Buy Postage Stamps by Tony Robinson

OK so you got mail - to post that is! You obviously now need to buy a postage stamp? Well the obvious place to go would be the Post Office - but have you ever though that this is not the only place to purchase them, such as Thai postage stamps, from?

Depending on exactly what you need you may be able to buy your postage stamps online, including Thai postage stamps. A quick search on www.google.com shows there are over 3 million sites for the search term buy postage stamps so looking closely at some of these sites will show you the procedure on buying stamps online.

One site I found - stamps.com allows you to buy postage stamps and print them off on your own printer!

Instead of going to the post office - have a look for the blue-and-red U.S. Postal Service logo at grocery stores, drugstores and mini-marts. Also look for stores that specialize in mail and shipping services. Swing by the ATM machine and buy stamps while you make deposits or withdrawals. You can even go to USPS to simply have stamps mailed to your home.

If you want cheaper stamps - You can even get stamps for below the face value! Buy them in a greater quantity from a dealer. They have so many they actually reduce the price below what the stamps originally were worth (sometimes), especially if you have $25 or more to spend all at once on a whole bunch.

Ebay.com is also a great source to buy postage stamps. Research carefully to find both new and uses postage stamps as well as special and hard to get stamps. When searching ebay, mix up your search terms such as postage stamps, stamp collections, first day of issue stamps and so on. This will give you a wide range of stamps to choose from.You could even begin your own little business by trading and buying and selling postage stamps.

So good luck and happy buying of postage stamps.

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Collectible Postage Stamps by Tony Robinson

Collectible postage stamps, including Thai postage stamps.

Humans are notorious for collecting and hoarding. Many people have collections of some sort - be it collecting coins, cars, dolls, china, art work and a myriad of many many other collectible items. Stamp collecting, such as Thai postage stamp, is no exception. The art of stamp collecting is known as Philately

Collectible postage stamps, Thai postage stamps, aren't necessarily the highest dollar value - or most valuable stamps. Virtually all stamps will feature something that appeals to a stamp collector, instantly making the item a collectible. Whilst most collectors aspire to own stamps worth large sums of money, many who enjoy the hobby simply collect and/or purchase stamps they find visually interesting.

The obvious source for finding stamps is a post office, but shopping for collectible stamps at such a location barely scratches the surface in terms of what's available. By using the Internet, you gain access to stamps from around the world. One of the best internet resources for a stamp collector is eBay, the world's single largest marketplace.

An east strategy to begin a collection is to ask family and friends to collect the stamps off mail they have received. remember to ask them not to try to take the stamp off the envelope - leave that task for yourself top do properly.

Some of the most popular collectible postage stamps feature images of pop culture icons. Disney characters, Elvis Presley, and Princess Diana have all been honoured with their own postage stamps. For those new to the world of philately, these celebrity stamps make the ideal starting point. They feature familiar faces we all know and love, and many of them are available at economical prices. You may also choose an event such as the olympic games as a theme for your first collection - think of where your own interests lay - and follow that interest. For example - you may be interested in flowers, animals or cars - so you could use those themes as the theme for your first collection.

Of course on eBay, you'll find thousands of auctions for collectible stamps, ranging from affordable celebrity-themed stamps to the extremely valuable. The auction website is also a wonderful place to find stamps from countries other than your own. By using Find-Your-Item.com, you can effortlessly discover new stamps to add to your collection. eBay has been designed with efficiency in mind and is completely free for shoppers to use. Simply input a few keywords to begin your collectible stamp quest, or browse by category to view the full range of stamps up for auction on eBay.

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Photo Postage Stamps - Great Innovations in Stamps by John Hinkle

Photo postage stamps, such as Thai postage stamps, arent such a new idea; its been around for years! The USPS (United States Postal Service) briefly suspended the use of such a stamp due to security concerns. There are certainly a number of reasons that the USPS would want to abolish all photo stamps, for example in the height of the anthrax scares a stamp with a scull and cross bones plus the word Anthrax caused a sorting office to shut down for several hours. Although custom photo stamps are legitimate, perhaps getting rid of them would put people off trying to get away with counterfeit postage stamps! ( Thai postage stamps).

The USPS decided that it would allow another phase of a pilot program allowing companies to sell their customers photo postage stamps. The first stage of the trial was a huge success; however the USPS wants to make sure that these custom postage stamps arent just a fad.

What is a photo postage stamp? Photo postage stamps allow people to put a photo of pretty much whatever they want to on their stamp. There are however exceptions, you cannot for example put pornographic or disturbing images onto your photo stamp.

Photo stamps are useful for:

Weddings Births Anniversaries Business Logos Any Special Occasion Internet pranksters - screening photo stamps for validity Being able to put an image of anything you want onto your stamps is very exciting for most people; however some internet pranksters just take things too far. Some people have tried to order stamps with people like Slobodan Milosevic on them, as these could cause public outrage its important for the organizations that are permitted to produce photo postal stamps to have proper screening processes in place.

Along with controversial figures, the other things that must not be allowed on postage stamps are pornographic images, and also certain religious symbols. Copyright is a tricky subject; technically you should only use material on a stamp that you own the rights to, or have permission to use. Other than this and advertising, the images can be of pretty much anything.

The company that supplies the postage stamps are personally responsible for screening, this is nothing to do with the USPS. The vendors themselves should reject the images that break the strict rules set down by the USPS. The USPS is able to find out which company generated the stamp by looking at the information encoded in the stamps barcode, therefore any company not screening images properly could find themselves losing the rights to print postage.

Where can I get my photo postage stamps? There are three main custom stamp vendors in America , www.stamps.com , which has been a key contender ever since the postal services first trial. Endica are also permitted to produce stamps. Pitney Bowes the popular franking machine manufacturer has realized that photo stamps trespass into their industry, and so they are grabbing hold of this opportunity with both hands and refusing to let go!

Photo stamps are a worldwide phenomenon! Photo postal stamps arent just popular in America , theyre popular worldwide! England has one of the oldest postal services in the world, but even so the Royal Mail is adopting online photo postage stamps. Currently in England you can only buy the stamps directly from the Royal Mail (the equivalent of the USPS), but only time will tell as to when they will adopt the same personalization.

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How to Take Care of your Postage Stamps Collection by Dave Poon

Apart from being a fun and great hobby, collecting postage stamps, including Thai postage stamps, can also be considered an important and financially rewarding leisure pursuit. For one, there's very good money in keeping and selling commemorative or rare postage stamps, such as Thai postage stamps. Also, stamps may be small and simple but they stand for a piece of history, a certain individual and a country. Hence, it's important to value every postage stamp, including Thai postage stamps.

There are a number of ways to take care of these valuable collectibles. First off, you can buy a waterproof stamp album. Make sure that you buy enough pieces so as to accommodate your entire collection. Alternatively, you may want to purchase a stock book with small pockets you can insert the stamps into. Choose an album that has enough space for each stamp. Let the stamp "breathe". Besides, it would also look better if each and every stamp gets "featured". Keep the album off a busy desk and keep food, cigarettes, lighters, matches and drinks at bay. Avoid accidents! Secondly, don't use your fingers in handling stamps. Experts of philately (the study of stamps) say that any outside matter such as a fingerprint can decrease the stamp's value. This is why experts discourage the mere use of fingers to take a stamp off an envelope. They reckon that the best way to take it off is to let the stamped envelope undergo a process called "steaming". Ask where you can buy a pair of flat bladed stamp collector's tongs. Use this to transfer each stamp. Avoid using the regular pair of tweezers! The tweezers' sharp points may damage the stamp.

Thirdly, avoid using both sides of an album page. Doing this allows the stamps on one side to come in contact with the stamps on the other side of the page. Don't let that happen since it may decrease the value of the stamp. Fourthly, use inserts for the album. Place them in between pages to further keep the stamps from coming in contact with each other. An ideal insert can be as thin as onion skin paper. Don't hesitate to ask the local school supply store which inserts are usually bought by stamp collectors. Fifthly, purchase stamp mounts or clear plastic sleeves with gummed surface. Use these to handle the precious stamps that are still in mint condition. The mounts can help protect the stamps since the gummed surface can maintain the adhesive on the back of the precious stamp. Lastly, never let your stamps get in contact with direct sunlight. This can cause discoloration and can also melt the adhesive on the back of the stamp.

Preserve your stamps by following these steps. Your collection deserves nothing but proper care.

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Starting a stamp collection. by Craig Dawber

Stamp collecting or philately has been a popular hobby for years, including collecting Thai postage stamps. People like the many different styles of stamps, such as Thai postage stamps, and are drawn to the idea that some stamps have been all around the world. Stamps, such as Thai postage stamps, are a way to remember special events, people and places. They celebrate the ordinary and the not so ordinary. Stamp collecting can be a fun hobby that also is an amazing educational experience.

If you are thinking about starting a stamp collection you gather your supplies before getting any stamps. You will need an album or box to hold your stamps. Think about what kinds of stamps you will be collecting. If you are looking for old stamps you may want an album with special covers to protect your stamps. Your collection can have a theme or you can collect any kind of stamp. Consider joining a stamp club. At a stamp club you can talk to others and learn about their experiences, about what is big in stamps at the current time and what people are looking to find. You should also get a stamp catalog that covers many different stamps. This catalog will give you information on different stamps so you can be informed about the stamps in your collection. Once you know where you are going to store your stamps and have built up an information base to get information about collecting you can start buying stamps.

You can buy new stamps or used stamps. You can get stamps from other collectors, dealers or the post office, to name a few. You should also have an idea of the types of stamps that are available for you to buy. The following list explains different types of stamps. Definitive - feature presidents, other leaders, national treasures, etc.; printed in large quantities Commemorative - feature historic events, special people, important American topics; printed in limited quantities Special - feature symbols for special circumstances, like holidays; printed around time of special event Airmail - used to send overseas mail Special Purpose - feature special people, places, events, things not covered by other stamps

Now that you know a little something about stamps and stamp collecting you can get started on your own stamp collection.

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10 Really Low-Cost Ways to Start Your Stamp Collection by Joan Yankowitz

Stamp collecting, including Thai postage stamps, doesn't have to be an expensive hobby. You can enjoy collecting stamps, such as Thai postage stamps, with limited financial resources. Here are 10 really low-cost ways to start stamp collecting.

1. Ask your friends to use commemorative stamps on their mail when they write to you. Commemorative stamps are generally larger than regular stamps and are issued to honor famous people, places, or events. Because commemorative stamps are usually issued in lesser quantities than common smaller stamps, they are of much more interest to collectors. Tell your friends that you are a stamp collector and ask them to request commemorative stamps at the post office.

2. When you send away for offers that require postage or self-addressed, stamped envelopes, use commemorative stamps. You'll get them back when the envelopes are returned to you. 3. Ask your neighbors, friends, and relatives to save their used stamps for you. You'll find that most people will be happy to save their stamps for you when they learn that you are a collector. 4. If you know someone who gets letters from other countries, ask them to save those stamps. Always be on the lookout for potentially good stamp contacts, and don't be afraid to ask them to go through their mail for you before they throw away all the envelopes.

5. Ask friends and family to save the envelopes from their office mail for you. Many businesses get a lot of foreign mail and regularly throw away stamps that have interest and value to a collector.

6. Ask your parents if they have any old letters with stamps on the envelopes. Don't peel the stamp off the envelope. This will cause thin spots or tears, both of which ruin a stamp's appearance and lessen its value to collectors. Always tear off the envelope corner so that there is paper all around the stamp, and make sure that all of the perforations are undamaged.

7. If you know other stamp collectors, ask them if they have duplicates that they are willing to give or sell to you. Many collectors have thousands of duplicates and they are often willing to help get new philatelists get started by giving them stamps or by selling them packets of stamps much more cheaply than can be purchased in stores or by mail.

8. Look for free stamps advertised by stamp companies. Free stamps are often offered along with "approvals," an assortment of other stamps that you must either buy or return. This can be a convenient way to buy stamps. Note, however, that you usually have to pay the return postage if you return the approval stamps.

9. Check out stamp clubs in your area. Clubs may offer stamps as prizes, or have inexpensive stamps you can afford to buy. Some stamp clubs sponsor junior clubs the local community center, YMCA, or schools.

10. Consider starting a stamp club if one doesn't already exist in your area. It only takes four or five other stamp collectors who are interested in getting together to learn about and trade stamps and ideas.

With free stamps and a few inexpensive accessories, such as a small album and a package of stamp hinges, even collectors with little money can have a great time. So, what are you waiting for? Start collecting stamps today!

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Starting A Stamp Collection by Mary Miller

One of the most popular hobbies today is collecting stamps, including Thai postage stamps. Being among the simpler of the hobbies to take up, it brings enjoyment to many. Getting started in stamp collecting, Thai postage stamps, is easy if a few basic guidelines are followed:

1. Consider what topics or focuses within the field of collecting stamps would be preferred. For example, a collector could decide to specialize in stamps from a particular area, time period, or stamps that follow a specific theme such as birds, political figures, or anything else stamps have featured. It is recommended to begin a collection with a somewhat more general focus and allow the collector's interests and development within the hobby to narrow it naturally. Most stamp collectors report that it is more interesting to have a specific theme.

2. A good way to start is by purchasing new stamps from the post office or market. It should be possible to find stamps relating to the focus within the variety offered at most postal counters, and buying a pack will often yield different designs, making it easy to build a diverse collection rapidly.

3. Asking friends and relatives to donate stamps they don't plan to use and those they receive on incoming mail can conserve money. They can also help by asking their friends to donate stamps. When friends and relatives donate stamps to a collection the stamps often carry greater meaning for the collector.

4. It is not uncommon for a stamp collector to begin receiving stamps as gifts from their friends and relatives on nearly any occasion. This also can make the building of a collection easier. It may become worthwhile to let others know which stamps or types of stamps would be most appreciated.

5. It's important to begin to determine whether older stamps or newer stamps will be the focus of a collection. While many people prefer to collect older stamps due to the increased value, rarity, and prestige of such a collection, new stamps are more affordable and easier to find. If the focus of a growing collection is ever changed or refined to exclude some or all of the stamps within it, these stamps should not be discarded. Rather, the collector should endeavor to sell or trade those stamps with another collector (preferably one with unwanted stamps perfect for the new focus).

6. One of the primary benefits of stamp collecting is that the hobby can be done very inexpensively. The tools and supplies necessary can be obtained cheaply and the stamps themselves can be had for free if the focus of the collection is undemanding enough. For example, a loose-leaf album (the basic tool required) can be had for less than most people spend for a single restaurant meal.

7. For those opting to collect received stamps through incoming mail it is important to remove them properly. The envelope should be cut around the stamp, leaving a small area of free space around the stamp's edges. The stamp and envelope piece is then placed facedown in a bowl of warm water until the gum adhesive on the stamp loosens. The stamp my then be carefully peeled free using tongs, allowed to air dry, and then placed in an album. (Note: this works only with stamps that have water-based adhesives.)

8. Take advantage of the many resources for stamps and stamp collecting. The Internet is perhaps the most effective way to search for information on stamps. It can also help determine where specific stamps can be inexpensively obtained, even rare or hard to find stamps. The Internet also provides resources to make contacts with other stamp collectors. This can be an invaluable information base to build knowledge within the hobby as well as point out special deals or places to find coveted stamps. And of course any other collector is also a potential trading partner who might just have little need for the highly desired stamp to complete another's collection.

For the many stamp collectors the best part of the hobby is displaying their collection to, friends, family, and other collectors. Once a collection is established it can be shown or even warrant its own exhibit. A Web site is an excellent way to show a collection without risking harm to it. Not only can it generate interest in a collection, it even makes possible the inclusion of each stamp's story and how it found its way into the collection.

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Rubber Stamp Collection by Bill

So, you've slowly been growing your rubber stamp collection, including Thai stamps, and you soon realize that your little shoebox is not going cut it any longer. Sure you're not ready to step into a full blown rubber stamp humidor, but you would like something classy as well as functional.

What many of us have are rubber stamp racks. These racks range from a 5 stamp to about a 50 stamp holding quota. I personally have several smaller racks, because like many people, I say "oh I only have a few stamps, I'll get this one" and by the time I knew it, I had 5 racks! Definately a lesson learned about rubber stamp collecting right there. Believe me, if you have any interest in collecting rubber stamps, you're going to want to get the appropriate size rubber stamp rack right from the get go.

If your not the rubber stamp rack kind of person, you may be interested in purchasing a rubber stamp closet or cabinet. One thing I personally like about rubber stamp closets or cabinets is the fact that you can put a damp sponge into the cabinet to keep some humidity contained in it. This will prolong the life of your rubber stamps by decreasing the risk of drying the rubber, causing cracks or ships in the face.

You can use this article freely as long as you link back to http://www.rubber-stamp-net.info and use the anchor text rubber stamps .

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Getting Your Stamp Collection Started by Glenn Cutforth

Stamp collecting is definitely a fun and interesting hobby for those who get the bug. It gives you an opportunity to collect tiny pieces of history from all over the world. You might even consider them as little artifacts that open up a new world of exploration. By following a few of these suggestions, you'll be on your way to an enriching and past time.

First, you'll need to decide if you'd like to choose a theme for collecting, such as a specific group of countries, including Thai postage stamps, or a timeline, perhaps only stamps with animals depicted or nature scenes. It's up to you, and the choices are virtually endless. Then again, having a "general" collection of everything is a great choice too!

You may want to start out by purchasing sheets of new stamps, Thai postage stamps, maybe even from specific countries. You could even ask family and friends to save stamps for you from their mail.

This is a good, easy way to begin your collection, such as Thai postage stamps. It adds meaning to your stamps too if you receive some from someone who's important to you.

Once the word is out about your new hobby, you'll probably receive gifts of stamps for holidays and birthdays. This will help your collection grow, and special limited edition and commemorative stamps, including Thai commemorative stamps, may be acquired too.

You can then begin to narrow down what your preferences are. Do you prefer old stamps over new? New stamps are easier to find, but if you're up for a challenge, old stamps are exciting to try to track down. Save any you don't want to keep for trading with other collectors down the road.

Gathering supplies is an important step as well. You'll want to keep your stamps in order and in good condition. A loose leaf binder with plastic removable pockets, small glassine envelopes and stamp tongs for gentle handling are all important tools you should acquire. Eventually you'll want to have a magnifying glass to inspect stamps closely, and stamp books or catalogue with information about stamps available.

Be careful when removing stamps from envelopes. Carefully steam the stamp off over a bowl of water, and peel off with stamp tongs. Let it dry before storing it.

The internet is the single most useful resource to get started. Stamp collection clubs, organizations, blogs and classifieds are all excellent places to begin.

Once you have a collection you're proud of, show it off to friends and family! Maybe one day you can even start your own website on the subject. Have your stamps displayed with stories on how you acquired them or start your own discussion board. Whatever you do, have fun and happy collecting!

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Stamp Collecting Tips by Michael Perry

Stamp collecting is an age-old hobby that holds the interest of millions of people the world over. Stamp collecting began in the 1840's when the first stamps were issued. "Stamp madness," or "timbromania" swept through Europe and spread worldwide. Stamp collecting is not as popular as it once was, but there are still an estimated 25 million people in the US alone and over 200 million around the world who still collect.

It is not hard to get started in the infamous art of stamp collecting, nor is it overly expensive. There are a few must have items needed to begin: tweezer-like tongs to handle stamps, a magnifying glass, a stamp album, and of course, the stamps.

The first thing to decide is what type of stamps you wish to collect. Many people collect new stamps and just as many collect used ones; it is all a matter of personal preference. If collecting new stamps, there are thousands of Internet sites selling stamps, there are dealers all over the world that sell them, and there are even stamp auctions. If collecting used stamps, most people will save stamps off of their mail and also save the stamps off of all their friends and families mail. One of the cheapest ways to start a large collection is buying a roll of used stamps from a collector. You can get 1000 mixed stamps for as low as $12.00.

Many people only collect stamps from their respective countries, then there are some that collect worldwide stamps. If you like a specific theme of stamp you can collect just that one type, such as birds, ships, planes, animals, or even celebrities. The types of stamps are as different as the people that collect them. It is often a good idea to start with a general collection until you decide exactly what type of stamp interests you.

After there are a good number of stamps in your collection they need to be sorted. Most people will sort their stamps by countries and or themes. Then go another step further and arrange them alphabetically. This will make stamps much easier to find.

When stamps have been accumulated, it is essential that you know the proper ways to care for stamps so as not to ruin them. In order to remove the stamp from the envelope, first cut around the stamp carefully. Place the stamp face-up in a bowl of luke-warm water and let it soak for about 20 minutes. When the stamp comes off carefully put the stamp on a dry towel then use the special stamp tweezers to put it into an album.

If looking for more information on stamps and stamp collecting, the local post office is a good place to start. They usually have separate philatelic counters. Some larger post offices also sell a Stamp Collecting Start-up Kit. As a source for more information there are also stamp clubs, magazines and stamp catalogues, or experienced stamp dealers.

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Stamp Collecting Basics by Albreht Moy

Stamp collecting is the most popular hobby in the world.Philately is a broader term for the study of stamps, and it is frequently - but wrongly - equated to stamp collecting.

Through stamp collecting, people find information about history,currency, science,politics,arts,architecture and customs of different nations and countries of the world. All stamp collectors have fun with their stamps because no collection is ever complete, and there is always a challenge.

First, decide whether you would like to collect unused (mint) or used (canceled) stamps.If starting a mint stamp collection,purchase unused stamps from the post office.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.

Some collectors save stamps by "topic": for instance, if you are interested in ships, you may want to collect stamps of ships and boats.Car fans often collect stamps with cars on them.You can disregard the countries and only collect stamps that have pictures that you like. Some people like to collect stamps of one or several countries,but which are all of the same subject. Popular topical themes are birds,cats, butterflies,flowers, sports, space,art,chess,famous people and other.

Specialized collecting means that you can collect all the varieties of a single stamp or collect stamps used for a special purpose.

Country collecting is usually done chronologically by date of issue, sub-divided into reigns or political periods.

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.

Some areas of collecting cost less than ten cents a stamp, while others can cost thousands of dollars.

A lot of people collect "Cinderellas" - stamps that are not official stamps issued by a country's postal administration.Cinderella collectors include in their collections local postage issues,telegraph stamps,tax stamps,forgeries and counterfeits.

The "hobbies" section of your local library may have basic books about stamp collecting, and the reference department may have a set of stamp-collecting catalogs.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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What is Philately Stamp Collecting by John Reed

Philately, or the study of stamps, is a huge field of study that has captured the attention of many Americans over the years. This fascination with stamps and the history that surrounds them has led to a hobby related to philately, which is collecting stamps.

Usually, stamp collection begins with the acquisition of a first couple of stamps and the choice of a particular classification of stamps where the collector will concentrate his or her efforts on. The continued acquisition of the stamps for the collection is done either through personal letters, the postal office, trading with fellow collectors, or collectible stamp dealers, rare and high quality stamps under the chosen classification.

However, while it may seem that a philatelic hobby is far too difficult or obscure, it actually is not. The collection and study of stamps is not a completely novel idea; over 110 countries worldwide have a sort of society for philatelists (or stamp collectors and enthusiasts).

In the United States of America, philatelists banded together in the year 1886 under the umbrella of the American Philatelic Society (APS). For more than a century now, the APS provides its members not only an avenue to meet fellow enthusiasts, but also various services and informational programs to assist in the pursuit and enhancement of the collecting experience. Over this huge span of time, the APS has been kept alive by donations, sale of its various publications, receipt of payment for its services, and receipt of its members' dues. The community of APS is not a small one that may be overlooked. In the country, there are more than 44, 000 philatelists formally part of the APS. There are many others who are new to the trade, or are yet to find their way to APS. This huge number is proven by the fact that various states hold annual philatelic conventions for enthusiasts in the area to meet and convene. Another philatelic association in the United States known equally for its expertise is the Philatelic Foundation.

Various classifications and concentrations of collection are available. Some of them include postage stamps from other countries (particularly those of age), postage stationery (including air letter sheets, government-issued post cards) that preceded the printing of the first stamp in the form we know today, revenue stamps, or first day cover stamps.

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Things One Should Know About Stamp Collecting by Mei Ling

Some Things One Should Know About Stamp Collecting

Hi there, it has been more than a week since my last post. Well, today, we will be talking about some general issues regarding handling and taking care of your stamp collecting.

Firstly, stamp is a small piece of paper that is glued to the envelope whenever a document or a letter is sent and used both locally and internationally as a fee for the service rendered.

Besides being used to send mails, people have found a way to handle stamps. Instead of mailing it, some have turned it into a hobby now known as stamp collecting.

Some people mistakenly think that an individual who is known as philately is the proper name for someone who collects stamps. This notion is wrong since this title is for those who study stamps.

Stamp collecting can come in various as listed below:

*You can cut out the stamps that come from letters the person has received. *You can get from friends and family abroad. *You can go to the post office and buy in bulk. *You can ask friends and family members to also give those coming from the letters. *You can buy from those who also sell these in bulk. A good place to find these is in the classified ads of the newspaper that can offer the collector a good bargain. *You can search the internet, which is a good source to obtain these small objects. There are websites that do the same thing making it easy for those to expand the existing stamp collection. These are, however, just the regular stamps. *If you who want to specialize in old stamps or want to collect those from other countries, it will be a good idea to join philatelic exhibitions and bid at auctions. By looking at it closely, you might be able to find some good deals which will be a good addition to the collection.

Using money to acquire stamps is one way to deal with other collectors. This can also be done by trading what you have with something of interest that the other collector possesses.

Acquiring stamps is just one of the things that stamp collectors do. The other is taking care of it so that if you want to part with them in the future, some money can be made.

The proper way to take care of a stamp is putting it in an album. Only one side per page should be used to avoid destroying or harming the others in the collection. If you do not have more space, putting a plastic sheet over the stamps will allow you to put some stamps on the other side.

Stamps should be handled with care. Since the hands may be dirty or oily, it is a good idea to use tongs when handling it to avoid causing any damage. A tong looks like tweezers but it is not the same thing. The edges of this object are the thinner making it easier to hold a stamp.

The proper way to remove stamps from envelopes is cutting a small portion of the surrounding area and putting it in water. After some time, you should use tongs to extract it from the paper underneath, hold it in the air to dry before inserting it in the album.

There are many things that could damage the stamps. Do the following to ensure that your stamps stay in good condition.

Keep away from sunlight. The hot rays of the sun may change the colors and the glue at the back may stick to the album making it hard to remove. This makes it important to always store your stamps in room temperature. When working, do not bring food or drinks near the area since it could dirty the stamps. Do not smoke while handling your stamps in the room since the smell could be transferred to the collection. Stamp collecting is a nice and leisurely hobby that anyone can engage in. This activity is known as one of the most popular in the world. If you are serious about your stamp collection, you should devote some time and effort in looking out for old and new ones and take proper care of them. They can be very valuable if you chose the right ones.

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Stamp Collecting by Foo Mei Ling

Stamp Collecting as a Fun Activity

Many consider stamp collecting as a fun activity not only for older people but also for kids. It provides a person the pleasure of collecting different types of stamps that he may find in ordinary binders or through his received mail. Some people consider it an exciting hobby. As a beginner, you may be fond of compiling different kind of stamps from your album until you realize that you could specialize in collecting these stamps.

It is indeed a fun hobby because any person may enjoy and learn different kinds of information from collecting stamps. A stamp features everything that may come into anyones mind from places, persons, sports, historical events, cars, and many more. You may find it rewarding in the future for having enough compilations and albums where you may display and exhibit your collection.

You may also realize that you can profit from these items. There are special stamps that may feature an important event or a person. The price value of these special stamps can be expensive depending on their rarity and the limited versions of the releases. They can be similar to other commodities where a collector may find a dealer that can provide the possible price value of a particular stamp.

A better option to profit more from your collection is to find stamp collectors that may show interest in some stamps that you could also be possibly collecting. You may *advertise your collection in newspapers and magazines that conduct special advertisements for rare and special stamps. * make use of the Internet in joining auction sales for your stamps. * be ensured of an updated value of the stamp by comparing the offered value from current advertisements from the Internet.

The price value can vary depending on the production and supply of the item. The increasing number of collectors that specialize from those rare stamps and limited edition stamps may motivate you to be more competitive in finding these items. There is also an increase on the price value because of this high demand.

Nevertheless, they are more than just earning and profiting. Most stamp collectors consider it as a fun hobby. You may never compare the pleasure and excitement you feel every time you find those stamps that interest you. There could be many reasons why people collect stamps. One good reason is that it is fun and can give satisfaction of accomplishing something.

It is also helps a person to be informed on different things. Most of these items feature insights about the landmarks and history of a country. This is one reason why stamp collecting is very popular and famous among other collections. A person can never get over the enthusiasm of learning and discovering new things. If you would like to pursue this hobby of being a stamp collector, here are some few things to keep in mind.

1. You should know what things that interest you. You may start finding for collections that can have special meanings or importance to you. You may choose from simple stamps that you have received from mail and postcards from binders.

2. You can join clubs and gatherings to interact with people. You might be able to meet people that are collecting items as well. You may ask the person that may have some collections related to these stamps. In this case, trading some of your stamps in replace of that particular stamp is a good option.

3. You need to make sure that you know how to maximize your time in places where you travel. You may find places that you can possibly find stamps with the theme that you collect.

4. You may access some sites in the Internet that can provide information on where and how to look for rare and special stamps.

5. You may continue this hobby for as long as you are having fun. There are many topics and themes to choose from. A collector will not be limited on a certain topic.

Aa a stamp collector, you should always remember to take importance of the things that make you fulfilled and pleased. You should take proper care to these kinds of items. Stamps are very sensitive. They are only pieces of paper but they have significant value and importance.

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What Is Philately Stamp Collecting by Will M

Philately, or the study of stamps, is a huge field of study that has captured the attention of many Americans over the years. This fascination with stamps and the history that surrounds them has led to a hobby related to philately, which is collecting stamps.

Usually, stamp collection begins with the acquisition of a first couple of stamps and the choice of a particular classification of stamps where the collector will concentrate his or her efforts on. The continued acquisition of the stamps for the collection is done either through personal letters, the postal office, trading with fellow collectors, or collectible stamp dealers, rare and high quality stamps under the chosen classification.

However, while it may seem that a philatelic hobby is far too difficult or obscure, it actually is not. The collection and study of stamps is not a completely novel idea; over 110 countries worldwide have a sort of society for philatelists (or stamp collectors and enthusiasts).

In the United States of America, philatelists banded together in the year 1886 under the umbrella of the American Philatelic Society (APS). For more than a century now, the APS provides its members not only an avenue to meet fellow enthusiasts, but also various services and informational programs to assist in the pursuit and enhancement of the collecting experience. Over this huge span of time, the APS has been kept alive by donations, sale of its various publications, receipt of payment for its services, and receipt of its members' dues. The community of APS is not a small one that may be overlooked. In the country, there are more than 44, 000 philatelists formally part of the APS. There are many others who are new to the trade, or are yet to find their way to APS. This huge number is proven by the fact that various states hold annual philatelic conventions for enthusiasts in the area to meet and convene. Another philatelic association in the United States known equally for its expertise is the Philatelic Foundation.

Various classifications and concentrations of collection are available. Some of them include postage stamps from other countries (particularly those of age), postage stationery (including air letter sheets, government-issued post cards) that preceded the printing of the first stamp in the form we know today, revenue stamps, or first day cover stamps.

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The Hobby Of Stamp Collecting by John Francis

Stamp collecting is a popular and rewarding hobby. If you are just starting out and would like to know where to start, here are some helpful tips.

It is said that the first rule of stamp collecting is to find a particular type of stamp you think you would like to collect and to take care of your collection. Some suggestions for types of stamps to collect are location of the stamp (i.e. country, state, etc.), stamp design, or a stamp for a particular season/holiday.

Some people collect one issue of a stamp in volume, one type of stamp only (sometimes referred to as a specialist), and some people collect all the stamps that are able to.

Once you have decided what type of stamp collector you want to be and what sort of stamps you want to collect, you need to learn how to properly care for your stamps.

The first piece of advice is to always use stamp tongs when handling your stamps. While stamp tongs bear a resemblance to tweezers, they are different from tweezers in that they do not have pointy ends. Tweezers should not be used in place of actual stamp tongs as they may damage stamps.

Stamps should not be handled with fingers or laid out on bare table surfaces as the natural oil in human skin and any particulates that may be on the table will cause damage to the stamp over time. When viewing stamps, they should be laid out on a clean piece of paper to avoid as much contamination as possible.

The basic necessary supplies for stamp collecting are the stamp tongs, an envelope to store your stamps in and a storage box to store the envelopes in. It is important to note that the stamp tongs will need to be purchased from a stamp store or can be found at a stamp show.

Once your collection grows, it is suggested that you invest in glassine envelopes for your stamps. These envelopes are made for stamp collecting and are semi-transparent. The glassine material is found to have no harmful effects on the stamps it stores.

It is suggested that once your stamp collection has grown and you have isolated what particular types of stamps you like to collect, you may wish to invest in a album for stamp storage.

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Interesting Stamp Collecting Supply Items For Intermediate Collectors by John Francis

When you have been collecting stamps for a while, you may begin getting more involved in identifying and evaluating your collection. You will likely have learned things that help you get a more detailed idea of what your collection holds. When you reach this point, there may be a stamp collecting supply that you need to purchase. You can find most of these supplies in a product book from a supply company. You can sometimes find them in hobby shops, although smaller hobby shops are not likely to carry them. Take a look at these interesting stamp collecting supply items for intermediate collectors.

Perforation Gauge When you are trying to correctly identify your stamps, there may come a time when you need a perforation gauge. This tool is used to measure the number of holes per 2cm length of the stamp's perforations. Perforations are the tiny holes between the blocks of stamps. You have likely always seen them but may have never paid close attention to them at first. There may be an instance when you are dealing with two stamps that look alike and are issued the same. It is likely however that they have a different perforation count. This may or may not determine that the stamp is rarer than others that look like it or more valuable.

Watermark Detector Another interesting supply item for an intermediate or advanced collector is a watermark detector. This tool helps you view hidden embossed or imprinted patterns on your stamp. These marks were made on the paper the stamp was printed on. Some stamps don't have watermarks. There are cases in which two stamps seem identical, but they have different watermarks. This tool is great for properly identifying rare and unusual stamps. A watermark detector can also identify forgeries.

Stamp Magazines When you get more interested in collecting, you will likely want to start subscribing to a stamp magazine. These magazines will help you with tips and tools of the trade. They will offer features from other collectors and will show you different products and tools to use in collecting. They are very interesting and can be wonderful gifts for an avid stamp collector. A stamp magazine is one stamp collecting supply that every collector will enjoy. It can be a great way to see what other collectors are doing and what the experts have to say about stamp collecting as well.

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Stamp Collecting - The First Stamps by Kevin Bauer

Most stamp collectors agree that the first adhesive postage stamps were the world famous Penny Black and Twopence Blue issued in Great Britain. They were in use from the 6th May 1840 and changed the face of the postal business. Until stamps were available, all letters were handed in over the post office counter where the correct postage was assessed. This would depend on the distance the letter was to travel and the number of sheets of paper that were used in the letter. Remember that envelopes were rarely used at this time - letters were generally folded and sealed with wax.

The architect behind the changes in the postal system was Rowland Hill. He pushed for tranformation in the postral system from 1837 and two years later his ideas were accepted and put into effect in 1840.

His reforms included the idea that letters could travel anywere within the United Kingdom for a basic charge of one penny up to 1/2 oz weight; two pence up to 1 oz and more postage for heavier mail.

This changed the way that post offices managed mail in the United Kingdom and soon other countries were to follow.

The first was the Swiss Canton of Zurich. It issued two stamps in march 1843. A 4 rappen and 6 rappen stamp.

Next came Brazil in August 1843 with a 30, 60 and 90 reis selection of stamps.

America finally joined in the postal transformation in July 1845. They produced a 5 cent stamp with a portrait of George Washington. Originally intended for use in the state of New York only, other cities experimented with the idea. In July 1847 a 5 cent and 10 cent stamp was produced for general use through the USA.

The island of Trinidad was the first British colony to use an adhesive postage stamp. David Brice was the owner of the steamer S.S.Lady McCleod which plied along the coast between Port of Spain and San Fernando carrying letters either way. He issued a 5 cent stamp on the 24 April 1847. The stamp carried a picture of the Lady McCleod making it a double first -the first adhesive stamp in the British Empire and the first pictorial stamp to be used. Previous stamps had figures of value or portaits.

Although postal stamps were becoming more common, each stamp's validity was limited to it's country of origin. Britain's stamps were only recognised in the British Empire, Zurich's within the Canton of Zurich and of course the stamps issued by David Brice were only recognised on the Lady McCleod.

This changed in 1874 with the estabishment of the General Postal Union which recognised all postal stamps issued by it's member nations.

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How to Make Money with your Stamp Collecting hobby. by Kevin Bauer

Millions of people all over the world collect stamps as a hobby and the number is growing every day. It is indeed an exciting and rewarding hobby which can also be extremely profitable. The price of stamps vary with supply and demand due to the number of collectors increasing. The price of stamps is steadily rising. As the supply of stamps diminishes and more people want to acquire them so the value and price of these stamps will increase.

Most people start a collection for the pleasure and education just like any other hobby, but this hobby offers a financial reward as well, as collections experience a steady increase over the years. It is possible to start your own business if you are experienced, and already have a good size collection. For information about becoming a dealer, write to the American Stamp Dealer's Association, 147 W 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

HOW TO START:

Some people very early in life collect stamps, it often begins as a gift of a small package of stamps given to a child, and the child becomes a collector for life. As the collection grows, some tools become essential:

* Stamp album * Hinges * Magnifying glass and tongs

They can be obtained from a stationary store or your local stamp dealer.

You can find albums at any price, starting from about $5.00 to the most expensive one at about $200.00.

Stamps should always be handled carefully, because the condition is a very important factor to determine the price of resale value. The various grades of stamps are: mint, very fine, fine, good and poor. Specimen in outstanding condition often sell at many times their catalog value, which is the reason not to mishandle any stamp, which could drastically reduce their value.

If you want to know if you have valuable stamps in your collection and are really serious about persuing this hobby, you can buy the Scot's Standard Postage Stamp catalog which lists every stamp in the world. This is a three volume encyclopedia and is the complete reference. You can also consult it at your local library if you don't want to go into the expense for the time being.

To start your collection, ask everybody you know to save you stamps they get from different countries, also go through old letters and small boxes hidden in your attic, chances are that you will be surprised to see how much you can find. Other cheap sources of supply are flea markets and garage sales. Start swapping when you have doubles. There are many philatelic clubs all over the country and it would be very advisable for a serious collector to belong to one.

This way you will become educated in this field and learn everything you can before you spend money on your collection. Stamp clubs also provide their members with possibilities to exchange and sell your stamps. You should also read as much as you can about stamps by subscribing to a philatelic magazine.

WHERE TO SELL YOUR STAMPS:

Stamps are like any other commodity, you can always go to a dealer who will offer you the current wholesale value of your stamps, but you can do much better by selling to other stamp collectors by advertising in magazines and newspapers specialized in stamp collecting.

Check several current issues of those magazines, it will enable you to compare the ads with what you have to offer. If you want to buy stamps as an investment, try to buy few moderately expensive stamps a year. Always buy quality instead of quantity, and diversify, do not invest heavily in a single area.

It is our opinion that stamp collecting is one of the best ways--and safest--to keep up with inflation.

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Stamp Collecting - More Early Stamp History by Kevin Bauer

The use of adhesive postage stamps began in the early 1840's. Britain was the first country to introduce the postal stamp as a means of paying for letters to be sent through the post office. Soon after this other countries and private organisations began issuing their own postage stamps.

In 1847 Mauritius, a tiny british Colony in the Indian ocean, was next to market with it's adhesive postal stamp. Mauritius issued two Post Office stamps - the first to bear the name of the place of origin. Issued on 21 September of 1847 - these stamps have been held in high regard by stamp collectors ever since. Only 500 of each were printed and less than 40 of the 1000 stamps are known about today.

The stamp printer was given the instruction to base the stamp designs on the Penny Black but to engrave the words 'Post Paid' along the left hand side of the stamp and 'Mauritius' along the right hand side. In error he engraved 'Post Office'

France joined into the postage stamp initiative on the 1st January 1849 with the inscription - Repub.Franc - as identification on their stamps. Belgium joined in in July of 1849 with two stamps featuring a portrait of King Leopold I.

Bavaria - then an independent German kingdom - issued 3 stamps inscribed with 'Bayern and were square - unlike the regular rectangular shape of most stamp designs.

Other contries to issue stamps in the first decade of postage stamps were

* Spain with a crudely ingraved portrait of Queen Isabella II * Australia with a new design idea - the Australian Coat of Arms * The kingdom of Saxony issued a single 3 pfenning stamp inscribed 'Sachsen' * The kingdom of Prussia featuring King Frederick William IV * Local authorities of Schleswig-Holstein with their coat of arms embossed in white relief in the central vignette.

In 1853 the popular stamp collectors choice - Cape of Good Hope were issued. They were triangular in shape -making them quite distinctive. Letters posted with the cape of Good Hope stamp could be easily sorted from the more common rectangular stamp shape.

These early stamps were printed by the direct plate process. Known to collectors as 'line engraving' - this process of printing was a security precaution. It was reasoned that the highly skilled and individual style of engraving a printing dye by hand would make it difficult for the stamp to be illegally copied by fraudsters.

Stamp collectors often compile their stamp collections around some part of history which facinates them. One of the stories from early stamp production is the one of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. They produced their first emergency postal stamps as a result of gaining their independence from Russia after the end of the First World War. This independence would last until 1940 when Russia once again invaded and occupied their countries as buffers against the German armed onslaught. Part of being unwilling constituents of Russia resulted in them being forced to use the Russian postage stamps instead of their own.

It is this national approach to stamp creation and production that interests many stamp collectors. Often the first issues of a nations stamps were crude and hastily printed and then as time went on the postal stamps would begin to illustrate national history and culture - becoming increasingly more sophisticated. This development and the stories behind the changes encourags the stamp collector to keep interested.

Of course, some stamp collectors collect stamps because they are pretty, or maybe illustrate a common image - birds or butterflies for example. And then other stamp collectors collect simply for investment -perhaps never even seeing the stamps they own.

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