Start Collecting Stamps Now
The First Rule of Stamp Collecting Is to Collect What You Want
What Stamps Should I Collect?
What Can I Collect?
Some people collect stamps of one country, and some by the picture or design on the stamps (called topicals). Some people specialize by collecting many copies of just one stamp issue or just one type of stamp, and some others collect just about every stamp that crosses their path (worldwide).
Most people collect a little of this, and a little of that, so you will find someone who collects US postage stamps, or sports-on-stamps, and stamps from Vatican City. You may find some stamps that just intrigue you and that sets you off collecting them.
When you're just starting out in stamp collecting you should read as much as you can. Most libraries have several excellent books available and you can find a wide variety online at Amazon and other bookstores. I guarantee you'll find areas and facets of stamp collecting you never knew existed.
The most important step you can take when starting a stamp collecting is to start, and just start with what you have at hand. Somewhere along the line you will find the stamps you really want, but the first lesson you need to learn is how to take care of your stamps.
Stamp Catalogs: What Are My Stamps Worth?
Although I love collecting various stamps, just because I like the various pictures displayed on them, I do have a monetary interest in collecting stamps. The price people are willing to pay for really good rare stamps fluctuates and you can buy a stamp and 2-3 years later discover that the price people are willing to buy it has doubled or tripled.This is admittedly somewhat rare, but there are thousands of stamps from all over the world that see their value increase 5-10% a year. The problem is, how do you decide which stamp do you buy if you are looking for an increase in value?
There are 2 things you need to study:
1. Individual stamps
2. Stamp catalogs.
In order to do this you need, you need to find some good postage stamp catalogs. You can usually find them in your local public library, but I seem to always find that the volume I want (this year's catalog) is usually checked out and there's a long waiting list. Did I mention that this is a hugely popular hobby? There are catelogs that cover stamps of the U.S.A., those covering just Great Britain, France, Asian stamp issues. Most come out annually and get snapped up by avid stamp collectors. There are even people who collect stamp catalogs!
There are monthly stamp magazines that provide a snapshot of the latest stamps issued all over the world with excellently written articles. Basically, all the information you could ever want is out there waiting for you to find it.
Below you will find a number of the more popular stamp catalogs available from Amazon.
Stamp Catalogs
What Are My Stamps Worth?
There are numerous excellent guides available on eBay and Amazon. Several companies annually produce spectacular volumes (available from your local libraries in most cases) for all the stamps produced up til the date of publication of the catalog. The Scott Catalog produces about 10 volumes each year, with the stamps of each country listed alphabetically, with excellent color and black and white images along with descriptions of the individual stamps as well as print runs, special considerations, etc. And their prices dealers are willing to sell these stamps for.
Of couse, you should just use these catalogs as a guide. Subtle variations in color, condition, and whether or not the stamp is a rarity or not can have a huge factor on the price someone would be willing to pay for a given stamp.
Beginner's Stamp Collecting Fun Kit: Everything You Need to Start a Fun and Fascinating Hobby
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 12/30/2009) 
The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps 35th ed (Postal Service Guide to Us Stamps)
Amazon Price: $21.37 (as of 12/30/2009)
2008 Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue: Countries of the World J-o (Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue Vol 4 Countries J-O)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
The 1840 Penny Black: The World's First Stamp
England's First Stamp Is Very Highly Sought After By Collectors
Collectors are more than willing to pay a substantial premium for stamps that are sharp, and that have wide borders around the picture.
Penny Black 1840
Visit http://www.PennyBlack1840.com/ - dedicated to the world's first postage stamp. Find the perfect gift for philatelists and stamp collectors - original designs inspired by The Penny Black available exclusively in our online T-shirt store!
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curated content from YouTube
You're a Philatelist? That Sounds So Naughty
What is Philately?
Stamp Collecting on the Web
Stamp Collecting for Dummies
An Excellent Book for New and Experienced Collectors
Stamp Collecting for Dummies
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
Collecting stamps has changed a lot since Great Britain introduced the world's first adhesive postage stamp, the 1840 Penny Black. With so many stamps to collect from so many countries, a philatelist's choices are virtually unlimited--which can be both a blessing and a curse, especially if you're a newcomer to stamp collecting.
Start or diversify your collection
Decide what to collect
Catalog and organize your collection
Handle, protect, store, and display stamps
Identify rare and valuable stamps
Buy stamps online and through auction houses
Sine focuses on the fun side of stamp collecting, provides tons of interesting anecdotes, plus loads of insider tips.
He covers all the bases:
Getting the biggest bang for you stamp-collecting buck
Locating, buying stamps from traditional sources and online
Showing off your collection at exhibits
Protecting your stamps against the elements
The ten keys to identifying and authenticating stamps
Video About Stamp Albums
Some More Interesting Articles About Stamps
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What Makes Some Stamps Highly Valued?
Answer: Value is Determined By Rarity
In the world of stamp collecting, the stamps that are always the most sought after are those that collectors (and investors) just can't have. Their value is determined by their rarity. If the number of examples of a particular stamp is especially limited and rare, the higher the price will be for their owners to part with them. Collectors are always on the lookout to buy rare stamps because such stamps will command higher values as the years go.
The "Inverted Jenny", the "Franklin Z-Grill" and the "Treskilling Banco, Yellow" are but a few examples of such a highly prized stamps recently purchased. There are many more stamps out there that are more within the reach of an ordinary collector.
Collecting U.S. Mint Stamps
What Is A Mint Stamp?
A "mint" stamp is one that has not been used as postage. It still has the original gum on the back. Basically when you buy a new stamp, it is in mint condition. Collecting older mint stamps can be difficult because of the overall demand for those that are in excellent condition and that have not be mounted.
A "used" stamp is just that - a stamp used as postage. Usually a used postage stamp would be worth less that a mint stamp, but that is not always the case. There are stamp collectors willing to pay a premium for stamps still on their envelopes, used on the first day they were available (called first day covers) or if good examples of of rarely used stamps. And a large number of people are always collecting stamps based on the postal cancellation on the stamp. A clear, unsmudged cancel from a rare post office can make even fairly common stamps somewhat valuable to the right collector.
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A True Rarity: The Inverted Jenny Stamp
The Story of The Inverted Jenny
Rare stamps and those with errors on them are especially prized by collectors and much sought after. One example is the stamp on the right.Known as the "Inverted Jenny" it was a printing error which caused the image of the airplane that had been chosen for airmail delivery, a Curtis JN-4, to be printed upside down. It was issued in May of 1918 and only a single pane of 100 has been found. The sheet was broken up into a block of eight stamps, several blocks of four and the rest sold as singles. Due to the extreme rarity, the value of one example of this stamp soared. One was sold in December 2007 for $825,000 and a block of four sold for $2.7 million in October 2005.
The stamp was originally issued to commemerate the beginning of the carrying of mail by air in May of 1918. The stamp design and printing was carried out quickly and because the sheets of stamps had to be fed through the printing press twice (once for each color) the image got inverted on a few sheets. During the production at least three sheets with the error were discovered and were quickly distroyed. Apparently only a single sheet of 100 stamps with the error made it through to the public.
U.S. Franklin Z-Grill
Issued in 1868
Issued in 1868, the one cent stamp features a side view of Benjamin Franklin. The Z-Grill is a pattern of squares pressed into the paper which would allow the ink from the post office cancel to be absorbed to prevent stamps with this feature from being washed and re-used. The problem was that this process was too expensive. One two examples are currently known: one held by the New York Public Library and the other sold for $935,000 in 1998 and subsequently traded for a block of four "Inverted Jennys." Trekkilling Banco, Yellow from Sweden
Issued in 1855
The Tre Skilling Banco, Yellow from Sweden is is currently the world's most valuable stamp and is actually just a printing error sold in 1996 for $2.5 million Swiss francs (about $2.2 U.S. dollars today). Considered to be unique, the stamp was thought to have been created by a broken printing plate. Hard to imagine what this stamp would fetch if brought to auction today. Old Stamps From Great Britain
Collect English Stamps On eBay
One country reknowned for producing great stamps is the United Kingdom. Not only was England responsible for the world's first postage stamps, they are the only country that is not required to have their name on their stamp issues. There are some incredibly beautiful and valuable postage stamps available on eBay from England. Here is just a tiny sampling of stamps currently available at auction.
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Do You Collect Stamps With A Certain Theme?
As there are millions of postage stamps produced around the world, collecting all of them is a daunting task and out of the reach of just about every collector.
A lot of collectors of stamps specialize in stamps about a certain topic or theme. Many people collect stamps that highlight the Olympic Games, or those with pictures of butterflies, ships, even space travel or animation. There are stamps for just about any interest you may have and here are just a few of the choices. If you want, you can go to eBay and just do a little window shopping. I do that from time to time and there is always something that catches my eye.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byAustralian Stamps
What about collecting stamps from Australia? One theme that a lot of collectors follow is trying to obtain the best stamps of certain countries like Australia. The stamps of Australia are both plentiful and beautiful, so why not take a look at some of these great postage stamps?
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byDisney Stamps
Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy Are All Available On Postage Stamps
Some Squidoo Lenses About Stamps and Collecting
Collecting stamps is a longtime hobby of mine and there are other Squidoo lensmasters who also have lenses about stamp collecting. Here are a few that I like. There are many, many more than these, but these stamp collecting lenses are the ones that I would recommend.-
Stamp Collecting 101
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Stamp collecting is so exciting to do. Stamps are interesting to collect as they come from all over the world and are often colorful. More varieties are sold in stamp shops, by post, at stamp exhibitions and auctions.
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Starting a Stamp Collection
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I saw these beautiful stamps on some mail I got and want to know how to start collecting them. or I received a gift of a package of stamps from my Uncle Monty and now want to know what to do with them. or Dad has a little album of stamps he collected a...
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Great Britain Machin stamps
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Since 40 years, these iconic Great Britain's stamps have been around. Thousands of issues and booklets were produced. The machin head stamps were named after Arnold Machin, the artist behind them.
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Stampslore stamps and kiloware store
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I am a stamp collector and part time dealer. I offer various stamps and collectibles. Mint, used, homemade mixtures, kiloware, new issues, various french TV/movies magazines, selected collectibles, vintage french linen and recently I added unusual an...
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Collecting Used Thematic Stamps
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Keeping today's kids entertained in the electronic age is a potentially costly affair. However, there are hobbies and activities that need not cost the earth and that also stimulate a child's natural curiosity and desire to learn. Far from making a...
Stamp Books Available From Amazon
Max's Words by Kate Banks
Max's brothers have grand collections that everyon more...0 points
State Series Quarters Collector Map (State Series)
This is the State Series Quarters Collector Map by more...0 points
How do I make personal stamps?
European Stamps? Here's some from eBay
From Ireland to Russia, there are dozens of different countries producing great examples of postage stamps. eBay offers a glimpse at some of them that are available through auction. You can specialize in the latest issues from France or Germany, or work on collecting older stamps from Norway or Denmark. All you are limited by is your own imagination.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byAre You A Coin Collector? Here's Some Cool Coins
I don't think I've met a stamp collector who wasn't always interested in coins and coin collecting, and vice versa. Here are just a few coins available today on eBay.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byDo You or Someone You Know Collect Stamps?
I am an unabashed stamp geek and I don't care who knows it! Just about everybody collects stamps at one point. What do you collect?
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- stampslore stampslore Dec 14, 2009 @ 8:22 am
- Great lens, that covers the important basis! The most important in philately collect what you love and enjoy.
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- Swisstoons Swisstoons Apr 9, 2009 @ 1:39 pm
- I'm not a stamp collector, but I wonder what affect the POD sites such as Zazzle...who make it possible to create an infinite number of unique official US postage stamps...will have on stamps collecting. Favoriting, 5-starring and rolling this lens to my postage stamp lens.
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