All about postage stamps Tips
Read these 14 All about postage stamps Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Coin Collecting tips and hundreds of other topics.
caring for your stamp collection
Stamps are delicate little pieces of paper, so be careful! To remove stamps from an envelop, first cut off the corner of the envelop where the stamp is glued and place this in a small pan of warm water, face down. After a few minutes, the stamp will float off the paper and sink to the bottom of the pan. Allow a few more minutes for any remaining gum (glue) to dislodge from the stamp, then lift the stamp out of the pan using tongs with flat ends, or tweezers. Many new collectors will touch stamps with their fingers, but it is better to handle them with tongs; for even if your hands are clean, oil from your skin can damage stamps. Stamps with the new, "invisible' gum are trickier to dry because they tend to retain gum after soaking and stick fast to paper when drying. Dry these stamps facedown with nothing touching the back side, and then flatten them later if they curl. Your local library should have available detailed handbooks on stamp collecting and preservation. It is best to use a small strip of thin plastic, gummed on one side, to put stamps in your storage place or recommended stamp album. These plastic strips are commonly known as hinges in the hobby and come commerically either folded or unfolded. Collectors may want to use mounts instead of hinges to prevent air and dirt from damaging your stamps and to keep excess moisture from distrubing the gum. A mount is a small, clear (usually plastic) sleeve into which the entire stamp is placed. All of these supplies make wonderful birthday and Christmas presents!
stamp condition features
Like an old book, the value of a stamp depends largely on two factors: how rare it is and what condition it is in. You can get an idea how rare a stamp is by the price listed for it in a catalog. Depending upon its condition, however, the stamp may sell for more or less than the catolog price. Here are some things to look for when judging a stamp's condition: Examine the stamp's front; are the colors bright or faded? Is the stamp dirty, stained or clean? Is the stamp torn? Generally only the rarest of stamps are collectible if torn. Is the design in the center of the paper, or is it a little crooked or off to the side? Are the edges in good condition, or are some of the perforations missing? A stamp with a light cancellation mark is in better condition than one with heavy marks across it. Now look at the back of the stamp. Is there a thin spot in the paper? It may have been caused by careless removal from an envelope or a hinge. Stamps in mint condition are the same condition as when purchased at the post office. Fine condition means a stamp usually has been hinged. A stamp that has been cancelled is usually considered in less than fine condition.
stamp reference catalog
The "Bible" for stamp collectors reference is known as Scott's U. S. Stamp Catalog. It is published by Scott Publishing, 604 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10020. It is perhaps the most worldwide used catalog on postage stamps, with different issues for different specialities, all the way from foreign to error issues.
philately
The key to enjoying philately is to save the types of stamps you like the best. Stamp collectors are called philatelists. The name philately is derived from the Greek words "philos", which means "loving"; and "atelos", which means "free of tax". In their basic form, stamps are signs that the postal fees have been prepaid. Philately is the collecting and study of postage stamps and other postal materials.
other postal collectibles
Other popular types of postal collectibles available at post offices include such items as stamped envelopes which were first issued in 1853; post cards, which were first issued in 1873, with the first U.S. multicolored commemorative postal card coming out in 1956; aerogrammes (air letters) are letters and envelopes all in one. They are specifically stamped, marked for folding and already gummed.
additional postal collectibles
Most specialized and advanced collectors often turn to the following philatelic items for collecting, once they feel they have completed or completed as high a grade collection as they can afford: Plate Blocks of 4 or 6 unseparated stamps from a corner of a pane with the printing plate number in the margin, or selvage, of the pane; Copyright Blocks which feature the copyright symbol followed by "United States Postal Service" or "USPS" and the year in the margin of each pane of stamps. The USPS began copyrighting new stamp designs in 1978; Booklet Panes are panes with three or more of the same stamp. Booklet Pane collectors usually save entire panes; First Day Covers (FDC's) are envelopes with new stamps that have been postmarked on the first day of sale at a city designated by the USPS; Souvenir Cards are issued as keepsakes of stamp and coin exhibitions. Although they can not be used for postage, some souvenir cards are available cancelled; Souvenir Programs from first day ceremonies are given to people who attend the cermonies for the issuance of the First Day Covers. These programs contain a list of participants and biographical or background information on the stamp subject and have the actual stamp(s)affixed and postmarked with the first day of issue cancellation; many collectors also enjoy the variety of postmarks available.
ways to collect stamps
Two major ways are generally recognized for collecting stamps. They are general collecting and topical collecting. With general collecting the philatelists collects as many stamps as possible. They generally save stamps they or their families and friends receive on letters delivered to their mailboxes or post office boxes. Other sources of stamps might be: postcards and packages with stamps on them; asking people who mail you letters and other items, to use interesting stamps such as commemoratives, "First Day Issues", etc.; neighborhood business that get a lot of mail are another source; such as banks, stores, and particularly travel agencies.
Topical collecting allows people to tailor their collections to their own particular interests. Simply choose one or two specific themes that really interest you such as: art, history, science, technology, sports, transportation to name just a few possibilities. If for example you love animals, you can start a topical collection with U.S. stamps that feature animal subjects. You could begin with the pane of 50 North American Wildlife stamps issued in 1987; then add blocks of four horses (1985), dogs (1984) and cats (1988). With the Creatures of the Sea block of four isued in 1990 you can create a special animal category for sea mammals.
stamp collecting tools
While tongs, hinges and mounts are the general tools of the stamp collecting hobby, they need to be complimented with other equipment including: Glassine (glass-een) envelopes which are used to store and keep stamps that you have yet to add to your album. Glassine is a special thin paper that keeps grease and air from damaging stamps. A stamp catalog is a handy reference with many illustrations that can help identify stamps; and it also provides information such as values for used and unused stamps. A magnifying glass helps examine stamps. A perforation guage measures the jagged cuts or little holes, called perforations, along the edge of stamps. Size and number of perforations are sometimes needed to identify stamps. Perforations or "Perfs", as they are commonly known to stamp collectors, make stamps easy to tear apart. A water tray and watermark fluid are used to make more visible the designs or patterns (called watermarks) that are pressed into some stamp paper during manufacture.
Benjamin Franklin stamp club
In 1974 the Benjamin Franklin stamp club was created by the U.S. postal service to introduce stamp collecting to grade school students enabling children to appreciate the recreational, as well as the educational, values of the hobby of stamp collecting. As teaching tools in the classroom it has been found that stamps bring to light important topics and encourage students to learn more about them. The USPS supports over 40,000 Benjamin Franklin stamp clubs in public and private elementary schools and libraries throughout the U.S.
choosing subjects for stamps
If you think a story should be told on a stamp, you must submit your idea at least 36 months before its logical date of issuance. Established more than 30 years ago, the U.S. postal service's Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee meets six times a year. The committee consists of historians, artists, business people, philatelists and other interested and concerned citizens who generally desire to display and preserve American history and culture. The committee can be reached at room 5800, 475 L'Enfant Plaza West, SW, Washington, D.C. 20260-6352.
categories of stamps
Stamp collecting will develop your skills which will serve you importantly in your everyday life. For example, some of the skills you will develop include; organization, appreciation of valuable objects, the value of money and managing money, etc. Stamps are generally classified into several major categories including; 1.Definitive stamps are found on most mail in denominations ranging from one cent to over ten dollars. Their subjects frequently are former Presidents, statesmen, other prominent persons and national shrines. Definitive stamps are usually available at U. S. post offices for several years. 2. Commemorative stamps honor important people, events or special subjects of national appeal and significance. Printed in limited quantities, commemorative stamps are available for only two to three months at most post offices and for about one year by mail order from the U.S. postal service's Philatelic Sales Division. 3. Special stamps include issues that supplement the regular issues, such as Christmas and Love stamps. 4.Airmail stamps are used primarily for sending overseas mail. 5. Booklet stamps are issued in small folders containing one or more panes of 3 to 20 stamps each. Each stamp has one, two or three straight edges;
and 5. Coil stamps are issued in rolls. Each coil stamp has two striaght and two perforated edges.
stamp clubs
Your imagination will know no bounds as you discover through stamp collecting the scope and splender of our country's history, celebrate our heroes and heroines and chronicle the achievements and achievers, inventions and inventors and arts and artists. Stamp collecting can extend your world and can push your imagination to the limits of infinity. If you do not know of a stamp collecting club in your area, the people at Linn's Club Center, P.O. Box 29, Sidney, OH 45365-0029, phone 1-513-498-0801 can help you. Additionally the U.S. postal service's popular Benjamin Franklin stamp club program for elementary school students maybe available in your local schools. For more information contact the U. S. postal service, Benjamin Franklin Stamp Club Program, Washington, D.C. 20260-6757.
wildlife on stamps
Wildlife conservation stamp issues between 1956 and 1978 included 17 stamps that depicted various animals, birds and fish including: In 1956, 3 cent Wild Turkey, 3 cent Pronghorn Antelope, 3 cent King Salmon, 3 cent Whooping Crane; 1957 6 cent Bison; 1971, 8 cent Trout, 8 cent Alligator, 8 cent Polar Bear, 8 cent California Condor; 1972, 8 cent Fur Seal, 8 cent Cardinal, 8 cent Brown Pelican and 8 cent Bighorn Sheep; 1978, 15 cent Great Gray Owl, 15 cent Saw-Whet Owl, 15 cent Barned Owl and 15 cent Great Horned Owl. Additionally 1981 saw the production of four 18 cent Preservation of Wildlife Habitats se-tenant blocks of four's issued, with numerous more types issued in later years.
weekly stamp newspapers
Two very good weekly newspapers are produced regarding stamp collecting. Both newspapers cover U.S. and Worldwide stamp issues in a very complete fashion. The newspaper entitled Stamp Collector costs a dollar per weekly issue and is published by Van Dahl Publications, 520 E. First Street, Albany , OR 97321, with a phone number of 503 928-3569. Linn's Stamp News is a larger newspaper publication and costs $1.75 per week. It's address is PO Box 29, Sidney, OH 45365, phone 513-498-0801.
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