| Stamp Collecting – Not Just for Kids | | | | which you don’t believe you can find in the |
| Starting a stamp collection can be a rewarding | | | | stamp collectors catalogue for identifying |
| and fun hobby. Not just for kids anymore, stamp | | | | purposes. |
| collecting – or philately – has become one | | | | Sources of Stamps |
| of the world’s oldest and most popular forms | | | | To keep your stamp collection moving along, |
| of collecting. The advantages of stamp collecting | | | | there are several different types of stamps and |
| include: | | | | locations to pursue: |
| • Learning about stamps which have been | | | | • Persuade your friends to save your stamps |
| issued by other countries of the world over the | | | | from those letters mailed to them from abroad |
| years | | | | • You can buy stamps from the UK Post – |
| • Appreciating stamps as works of art – | | | | several times a year, the UK Post will issue special |
| colourful, well-printed, and well-designed | | | | stamps for those interested in collecting |
| • Understanding the purpose of the stamp | | | | • There are several stamp magazines where |
| – whether it is to commemorate famous | | | | you can see and meet other collectors |
| people or events, flowers, railways, flags, or | | | | • Review the online stamp collecting websites |
| space and sport | | | | for forums and discussion on where to get the |
| Stamp Collection | | | | latest stamp collection tips |
| Stamp collections can provide both entertainment | | | | Stamp Collecting and Increasing Worth |
| and education. By learning about all the stamps | | | | Over the years, as stamps age and their rarity |
| which have been issued by the countries of the | | | | increase, the worth of the stamp can increase |
| world, you can begin to understand another | | | | tenfold. The condition of the stamp is vitally |
| country’s geography and history. Stamps | | | | important to its worth. Nothing detracts more |
| collection is also a practical way to learn the | | | | from the value of a stamp than a crease, tear, or |
| politics, religion, and everyday way of life in | | | | heavy postmark. Damaged stamps are generally |
| different parts of the world. Stamps also open a | | | | considered useless and worthless, so be wary of |
| world of education in a country’s postal | | | | your collection when adding stamps. |
| services and postal history, transport systems, | | | | If you are looking to make the most of your |
| and the significance of postmarks. | | | | stamp collection, have unused stamps in their |
| Want to Start Collecting? | | | | original gum as issued by the post office. Also, the |
| Many stamp collectors have advice for those | | | | ideal postmark is light and clear, as heavy |
| looking to get into the stamp collecting scene, | | | | postmarks decrease the value of the stamp by |
| however, the best advice to the novice is to buy | | | | large amounts. |
| the largest packet of whole-world stamps you | | | | If you are already realizing that there is much |
| can afford. Also, consider buying with this | | | | more to stamp collecting then first thought, you |
| purchase, a medium-priced album and some | | | | are right! Stamp collecting can be extremely |
| ‘hinges’ to mount the stamps. By buying | | | | rewarding if you take the time to pursue it as a |
| a large amount of stamps at first, you can then | | | | serious hobby. Consider learning more about your |
| go through most of the stamps, identifying those | | | | planet and start your stamp collection today. |