I have inherited a stamp collection and would like to keep it going. Where is a good place to start researching and collecting? Are there any good website available.
2007-01-02 09:36:21 · 7 answers · asked by cinnamon3112 1 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
I AM a stamp collector and I suggest that you ignore the Mystic idea. . .they are really expensive for buying stamps.
Linns dot com is a website. Look at their "beginners' page. eBay is a place to buy stamps for not a lot of money. Before you buy, get a "Scott" catalog (from your public library) and try to figure out how to use it. Read the introduction pages. There are 6 volumes and allllllllll stamps printed from alllll countries are listed there!! Imagine. So you can find out what you own.
Most stamps are not worth much. Some are worth the moon.If it is mostly used stamps from the USA then they look pretty. If the stamps are unused (got their gum on the back) and look fresh, you can use them on letters even, if they are US or England.
Oh, one thing: All stamps with the reigning monarch (now it is Elizabeth 2) are English stamps and alllll other countries have to put the name of the country on the stamp. Usually they use their own language name: Norge = Norway, Belgique = Belgium and all that. But England has only the head oaf the kind or queen, because they were the first to invent postage stamps and did not think to put a name on it!!
2007-01-02 10:14:41 · answer #1 · answered by thisbrit 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First see what countries the stamps are from and if mint orused. Best start is the local library as Scott stamp cataloges have stamp identifiers for foriegn and US stamps. Used stamps is the cheapest way to collect but look for the lightest cancel if possible. Mint is good also but costs a little more and if it is colorful stamps you like then might be the best way to go. Collecting by topic like flowers can be fun. But check the album you have to see if that is what you want to collect. Linn's is a good site to start. Check out books on stamp collecting at the library and read over before starting.
http://www.linns.com/
2007-01-05 06:26:12 · answer #2 · answered by eagle_451 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the post office is a great place, but you could also try family, friends, and businesses that get deliveries all the time, like antique shops and book stores, because they will get stamps from all over the world. good luck.
2007-01-02 17:46:36 · answer #3 · answered by Special K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To learn about the hobby, sometimes your local library might have books on the topic. linns.com have a wealth at information at http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/rc.asp
How you obtain stamps depends what country or topic you want to collect and whether you want mint (unused) stamps or used stamps. Mint stamps from your own country are the easiest--you can get a subscription with the post office. If you want mint from other countries or fill in gaps, you probably best start off from a dealer. Bear in mind though that mint stamps are quite expensive.
A more economical option is collecting used stamps. The easiest way start is to buy bulk packets from a stamp dealer. There are many advertising on the internet, but shop around before you buy. You can buy mixtures on paper and off paper. On paper means you have to soak and dry the stamps yourself (see "soaking" in linns.com reference above). It's often cheaper to buy them that way.
Alternatively, if you have access to business mail rooms or other places that receive lots of mail, maybe you can ask if they'll let you have the stamps. It's a bit of work as you have to clip the stamps from the envelops, get rid of the leftover paper (recycle it preferably!) and soak, dry and sort the stamps.
Once you have a good supply of duplicates, you can also try searching on the internet for people who wish to swap. For example, you might be in USA and you're interested in UK stamps, so find someone in UK who is interested in USA stamps. I'm in Australia and I've put together really good Canada and Italy collections by trading with Canadian and Italian collectors who want Australian stamps. Be careful though, as from time to time you'll find someone dishonest. Best start with exchanging common stamps until you learn to trust your trading partner.
I haven't looked at ebay myself but I've heard you can sometimes get stamps there too.
If you're starting of, it's a good idea to begin by collecting whatever comes your way. Soon you'll find that it's impossible to collect every stamp in the world, and you'll want to start focusing on more specific areas such as specific countries or topics.
Another thing you'll need is equipment. At the very least, you'll need a pair of stamp tongs for handling your stamps and stock books to store them in. As you get more into it, you might need a perforation gauge and other tools. If you want to arrange your collection for display, stock books become fairly limited. You may want an album (hinged for used stamps or mounted for mint stamps) but that's for you to decide later.
Good luck, and enjoy your hobby!
2007-01-03 00:13:53 · answer #4 · answered by Raichu 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Are they from any particular company? If not, try www.mysticstamp.com. They have a great website if you are just starting out. Good luck and have fun.
2007-01-02 17:40:40 · answer #5 · answered by sharonklaus8567 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i don't know to much about the ubject but ill say the post office
2007-01-02 17:40:30 · answer #6 · answered by juggling_chef 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
E-BAY
2007-01-03 22:26:26 · answer #7 · answered by gotgoji 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋