Stamp Collecting

Stamp collecting has grown in just over 150 years from a hobby for children to a worldwide phenomenon for collectors and investors.

Stamp Collecting - Introduction to Stamp Collecting
Today, thousands of collectors spend time and money to obtain everything from a mundane 1840 One Penny Black for a few dollars to the $2.2 million 1855 Tre Skilling Banco Yellow.

Stamp Collecting - Soaking For Beginners
Most stamps collected have been used as postage. Unlike uncirculated coins, that's part of what makes them valuable, since they then acquire a history and often interesting cancellation or other marks.

Stamp Collecting - Tools for the Collector
Each individual will have his or her preferred way of preparing, mounting and storing stamps. But despite personal choices there are common tools that most collectors will find useful.

Stamp Collecting - How to Display Stamps - Mounts and Hinges
How best to secure a stamp to a display medium is an ongoing debate. Hinges were used traditionally, but mounts have come into common use over the last 30 years.

Stamp Collecting - Storing a Collection
Once you've learned to prepare your stamps by careful soaking or other methods, you'll want to store them safely and stylishly. There are dozens of different items to choose from.

Stamp Collecting - The Stamp Champs
Like any collectible, the philatelic world has its champions - the rarest, the highest price paid at auction. Some of these have long and interesting histories apart from the price paid.

Stamp Collecting - Catalogs for the Collector
Very early in his or her collecting efforts every stamp collector will need the guidance of several sources of information. But the indispensable source of information about stamps remains the catalog.

Stamp Collecting - Watermarks
Part of the joy of collecting stamps is examining them - to discover their origin and history, or simply to enjoy them as works of art. Part of that process involves looking for and identifying watermarks.

Stamp Collecting - Forgeries
Determining the value of a stamp can be a complex affair. It's made more so by the existence of forgeries.

Stamp Collecting - A Beginner's Glossary
Today, everything has become specialized. Still, even the amateur who pursues his object for the love of doing, rather than monetary gain has to employ the same terminology as the professional.