How to Begin Stamp Collecting
Stamp collecting is an old tradition and a fun hobby that can be displayed, shared and treasured for years. Getting started on stamp collecting requires only a little preparation and foreknowledge before the fun of gathering, preserving and displaying stamps can begin.
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Things You'll Need
- Stamp tongs
- Stamp albums
- Magnifying glass
- Glassine envelopes
- Stamp catalog
Instructions
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Browse through a stamp catalog to see what stamps are available. Stamps gathered from mail are also usable in a stamp collection. Stamp collecting is a hobby that can be enjoyed by philatelists of any age. Many stamp collectors will specialize in one type of images or stamps, but beginners should keep their interests broad.
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Research the types of stamps you want and order them. When you have stamps to work with, sort them into glassine envelopes, which will protect them while still allowing them to be viewed, or store them carefully in specially made stamp albums. These albums will allow you to display your stamp collection.
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When you receive your stamps, if they are attached to paper, they can be soaked in warm water for about 20 minutes. This will remove the glue without damaging the stamps. Place the stamps between the pages of or underneath a large book to flatten and dry for a day or so. After they are dry, they can be stored.
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Use the stamp tongs to handle stamps while storing them in glassine envelopes or in albums. The magnifying glass will be an excellent tool to use to identify types of stamps and observe small differences between them.
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Get involved with other stamp collectors. The American Philatelic Society is a place to meet other stamp collectors, trade stamps and do research on the history of rare stamps.
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Tips & Warnings
Never handle stamps with your bare hands, as the oils will damage the stamps. When sorting stamps, place them on an envelope or sheet of paper so that they are not damaged by contact with materials on a tabletop.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit jdurham
