| Stamp Collecting - Not Just for Kids | | | | which you don't believe you can find in the stamp |
| Starting a stamp collection can be a rewarding | | | | collectors catalogue for identifying purposes. |
| and fun hobby. Not just for kids anymore, stamp | | | | Sources of Stamps |
| collecting - or philately - has become one of the | | | | To keep your stamp collection moving along, |
| world's oldest and most popular forms of | | | | there are several different types of stamps and |
| collecting. The advantages of stamp collecting | | | | locations to pursue: |
| include: | | | | • Persuade your friends to save your |
| • Learning about stamps which have | | | | stamps from those letters mailed to them from |
| been issued by other countries of the world over | | | | abroad |
| the years | | | | • You can buy stamps from the UK |
| • Appreciating stamps as works of art - | | | | Post - several times a year, the UK Post will issue |
| colourful, well-printed, and well-designed | | | | special stamps for those interested in collecting |
| • Understanding the purpose of the | | | | • There are several stamp magazines |
| stamp - whether it is to commemorate famous | | | | where you can see and meet other collectors |
| people or events, flowers, railways, flags, or | | | | • Review the online stamp collecting |
| space and sport | | | | websites for forums and discussion on where to |
| Stamp Collection | | | | get the 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 collection | | | | important to its worth. Nothing detracts more |
| is also a practical way to learn the politics, religion, | | | | from the value of a stamp than a crease, tear, or |
| and everyday way of life in different parts of the | | | | heavy postmark. Damaged stamps are generally |
| world. Stamps also open a world of education in a | | | | considered useless and worthless, so be wary of |
| country's postal services and postal history, | | | | your collection when adding stamps. |
| transport systems, and the significance of | | | | If you are looking to make the most of your |
| 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 a large | | | | rewarding if you take the time to pursue it as a |
| amount of stamps at first, you can then go | | | | serious hobby. Consider learning more about your |
| through most of the stamps, identifying those | | | | planet and start your stamp collection today. |