Don't Make These Mistakes With Your Stamp Collection

Stamp collectors will attest that when you find a stamp that tickles your fancy, all is well with the world. But with such great enthusiasm for your new finds, mistakes can be made that can damage or destroy what would have been a fantastic yet fragile treasure.

Be sure to check your envelopes very carefully before you cut the envelope. Sometimes the envelope itself is collectible. To some collectors, the postmark itself is valuable if it came from someplace special. Sometimes people will buy stamps and not realize that they have a First Day Cover or Event Day Cover in their hands. If you have obtained an old stamp, you could find that it is from a special time in history like wartime mail with censorship markings. Always check your envelope first before doing any cutting, just in case.

If you find that the envelope has no foreseeable value, you will likely need to trim off the excess pieces of your envelope. You will need to do any trimming before you soak your stamp off of the envelope. Be very careful to not cut off any part of the perforation. With stamps coming in so many odd shapes and sizes, it is easy to become over zealous and cut off a portion of your new stamp. Many times, there is special writing around the stamp. Be sure to include these writings when you cut out your stamp.

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