How can I begin stamp collecting?

Beginning a stamp collecting is as easy as collecting the stamps from your daily mail. Try it for a few weeks and see how many different stamps you can collect. Visit your local post office and ask to see the new commemorative stamps they have in stock.

• Publication. 225 - The Art of Stamp Collecting (USPS) http://www.usps.com/publications/pubs/welcome.htm
• Where to start if you’re just starting out http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/wheretobegin_19990719/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
• To help new collectors get started, first find out what they really want http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/getstarted_20060731/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
• Stamps, the hobby that offers you the world http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/getstarted_20060731/refreshercourse.asp?uID
• How to Collect Stamps Topically http://www.americantopicalassn.org/seniors.htm
• Topical collecting can unite your interests http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/topicsandthemes_19980420/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
• How to Collect http://www.stamps.net/how.htm
• How to Collect http://www.wikihow.com/Collect-Stamps
• Beginner Books http://www.stamp2.com/shoppe/books/default.asp
• Basics http://www.iswsc.org/iswsc_begbook.shtml
• Stamp Collecting Basics http://www.stamps.net/basics.htm
• Introduction to Stamp Collecting (NPM) http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/stamp/5a_introduction.html
• Soaking Stamps http://www.1840on.co.uk/HELP%20HOW%20TO%20SOAK%20STAMPS.htm
• Soaking Stamps http://www.stamp2.com/library/howto/0005.asp
• Soaking Stamps http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/soaking_20050502/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
• Soaking Stamps http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/tips_20070611/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
• Soaking Stamps http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/soakingstamps_19980112/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
• Some useful tips for sorting foreign stamps http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/tips_20040830/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
• Working a mixture: inexpensive, fun collecting http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/mixtures_20010806/refreshercourse.asp?uID=

A. How may I obtain stamps?

• How to Get Stamps (AskPhil.org) http://askphil.org/b10.htm
• Ten Low Cost Ways to Start Collecting Stamps (APS) http://stamps.org/kids/images/10ways.pdf
• Free: Beginning Stamp Collecting Seminar (APS) http://stamps.org/Education/stampsat.pdf
• Where to Buy Stamps http://www.stamps.net/buying.htm

B. How may I identify stamps?

This stamp says it is from Helvetia. Where is Helvetia? A stamp identifier will help you.

• Identifying all classic U.S. stamps: Excellent site to identify varieties of U.S. stamps http://www.1847usa.com/
• Worldwide Stamp Identifier (International Society of Worldwide Stamp Collectors) http://www.iswsc.org/iswsc_ident.html
• Glossary of Stamp Collecting Terms (askphil.org) http://www.askphil.org/b25.htm
• Stamp identifiers on AskPhil for U.S. Washington/Franklin series http://www.askphil.org/W-F/Index.htm
• How to Identify Your Stamps (Mystic) http://www.mysticstamp.com/content.asp?contentID=11
• Stamp Inscriptions http://www.philatelicdatabase.com/category/stamp inscriptions/
• Identifier http://www.rarities.com.sg/identifier/default.asp
• Data on Plate Number Coils http://www.pnc3.org
• Data on modern booklets plus checklist of older booklets http://www.pnc3.org

C. How can I arrange my stamp collection?

You will enjoy your collection more if you organize it so you can see all of the stamps. Albums and stock books will keep the stamps safe and accessible.

1. Stamp albums and stock books – to store what I collect
• How to Select an Album (askphil.org) http://www.askphil.org/b20.htm
• Collectors use albums to store their stamps (Linn’s) http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/albums_19990809/refreshercourse.asp?uID=#
• Storing/Mounting Stamps http://www.stamps.net/storing.htm
• Displaying your collection http://www.1840on.co.uk/HELP%20HOW%20TO%20KEEP%20STAMPS.HTM
• Storage & Care http://esperstamps.org/primer4a.htm
• Storing & Displaying http://www.stamporama.com/faq/faq.php?faq=album
• For Beginning Collectors
• Free Album Pages (International Society of Worldwide Stamp Collectors) http://www.iswsc.org/iswsc_page.shtml
• Free Stamp Album Pages (APS) http://stamps.org/Education/edu_AlbumPages.htm
• For Intermediate Collectors
• Have lasting fun: How to create your own album pages (Linn’s) http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/album_20060710/refreshercourse.asp
• Blank pages can fulfill your collecting dreams (Linn’s) http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/albums_20010402/refreshercourse.asp?uID=#
• Advanced and Specialty Collectors’ albums
• Scott Albums (Amos) http://www.amosadvantage.com/scottonline/productgroup.asp?find%5Fcategory=ALBKIT&category=ALBKIT&part%5Fno=&Tab=stamp
• Affordable U.S. and Foreign Stamp Album Pages http://stampalbums.com
2. Hinges and mounts – to attach the items I collect to album pages
• How to Use Hinges, Mounts & Tongs (askphil) http://www.askphil.org/b18.htm
• How to Use Stamp Mounts (askphil) http://www.askphil.org/b47.htm
• Use hinges and mounts to suit your needs http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/mounts_20010723/refreshercourse.asp?uID=

• Here’s how to hinge, mount and handle stamps to avoid damaging them http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/hinging_20070108/refreshercourse.asp?uID=

D. What tools and supplies are available to help me?

You don’t need much more than stamps and a place to put them to begin a collection, but having a few useful tools will make your collecting activities more fun and help you protect the stamps you collected.

• Hinging http://www.stamp2.com/library/howto/0003.asp
• Collecting Tools http://www.stamps.net/tools.htm
• Must have tools start beginners off right http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/tools_20020107/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
• Tools http://www.stamp2.com/library/equip.asp

1. Catalogs and price lists – to let me know what is available
   • Stamp Catalogs http://www.stamps.net/catalogs.htm
   • Catalogs http://www.1840on.co.uk/HELP%20WITH%20STAMP%20CATALOGUES%20&%20BOOKS.htm
   • There’s more to the catalog than stamp listings http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/catalog_20040531/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
   • Cataloging stamps: an approach for beginners http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/cataloging_20041129/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
   • Catalogs http://www.atozee.com/web/stamps/catalogs.html
   • Scott Catalogs
   • Scott Catalogs (Amos) http://www.amosadvantage.com/scottonline/productgroup.asp?find%5Fcategory=CLG&category=CLG&part%5Fno=C093DVD&Tab=stamp
   • Stanley Gibbons Stanley Gibbons Catalogs (Gibbons website) http://shop.stanleygibbons.com/index.asp?page=pubs&catgrouping=catalogues
   • Brookman Price Guide Brookman Price Guide (Brookman Cover Specialist) http://www.coverspecialist.com/index.php?page=guide
   • Mystic’s U.S. Stamp Catalog http://www.mysticstamp.com/ad/lookupAd.asp?adCode=SC87C&gclid=CMmr4dDzkJQCFQVxFQodsxjGuA
2. Stamp tongs - “tweezers” used to pick up stamps
   • How to Buy Stamp Tongs (askphil) http://www.askphil.org/b49.htm
   • Three Tips for Stamp Collectors: Soaking Stamps, Choosing and Album and Using Tongs (APS) http://stamps.org/kids/images/3tips.pdf
   • Stamp Tongs (Subway product line) http://www.subwaystamp.com/products.asp?dept=253
   • Basic Tools of the Stamp Collector (Mystic) http://www.mysticstamp.com/content.asp?contentID=60
   • Handle and store your collection with care http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/handlingstamps_20000228/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
3. Magnifiers – to see small details of my stamps
   • How to Buy a Magnifier (askphil) http://www.askphil.org/b53.htm
4. Perforation gauges – to measure the holes that separate stamps
   • How to use a Perforation Gauge (askphil) http://www.askphil.org/b03.htm
   • Stamps with teeth: perforations need not perplex collectors http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/teeth_20071126/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
   • Perforations http://members.tripod.com/~ajward/stamps/basics1.htm#perf
5. Watermark devices – to see the watermark that paper may have
   • How to Buy Watermark Fluid (askphil) http://www.askphil.org/b52.htm
   • How to Buy a Watermark Tray (askphil) http://www.askphil.org/b51.htm
   • Check watermarks to identify valuable stamps http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/watermarks_20000710/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
6. Stamp Collecting Terms and Abbreviations
   • Glossary of Stamp Collecting Terms (askphil) http://www.askphil.org/b25.htm
   • Basic Collecting Terms (Linn’s) http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/terms_20071231/refreshercourse.asp
   • Understanding Terms (Linn’s) http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/terms_20011217/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
   • Stamp Collecting Terms are Used Frequently http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/terms_20000410/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
   • Collectors Used Abbreviations to Communicate http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/abbreviations_19990830/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
   • Some Terms are Simple; Some are Not (Linn’s) http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/terminology_19981207/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
   • Don’t Let These Stamp Terms Confuse You (Linn’s) http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/terms_19980518/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
   • Language of Stamp Collecting (H-W) (Linn’s) http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/terms_20050711/refreshercourse.asp
   • Philatelic Terms http://www.stamps.net/terms.htm
   • Terminology http://www.1840on.co.uk/HELP%20STAMP%20COLLECTING%20TECHNICAL%20TERMS.HTM
   • Glossary http://www.philatelicdatabase.com/category/glossary/
   • Encyclopedia http://www.encyclopaediaphilatelica.net/
   • Terms Translated http://www.stamp2.com/library/translate/default.asp
   • Terms http://www.stamp2.com/library/terms.asp
   • Acronyms/Abbreviations http://www.stamp2.com/library/abbreviate.asp

E. How do I use stamp collecting equipment?

Having the right tools help you be a better collector, but you also must know how to use the tools to get the most out of them.

1. Choosing Tongs (Linn’s) http://www.linns.com/howto/choosingtongs/choosingtongs.asp?uID=
2. How do I use stamp tongs? – necessary tool for handling your stamps
   How to Buy Stamp Tongs (askphil) http://www.askphil.org/b49.htm
   Three Tips for Stamp Collectors: Soaking Stamps, Choosing and Album and Using Tongs (APS) http://stamps.org/kids/images/3tips.pdf
3. How do I use hinges? – to hold stamps in your album How to Use Hinges, Mounts & Tongs (askphil) http://www.askphil.org/b18.htm
4. How do I use mounts? - to hold stamps or covers (envelopes) in your album How to Use Hinges, Mounts & Tongs (askphil) http://www.askphil.org/b18.htm
5. How do I use a perforation gauge? – to measure perforations around the edges of stamps How to use a Perforation Gauge (askphil) http://www.askphil.org/b03.htm
6. How do I find the watermark on a stamp?
   Watermarking Stamps (Junior Philatelists on the Internet) http://www.junior-philatelists.com/watermarks.htm
   How to Watermark Stamps (askphil) http://www.askphil.org/b05.htm
7. How do I find a stamp in a stamp catalog? How to Use a Stamp Catalog (askphil) http://www.askphil.org/b17.htm
   There’s More to a Catalog Than Stamp Listings (Linns) http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/catalog_20040531/refreshercourse.asp
   Using the Catalogs (Linn’s) http://www.linns.com/howto/usingcatalogs/usingcatalogs.asp?uID=
8. Where do I buy stamp collecting equipment?
   • Stamp Supply Dealers
     • Subway Stamp Shop (Subway) http://www.subwaystamp.com/default.asp
     • Mystic Stamp Co. (Mystic) http://www.mysticstamp.com/content.asp?contentID=60
   • National Store Chains
   • Internet Suppliers
   • Stamp Stores
     • Dealer Mall (APS) http://www.stamps.org/directories/dir_dealermall.htm
   • Stamp Shows
     • Show Calendar (APS) http://www.stamps.org/directories/dir_ShowCalendar.htm

F. How may I store my stamps?

New collectors sometimes recruit an old shoebox in which to store their stamps. This is not a good idea. Store your stamps safely and you will be able to enjoy them for a long time.

1. Storing Stamps (linn’s) http://www.linns.com/howto/storingstamps/storingstamps.asp?uID=
2. Selecting a stamp album – to best highlight your collection
   -
   • Beginning collectors How to Store Stamps (askphil.org) http://www.askphil.org/b14.htm
     Heirloom Album for U.S. Stamps (Mystic) http://www.mysticstamp.com/spOfferDetail.asp?soID=42
   • Intermediate collectors Heirloom Album for U.S. Stamps (Mystic) http://www.mysticstamp.com/spOfferDetail.asp?soID=42
   • Advanced and Specialty albums http://www.amosadvantage.com/scottonline/productgroup.asp?find%5Fcategory=ALBKIT&category=ALBKIT&part%5Fno=&Tab=stamp
3. Using a stock book – an alternative or addition to a stamp album How to Store Stamps (askphil) http://www.askphil.org/b14.htm
4. Glassine envelopes – used to store stamps or “covers” (envelopes) Glassines (Linn’s) http://www.linns.com/howto/Glassines/glassines.asp?uID=
5. Caring for your collections

• Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/preserv/careothr.html
• Frequently asked questions (including dealing with mold) http://www.loc.gov/preserv/presfaq.html
• Preservation of Scrapbooks and Albums http://www.loc.gov/preserv/care/scrapbk.html
• Preservation Supply Catalogue http://www.loc.gov/preserv/supply/polyeste.html

Smithsonian Institution

• Postal Museum http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/stamp/5d_preserving1.html
• Museum Conservation Institute http://www.si.edu/mci/english/research/index.html
• Caring for Stamps http://members.tripod.com/~ajward/stamps/basics1.htm#care
• Conservation http://www.ephemerasociety.org/links/conservation.html
• Preservation and Care (APS) http://www.stamps.org/CARE/Pcpm.htm
• Some stampy tips on how to be a good collection curator http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/curator_20081027/refreshercourse.asp?uID=

Others

• Legacy Project: War Letters, Preserving your wartime letters http://www.warletters.com/preserve.html
• Stamps R Art: Your Care of Your Stamps and items of Philately http://www.stampsrart.com/care-of-stamps-art-philatelics-philately.html

Supply Companies

• Atlantic Protective Pouches http://www.atlanticprotectivepouches.com/
• E Gerber: polyester enclosures http://www.egerber.com/default.asp
• Gaylord Archival Supplies http://www.gaylordmart.com/listing.asp?H=3&PCI=128029
• Metal Edge, Inc: Archival Storage Supplies http://www.metaledgeinc.com/
• University Products: The Archival Company http://www.archivalsuppliers.com/

G. How do I make an exhibit of my stamp collection?

Stamp shows and exhibitions frequently have exhibits of stamp collections that have been made by people just like you. It is a fun and creative way to enjoy your collection and share it with others. Be sure to visit local stamp shows to see how others have created exhibits!

1. What is a stamp exhibit?
   • Exhibiting is a good way to learn, have fun (Linn’s) http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/exhibiting_20040405/refreshercourse.asp
2. How to build a stamp exhibit
   • Welcome to the World of Exhibiting (International Society of Worldwide Stamp Collectors) http://www.iswsc.org/exhibit.shtml
   • Exhibiting workshop tips (Fran Adams) http://www.franadams.com/workshop/worktips.html
   • Exhibiting is a good way to learn, have fun http://linnsonline.com/howto/refresher/exhibiting_20040405/refreshercourse.asp?uID=
   • American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors http://www.aape.org
3. Where to exhibit your stamps
   • Show Calendar (APS) http://www.stamps.org/directories/dir_ShowCalendar.htm
   • American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors http://www.aape.org
   • American Philatelic Society http://stamps.org/directories/dir_exhibitionforms.htm