Stamp Collecting for Profit

Stamp Collection can be a business built from ain your collection and are really serious about
hobby. Millions of people all over the world collectpursuing this hobby, you can buy the Scot's
stamps as a hobby, and the number is growingStandard Postage Stamp catalogue which lists
every day. It is indeed an exciting and rewardingevery stamp in the world.
hobby, and it can also be extremely profitable.This is a three volume encyclopaedia and is the
The price of stamps varies with supply andcomplete reference. You can also consult it at
demand due to the number of collectorsyour local library, if you don't want to go to the
increasing but the price of stamps is steadily rising,expense for the time being.
as the supply of stamps diminishes and moreTo start your collection, ask everybody you
people want to acquire them.know to save you stamps they get from
Most people start a collection for the pleasure anddifferent countries, also go through old letters and
education just like any other hobby, but thissmall boxes hidden in your attic. Chances are that
hobby offers a financial reward as well, asyou will be surprised to see how much you can
collections experience a steady increase in valuefind. Other cheap sources of supply are flea
over the years.markets, garage sales and eBay.
It is possible to start your own business if youStart swapping when you have doubles. There
are experienced, and already have a good sizeare many philatelic clubs all over the country and it
collection.would be very advisable for a serious collector to
For information about becoming a dealer, write to:belong to one. This way you will become
The American Stamp Dealer's Associationeducated in this field and learn everything you can
147 W 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.before you spend money on your collection.
In the U.K and the Commonwealth: StanleyStamp clubs also provide their members with
Gibbons Pty. Ltd.possibilities to exchange and sell their stamps.
How to start:You should also read as much as you can about
Some people start very early in life collectingstamps by subscribing to a philatelic magazine or
stamps, it often begins as a gift of a smallonline, do a search for your closest club or
package of stamps given to a child, and the childmagazine.
becomes a collector for life. As the collectionWhere to sell your stamps:
grows, some tools become essential:Stamps are like any other commodity, you can
* Stamp albumalways go to a dealer who will offer you the
* Hingescurrent wholesale value of your stamps, but you
* Magnifying glass and tongscan do much better by selling to other stamp
They can be obtained from a stationary store orcollectors by advertising in magazines and
your local stamp dealer. You can find albums atnewspapers specialized in stamp collecting, and on
any price, starting from about $5.00 to the mosteBay. Check several current issues of those
expensive one at about $200.00.magazines, it will enable you to compare the ads
Stamps should always be handled carefully,with what you have to offer.
because the condition is a very important factorIf you want to buy stamps as an investment, try
in determining the resale value.to buy a few moderately expensive stamps a
The various grades of stamps are: mint, veryyear. Always buy quality instead of quantity, and
fine, fine, good and poor.diversify, do not invest heavily in a single area.
Specimens in outstanding condition often sell atIt is my opinion that stamp collecting is one of the
many times their catalogue value, which is thebest ways - and safest - to keep up with inflation.
reason not to mishandle any stamp, which couldSo happy hunting and may you find the "Penny
drastically reduce its value.Black".
If you want to know if you have valuable stamps