Marvin Cervantes asked:


Stamp collecting is one hobby that is loved all over the world. Aside from the wonderful experience that stamps give to the collectors, it is also a very inexpensive hobby.
Stamp collecting does not only involve collecting stamps per se but also other stamp-related pieces such as envelopes and packages which contains the stamps. Would one believe that stamp collectors are revenue-generating agents for countries which make limited edition stamps?

There are collectors who are involved in collecting stamps for the sheer fun of it. There are those who have taken stamp collecting into a higher level and have taken a philatelic way of stamp collecting. Philately is basically the study of the intricate details of a stamp. Many have become philatelists because they have seen the value of the stamps.

If one is starting to collect stamps, he can ask his immediate family members or friends for their stamps if they are not into collecting. Many people just throw away stamps without realizing that there are people who might be interested in them. One might want to ask his grandparents regarding stamps, they may have saved some stamps from years ago. Older stamps are harder to find and most probably more expensive than the common ones which are produced today.

There are certain basic things that a stamp collector needs to be able to do. These things will make someone enjoy stamp collecting and preserve the integrity of his stamps. Whether a collector is a casual stamp collector or a philatelist, these are must-do things in stamp collecting.

A good stamp collector:

- keeps his collections safe

Collecting stamps or anything in general is not about gathering all the items and leaving them somewhere in the corner of a room for it to catch dust or cobwebs. In collecting stamps, the items should be safely kept in a container (usually an album) which will keep them from being damaged or destroyed. The slightest tear or scratch on a stamp will definitely decrease its value.

-has the right supplies

In relation to the previous trait of a good collector, he must have the proper tools to be able to keep his collection safe. Having the right tools doesn’t mean spending one’s pockets out. Stamp collecting supplies are relatively inexpensive and one can avail them without digging too much into there pockets.

-knows what to collect

There’s nothing wrong with collecting any kind of stamp in general, especially if one is just beginning to collect stamps. However, there would come a time that a collector feels the need to specifically target a certain set which he would want to collect. There are many different kinds of stamps which are out there for collecting. There are postage stamps, postal stationery, revenue stamps, first day covers and other stamp collectibles.

If there are duplicate stamps, one might consider selling the duplicates or exchanging them for other kinds of stamps. This will avoid redundancy in the collection and allow it to expand.

-knows how to assess the value of his stamps

Stamps can be very valuable. One needs to have basic knowledge on how to appraise the value of his stamps. He can start by reading stamp catalogs and other detailed informational materials. Stamp catalogs list the price of different kinds of collectible stamps, they also give some nifty facts about certain stamps. One can also ask the help of expert stamp collectors about the values of certain stamps which are not included in the catalogs.

These are just a few traits of a good stamp collector. No matter how one collects or what he collects, the important thing is that he enjoys what he does and finds meaning in it.



MICHEAL

Jerald Shin Shapiro asked:


What are Stamp Collecting Organizations?

Due to the massive, albeit apparently dwindling popularity of stamp collecting, numerous organizations have been formed concerning this activity. From local community stamp collecting clubs, to stamp collectors’ online communities and forums over the internet, to other special-interest groups and national organizations, stamp collectors definitely find even more joy and satisfaction in their passion for postage stamps when they are able to share this passion with other individuals of the same interest.

Are there Stamp Collecting Organizations in the US? If so, Which Among Them are the Most Credible and where Can I Get a Hold of Them?

In the United States, one of the largest and most well-known as well as respected stamp collecting organizations is the American Philatelic Society, a non-profit organization that has their own site over the internet. The organization boosts of thousands of members and are serious about their interest and passion for stamp collecting.

What Happens if You’re a Member of a Stamp Collecting Organization?
Stamp collecting organizations not only provide its members the opportunity to meet and mingle with individuals who have the same interest as they do, it is also an important venue in which avid and serious stamp collectors obtain valuable resources and links to hard-to-find collectible postage stamps. Through exhibits and auctions, stamp collectors are able to make deals and trades with fellow stamp collectors.

Do Stamp Collecting Organizations Cater to the Needs of Stamp Collectors and Dealers alike?

Stamp collecting organizations are also a venue for stamp dealers and companies to advertise and market their items and goods to a very interested and niched audience. Stamp collecting organizations may form links and affiliations with trusted and credible companies or dealers. They may also organize events where stamp dealers can show off their items to very eager and interested prospective buyers. And because stamp collectors trust the judgment and standards of the stamp collecting organization they belong to, they will also see stamp dealers and companies that their organizations advertise as credible and trustworthy as well.  

How Can I Join a Stamp Collecting Organization?

You may coordinate with your local stamp collecting club and check if it is affiliated with a larger stamp collecting organization. If so, inquire with your club president or leader on how you may join the stamp collecting organizations that your stamp collecting club is connected to. You can also research over the internet, by visiting the official sites of stamp collecting organizations.



PETER

Jerald Shin Shapiro asked:


There’s no question about the interest and fun value of stamp collection. All you have to do is let them see special stamps that contain famous cartoon figures and they’re instantly hooked! Add a few interesting facts about other types of stamps - like explaining how many Sony Playstation sets they can purchase with a rare stamp - and you’ll no doubt have an obsessive philatelist in your hand.

Indeed, there’s no trouble in catching the interest of your kid - but the problem is how you can maintain that interest and turn your kid into a good stamp collector.

It would be such a waste if your kid started early on this hobby then end up bored or disappointed with his collection. With proper training, however, you’ll be able to ensure that your kid will be a responsible stamp collector and grow up with a hobby that he can always depend on to cheer him up - and maybe earn him a few bucks as well in the future.

Lesson 1: Let Your Kid Know about the Importance of Taking Responsibility
Kids are essentially immature and irresponsible but that doesn’t mean they can’t change or we can’t train them to become more mature and responsible. With the right motivation and guidance, your kid can become a good stamp collector - one who knows the value of his collection and gives it the care it deserves.

Don’t force your kid to love his stamp collection if it’s obvious that he’s not into it. There are just some things that parents and kids can never agree on. On the other hand, don’t be too harsh in reprimanding your kid when he commits a little mistake here and there. That’s the easiest way to drive your kid away and make him lose interest in stamp collecting entirely.

Lesson 2: Help Him Discover the Beauty of Stamps

Use illustrations and vivid descriptions to help him appreciate the stories behind each and every stamp he adds on to his collection. Explain the significance of the Penny Black and commemorative stamps that were issued by countries like Afghanistan or Russia.

Kids are known to let their imaginations govern their minds and hearts so it’s important for parents to capture their kids’ imaginations as well if they wish to succeed in turning them into responsible stamp collectors.

Lesson 3: Lead by Example

One of the most difficult things to do when collecting stamps is sorting, cleaning and drying them. Make sure that you teach your kid how to remove bits of paper stuck at the back of a stamp in a careful, step-by-step process. Be patient if he doesn’t get it at the first try. Be properly impressed when he finally does it right.

Lesson 4: Mounting Stamps

The penultimate step in this process is teaching your kid how to properly mount his stamps. Teach him how to organize stamps in an album and why some stamps should be always kept in front while other stamps are not worth keeping. Let him know about the importance of keeping duplicates and how it will help him widen his collection.

Lesson 5: Trading and Earning

Even kids are not invulnerable to the lure of money. To increase your kid’s love for stamp collecting, let him have his first try at trading stamps. Make sure that he truly has a rare stamp he could sell at a profit. His first trade will be something he’ll remember for a very long time and it would also be the one that would serve as motivator to keep him hooked with stamp collecting - and away from befriending gangs or exposed to any bad influence.



TRACEY

BattleFlanky asked:

Finish. … Lawn Bowls Checkers Bird Watching Stamp Collecting

RODERICK

teddy asked:


i collect stamps im new to it and i dont want to get a expensave book pricey yet are there any free websites or downloads that you could scan a stamp into and it would tell you its price cat number , king and name???? thanx you 4 ur help

TYRONE

SmithsonianNPM asked:

You see stamps every day but have you ever really looked at them? “Stamps: An American Journey” tells the surprising story of the journey of stamps from an idea, to art, to issued stamp. It features National Postal Museum Curator of Philately Cheryl Ganz. Thanks to The United States Postal Service for providing this exciting video. … stamps “stamp collecting” USPS

LUCAS

lockdoct33 asked:

, moisture Protection is Imported Fire Safes (Dry fire clay min. burglary Protection) Tax Returns Insurance Papers, Etc. Domestic Fire Safes (UL 2hr. 350 degree Fahrenheit rating - min. burglary Protection) Next time we will tell you about safes for personal Valuables, as well as commercial applications, Pops Locksmith repairs And services all safes, combination changes, openings, And regular scheduled maintenance to keep your safe Working properly and prevent lockouts before they happen. …

ERIK

HS asked:


I have to visit the US Consulate in Vancouver for my H1 Visa interview on a Monday. On Tuesday (next day), I should be collecting my visa stamped passport from the Consulate. What’s the earliest time I can collect the passport on Tuesday. I need to fly to Montreal on Tuesday and the last flight to Montreal leaves Vanncouver at 4:50PM.

VERN

BattleFlanky asked:

Part 2 … Lawn Bowls Checkers Bird Watching Stamp Collecting

FERDINAND

Jérôme Dufresnes asked:


Stamps are used by millions of people daily yet few of us give them any thought. We take them for granted, seeing them as mere functional objects. It is true that they are functional objects but not only. Ask any stamp collector and he or she will tell you that a stamp is a lot more than that. In the case of used stamps, a lot of them tell a story and reflect the period and mood of the country in which they were issued.

Let us backtrack for a while and talk about the history of stamps and how they came about. It is commonly accepted that stamps were first introduced in the United Kingdom in 1840 with the penny black stamp. It was a revolution of sorts since it meant that the sender had to pay the postage fee and not the recipient like before. Shortly after the two pence blue stamp was issued. On thing to note is that the United Kingdom is to this day the only country whose name does not appear on its stamps.

As you know, stamp collecting is a very popular hobby throughout the world. Some people prefer to collect brand new stamps while others prefer to collect used stamps that actually served their purpose. Some of course do not discriminate and collect both. There are a lot of different types of stamps. Some stamps are issued for collecting rather than postal use. Let us have a quick look at the type of stamps available and their characteristics.

First is the definitive stamp. This is simply your regular stamp in any denomination that you can buy at the post office. These stamps often feature symbols of the country of issuance. They usually begin at the smallest unit of currency and can go up to fifty to a hundred times the usual postage rate. Collectors are looking to collect every denomination of a definitive series.

The commemorative stamp, like its name suggests, is a stamp issued to commemorate an important event, person or location. A few of these are usually issued each year, the first day of issues normally taking place where in the location associated with the person or event.

Pictorial stamps, also referred to as simply pictorials, are stamps depicting a representative landscape of the country of issuance.

Revenue stamps are stamps that were not intended for mail (although some stamps could be used both for revenue and postage) but for collecting taxes and fees. These stamps actually predate the postage stamps. Revenue stamps are issued by the finance ministry.



RUFUS