How to Collect Stamps
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Collecting stamps can be an intimidating hobby to undertake but with the right skills anyone can become an advanced stamp collector.
Steps
- Borrow books from the library. The best way to learn as much as possible about stamp collecting is to digest the wisdom of those who have written a lot about it. Most libraries will have quite a large collection of such books.
- Get the right equipment. Get acid-free albums, stamp-holding envelopes for placing stamps pre-sorting, stamp tweezers (these prevent your sweat from getting on stamps and contributing to their disintegration) and stamp mounting equipment. Ask your local stamp collecting dealer to assist with suggestions for the best supplies.
- Purchase your first old stamps. Visit stamp collecting and hobby stores first. The people who work with stamp collecting will be your best resource on getting started. Often you will be able to purchase little packets of 50 - 100 stamps of old, used stamps that you can start off your collection with.
- Collect new stamps. Visit your local post office for these. If you have friends living overseas, ask them to send some to you from their country.
- Swap stamps. Swapping stamps at school, a local stamp club or amongst friends is a great way to diversify your stamp collection.
- Join a stamp collector's club or an online discussion group. You will meet others interested in your field and you can share tips and tip-offs together.
- Develop a particular theme. You might like to collect animal stamps, tree stamps, employment stamps, flag stamps etc. rather than just any stamps. A theme helps to shape a collection in an orderly and interesting fashion. Many stamp collectors use one or more themes on which they base their collecting.
- Learn the values and the rarity of your stamps. Once you get a good idea of the values of the stamps and how rare they are, this will help you to determine the direction of your collecting interests. Online auction sites are a good place to browse to get an idea of the types of stamps out there and their value. You will also learn more about the values from books that summarize the value of stamps yearly.
- Increase the value of your collection over time. As you learn more, start investing in more valuable stamps. Make sure that you have the best possible storage methods for these stamps, as the older they are, the more likely they are to deteriorate and you will be spending good money on these.
- Insure your collection. Once your collection becomes valuable, you might consider insuring it against fire or theft.
Tips
- Be persistent. If at first you aren't successful in obtaining your dream stamp, there's no reason to quit. Remind yourself of the many benefits and the envious eyes of your friends as you will someday be able to show off to your friends.
Warnings
- Stamp collecting can become a competitive lifestyle and you musn't always trust someone who is trying to make a trade with you. They may only want a better collection for themselves.
Related wikiHows
- How to Build a Shrine to Your Favourite Celebrity
- How to Remove a Stamp from Its Envelope
- How to Collect Used Stamps
- How to Be a Collector Without Being a Pack Rat
- How to Collect Shells
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