What to collect? Question all new collectors ask themselves. There are many ways to collect stamps, but people usually tend to start collecting stamps in the country they live in. These collectors find it more convenient to find stamps where they live.Following is a list of the most popular collections.
1--U.S. Mint only
2--U.S. Used only
3--U.S. Mint and used
4--Country you live in.
5--Disney stamps from around the world
6--Stamps with birds only
7--Triangle stamps
8--Stamps with animals only
9--Very popular Queen of England stamps
Those are some suggestions. It is up to you to pick a Country or a Topic.
Where to acquire these stamps of choice is up to the individual. Some times the best way to get started is to purchase large packets of the Country of choice. This will give you a wide selection of stamps and will get you started. Next you will need to purchase a stamp album that picture all varieties printed on the topic you chose. If you want to become a serious collector, you will need a Scott Catalog, a perforation detector, and a watermark finder. A good place to purchase these items is on eBay. A hint in buying a Scott catalog is to buy one around 5 years old because you probably will have no problem identifying newer stamps from the pictures in your album. Problems start in earlier issues where stamps were minted with different perforations, imperforated, with different watermarks and different paper. You should also buy a stamp tong to handle your stamps. To place your stamps in your album you have choices. The most popular is to use stamp hinges. The next popular way is to use some type of crystal mounts which give your stamps better protection.
Remember pick a topic that you will be interested in for years to come. Collecting stamps can be a life long hobby.
What's the first type of stamp you started collecting? Do you wish you still had your first stamps?
ReplyDeleteThe first stamps I started collecting were used U.S. stamps when I was 10 years old in 1945. Unfortunately, none of those stamps have much value today. Most stamps from the U.S. value begins pre 1920.
ReplyDelete