Stamp collecting is the most popular hobby in the world. Stamp collecting, if we may add, is not related to philately (the study of stamps) except for the fact that both of them have something to do with stamps.
Stamp collecting is very popular for many reasons, one of this because it can be a real educational experience for anyone involved - people can learn everything they need to know about different countries and cultures. Stamp collecting is a hobby that keeps on giving, so to say, because the challenges and collections to complete are virtually limitless.
There are two types of stamps you can start collecting - mint, or unused stamps, and used, or canceled stamps. Just drop by the post office and buy some new stamps and you're set on your mint stamp collection. And if you see interesting stamps coming in the mail - collect them.
Many collectors prefer used stamps because they are less expensive or they may cost you nothing.
A lot of stamp collectors prefer to collect on a per-topic basis. Ships and boats are popular with collectors who are fascinated with the open sea and nautical life. Car fans often collect stamps with cars on them. You can disregard the countries and only collect stamps that have pictures that you like. But there are topic-based collectors who are concerned about the countries of origin, but focus on one subject in particular. Some of the topics you can choose from include animals, plants, flowers, sporting figures or sports in general, famous personalities and many others.
If you have a specific purpose in your stamp collecting, or if you want to have one stamp in different varieties, then you can categorize yourself as a specialized collector.
Country collectors, on the other hand, collect stamps from different countries categorized by issue date, political period or dynasty.
Some collectors specialize in collecting only the first stamps, one for each country that has ever issued a postage stamp, or collecting first-day covers which carry a stamp on the first day it was sold with that day's postmark.
Stamps range in price from a few pennies to thousands of dollars, depending on the rarity as well as the age of the stamp, for the most part.
If you like to collect stamps that were issued by a country's postal service despite the fact that they were unofficial, then this would make you a Cinderella collector. People who collect Cinderella stamps deal with a good number of bogus stamps and forgeries, but also deal with more conventional telegraph and tax stamps and local issues.
If this guide isn't enough for you, then you can always research - you can go to your local library and find the sports and hobbies section for some books that may help you get a grasp of stamp collecting. To find the value of a specific stamp, visit some good stamp-collecting web sites.
If looking for more information on stamps and stamp collecting, the local post office is the best place to start.
Stamp collecting is very popular for many reasons, one of this because it can be a real educational experience for anyone involved - people can learn everything they need to know about different countries and cultures. Stamp collecting is a hobby that keeps on giving, so to say, because the challenges and collections to complete are virtually limitless.
There are two types of stamps you can start collecting - mint, or unused stamps, and used, or canceled stamps. Just drop by the post office and buy some new stamps and you're set on your mint stamp collection. And if you see interesting stamps coming in the mail - collect them.
Many collectors prefer used stamps because they are less expensive or they may cost you nothing.
A lot of stamp collectors prefer to collect on a per-topic basis. Ships and boats are popular with collectors who are fascinated with the open sea and nautical life. Car fans often collect stamps with cars on them. You can disregard the countries and only collect stamps that have pictures that you like. But there are topic-based collectors who are concerned about the countries of origin, but focus on one subject in particular. Some of the topics you can choose from include animals, plants, flowers, sporting figures or sports in general, famous personalities and many others.
If you have a specific purpose in your stamp collecting, or if you want to have one stamp in different varieties, then you can categorize yourself as a specialized collector.
Country collectors, on the other hand, collect stamps from different countries categorized by issue date, political period or dynasty.
Some collectors specialize in collecting only the first stamps, one for each country that has ever issued a postage stamp, or collecting first-day covers which carry a stamp on the first day it was sold with that day's postmark.
Stamps range in price from a few pennies to thousands of dollars, depending on the rarity as well as the age of the stamp, for the most part.
If you like to collect stamps that were issued by a country's postal service despite the fact that they were unofficial, then this would make you a Cinderella collector. People who collect Cinderella stamps deal with a good number of bogus stamps and forgeries, but also deal with more conventional telegraph and tax stamps and local issues.
If this guide isn't enough for you, then you can always research - you can go to your local library and find the sports and hobbies section for some books that may help you get a grasp of stamp collecting. To find the value of a specific stamp, visit some good stamp-collecting web sites.
If looking for more information on stamps and stamp collecting, the local post office is the best place to start.
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