Stamp Collecting For Beginners

Stamp collecting is currently one of the most popular hobbies. It is estimated that in the United States there are over 20 million people collecting stamps. Originally stamp collecting began as a child’s hobby dating back as far as 1860. It is now common for adults and children to collect stamps. The expense of this hobby will vary, depending on what your personal preferences are. There are several ways for you to begin your collection. Ask friends and family members to save stamps for you. Many beginners decide on one particular type of stamp that they want to collect. It is wise to not limit yourself in the beginning. You might find unknown types that will spark your interest once you begin collecting. Beginners should start off being a general collector.

For those of you who are just starting your collection, you can find stamps in bulk sold at stamp shows. At shows, you will also be able to find stamps, sold on paper, that are usually sold by the pound. On paper stamps are stamps that have been cut off from envelopes in the mail. These are called Kiloware. At times, stamp collectors can also find economical worldwide stamps located on Ebay. These are often sold on paper. Beginners should check out their local hobby shops where you will find stamps that are sold in bulk quantities for consumers.

No equipment is needed in order to be a stamp collector. Many collectors decide to have a few essential items for their use. A magnifying glass would be helpful for viewing the details of the stamp, a stock book for storing the stamps; and stamp tongs with rounded tips to help prevent damage to the stamps.

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How It All Began: A Very Brief History of Stamp Collecting

Stamp collecting started as a childish pursuit that quickly caught the eye of adults. Britain issued the first postage stamp, the Penny Black, in 1840. It wasn't long before children and teens were collecting the novel colorful bits of paper.

Those children carried their fascination for stamps into their adult years, giving rise to a host of businesses dedicated to helping them pursue their hobby. Founded in 1856, Stanley Gibbons, Ltd. in London, England is the oldest continuously-operated business devoted to selling postage stamps and supplies. The first stamp albums were printed and sold in 1880 as the hobby spread around the world. Collectors began to study postage stamps and publish research papers on their production, design, plate flaws, etc. The study and collection of postage stamps is called philately.

In the 1920s, stamp collecting gained increasing appeal as an investment as the value of early stamps in good condition began to rise. Sales of these stamps for astronomical prices caught the imagination of the public. Recognizing the potential value of collecting stamps and hoping to strike philatelic gold, American collectors in the 1930s started stockpiling mint copies of US stamps. Their dreams of quick profit never materialized and today mint condition stamps from that era are still plentiful and available at near face value.

Though less popular today than in its heyday, stamp collecting draws an estimated 25 million hobbyists in the US alone and more than 200 million collectors worldwide. Millions of dollars worth of stamps and supplies are sold annually. There are 4,000 stamp shows and exhibitions in the US alone every year. Large international exhibits can attract in excess of 100,000 visitors a day.