Stamp Collecting

Stamp Stock Books are usually the intermediate place for you to store your stamps prior to being transferred and arrange nicely in an album. But for me I normally buy those high quality stock books and arrange and stored the stamps in the stock sheets instead of moving to an album. High quality stock books are normally as expensive or even more expensive than albums. But if you prefer an album, you can just purchase those normal stock books which are cheap and only meant for temporary storage of stamps. For me I find that albums are too restrictive, hence my preferences for high quality stock books to store my collections permanently. But to each his own, do it the way you please, it is Your Hobby!

Stamp Albums are intricately printed and designed books which has space for mounting of stamps. Some of the Stamp Albums are even printed with this history and introduction of each set of stamps making it easy for the collectors to fill in the missing stamps. Something I don't really like about that is that it is quite inflexible. For eg if I need to collect gutter pairs or cylinder blocks, a Stamp Album will not be suitable. Also Stamp Albums are normally catered to the general collector. Seldom do I see Stamp Albums of Specialized stamps such as say different plates of Penny Black or Two Penny Blue. However for the average stamp collector, the Stamp Album is great to display and show off to friends as well as to track your stamp collecting efforts.

Stamp catalogs is an important part of any serious stamp collector's collection as it enables the stamp collector to know arrange his stamps accordingly and also know which are the ones missing from his collection. There are a few major stamp catalogs, I would normally recommend Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue for those into UK and Commonwealth stamps or Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalog for those into USA stamps. Try to use one as a reference and not multiple so as not to end up confusing yourself. The ones mention are general stamp catalogs but as you advance you may definitely want a more specialized stamp catalog for your particular field. A typical stamp catalog normally give you a reference number, the image of the stamp and a listed price. Do note that the listed price isn't really much indication of the real commercial prices. Just take it with a pinch of salt.

Stamp Mounts are normally used to place the stamps at the correct position in the Stamp Album. Normally Stamp Hinges can be used but the Hinges can damage unmounted mint stamps and cause them to depreciate a lot in prices. Therefore Stamp Mounts are normally preferred. The Stamp Mount is normally transparent on one end which is made out of a transparent cover, on the back of the other end is where the Stamp Mount will be stuck onto the Stamp Album. The adhesive at the back can be moisten a bit and affix to the Stamp Album Page after which the Stamp can be inserted into the Stamp Mount with its front facing the transparent cover. Stamp Mounts come in many sizes, it is normally up to the Stamp Collector to cut them into the correct size for the stamps in question. The above shows several Stamp Mounts of different sizes.

Watermark Detectors are used for the more experienced stamp collectors. These are advanced collectors that collect stamps based on the difference between watermarking of the paper itself. The watermark differences may mean the differences between a rarity and a common stamps, therefore the more experienced collectors are interested in them. Watermark changes when printers for the stamps changes or when there is a different paper supplier. Some of these papers are for temporary usage and hence the stamps printed on them are rare and much sought after despite the physical similarities between them, differences are only visible through a watermark detector.

One of the most direct ways of stamp collecting especially if you are collecting new issues is to go direct to your Post Office and purchase the stamps directly. Alternatively some Philatelic counters of Post Offices may have a Standing Order account. This is an account of which you specify the types and quantities of stamps you require and they will send to you as and when there is a new issue. Great and easy for new stamp collectors! You won't have to worry about missing a new issue. One thing I do not like about collecting modern new stamps are that some countries try their best to milk the stamp collectors out of every single cent. Try to collect only those countries who have a responsible stamp issuing program.

Stamp Approvals are stamps that are send to the collector on a regular basis by the stamp dealers. The collector then choose what he wants from the stamps send by the dealer. After choosing, the collector will send back the unwanted stamps together with payments for the stamps retained. Stamp Approvals are normally for advanced collectors who are collecting stamps that are not regularly found in Stamp Shops. To be on an approval list of a Stamp Dealer, you basically need trade references from at least two respected Stamp Dealers or reputed Collectors. After this you have to have a good understanding with the Stamp Dealer on your requirements and the aims of your future collections. From there, the Stamp Dealer will prepare the Stamp Approvals and send them to you on a regular basis specified by you. Such Stamps on Approvals are normally difficult to get stamps and hence much more expensive. Therefore Stamp Approvals aren't use by the normal Stamp Collectors who can get what he needs from the Stamp Shops.

There are normally two types of stamp auctions, one type is postal or online stamp auctions. For such stamp auctions, you are most likely able to get stamps that are not too frequently seen but also not too expensive or exclusive. It is generally great for intermediate stamp collectors with a lot of gaps in their collections to fill up.

Another type of stamp auctions are normally organized by prestigious auction houses. For this some of the most expensive and rarest stamps can be bought and sold there. Some of the stamps are in private collectors hand and do not appear even in one's life time. So such stamp auctions normally arouse keen interest among expert stamp collectors world wide. Record breaking prices are normally set for extremely rare stamps that can appear only after a few generations. So normally if an expert collector see the availability of such stamps, they will go all out to try to win the bid. Knowing that if they lose the bid this time round, they may not be able to see another of such stamps for sale in their life time.

Collecting Miniature Sheets is a branch of Stamp Collecting more akin to First Day Covers. They are normally out together with First Day Covers or separately to mark a specific events. As in collecting stamps, when collecting Miniature Sheets, do check on the countries concerned. Do their Postal Authorities come out with huge amount of issues just to milk the money of Stamp Collectors? Do not fall for those Postal Authorities, identify a country which has a reasonable issuing policy. Alternatively you can collect in themes, it is a beautiful hobby as Miniature Sheets are normally designed to please the eye. It is normally a stamp or group of stamps that are printed together as a design in a small sheet. So instead of a sheet of stamps, you may be seeing a set of stamps in a sheet of complete design. Miniature Sheets can be collected mint or canceled best with First Stamp Commemorative Cancellations which most likely will complement the design of the stamps.

Crash Covers collections are typically part of the branch of Postal History collection. It is not my niche at all as I do not like the feeling of such collections. Typically crash covers are collecting of maybe postal envelopes etc that survived an airplane crash or disaster of the sorts. Not my cup of tea. But to the experienced collectors, they are able to piece together a disaster based on the collection of such covers. I would say it is quite an advanced field of Philately and crash covers items aren't easily available and may cost quite a fortune to accumulate and categorized as well as investigate into their natures and subsequently form a collection of such covers.

Collecting of Post Cards is a branch of Postal Stationery which is itself part of Stamp Collecting. I would clarify it to say used post cards would be more appropriate. Mint postcards seemed to be a card collection. Why is it that used postcards are part of Stamp collecting? Well normally you used stamps on postcards or that the post cards have a stamped imprint on it that is valid for usage. I lament the fact that usage of postcards is almost nil nowadays. Hardly do I see anyone using postcards when it seemed an email with photo attachments seemed far more common, convenient and instantaneous.

From postcards, we can actually have a good collecting of postal markings or cancellations and stamps. Rare stamps with the appropriate postcards and the appropriate postal markings can enhance the value of the stamps even more. It is precisely that the usage of postcards is nearly nil that it is a good time to collect. One main reason is you will not have unscrupulous vendors who will print whatever different types of postcards as much as they can so that you have to buy them to complete your collection. Nowadays, you can start a collection of postcards on the cheap by buying a starter collections from the flea market or from stamp magazines etc.

Aerogram is a branch of Postal Stationery that is nearly extinct! Usually it is issued together with new commemorative stamps but I haven't seen one in ten years. I guess if you are to ask the postal clerk for an Aerogram they will stare at you not knowing what you want. Any Aerogram is simple like a long piece of paper with imprint stamps that is great for sending overseas as it has a cheaper rate than normal letters given the fact that it is a letter sheet and an envelope combined into one. Once you finished writing, fold it accordingly and stick the protruding borders and it looks like an envelope.

Extremely rare nowadays, Aerogram can be collected both as minted or used. Both are great collections especially used can also be seen as part of a postal history collection. Take a look at the picture above when folded it corresponds to the look of an envelope, the written contents are folded inside and outside there is an imprint stamp. No other sheets etc are suppose to be put inside the Aerogram. Aerogram is really rare nowadays, was trying to find maybe a how to use Aerogram You Tube but can't even find any related to Aerogram. Frankly as a collector of stamps, I have only seen Aerogram a few times and never even used it before though some of my friends did send them to me, but that was donkey years back.

To start a stamp collection is easy. Basically ask those around you to keep the stamps that they have received from envelopes. That in itself will provide you with a basic accumulation of stamps to start with. Get some kilowares and stamp packets to have the base to form a basic stamp collection. This will also allow you a lot of duplicates which you can exchange with like minded collectors or join a local stamp clubs to know more of such friends.

It is at this stage, maybe you may want to start a country based stamp collecting or a thematic one, but there is no hurry, you can specialize or change your collecting mode anytime. At this stage, you may want to fill up whatever gaps you can in your collection and to collect as many different kinds of stamps as possible. Specialization into postal history and the sorts will come much much later. That is, if you can maintain your interest in stamp collecting

I have notice one particular trend. Normally a stamp collector starts young and frantically collect everything he can. He will give up after a few years. Ten to twenty years later that person may resume collecting but this time with an aim of what specialization of stamp collecting he is after.

One thing I can't emphasize more is Enjoy your Hobby! Treat it as a form of enjoyment. If you are thinking of making money with stamp collecting, you are in the wrong mindset. Only expert and professional stamp dealers make money, not ordinary stamp collectors like you or me. If you are serious about stamp collecting and spend the last few decades on it. You may have a chance given the knowledge you accumulate. Other than that, I suggest collecting gold bars and collecting cold hard cash instead.

I guess a lot of us here are those that are returning to the stamp collecting hobbies we left as a child. It will be interesting to revisit what you had collected and also think of what interest you to return to the collection. Stamp Collecting is an extremely varied and extensive hobby, you can basically specialize in anything under the Sun. Normally now you will have more money with you but that does not mean you need to spend a hefty sum to continue your hobby. Identify your area of specialty and start from there slowly and steadily. As a personal experience, my first stamp collection was global. My second only concentrates on unmounted mint Strait Settlements Stamps which is quite a difficult field to collect. For this, I use a variety of ways to fill up the gaps in my collections by :

1. Visiting Stamp Exhibitions
2. Getting into Stamp Auctions to bid for the Stamps I need
3. Register my interest with a few reputable dealers who will send their stamps to me on a regular basis for approvals
4. Exchange with regular and expert collectors at the local Stamp Clubs

It takes a long time before my collection actually seemed to be a collection as Strait Settlements mounted mint stamps are easy to find. Unmounted mint are seldom in existence because of the popularity of stamp hinges at that time. It is a very enjoyable experience filling up my stamp collections and in the meantime I get to know a lot of great friends.

I started stamp collecting since I was a kid, can't remember how old I am. Just had several stamps on an envelope and I was very excited about it. Seeing my excitement, my parents gave give me more and so did my relatives. I had a few stamp packets and this is my first stamp collection. I next found out that my neighbors were also collecting stamps and we had several swaps which took away my duplicates and add a lot of new stamps for me. In the corresponding few months, I spend all my pocket money in the neighborhood stationery shop that sold stamp packets. By then I have quite a sizable amount of stamps. Extremely colorful to look at and I was extremely proud. But I guess, whatever stamp sources I can tapped was already being tapped. Was kinda of frustrated with the slow development and so another hobby caught my attention and the stamps stock books were left to gather dust.

I came back to stamp collecting when I was in my late teens. This time having much deeper pockets, I was able to subscribe to new issues using the Philatelic Counter's standing order services as well as enlarge my collections through approvals and the occasion kiloware. The kiloware is mainly for the fun of it rather than expecting anything valuable. It did had quite a few unique and fun stamps. I did participate in several postal auctions but never those grand auctions where the stamps can be sold for millions. But somehow I lost interest and canceled my standing order and stop collecting once again.

My last time was now when I returned back to stamp collecting. By now I do have a fix idea of what I wanted to collect and how I am going to finish my collection as well as where I can get my stamp sources from. Frankly speaking I no longer collect new issues as I find that even the most responsible of Philatelic Authorities are really issuing too many stamps. They are killing the goose that lay the golden eggs. Besides the most valuable stamps are those older stamps before 1960s which I am concentrating on. It is much more fun and much more cost effective. I can say that the value of my stamp collection grow much more despite me spending much less. I am still into stamp collecting and still loving it. Discovering more and more of this lovely hobbies as I progress.....

Stamp Collecting has often been mentioned as an investment especially so during the current financial market turmoil. But is Stamp Collecting really suitable as an investment? The answer depends on the person himself. Take for eg, a stamp expert who knows the market. He is able to gauge the prices of rare stamps and is well placed to purchase them for his collection. In say five to twenty years, he may see the value of his collection grow. This however can be due to many factors. One very important factor is whether his collection is what the general market is looking for. If he is collecting a very popular area of stamp collecting. it is more likely that the rare stamps he had is of investment grade and will appreciate in value. If he is collecting something that few others are collecting. There may be no demand and hence not much value in these, though they may be as rare if not rarer than the popular ones. Also times changes and trends as well as tastes change. So stamp collecting has its own set of risks which you need to take into consideration if you are considering stamps as an investment.

I am talking about The Stamp Expert. For normal collectors or even advanced collectors, I really do not recommend thinking of stamp collecting as anything other than a hobby. It takes a great deal of knowledge to change stamp collecting from a hobby into an investment and will take you decades to master such knowledge.

Often stamps even if they are valuable aren't as liquid as stocks or bonds. Selling at a haste may depreciate the value a lot. It is more akin to fixed assets even though its tiny size indicate otherwise.

There are those who are considering collection of Forever stamps, those 1st Class Stamps with no value indicated, thinking that these will keep its value. But if you consider inflation and the cost of keeping. I guess the face value really depreciates along with them and aren't worth it. Just collect Stamps as a hobby will be my recommendation unless you have decades of experiences in stamp collecting and are specialized in your field. Other than that, forget about Stamp Collecting as an investment.

To be very frank, normal folks like you and I will never be so lucky as to purchase something like a sheet of Inverted Jenny planes from the post office. Also the high prices we paid for, for so of the stamps we sorely wanted in our collection may not be so high when we are selling the stamps. Another thing to worry about is the constant threat of forgery. If you are into stamp collecting as an investment, you are dealing with rarities as well as expensive stamps. The authenticity of such stamps can sometimes be in question and even some experts may mistaken a masterpiece forgery for the real thing, not to mention normal stamp collectors like us.