This is a fun pastime with minimal restrictions, but it’s much more than that. For many stamp collectors, collecting stamps is a means to learn about the globe, its numerous countries, its unique histories, stunning artwork, and vibrant cultures.
This activity does not necessitate the purchase of pricey equipment. Simple stamp collecting supplies will come in handy. Choose a field or area of focus that you’d want to gather before you begin. This article can assist you in making a decision if you are undecided.
Why should you start collecting stamps?
At Tony Lester, we believe stamp collecting is a fascinating and intriguing pastime that allows you to learn about history, geography, art, and politics. It may be a therapeutic hobby or a way to meet individuals with similar interests and join organizations and organisations. Stamp collecting is also a fantastic pastime to introduce your children to. It’s a non-tech hobby that may bring youngsters closer to their elders, who may have also gathered when they were little.
A brief history of the stamp
You’re going to get a pin collector knowing a bit more about the stamps and their origins. In the United Kingdom in 1840, the first stamp is named the Penny Black. This little paper transformed the way we shipped posts and was quite popular. From that moment on, new designs were manufactured every year in nations across the world. You can view more on the history of stamps here.
Words you’ll need to know.
Philately: Philately is a term used to describe the analysis of postage stamps and their related fields.
Definitive stamp: This is a stamp that depicts the profile of the monarch’s head and is designed for long-term usage.
Commemorative stamp: A commemorative stamp honours a specific event or topic, and is often referred to as a “Special” stamp because it isn’t always associated with an anniversary.
Used: This is a stamp that can not be reused o the mail as it has been annulled by a postal authority.
Mint: A stamp that is in the same condition as when it was issued by a post office: this stamp is also undamaged or unused, uncancelled and with its original gum, this stamp is in excellent shape.
Cancellation: A postal marking is placed to the top of a stamp to signify that it has been through the mail and to deface the stamp, making it unusable.
Perforation: By removing little bits of paper from the spaces between the stamps, you can make it simpler to separate individual stamps.
Basic stamp collecting equipment you may want to buy
The equipment that will be required, like any collecting pastime, will be mainly determined by how much you plan to specialize in your chosen topic.
For starters, stamps are the first thing that you will need. It is more sensible if you spend more money on the stamps, less money should be spent on the equipment. The following are a list of the recommended fundamental equipment’s:
A pair of stamp tongs or tweezers
Tongs are a must-have for any stamp collector. Start with tongs that have a spade end rather than those that have ‘tipped’ tongs and once you’ve become used to handling stamps with them, you may choose a type that most fits you.
Magnifying glass:
A magnifying tool is essential for stamps, make sure to use a suitable magnifier and don’t choose one that goes higher than x10 as it will not give you a good context of your stamps.
Perforation guide
A perforation gauge is helpful to quantify the number of perforations in a specified region, the sole variation between two identical stamps.
Watermark detector fluid:
You don’t have to purchase a costly technological gadget, regular simple water-mark fluid and a water-mark tray typically will allow your water-mark to become apparent soon.
Stamp albums
Until you’ve amassed large enough collections to warrant investing in more costly albums, a loose-leaf book or ring binder will suffice to hold your stamps. These are inexpensive and enable you to quickly reorganize your collection if necessary.
Colour guide:
A helpful tool that allows you to differentiate stamps that seem identical but vary significantly in shade – which can have a significant impact on their total value.
Hinges
These are tiny gummed strips that are used to secure stamps to album pages.
An atlas or map
If you opt to collect stamps coming from a country, one will be necessary to help you know where in the globe is – or if it’s simpler, you may utilize the internet
A stamp identification book
Specialized reference books and stamp catalogues assist you to identify a stamp and provide you with further information on how it was made and the release date.
What stamps can I collect?
By Country
Each country’s stamps are generally a representation of that country’s culture and history, making this one of the most popular methods to categorize or assemble a collection. You might aim to collect at least one stamp from each nation, or you could concentrate on stamps issued throughout the reigns of various kings.
By Historical Period
Creating a stamp collection based on a period of history lets you work beyond national borders. Each issue in the United Kingdom has a picture of the reigning monarch. Other nations define eras in various ways, therefore if you want to concentrate on an event in history or as well a well-known era, such as a war, you may collect stamps from all over the world.
By Topic or Theme
If you already have a passion (planes, trains, vehicles, influential personalities, architecture, or flowers, for example), you may seek stamp designs that are related to that activity. This will frequently help to collect stamps from many countries and times based on a common subject.
By Shape
To make it more difficult for yourself, look for stamps that are unique or odd in shape. Alternatively, you could wish to start a collection that is entirely made up of non-rectangular stamps, enabling you to seek triangular, circular, or square components.
By Colour
Instead of limiting yourself to a single topic or theme, you could choose to create a collection depending on a single colour or a colour palette. This gives you greater freedom to collect stamps from various countries and times.
Where can I get stamps from?
Stamp packets:
A fantastic and very inexpensive method to start a new stamp collection by purchasing hundreds of used stamps. Ensure the package is labelled ‘all different to get a broader range of stamps rather than multiples of the same one. Stamp packages comprising the UK and international stamps are widely sold online and at stamp shows.
Save used stamps
Request that friends, relatives, or a local company collect stamps for you and send them on to you. Everyone who gets foreign mail may receive goods of special interest.
Swap stamps
Once you get some stamps that you are not interested in, you can trade or swap those with some other collectors.
Join a stamp collectors’ club
You can also join a stamp collectors club. Usually, most collectors set up meetings where they swap stamps as well as share some tips. They also talk about philately.
Attend a stamp auction
If there are any stamp auctions near you, you may choose to attend them. This gives you an opportunity to see stamps up-close and become familiar with them.
Sorting and soaking your stamps
How to soak stamps
The following steps can be used to soak your stamps:
Add clean water into a bowl, then float each stamp on the surface of the water in the bowl. (the design of the stamp should face downwards)
2. Float as many stamps as possible at any given time.
3. Set aside for 15 minutes to allow the water to saturate the gum, causing it to adhere to the paper.
4. Carefully pull the stamp off the paper with your fingertips. If it doesn’t come off easily, soak it again for 5 minutes, then attempt the removing process again.
Proceed with caution!
If you submerge stamps in water, the ink will flow more easily, so proceed cautiously.
The envelopes or the papers on which the stamps are fastened can alternatively be used as colours. Soak objects such as these individually so that you don’t run the danger of discolouration. If, during the soaking procedure, you notice the ink flowing through a stamp or its supporting paper, remove this object from the water and refill the water so that additional stamps can be spotted.
When stamps are wet or moist, they are readily damaged. You should make sure to avoid using tweezers or stamp tongs at this point because you risk ruining them. If there is remaining gum on the reverse of a stamp after peeling it off from its supporting sheet, try removing it with a soft moist brush.
How to dry stamps:
1. After soaking them for the last time, you should lay these stamps on clean and dry paper, they should be placed flat. The stamps should be far away from each other.
2. Next, get kitchen paper and use it to cover wet stamps. Then blot away any excess water by pressing on these stamps, gently.
3. cover the stamps with normal paper once they are all laid out.
4. Leave the stamps for 30 to 60 minutes, then gently remove each stamp and let them air dry for about 3-4 hours.
5. The stamps should never be placed on sunlight or radiators because this can damage them.
How to find a watermark
Putting a stamp up to a bright light source will reveal a watermark. Using watermark fluid and a tray is the greatest approach to view a stamp in greater detail. The watermark fluid must not harm the gums and will typically dry up shortly. Cover the bottom of your tray with non-toxic watermark detection fluid.
When you put the stamp design in the tray, the watermark will appear nearly instantaneously. Watermarks may be used on both new and old stamps, although it’s a good idea to start with inexpensive stamps.
The gums should not be affected by a decent fluid, and they will typically dry shortly afterwards. To avoid drying, the watermark fluid should be used in a very well ventilated location and close the lid quickly after use.
Mounting and displaying your stamp collection
There are two main ways of mounting stamps that collectors accept:
Stamp hinges
If you have stamps that have been mounted before, these are the best choice. These are made of glassine paper and have a rectangular shape. The outside has gum, the paper used to make these stamp hinges are free of acid.
Stamp mounts
This is the best selection when it comes to unused stamps. They are small pockets that can be used to hold un-mounted stamps, allowing you to put them in an album without having any impact on the gum.
Alternative products
Apart from the two methods mentioned above, there are also other alternative methods that you can use:
Stock-books: Most dealers use stock books. This is a very time-effective way of storing your stumps in an organized manner. In a stick book, every page is comprised of horizontal rows that create a long pocket for you to store your stamps.
Hinge-less albums: This looks more like a photo album but is made of small pockets that let you store your stamps. Stamp tongs can be used to insert the stamps in the pockets.
Cover albums: These are more like an envelope, these are able to show unusual postal marks, the reason that most collectors use them.
How can I tell if my stamps are valuable?
You probably want to know the value of your stamps before you sell them. There are several ways in which you can tell if your stamps are valuable.
For example, you can select the values of the stamp yourself, look at the printed books for reference, check the internet to find stamp values, partake in stamp shows as well as take the stamp to an expert for evaluation.
To figure out the stamp values on your own, you’ll need to do the following:
- Determine the stamp’s identity.
- Find out when the stamp was first released.
- Learn about the stamp’s age and the substance it was made of.
- Determine the design’s centring.
- Examine the gum on the stamp.
- Examine the holes to see how they’re doing.
- Check to see if the stamp has been cancelled.
- Determine the stamp’s rarity.
- Check to see whether the stamp has a fascinating and verifiable backstory.
You can also find out the value of your stamps by checking certain sites online such as stamp sites, stamp dealers, auction and forum sites.
Watching stamp shows can also give you an idea of your stamps value, when you go to stamp exhibitions, make sure to engage with other stamp collectors.
Find out the value of the stamp through a qualified stamp expert, dealer or assessor: Many experienced stamp collectors feel that it is best to professionally evaluate the value of your stamps.