[edit]Collecting
Stamp collecting is not the same as philately, which is the study of stamps. A philatelist may, but does not
have to, collect stamps. Many casual stamp collectors accumulate stamps for sheer enjoyment and
relaxation without worrying about the tiny details. The creation of a large or comprehensive collection,
however, may require some philatelic knowledge.
Postage stamps are often collected for their historical value and geographical aspects and they are also
collected for the many different subjects that have been depicted on them, ranging from ships, horses,
birds, Kings, Queens and Presidents.[2]
Stamp collectors are an important source of income for some countries who create limited runs of
elaborate stamps designed mainly to be bought by stamp collectors. The stamps produced by these
countries may exceed the postal needs of the countries, but may also feature attractive topical designs
that many collectors would like to have in their stamp album.
Queen Victoria's profile was a staple on 19th century stamps of the British Empire; here on a half-penny of theFalkland
Islands, 1891
[edit]History of stamp collecting
Postage stamp collecting began at the same time that stamps were first issued by their country, and by
1860 thousands of collectors and stamp dealers were appearing around the world as this new study and
hobby spread across Europe, European colonies, the United States and other parts of the world.
The first postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued by Britain in 1840 and pictured a young Queen
Victoria.[3] It was produced without perforations(imperforate) and consequently had to be cut from the
sheet with scissors in order to be used. While unused examples of the "Penny Black" are quite scarce,
used examples are quite common, and may be purchased for $20 to $200, depending upon condition.
People started to collect stamps almost straight away, one of the earliest and most notable was John
Edward Gray. In 1862 Gray stated that he "began to collect postage stamps shortly after the system was
established and before it had become a rage". [4]
As the hobby and study of stamps began to grow stamp albums and stamp related literature began to
surface and by the early 1880s publishers like Stanley Gibbons made a business out of this advent.
Children and teenagers were early collectors of stamps in the 1860s and 1870s. Many adults dismissed it
as a childish pursuit but later many of those same collectors, as adults, began to systematically study the
available postage stamps and publish books about them. Some stamps, such as the triangular issues of
the Cape of Good Hope, have become legendary. (See Stamps of the Cape of Good Hope).
Stamp collecting is a less popular hobby today than it was in the early 20th century, but today it is
estimated that about 25 million people enjoy the hobby in the United States, while worldwide the
estimated numbers of stamp collectors is around 200 million. Tens of thousands of stamp dealers supply
them with stamps along with stamp albums, catalogues and other publications. There are also thousands
of stamp (philatelic) clubs and organizations that provide them with the history and other aspects of
stamps. Today, though the number of collectors is somewhat less, stamp collecting is still one of the
world's most popular indoor hobbies.[5]
[edit]Stamp collecting equipment
A few basic items of equipment are needed to collect stamps. Stamp tongs help to handle stamps safely,
a magnifying glass helps in viewing fine details and an album is a convenient way to store stamps. The
stamps need to be attached to the pages of the album in some way and stamp hinges are a cheap and
simple way to do this, although some collectors prefer more expensive hingeless mounts if the stamps
are valuable. Another alternative is a stockbook where the stamps drop into clear pockets without the
need for a mount. Stamps should be stored away from light, heat and moisture or they will be damaged.
Stamps can be displayed according to the collector's wishes, by country, topic, or even by size, which can
create a display pleasing to the eye. There are no rules and it is entirely a matter for the individual
collector to decide.
A stockbook with clear plastic pockets is one of the safest ways to store stamps. Some collectors prefer a traditional
stamp album.
Clockwise from top left: hinge-mounted stamp, stamp about to be hinge-mounted, stamp damaged by a
hinge, stamp hinges.
A magnifying glass.
Stamp tongs with rounded tips help to prevent damage to stamps from skin oils and rough handling.
The tools and items of collecting all fit neatly on a desk blotter.
[edit]Acquiring stamps
Many collectors begin by asking family and friends to save stamps for them from their mail. Although the
stamps received by major businesses and those kept by elderly relatives may be of international and
historical interest, the stamps received from family members are often of the definitive sort. Definitives
seem mundane but, considering their variety of colours,watermarks, paper differences, perforations and
printing errors, they can fill many pages in a collection. Introducing either variety or specific focus to a
collection can require the purchasing of stamps, either from a dealer or online. Large numbers of
relatively recent stamps, often still attached to fragments or envelopes, may be obtained cheaply and
easily. Rare and old stamps can also be obtained, but these can be very expensive.
Duplicate stamps are those a collector already has and are not required, therefore, to fill a gap in a
collection. Duplicate stamps can be sold or traded, so they are an important medium of exchange among
collectors.
Many dealers sell stamps through the Internet while others have neighborhood shops which are one of
the best resources for beginning and intermediate collectors. Some dealers also jointly set up week-end
stamp markets called "bourses" that move around a region from week to week. They also meet collectors
at regional exhibitions and stamp shows.
