| Stamp collecting is a popular and rewarding hobby. | | | | stamps. |
| If you are just starting out and would like to | | | | Stamps should not be handled with fingers or laid |
| know where to start, here are some helpful tips. | | | | out on bare table surfaces as the natural oil in |
| It is said that the first rule of stamp collecting is | | | | human skin and any particulates that may be on |
| to find a particular type of stamp you think you | | | | the table will cause damage to the stamp over |
| would like to collect and to take care of your | | | | time. When viewing stamps, they should be laid |
| collection. Some suggestions for types of stamps | | | | out on a clean piece of paper to avoid as much |
| to collect are location of the stamp (i.e. country, | | | | contamination as possible. |
| state, etc.), stamp design, or a stamp for a | | | | The basic necessary supplies for stamp collecting |
| particular season/holiday. | | | | are the stamp tongs, an envelope to store your |
| Some people collect one issue of a stamp in | | | | stamps in and a storage box to store the |
| volume, one type of stamp only (sometimes | | | | envelopes in. It is important to note that the |
| referred to as a specialist), and some people | | | | stamp tongs will need to be purchased from a |
| collect all the stamps that are able to. | | | | stamp store or can be found at a stamp show. |
| Once you have decided what type of stamp | | | | Once your collection grows, it is suggested that |
| collector you want to be and what sort of | | | | you invest in glassine envelopes for your stamps. |
| stamps you want to collect, you need to learn | | | | These envelopes are made for stamp collecting |
| how to properly care for your stamps. | | | | and are semi-transparent. The glassine material is |
| The first piece of advice is to always use stamp | | | | found to have no harmful effects on the stamps |
| tongs when handling your stamps. While stamp | | | | it stores. |
| tongs bear a resemblance to tweezers, they are | | | | It is suggested that once your stamp collection |
| different from tweezers in that they do not have | | | | has grown and you have isolated what particular |
| pointy ends. Tweezers should not be used in place | | | | types of stamps you like to collect, you may |
| of actual stamp tongs as they may damage | | | | wish to invest in a album for stamp storage. |