How to View Old Postage Stamps & Their Value

Handle postage stamps carefully.

Postage stamps are the essential component for ensuring a letter is delivered from one location to another. As early as 1837, postage stamps were included on letters and other mailed objects. Postage stamp costs increased as time went on, and today -- with the invention of the Internet and electronic mail -- postage stamps are fast becoming a thing of the past. Viewing old postage stamps and determining their value is a straightforward process that can bring any individual a bounty of financial rewards -- depending upon the stamps they possess.

Things You'll Need

• Stamp tongs
• Magnifying glass
• Binder
• Plastic sheets

Instructions

1. Pinch the corner of the stamp with a polished pair of stamp tongs. Hold a magnifying glass over the stamp to observe its nuances. Lift the stamp with the tongs and slide it carefully into the plastic sheet encased in a binder. Handle all old postage stamps similarly to prevent soiling or damage.

2. Visit websites like Stampcatalogue.org to browse old postage stamps and their value. Pull the cursor to the right side of the home page to the "Browse U.S. Stamps by Year" menu. Click on the year in which your stamp was issued.

3. Scroll through the various collection of stamps. Identify the original cost and value of the stamp and compare it to its current value as determined by each listing. Look through your own collection to find stamps identical to those included on the website.

References

• Junior Philatelists: History of Stamps
• Stamp Catalogue: Stamp Listings

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish