How to Sort Stamps for a Collection

When you begin sorting your stamps, you must first organize them by the standard classification systems used in the philatelic hobby. The guidelines for most stamp collectors can be found in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalog, but these rules are generally true for most worldwide catalogs. Read on to learn how to sort stamps for a collection.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• All of the stamps you collected.

1. Organize your stamps according to country of origin. In the back of the Scott Catalog there is an "Illustrated Identifier" to help you translate words and pictures.

2. Pick out all non-regular postage stamps. Non-regular stamps include semi-postal stamps, air mail stamps and postage due stamps.

3. Sort each grouped country by design. Some of these stamps may have unfamiliar names like "Magyar Posta" for Hungary and "CCCP" for the Soviet Union. Scott catalogs are good for U.S. stamps, Stanley Gibbons is a good reference for British stamps and many British Commonwealth country stamps, and the Michel catalog for German stamps, and those of other parts of Europe, and Yvert for French and French-speaking countries' stamps.

4. Group all sets and series of stamps together. A set has a common theme. Birds and planes are both common sets of stamps. There have been a few stamp series in the United States like Black Heritage and Star Wars.

5. Soak and mount your stamps into a stock book or album, carefully preserving the organization you have established.

Resources

• Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalog
• Stamp Link Website