| Stamp collecting, also known as philately, is a | | | | time. Stamp designs are varied, beautiful and |
| popular and educational past time. Stamp | | | | interesting. Commemoratives are those special |
| collectors save stamps from letters, especially | | | | stamps that are released by the post office for a |
| those from other countries. They also search out | | | | limited time. They can commemorate special |
| old stamps that represent a past time. Stamp | | | | people or events. Most nations print |
| enthusiasts can be found everywhere. Their | | | | commemorative stamps from time to time. |
| notebooks and glassine envelopes filled with | | | | American stamps have featured wild life, artists, |
| stamps are fascinating to look through. Many of | | | | antiques, and many other themes. In fact, there is |
| the stamps they collect are very valuable as | | | | an annual contest in which American school |
| well.Materials needed for starting a stamp | | | | children compete to draw the best picture of a |
| collection include a stamp album and special | | | | wild duck. The best duck art is featured on a |
| mounting tapes called hinges. Tools you will find | | | | stamp.A fun way for a young person to build a |
| useful are a pair of small tongs or tweezers for | | | | collection of foreign stamps is to find a few pen |
| carefully lifting delicate old stamps and a | | | | pals in foreign countries. This activity helps people |
| magnifying glass for finding minute details. The | | | | make friends as well as broadening their outlook. |
| beginning philatelist can start with the stamps on | | | | There are also companies that will send out |
| the mail that arrives this very day. To remove a | | | | introductory collections of foreign stamps in order |
| stamp from an envelope, carefully tear away the | | | | to get stamp collecting customers on their mailing |
| envelope from around the stamp being careful | | | | lists. These collections are usually colorful and |
| not to tear the stamp itself. Now soak the stamp | | | | contain a wide variety.Stamp collecting is an |
| in warm water. The remaining piece of envelope | | | | educational past time. Stamp collections can |
| will turn loose, allowing you to lift the stamp from | | | | sometimes become very valuable to the right |
| the water with the tongs.Lay the stamp on | | | | people. If you are looking for a new hobby or |
| absorbent paper. When dry, place a heavy book | | | | past time, stamp collecting might be for |
| on top of the stamp to flatten it. As a past time, | | | | ********************Rose Hillbrand has been a |
| stamp collecting requires precision and neatness. | | | | successful internet entrepreneur |
| Place the dried and flattened stamp in the album | | | | since 2001. She owns and maintains several |
| by using one of the hinges, or store it in one of | | | | websites, and has |
| the tiny glassine envelopes unique to stamp | | | | experience in affiliate marketing in numerous |
| collecting.Many collectors specialize in collecting | | | | areas. |
| currently available commemoratives as a past | | | | |