A Beginner’s Lesson to Philately

Posted on July 22, 2009
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The two basic rules that every stamp collector adheres to are to enjoy collecting stamps and to properly take care of them. Other than these, you have all the freedom to choose what stamps to collect and how you are going to display them. Therefore, collecting stamps can be a very enjoyable activity for someone who is creative.

Basically, there are four kinds of stamps: traditional, topical, specialist, and worldwide stamps. Traditional stamp collectors go for stamps of their respective countries. Topical stamp collectors choose their stamps depending on the designs. A specialist collection would just be a compilation of numerous copies of a single stamp issue. Worldwide stamp collectors are those who would add any stamp they can get their hand on, to their collection. Any How to Collect Stamps class will tell you to start as a worldwide stamp collector until you decide what you like best and then you can specialize if you desire.

There are stamp collectors who have multiple collections which are not of just one type. For those who are just starting out, it is advisable to look at lots of stamp types and designs and acquire as much information as you can. Doing these would allow you to discover sides of stamp collecting you would never have imagined existing. Another way to learn more about collecting is to read as much stamp news as you can get your hands on. The more you know the better.

What is important for you to keep in mind is that when starting out in stamp collecting, begin with just what you have in sight. There is no need to rush. You would come across the stamps you really like somewhere along the way. In the meantime, be happy with what you have at the moment and be sure to take good care of them.

As a stamp collector, you need to get hold of stamp tongs, by hook or by crook. Stamp tongs are basically your ordinary tweezers minus the sharp edges.The use of tweezers is unacceptable for collectors as these will damage your stamps. That is another must in stamp collecting—use stamp tongs.

In addition, never lay out stamps on top of a bare table or use your hands to pick them up. The particles of dust on the table and the natural oils of your skin will only soil your stamps. Lay your stamps out on a clean piece of bond paper or something similar if you want to take a look at them. Every collector is painstaking when it comes to his collection. You cannot call yourself a stamp collector by simply having a lot of stamps. You should be passionate about collecting stamps, and you must be very strict with regards to stamp care.

Beginners in stamp collecting need not have a lot of supplies. Stamp tongs, envelopes, and a storage box are all the things you are required to have. Like what was said earlier, you would be using stamp tongs to pick up your stamps. Meanwhile, envelopes will hold your stamps organized according to their type. The box is where you will place all these envelopes. Do not forget to write the name of the stamp types on the envelopes containing them.

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