| You get your mail, riffle through, then suddenly | | | | postage stamps available in that country. If that |
| you spot that colorful postage stamp and you | | | | doesn't work, try asking them to send you letters |
| think, "I should be collecting them."Or, you're | | | | instead. |
| probably awed over that huge collection of | | | | - Know of anyone who's going on a business trip |
| stamps featured at the nearby museum. You | | | | abroad? A vacation in Asia? Going up north? Ask |
| look at it and say, "That looks like an interesting | | | | them to send you post cards form wherever |
| hobby."Well then, welcome to the world of | | | | they are. Not only do you get the stamps, you |
| postage stamp collecting.First things first. To start | | | | also get to keep track of how they are.- Get to |
| any activity, you have to have your materials and | | | | know your neighbors. Chances are one of them is |
| tools. In stamp collecting you'll need:- Your stamps | | | | working in a big company or institution wherein |
| - Stamp album or stock book | | | | loads of letters pour in everyday. And if you're |
| - A magnifying glass | | | | really lucky, said neighbor might actually be the |
| - A glass vessel, usually 8" by 10" or 10" by 12" | | | | one in charge of opening all those letters. You get |
| in size, to soak your stamps in | | | | the drift?- The next time you visit the post |
| - Lots of plain, white, paper towels | | | | office, keep an open eye for stray envelopes |
| - A stamp drying book | | | | that recent visitors have carelessly tossed aside. |
| - A thermometer | | | | Many people read and discard their letters at the |
| - Heavy booksThese can be found at your local | | | | post office.- Make friends with fellow collectors. |
| post office, DIY store and the internet. You might | | | | Trading and swapping not only increases your |
| also want to buy a watermark detector, but if | | | | collection, it also allows you to get acquaintances |
| you're just starting out, it isn't really necessary | | | | and friends.- Get your grandma or grandpa to let |
| yet.Now on to the steps:1. GetIf you're starting | | | | you see their old letters. There is a high chance |
| from zero, the best way to go is to buy local | | | | that you'll get rare and old stamps that you won't |
| postage stamps first. A packet of 500 or 1000 | | | | see anywhere ever again.2. SortHave you stamps |
| assorted worldwide stamps are usually available at | | | | in one huge box? Now's the time to sort them all |
| your nearest post office. This goes for at least | | | | out. Sorting is necessary to facilitate the storing |
| $3 to $6.Still isn't too varied for you, you could | | | | process. Most of the stamps you have are on |
| try to buy from dealers who sell "kiloware". | | | | paper because they are cut out from mailing |
| Kiloware are stamps on-paper sold by weight (by | | | | envelopes. You need to sort them out into:- |
| the pound) for a specific amount. You could also | | | | stamps with white background paper |
| try going to stamp shows where they sell | | | | - stamps with colored background paper |
| stamps, by the bucket! See for a calendar of the | | | | - stamps with rubber stamp ink (especially those |
| shows.Now, you can get try getting stamps for | | | | in red and purple) |
| free! Here are some quick tips on how to. This will | | | | - stamps without rubber stamp ink3. TrimLeave |
| definitely make your stamp hunting more | | | | about 1-2 cm safety margin when you trim your |
| interesting and worthwhile:- Inform everybody | | | | stamps. Also, try not to cut the perforations, as it |
| you know that you're collecting stamps. Chances | | | | will decrease the value of your stamp.4. |
| are they'd pull out all that old letters they kept | | | | SoakNever try peeling a stamp off the paper, |
| and start giving them to you. Don't forget to say | | | | even if it's loose. Peeling like this is a surefire way |
| thank you.- Have relatives in foreign countries? | | | | to ruin your stamp. The way to do it is to soak it |
| Ask them to send you some (or a lot) of | | | | in water.First, fill up your vessel to about half. |