| Everyone knows that a stamp is a small piece of | | | | within it are tradable or saleable if the collector |
| paper that is glued to the exterior of a letter or | | | | should desire to do so. |
| parcel sent via the post office. It is used both | | | | The proper way to take care of a stamp is |
| locally and internationally as proof of paid fee for | | | | placing it in an album designed to protect stamps. |
| the service rendered. | | | | Stamps should never be placed on facing pages |
| Stamps represent something more for the | | | | as this can harm or even destroy them. If |
| collector. They represent significant valuable pieces | | | | absolutely necessary, a plastic sheet placed over |
| to a large imagined puzzle to be assembled | | | | the stamps will allow the stamps to be placed on |
| physically in the collection according to the | | | | the facing page. However, a new album should be |
| concept within the collector's mind. | | | | purchased in this case, as the purpose of |
| It is important to note that a distinction exists | | | | collecting stamps is to maintain their worth, not |
| between philately and stamp collection. The | | | | risk damaging them to avoid the cost of an |
| philatelist both collects and studies stamps, | | | | additional album. |
| postmarks, and related materials where a stamp | | | | Stamps should be handled with extreme care. |
| collector does not study them. | | | | Human hands are dirty and oily. Tongs should |
| Stamp collecting often begins by cutting out | | | | always be used when handling stamps to minimize |
| stamps that come from letters the collector | | | | the chance of causing damage. Tongs are a tool |
| receives. While some may come locally, others | | | | similar to tweezers but with thinner edges, making |
| can come from friends and family abroad. Next | | | | the safe handling of a stamp easier. Even when |
| the collector often beings going to the post office | | | | using tongs, handling stamps should be strictly |
| and buying stamps in bulk in order to add more to | | | | minimized. |
| the collection. | | | | In order to properly remove a stamp from an |
| Collecting stamps can only go so far without | | | | envelope cut a small portion of the surrounding |
| involving other people. A collector can ask friends | | | | area and put it in water. Once the stamp is free, |
| and family members to also contribute the | | | | use tongs to extract it from the paper |
| stamps that come on their incoming mail. Another | | | | underneath and carefully air dry before inserting it |
| option is to look for stamps offered for sale in | | | | in the album. |
| the classified ads of the newspaper. | | | | Many things can harm stamps. The most |
| As usual, the Internet is an especially good source | | | | common culprit is sunlight. The UV rays in sunlight |
| to find and obtain stamps. There exist many Web | | | | can change or fade the colors on the stamp and |
| sites designed to do exactly that, making it simple | | | | when heated the gum on the back of the stamp |
| to expand an existing stamp collection. | | | | may adhere it to the album making it difficult to |
| If the goal is to collect rare, old, or foreign stamps | | | | remove without damage. Stamps must always be |
| it is advisable to join philatelic exhibitions and bid at | | | | stored at room temperature. |
| auctions. The savvy collector should be able to | | | | Food and drink never belong in the area when |
| find some good deals that would be ideal additions | | | | stamps are being handled. A stamp collection |
| to their collection. | | | | should be kept well separated from any tobacco |
| Purchasing stamps is just one way to deal with | | | | smoke to prevent the odor from being captured |
| other collectors. Another common method is to | | | | by the paper in the collection. Failing to take these |
| trade stamps within both collections with each | | | | steps, regardless of the degree of caution |
| collector's goal being to create a more complete | | | | exercised, can result in devastating damage from |
| collection. | | | | just a single accident. |
| The acquisition of stamps is just one aspect of | | | | Stamp collecting can be an easy and rewarding |
| what stamp collectors do. They must also take | | | | hobby for many people. The potential rewards of |
| care of the stamps in their collection so that the | | | | the hobby increase dramatically if key facts are |
| appearance and value of each stamp is | | | | known and care is taken to ensure the collection |
| maintained. This not only keeps the collection | | | | will be as remarkable in years to come as when |
| worthy of display, but also ensures the stamps | | | | each piece is added. |