10 Stamp Collecting Tips

The following is a list of things to keep in mind when collecting stamps.

1. The First step behind starting a collection is by buying or looking for stamps to add to your collection. Buying stamps is easy, many stores sell stamps by the kilo which is known as kiloware. A kiloware will not cost very much, usually only a few dollars and they will contain around 1000 stamps. Another obvious place to start looking for tamps is in ones home. Going through the mail that arrives each day is an excellent source of free stamps. One can also buy stamps directly from the post office, but this can become costly.

2. Some people strike up a pen pal friendship with somebody within or out of the country. This way by sending mail to each other, you will get stamps to add to the collection.

3. It is always a good idea to look for friends who collect stamps or join a stamp collecting club. This way you will be able to exchange stamps with other collectors. This is also a good way to get rid of duplicate copies.

4. Look through the news paper for any stamp shows in your area. If there is one, sign up and go see and learn about stamps. This is a great way to meet people who know a lot about stamps.

5. Not all stamps you get will be taken off the envelope. In order to do that you need to soak them in either lukewarm or warm water for a few minutes. In most cases the stamps will slide right of the envelope.

6. Once this is done dry them on a piece of paper. All handling must be done with tweezers.

7. Afterward you should arrange them in alphabetical order in an album. Whatever you do, not clump them all together in a box, this will damage them.

8. Stamps are graded as very fine, fine, good and poor. Very fine stamp will be almost perfect with the color being little shaded. Fine will have no blemishes, almost as good as very fine. A good stamp will have faded color and the postmark will be dark. A poor stamp will be thorn and full of blemishes.

9. When starting a collection, start small. If it there is too many stamps to sort out you may get disinterested.

10. Purchase a magnifying glass. A magnifying glass is an important tool for any serious stamp collector.

Photo Credits: Migraine Chick

Originally posted 2010-08-14 03:14:44.

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Stamp Collecting, Tips and Tricks

Posted by Collectible Stamp on January 9, 2012 in Stamp Collecting, Tips and Tricks.