| collecting is an age-old hobby that holds the interest of | | | | countries, then there are some that collect worldwide |
| millions of people the world over. Stamp collecting | | | | stamps. If you like a specific theme of stamp you can |
| began in the 1840’s when the first stamps | | | | collect just that one type, such as birds, ships, planes, |
| were issued. “Stamp madness,” or | | | | animals, or even celebrities. The types of stamps are |
| “timbromania” swept through Europe | | | | as different as the people that collect them. It is often |
| and spread worldwide. Stamp collecting is not as | | | | a good idea to start with a general collection until you |
| popular as it once was, but there are still an estimated | | | | decide exactly what type of stamp interests you. |
| 25 million people in the US alone and over 200 million | | | | After there are a good number of stamps in your |
| around the world who still collect. | | | | collection they need to be sorted. Most people will sort |
| It is not hard to get started in the infamous art of | | | | their stamps by countries and or themes. Then go |
| stamp collecting, nor is it overly expensive. There are a | | | | another step further and arrange them alphabetically. |
| few must have items needed to begin: tweezer-like | | | | This will make stamps much easier to find. |
| tongs to handle stamps, a magnifying glass, a stamp | | | | When stamps have been accumulated, it is essential |
| album, and of course, the stamps. | | | | that you know the proper ways to care for stamps |
| The first thing to decide is what type of stamps you | | | | so as not to ruin them. In order to remove the stamp |
| wish to collect. Many people collect new stamps and | | | | from the envelope, first cut around the stamp carefully. |
| just as many collect used ones; it is all a matter of | | | | Place the stamp face-up in a bowl of luke-warm |
| personal preference. If collecting new stamps, there | | | | water and let it soak for about 20 minutes. When the |
| are thousands of Internet sites selling stamps, there | | | | stamp comes off carefully put the stamp on a dry |
| are dealers all over the world that sell them, and there | | | | towel then use the special stamp tweezers to put it |
| are even stamp auctions. If collecting used stamps, | | | | into an album. |
| most people will save stamps off of their mail and also | | | | If looking for more information on stamps and stamp |
| save the stamps off of all their friends and families | | | | collecting, the local post office is a good place to start. |
| mail. One of the cheapest ways to start a large | | | | They usually have separate philatelic counters. Some |
| collection is buying a roll of used stamps from a | | | | larger post offices also sell a Stamp Collecting Start-up |
| collector. You can get 1000 mixed stamps for as low | | | | Kit. As a source for more information there are also |
| as $12.00. | | | | stamp clubs, magazines and stamp catalogues, or |
| Many people only collect stamps from their respective | | | | experienced stamp dealers. |