Romanian stamps

The answer is simple, short and sweet: preparation.

First off, do your research. Find out who is going to be there. Learn which dealers and which stamp collecting organizations will be in attendance. Once you learn that, you can do a little research amongst your fellow stamp collectors and online to find out what those dealers specialize in, which will help determine which dealers you will want to visit first. Once you get the stamps you want, you will be able to explore the other dealers. And, on the other hand, by finding out what organizations are there, you will be able to fraternize with any you might belong to or you might find a group with which to affiliate yourself. By planning ahead of time and making sure you find at least some of the stamps you want, you will have more time left over to be social.

The second step in preparation is gathering your materials prior to the show. Make sure you have your tools – magnifying glass, loupe, tongs, etc. – and a way to transport your new collectibles safely and securely. This will assure that you are completely prepared and ready to take on the show, all without wandering around aimlessly and hoping to come across a stamp you want by chance and without destroying any of your new items.

Another step in preparation is to make a checklist of stamps that you would like to add to your collection. No, you might not get them all at once, but keeping the checklist will make sure that you will get the stamps you want and help you keep organized the ones you have and do not have. This will last you not only the soonest upcoming show but for many shows afterward.

And make sure you prepare for the day of the show. Double-check that you don't have any previous engagements, chores or obligations. After all, you want to enjoy the show worry-free.

Finally, be prepared to enjoy the show! After all, it isn’t business; it’s a hobby, and we all have our hobbies to keep ourselves entertained. Preparation will ensure that you get to enjoy the show to its fullest without missing out on anything fun!

Photo Credits: KLMircea

Originally posted 2010-07-27 03:07:43.

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Used Stamps

Collecting stamps is a relaxing and enjoyable hobby that can fulfill a need to purchase without having you spending hundreds of dollars a month. When looking to start a stamp collection the first thing you want to do is purchase a binder or portfolio to house the stamps in. The great thing about a binder is that you can purchase custom made plastic inlays that allow you to keep the stamps safe between two sheets of plastic, while letting you view the front and back of the stamps at the same time.

After you have a binder or place to keep the stamp collection safe in, you can begin your collection by setting up a budget for your stamps. The great thing about stamps is that they are relatively inexpensive which allows even someone on a budget to avidly collect. With a budget in set and a place to securely house your collection, you can either turn to the internet with auctioneer and specialty websites, or turn to your local post office to make your first purchase.

When making purchases of stamps you can benefit yourself by looking up the value of a stamp before you buy with either a search in a search engine, or with a stamp collectors value guide. Either method is great for finding out how much a stamp is worth, and can lead you to make secure purchases for your used stamp collection.

Once you have a collection started you want to make sure that you keep it properly maintained with arrangement and cleaning of the stamps and the collection. When cleaning your collection you want to get rid of all dust and possible moisture from your binder housing, and make sure to rearrange your stamps in their place to assure they don't become victim to staleness.

Overall starting a used stamp collection is a relatively simple and inexpensive process that nearly any adult or child can accomplish. Start with the purchase of a place to keep the stamps, keep the stamp keeper in a safe place, and then begin filling your keeper with purchased stamps and watch your collection grow with each purchase. Maintaining a clean collection and keeping the stamps away from possible harm, and there you have it, a simple way to start a used stamp collection.

Photo Credits: evil nickname

Originally posted 2010-08-31 03:24:26.

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Used Kitten Stamp

When you start collecting stamps you should try to have some kind of organization, otherwise you might lose a stamp or even damage a good, used stamp. You might consider storing them in a large manila envelope. Then, when you are ready to work with your stamps they are there waiting for you. When you remove the stamp from an envelope you should try to leave about one-half an inch all the way around the stamp. When you first begin your journey with this hobby it is wise to read books that tell you the best procedure to use for removing and maintaining your stamps. If you are just starting to collect used stamps you need to realize there is a lot to learn and understand - however, all stamp collectors had to have a starting point.

There are ways that you can successfully remove used stamps from an envelope. You begin by filling a small bowl with warm water. Try to keep the water luke warm as hot water can damage a stamp. When you put the stamp in the water you should place the picture so it is facing upwards. It generally takes about 30 minutes for the stamp to start separating from the envelope. Carefully remove the stamp from the envelope. If it is difficult to remove then you should soak it a little longer. As you learn to collect used stamps that you want to keep you will soon feel the excitement when you come across a stamp you want to add to your collection.

Once you remove the stamps you can place them on a paper towel on a flat surface. The stamps need to sit for a while and not be disturbed. This time you should place the stamp so the picture is facing down. Let each stamp dry for as long as it takes. Next you are ready to place the stamps on another paper towel that is dry. To flatten out any stamp that might have curled you can place a heavy book over it.

Now your fun begins. The longer you collect used stamps the more fun you will have. You are ready to sort your stamps. You will need to decide what you plan to collect - by country, by denomination, by year; whatever. Once you have made these decisions you are ready to place each stamp in some type of album. Most coin and stamp collecting stores carry a variety of albums that will meet your needs. Also, while you are in the store you might want to browse all the different books they have on stamp collecting.

Photo Credits: karen horton

Originally posted 2010-05-31 03:37:57.

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Welsh Stamps

Mystic Stamp Company says they’re America’s largest Stamp Dealer. They are one of the sources I used when I started collecting stamps. I really like the Mystic Stamp site http://www.mysticstamp.com/ because it offers tips on how to start collecting, photos of stamps and information about all the supplies needed to help organize a stamp collection and free stamps too!

Stamp Catalogue rates high on the search list. They are an online source for stamp information. They provide plenty the information to get started with this interesting hobby. At http://www.stampcatalogue.org/ you’ll find pictures of stamps, the value of the stamp and a price guide to help you get started buying and selling stamps.

The US Post Office has a stamp catalog of current stamps available. Purchasing special stamps at face value is a good investment for the collector who intends to speculate on stamps and use them as an asset. https://shop.usps.com/

Online Stamp Catalogs have browse buttons that organize by decades or countries which make it simple to find a particular stamp if you’re researching the value or price. Using the browse buttons helps collectors see and remember which stamps they need to complete parts of their collection.

Online Stamp Catalogs can solve gift giving problems. Give unique and memorable gifts to your friends that show you’re thinking of their interests. Framed collectible stamps of favorite cartoon characters, music bands, singers, politicians, flowers, pottery, or sports tell your friends that you really care.

For example: my friend’s teenage daughter loves the Beatles. So I bought British stamps of the Fab Four, then had the stamps framed. The gift was on display throughout the party and was hung on the wall the next day.

Stamp collecting can bring generations together. When a girl helps her grandpa find online stamp catalogs or a boy reminds his grandmother of all the important women who have been featured on stamps from Martha Washington to Marilyn Monroe, the future of stamp collecting is as secure as the love of grandparents.

Photo Credits: SpotterFive

Originally posted 2010-09-10 03:58:24.

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Mauritius Stamps

Let us look at where and how we can buy stamps online. There are several websites, but one of the best would be ebay. Ebay is an online marketplace where people list their items for sale and where a buyer can come in and bid on the item. Here you can bid on the stamp collections and find really great deals. Your guide book will also list some places online where to buy stamp collections. There are also Auction Houses where you can bid online. How do you purchase stamps and stamp collections online through an Auction House? You can order an online catalog to be mailed to your house, and then there is a schedule available on the website where the auction will be held. You can place a bid on an item before the bidding starts and then just as you were in person, you can bid higher or stop bidding on that stamp you are interested in. There are also websites that buy, sell and trade stamp collections as well.

One other way that you can buy stamp collections are at local shops in your area. The advantage to this is that if you are a novice stamp collector, you can examine the stamp in person. This can work to your advantage if you are interested in purchasing pricier stamps. There are also stamp shows across the country where you can find a large amount of dealers in one location, and you can buy, sell and even trade your stamps. Your guide book will tell you how you can find a listing of the dates and location of these types of shows. One last place where you can find stamps are through your friends and family. Especially your older relatives may have some great stamps that may be worth a bunch of money. These days it doesn't really matter if there is a post mark on it.

Stamp collecting is a fun hobby for all ages, the young and the old, female or male. The great thing about stamp collecting is the hunt of finding that one that will complete your collection.

Photo Credits: Effervescing Elephant

Originally posted 2010-09-03 03:36:46.

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Stamp Collection Preservation

The first thing you want to do when looking to get involved in stamp collecting is to make sure you have an area designated for each and every piece. A binder or a notebook with clear plastic placers is a perfect example of a baseline protective area for your stamps, but really anything that has room to house your stamps and not damage them can be used.

After you have an area created to house your stamps, you want to turn your attention to placement of each piece. Whenever you add a piece to your collection, you want to note its measurements and how well it will fit in your designated area. It is important that when forming your collection that you make space for each stamp to fit in, and take note of the possibility of adding a whole roll or row of stamps. Whenever you are adding to your collection, you want to make sure that the stamps aren't damaged in their placement, and if you have to fold a row to fit in, that you fold on one of the crease lines between stamps. It is recommended to keep all stamps in as pristine condition as possible, so if the option to not fold is available, take that method of placement.

With the collection well placed in a safe area, you want to make sure you monitor and clean out your collection from time to time. Going through your collection, and making sure that each piece is properly placed and that no damage has occurred to the collection is important when caring for your stamps. Every so often you may have the need to rearrange your stamps in order to keep them fitting well in your collection, this is normal and can be beneficial to the care of your stamps to help with keeping up the cleanliness of the collection, and to avoid allowing the stamps to sit in one place for too long.

Overall, caring for your stamps incorporates an attention to detail, and proper placement, but as long as you create a safe place for your stamp collection to grow, and monitor each and every page from time to time, you will find yourself with a well kept highly maintained collection.

Photo Credits: itchys

Originally posted 2010-07-24 03:36:21.

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Posta Romana - Stingray

Stamp collecting is a hobby that anyone can choose to do, but with proper knowledge and research, you can turn that collection hobby into an investment. With the passing of time stamps can both gain and lose value according to what is happening in the world, and how many years have passed since a stamp has been released. The value of a stamp comes both with its release date, and the picture and price depicted on the stamps. While the majority of stamps are only worth face value, if not a couple dollars more, there are a select few that are worth in the higher thousands of dollars.

When looking to invest in stamps you want to start out smart by purchasing a guide that depicts the value of the most popular and common stamps. There are several guides on the market, and they can all be purchased online for a decent price. Once you have a guide you can begin looking through the stamps and notice any trends in value and picture depiction in correlation with age.

Armed with a guide that explains the value of the most common and most rare stamps, you can begin making purchased based on the guide and the trends presented. When purchasing stamps you can find great aid in internet access to specialty and auctioneer websites. Buying at the right time, the right stamp, at the right value is all key in making a sound investment, so play it smart and be sure to buy when you know you can make a dollar.

New stamps are always being produced, so investing in stamps can include both the older stamps with the newer ones. Taking notes on what makes a stamp expensive, looking into avoiding any counterfeit purchases, and paying the right price on each stamp you buy, can all lead to money making through stamp investment.

Overall investing in stamps is not that different from investing in any other tangible item, other than you may have to play the waiting game for several years for a stamp to rise up in value, rather than several weeks or months with a typical stock investment. In the end for the stamp enthusiast who knows what to buy and what to pass up on, investing in stamps is a sound investment that can bring hundreds, even thousands of dollars in prosperous rewards.

Photo Credits: karen horton

Originally posted 2010-09-02 03:31:30.

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Stamp Exhibit

Stamp collecting is fun for beginners and collectors alike, and going to a stamp exhibit can spark a new interest in the art of stamp collecting. At an exhibit you can view exhibits from other collectors, buy stamps and trinkets to add to your collection and network with other collectors and collaborate.

Attending a Stamp Exhibit

Attending a stamp exhibit is an excellent way to introduce you to the world of stamp collecting and shop the mall of stamp emporiums. Hard to find stamps can be found, discounted supplies, rare and out of date stamps from different themes and time periods. The first thing you want to do when attending a show is to go to the registration table and pick up whatever they have, a schedule of events, souvenir cards etc. The schedule shows schedule of events, meetings, exhibit titles, and vendors. This will come in handy when you’re walking around to different locations. Also while at registration ask to put your name on a mailing list this way you can be informed of all upcoming events and shows in your area.

Types of Exhibits

There are so many types of exhibits at a stamp show, that it takes all day to drink it all in. There are traditional exhibits where the stamps tell a story about the history of a stamp or stamp series, the artwork, production and usage of the stamp. There are divisional exhibits that may deal with postal stationary, documents, illustrated mail etc. There are also single frame and youth exhibits. A single frame exhibit usually involves one frame that consists of up to 16 pages of one stamp type. Then there is the youth exhibits which may consist of one or multiple frames of any division type.

Conclusion

There are stamp exhibits that take place just about every week all around the country and they are filed with curious consumers, collectors and enthusiast from all around the world. Attending a Stamp exhibit is a great way for beginners and experienced alike to meet mingle and purchase rare stamps and stamps that cannot be found anywhere else. These shows offer a smorgasbord of stamps for the most avid collector and it is a treat for the eyes, the soul and the pocket. There are so many deals to be found and sites to see that anyone that goes should have an adventurous time. So go and enjoy yourself.

Photo Credits: by fusion-of-horizons

Originally posted 2010-08-23 03:41:27.

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Victorian Toronto Stamps

The first thing you want to do when looking to collect stamps is purchase or make a portfolio to house your collection. There are several custom made binders that can be purchased online or through a collection specialty store in your local area that are great for housing your stamps while allowing you to easily access and view the entire collection. When looking at binders you may need to purchase more than one depending on how many stamps you intend to collect, and the size of the binder that you prefer.

After you have purchased a binder or portfolio to house your collection, you can begin placing any stamps you have laying around into the portfolio for safe keeping. Once you have all the stamps that you have begun your collection with stacked away in safekeeping, you can concentrate on growing your collection.

When looking to collect stamps you can benefit greatly by purchasing a value placing guide on stamps to help you in your future stamp purchases. Some stamps can be as valuable as several thousand dollars, while others can be worth as much as the paper they are printed on. With a guide in hand and a place to house your collection, you can begin building your collection through paying visits to your local post office, or by searching online. The internet is a great place for you to find collectibles and hard to find stamps through the utilization of specialty and auctioneer websites.

When looking to create a stamp collection you want to have an array of stamps that reflect several years of history, as well as stamps that reflect modern times. When building the collection you can choose which stamps you like and which you don't, so essentially your collection becomes a reflection of yourself. When purchasing stamps for your collection you want to make sure you are paying a fair price and to reflect upon your buyers guide with each purchase.

Overall stamp collecting can be an enjoyable hobby for children and adults alike, and as long as you have a place to stash your stamps and a constant income so you can purchase more, you can put yourself on the road to having a well fulfilled collection.

Photo Credits: yorkville

Originally posted 2010-08-24 03:36:47.

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Penny Black

Stamps were first invented by Rowland Hill. He was an Englishman who took a small interest in postal reforms. He also provided multiple documents. He also participated in detailed studies that were later called, "Post Office Reform its Importance and Practicability". Around 1987, he decided to send a copy to the Spring Rice. After having a meeting about the publication that Hill produced to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, they decided to use the stamp and they later put it on the market to the rest of the public. One of the first documents produced to tell about the production of postage stamps was James Chalmers. The documentary examined the Scotsman claim to the creation of the postage stamps. The documentary outlines how James was aware of Hill's proposals to use the postage stamps and to put them on the market. Chalmers was also responsible for coming up with petitions in order to lower the rate of postage stamps. At the exact same time, other people were doing the same thing (organizing petitions).

Chalmers son wrote a book called, 'The Penny Postage Scheme of 1837" which spoke of the inventor of stamps. The son claimed that the first stamp was introduced by his father. There has been no evidence to back up the claims of the book. The son of James, Patrick Chalmers, later died in 1891. He was unable to successfully have his father recognized as the original inventor of the stamps.

Despite who truly invented the postage stamp, they were first introduced to The United Kingdom of Great Britain. Ireland was also introduced to them in 1840. The postage stamps were promoted and advertised by a man called Sir Rowland Hill. The first stamp was called the 'Penny Black.' About two days after the invention of this stamp, the 'two pence blue' was introduced and had an image of Queen Victoria. Today, over 21 billion items are mailed each year using postage stamps.

Photo Credits: kevinzim

Originally posted 2010-07-30 03:36:19.

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