Stamps

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No. 21962051

China - postcard

Wenyi Zhang
Selected by Wenyi Zhang

Expert in Modern & Contemporary Art

Sold for €600
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Questions? Our Stamps experts have answers

Stamp collecting is one of the world's most popular pastimes, and there are an estimated 20 million stamp collectors globally. Regardless of your age or background, collecting stamps can be a fulfilling and exciting hobby.

To start your stamp collection, identify a theme(s) first to organize your collection. Some common themes include famous people, countries, animals, sports, or flowers.

Once you've chosen your theme, gather some basic tools to make collecting stamps easier and more efficient. Some essential tools you'll require include stamp tweezers, a stamp magnifying glass, and a stamp album or binder. With these tools in place, you can start collecting stamps.

Start your collection with stamps from your own mail. You can also gather stamps through family and friends.

If you enjoy writing and receiving letters, consider getting a penpal. Corresponding regularly with a pen pal can enable you to build a stamp collection fast and get rare stamps you wouldn't normally find. Check out pen pal websites like PenPal World, Global Penfriends, or Penpal to find penpals.

If you want to build a large stamp collection in almost no time, you can also buy stamp packets from stamp dealers, hobby shops, or online stores. Just be sure to buy an ''all-different'' stamp packet to avoid getting multiples of the same stamp.

As you build your stamp collection, make sure you store your stamps in a stamp album. Keeping them in one will protect them from damage and enable you to identify stamps you need to add to your collection easily. Also, use stamp tweezers to handle your stamps rather than your fingers to avoid fingerprint damage.

The terms philately and stamp collecting are sometimes used interchangeably. However, they aren't quite the same. While philately may involve stamp collecting, it is primarily the study of postage stamps and postal history. In fact, it's possible to engage in philately without owning a stamp collection.

An individual who engages in philately is known as a philatelist. Philatelists study the technical aspects of stamp production and identification, such as the stamp design process, print method, paper used, separation process, and gum used, to name but a few things. Common tools philatelists use to perform these tasks include stamp tweezers or tongs, stamp magnifying glasses, perforation gauges, stamp catalogs, and stamp hinges.

Besides studying the technical aspects of stamps, philatelists also study postal history. This may involve studying postmarks, postal authorities, post offices, postal regulations, and letter delivery systems to understand how postal services and letter delivery have changed over time.

Some experienced philatelists also study philatelic fakes and forgeries to discern the difference between authentic and inauthentic stamps.

While philatelists mainly study stamps, some are also hobbyists who enjoy collecting stamps. Some popular societies where philatelists gather to share the various aspects of philately include The Royal Philatelic Society London, the American Philatelic Society, and The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada.

Stamp collecting can be an enjoyable and exciting hobby. However, some stamps are more valuable than others due to various factors.

Stamps are usually more valuable if they're in mint condition. Stamps in the same pristine condition as when issued by the Post Office (unused with the original gum intact) are worth more than damaged ones.

Stamps with vibrant and original colors are worth more than faded ones. If a stamp's color has faded due to moisture, sunlight, or dirt, appraisers will give it a lower value.

Stamps from countries where postal deliveries were uncommon are highly valued. These stamps, known as ''Classics,'' are prized for their rarity.

Additionally, while it may seem odd, stamps with rare errors are worth more than error-free stamps. For instance, the Baden 9 Kreuzer German stamp had a rare error. It was supposed to be pink but was printed green due to a printing error. As a result, it was eventually sold for about $1.5 million in 2008 at an auction.

Stamps with a cancellation mark (the mark a postal service makes on a stamp to indicate it has already been used) can also be highly valued if they have unique or special cancellation marks.

Besides these factors, stamps are usually worth more if they have no creases, neat perforations, and a face value with a high denomination.

Get a stamp catalog to determine how much different stamps are worth based on their rarity and other factors. Stamp catalogs usually contain a list of stamps issued worldwide alongside detailed descriptions.