color: Rather than limiting yourself to a single topic or theme, you could choose to create a collection based on a single color or a color palette. This gives you greater freedom to collect stamps from various countries and times.

Buying and Appraising stamps

For beginners, identifying stamps is one of the most challenging elements of stamp collecting.

It’s usually a good idea to start by collecting stamps that you like the look of or like.

You may need to consult expert stamp collecting books, catalogs, and pricing guides as your experience and understanding grow.

These generally comprise year-by-year lists of illustrated stamps, along with an estimated current market value for each issue.

You may also get a head start on your collection by purchasing a stamp package. Online web retailers or stamp dealers can provide a variety of bundles. Buying a sizeable initial box of stamps will typically offer you the most terrific bargain. A stamp catalog is also available. 

You may begin to see what types of stamps you enjoy and want to collect by browsing the catalog. However, your preferences may change over time; some individuals like collecting stamps from specific nations or periods in history, as well as animal stamps, celebrity stamps, president’s stamps, and so on. One of the most extraordinary things about stamps is how many different sorts and ways to collect them.

Handling and Storing Stamps

As a general guideline, don’t spend money on fancy albums or stamp storage solutions unless you have a large enough collection to warrant the investment.

As a novice, there are some basic methods to care for your collection. Use tweezers instead of handling your stamps as much as possible. This decreases the chance of ripping by preventing dirt and oils from your hands from getting onto the symbols. Keep your stamps in an album to protect them from light damage and keep them secure. It would be best to consider where you keep your stamp album to prevent storing it in a moist environment.

Here are some choices to consider if you’ve built a collection to be proud of:

1. Stamp albums: You may protect your stamps while still keeping them visible using a stamp album. A loose-leaf method with a ring binder provides excellent protection while also allowing you to rearrange your collection as needed. Fixed leaf stamp books are attractive, but they are less adaptable. Collectors frequently organize their stamps into pages and rows based on their collection’s topic or theme.

2. Mounted stamps: You may add new mounted stamp pages to some albums. You may achieve this by using ‘hinges’ to mount your stamps on a sheet of paper and then sliding them into a plastic pocket. Alternatively, you may use ‘mounts’ and a little plastic sleeve to hold your stamps while they are inserted into the album. This is a more costly option suited for stamps of high value.

3. Use plastic sheets: To keep stamps from rubbing against one other when using a double-sided album, use plastic sheets made of polyethylene or polypropylene.

4. Avoid storing your album in a loft or cellar since bright lights, temperature variations, and humidity can harm a stamp collection.

Cost of this hobby

It is feasible to begin a stamp collection without investing a large sum of money. Putting together an intriguing collection with very little money is undoubtedly attainable.

When you initially start collecting, it’s a good idea to think about how much you can afford to spend and create a budget based on that.

If your budget is limited, cent stamps may be your only option. If you can’t locate stamps that you can afford to acquire, your collection will rapidly become stagnant, which is why it’s a good idea to think about it at the start.

Do you expect a return on your investment? This is a crucial question to think about. Stamp collecting is not for everyone; most individuals do it for sheer pleasure.

If recouping your investment is your primary aim, though, you’ll be better off collecting more costly stamps that collectors, dealers, and auctioneers can handle separately. For example, demand for high-quality stamps issued before 1950 can sometimes outstrip supply, resulting in higher costs.

Take some time to investigate and confirm availability before making a final choice about whether or not to collect a particular subject. It’s also a good idea to check through our realized pricing list to see how much stamps sell for.

Conclusion

Stamps are deafeningly quiet, but they communicate in a common language. Stamp collecting is a widely popular pastime among the general public. It is not so pricey that it is out of reach for most people. Stamps are inexpensive and easy to obtain. A professional stamp dealer may be found in almost every city, and many departments and variety stores have sections dedicated to collectors’ requirements. However, a person can start a collection without spending any money.