A Beginner’s Guide to Stamp Collecting
Discover the joy of philately, the “hobby of kings.” Stamp collecting is a window to the world, offering tiny, beautiful pieces of art, history, and culture you can hold in your hand. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start your own fascinating collection.
Step 1: Choose Your Collecting Focus 🗺️
Before you start, it helps to have an idea of what you want to collect. The world of stamps is vast, and a focus will make your collection more meaningful and manageable. You don’t have to decide right away, but here are some popular approaches:
Popular Collecting Themes
- Topical Collecting: This is the most popular method for beginners. You collect stamps that feature a specific subject you love. The possibilities are endless: birds, space exploration, flowers, ships, Disney characters, sports, maps, or even famous scientists.
- Country Collecting: You might choose to collect stamps from a single country. This could be your own country, a country you’ve visited, or one whose history interests you.
- Time Period Collecting: You could focus on stamps issued during a specific era, such as World War II, the Victorian era, or the year you were born.
Step 2: Acquire Your First Stamps 📮
Getting stamps is the most exciting part! You can start your collection for little to no cost.
Where to Find Stamps
- From Your Own Mail: Start by saving the stamps from letters and packages you receive. This is a free and easy way to begin.
- Friends and Family: Ask friends, family, and coworkers to save their used stamps for you, especially if they have contacts in other countries.
- Stamp Dealers: Visit a local stamp shop or an online dealer. They often sell “packets” of stamps, which are small, inexpensive bundles of different stamps from around the world—a perfect way to jumpstart a collection.
- Post Office: Buy new, unused (mint) stamps directly from your local post office.
- Stamp Clubs and Shows: Joining a local stamp club is a fantastic way to meet other collectors, trade stamps, and learn more about the hobby.
Step 3: Gather Your Essential Tools 🛠️
To handle and organize your stamps properly, you’ll need a few basic tools. Using the right equipment will protect your stamps from damage.
The Philatelist’s Toolkit
1. Stamp Tongs
This is the most important tool. Never handle stamps with your fingers, as the oils and dirt from your skin can cause permanent damage. Stamp tongs are specialized tweezers with smooth, rounded tips designed to hold stamps without creasing or tearing them.
2. A Stamp Album or Stockbook
You need a safe place to store your stamps.
– Stockbooks: These are simple books with clear plastic strips on each page. You just slide your stamps behind the strips. They are great for beginners and for sorting new stamps.
– Stamp Albums: These are books with pages often printed with illustrations of specific stamps. You mount your stamps in the designated spaces.
3. Stamp Hinges or Mounts
These are used to affix stamps to the pages of a stamp album.
– Hinges: Small, folded pieces of glassine paper with a light adhesive. They are inexpensive but can leave a small mark on the back of the stamp.
– Mounts: These are clear plastic sleeves that hold the stamp securely without any adhesive touching it. They offer the best protection and are recommended for more valuable or mint stamps.
4. Magnifying Glass
A magnifying glass will help you see the intricate details, printing variations, and any potential flaws on your stamps.
Step 4: Handle, Sort, and Store Your Stamps 🗂️
Once you have your stamps and tools, it’s time to process and organize them.
Processing Your Stamps
- Removing Stamps from Paper (Soaking): For used stamps that are still attached to a piece of envelope paper, you’ll need to soak them.
- Trim the envelope paper around the stamp, leaving a small border.
- Place the stamp face-up in a shallow bowl of cool water.
- After 10-20 minutes, the stamp should float free from the paper. If not, wait a bit longer.
- Gently remove the stamp with your tongs and place it face-down on a paper towel to dry. It may curl as it dries; this is normal.
- Once dry, you can press the stamps inside a heavy book for a day to flatten them.
- Sorting: As your collection grows, you’ll want to sort your stamps. You can sort them by country, topic, or another method that makes sense for your collection. A stockbook is excellent for this initial sorting phase.
- Mounting: Once sorted, you can begin placing your stamps in your album. Use your tongs to carefully place the stamp in its mount or affix it with a hinge, and then place it on the album page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a used and mint stamp?
A mint stamp is an unused stamp in its original condition, exactly as it was sold at the post office, with its full original gum (adhesive) on the back. A used stamp is one that has been used for postage and typically has a cancellation mark on it.
Are my old stamps valuable?
While most stamps are not rare or highly valuable, some can be. Value depends on rarity, condition, demand, and historical significance. The age of a stamp does not automatically make it valuable. The best way to determine value is to consult a stamp catalog (like the Scott Catalogue) or have the collection appraised by a reputable dealer.
What is a “cancellation”?
A cancellation (or postmark) is the mark applied by the postal service over a stamp to show that it has been used. Collectors often prefer light, clear cancellations that do not obscure the stamp’s design.