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