Choose your collection interest carefully

by admin | Feb 14, 2011 | Beginner tips

When you first become interested in collecting stamps you often acquire way too many of them from different countries, themes, etc. I would guess that most collectors have stories to tell of purchases they later regretted. It is very easy to quickly acquire stacks and stacks of albums and stamps that can result in total chaos. Sorting stamps is a very time consuming exercise. 

Decide what you want to collect and stick to that. Your collection interest will probably develop and change over time as you become more experienced.

There are so many different areas of interest, but these are some that you may consider.

Collection by country:

-         Collect stamps from one country (e.g. South Africa, USA, France, etc.)

-         Starting a worldwide collection is not recommended, but if you are doing it purely for fun there is nothing wrong with it.

Collection by theme/topic:

-         We call these thematical or topical collections. This has become a very popular way to collect stamps. If you have another hobby or area of interest, it is very easy and enjoyable to build a stamp collection around it. You can basically build a thematic collection around almost any theme.

-         Some examples to get you thinking:

• Stamps with images of birds, butterflies, and fish are some of the most popular thematic collections.
• Collect stamps of your favourite animals, e.g. elephants, lions, cats, dogs, etc.
• Collect sport stamps, or stamps with your favourite sport as theme, e.g. golf, soccer, chess or cricket. You can also collect stamps of sporting events such as the Olympic Games, Soccer World cup, etc.
• Collect stamps of your favourite transport method, e.g. trains, ships, space, motor cars.
• Here are more themes to get you thinking: Famous person (e.g. Nelson Mandela), Arts, Architecture, Religion, Gemstones, Music, Maps on stamps, Stamps on stamps, etc.
• You can also develop collections of themes within themes by progressing to a deeper level of specialization. For example, try to collect one type of bird (e.g. owls or eagles), one type of dog (e.g. bullterrier), etc.

-         There are so many options. No matter what you can think of there is probably another person somewhere in the world collecting the same theme.

-         For many themes, especially the most popular ones, free websites exist where you can find lists and images of all the stamps available. This makes the job of finding your stamps so much easier.

Collection by issue:

-         Many collectors will try to collect stamps from a joint issue between different countries. Examples of these are King George stamps from Commonwealth countries, or collecting Omnibus issues like the Silver Jubilee or Royal Silver Wedding issues. In the case of the Royal Silver Wedding issue of 1948/9, a set of two similar stamps was issued for 69 countries, and collectors will try to collect all 69 different sets.

Avoid these beginner stamp collecting mistakes

by admin | Feb 14, 2011 | Beginner tips

If you are interested in starting your stamp collection hobby, here are some common beginner mistakes to avoid:

Collection interest too wide:

When you first become interested in collecting stamps you often acquire way too many stamps from different countries, themes etc. Don’t make this mistake. Try to limit your collection to one country, area, or theme and decide whether you would like to buy used or new (mint) stamps.  See Article: Choose your collection interest carefully.

Paying too much:

You will soon notice that it is not easy to determine if you are paying the correct price for stamps. An important step will probably be the acquisition of a stamp catalogue. Make sure you understand how to properly use a stamp catalogue. You will only rarely pay the full catalogue value of the stamp, even for perfect stamps. Many stamps in great condition can be acquired for between 20% and 40% of catalogue value. For some stamps you may have to pay a much higher percentage of the catalogue value. When you decide to acquire a more expensive stamp, do your research properly. Don’t just buy the first stamp you see.

Buying stamps in bad condition:

The prices in catalogues are for stamps in the best condition available. For newer issues, this means the stamp should be post office fresh. Things to look out for are gum, hinge marks, toning, rust, perforation, tears, repairs etc. A stamp with a fault isn’t necessarily without value but it may only be worth a fraction of what a good condition stamp is worth.

Handling stamps:

Stamps should never be handled with your hands: you will leave residue on the gum that may cause marks or future rusting.  If you want to make sure your stamps don’t lose value, keep them in perfect condition.

Storing stamps incorrectly:

For many years collectors used hinges to attach stamps to album pages. Today, an unhinged stamp is worth a lot more than a previously hinged stamp. Never use hinges. Buy proper stamp albums or the glassine sheets specifically made for this purpose. These should be available online, or at your local dealer or stamp fair, and they are worth the price. Also make sure to keep your albums in a safe, dry, and dust-free place.

Fakes and forgeries:

Due to the high value of some stamps, people have created many fakes and forgeries over the years.  It is not always easy for a novice to distinguish between genuine and fake stamps. Some forgeries are so good that most dealers won’t notice the difference. If you are acquiring a really high value item you can always send it for certification. Many sellers will allow you to return your purchase if it is proven to be a fake. Also, do some research on the stamp you are interested in, since some issues are known for forgeries.