Where to Find Stamps

If you're just getting started in stamp collecting, the first place to look for stamps is on your mail. Your mail carrier will deliver new stamps daily. Ask family, friends and neighbors to save their envelopes for you. (It's best to ask for the entire envelope so the stamp can be removed without damaging it.) You'll find a wealth of U.S. stamps in your local mail.

If you'd like to collect foreign stamps, ask a local travel agent to save their envelopes for you. If you're more interested in old stamps, check your attic and basement for old correspondence. Ask your grandparents to give you stamps from correspondence they've saved over the years. Flea markets and estate sales are also fertile hunting grounds.

The post office is a great place to buy new stamps in mint condition. Check the USPS website for new issues and interesting facts about new stamps. Local dealers sell inexpensive mixed packets of stamps for beginners and usually have a box of miscellaneous stamps at the counter you can look through. These used to be called penny stamps because they cost a penny; now you'll pay 2 to 5 cents which is still a bargain.

Stamp clubs are a great place to learn more about stamps and stamp collecting. Experienced members are eager to share their knowledge with new hobbyists. Most clubs allow members to bring in stamps to trade and sell. Local stamp dealers or your public library will usually have information about when and where clubs meet. More experienced collectors may choose to join a national philatelic society which often offer stamps to members.

Stamp shows attract hobbyists of all kinds and are a marvelous place for beginners to learn more about stamps and experience the hobby's incredible range. You can view exhibits of extraordinary and rare stamps. You can talk to fellow collectors and dealers. You can comparison shop. Going to a stamp show is like being a kid in a candy store -- everywhere you turn there's something new and delectable to catch your eye.

Dealers also abound on the internet. Some specialize in certain stamp types or time periods but most offer a broad range of general categories. For instance, County Stamp Center offers stamps of all kinds, on all subject matters, from all over the world and at considerable savings. But we are also one of a limited number of international dealers who handle new issue foreign postage stamps. Click the post title to visit our website. Sign up for our free newsletter to receive email notifications of special offers and monthly new issues like the Tintin cartoon stamps shown below.

The cartoon adventures of Tintin are captured in this delightful cartoon sheet just issued by Belgium. Drawn by the Belgium artist Herge, the pen name of Georges Remi (1907-1983), the comic book Adventures of Tintin chronicled the exploits of a young reporter and his faithful dog Snowy in which they always managed to extricate themselves from peril and save the day. The vintage cover art and a photograph of the artist with his work are featured on the 25 stamps. Priced at only $26.82 at County Stamp Center with free shipping, click here to order.