For those who start to develop a more serious interest
in collecting in the early stages, the collector can acquire stamps in packets from hobby shops and stamp dealers. Millions of beginners have purchased these relatively expensive packets (containing many different kinds of assortments; i.e., "1,000 stamps of the world", "500 20th century U.S. stamps," "250 stamps depicting a topic...such as birds, automobiles, sports, etc."). At the same time, the collector assembles some of the tools one needs to pursue the hobby. Included are:

• An Album. Basic albums that have illustrated spaces for worldwide stamps, U.S. stamps, topicals (animals, railroads, Olympics, etc.) and types of stamps like plate blocks and coils.
• Hinges or safe vinyl stamp mounts that are used to mount stamps into the albums.
• Stamp tongs (tweezers specially made for the handling of stamps). By handling stamps with tongs, the collector keeps from damaging the collectibles.
• Stamp catalogs. These comprehensive publications not only state the current value of stamps, but also help one identify them and receive basic instruction on collecting them.
• A magnifier that allows one to more closely examine not only a stamp's features, but also its condition.
• A perforation gauge. The perforations between stamps on a sheet not only aid one in separating them, but these perforations also come in different types and sizes---and determining them aids one in identifying which stamp is which. Sometimes two or more stamps may look alike, but each may have a different perforation type and/or size.
• A watermark detector which allows one to view the "watermark" (or hidden imprint) that was made on the paper on which a stamp is printed. Again, two or more stamps may look alike, but have different (or no) watermarks.
• A stockbook. In some ways similar to albums, except that these are simple storage devices where stamps can be placed in clear pockets on pages for easy sorting and viewing.
• Glassine envelopes. These come in many sizes and are used to store and help sort stamps.

Some of the different kinds of stamps that one can collect are shown at left. From airmails and definitives, to commemoratives, topicals, and even revenue stamps, there is something in philately to suit anyone's tastes.

Stamps are also collected "on cover", i.e., stamps that are still on the original envelope or mailing wrapper used when they were sent through the mails. For more information on this very popular specialty, see Postal History.

From Novice To Becoming A Serious Collector...
Serious philatelists have long agreed that one becomes a dedicated philatelist when one begins to actually purchase specific stamps to build, item by item, a stamp collection with a purpose.

At this point, the collector has begun to focus on a particular "specialty." For example, after gathering a small amount of knowledge about the stamps from around the world, the collector decides that he/she wishes to "specialize" in the airmail stamps of the United States. This collector will have examined the listings of all U.S. airmail stamps in one of the catalogs (i.e., the Scott or Krause specialized catalogs for U.S. stamps), become familiar with their types and variations, and begins to purchase an example of each stamp listed in the U.S. airmail section of the catalogs.

Condition Now Becomes An Important Factor
Obviously, because stamps are made of paper, they are available in all kinds of condition...from poor to superb. Here's a description of a stamp in the best possible condition:

• U.S. 50-cent Zeppelin issue. Scott Catalogue No. C18. Mint, never hinged, original gum. Superb centering. No flaws.

"C18" denotes this stamp's listing number in Scott, the most-used catalog for U.S. stamps. Mint means that the stamp has never been used and has also never had a hinge (used to mount the stamp) applied to it. "Original gum" implies that the gum on the back of the stamp is the same gum applied during manufacture. "Superb centering" means that the design of the stamp is perfectly centered and the margins around all sides of the stamp are equal. "No flaws" would indicate that there are no crease, tears, or missing perforations on the stamp.

Because most stamps have some kind of monetary value, condition is the most important factor to be considered when acquiring them. Stamps in the very finest condition will often sell at a premium OVER their catalog value. This is mainly because stamp catalogs value stamps that are in what is called VF or Very Fine condition---which denotes stamps that are slightly off center. Stamps that have never been used (called either Mint---which means never having been hinged---or unused, meaning never having been used, but have been previously mounted in an album) are almost always more valuable than used stamps (ones that have been used on mail).

The most serious collector will pursue stamps in as fine a condition as one's budget can afford. Such stamps tend to hold their value and in many instances actually gradually rise in value over the years.

Maintaining The Collection
As stamps are acquired in the collection-building process, they should be properly stored to both protect and display them. The easiest method is to use a stockbook like the one shown at left. Stamps can be easily moved around (no mounted are required) in the clear pockets and sorted in any manner needed. There are other, similar, storage devices...such as stockcards (the size of normal index cards) that also have the same clear pockets.

A stockbook that has clear vinyl "pockets" where stamps can be stored (without using any hinge or mounting device) for easy viewing and access. Looking for stamp supplies like this? Click here.

When albums are used to store stamps, they generally must be mounted onto pages in the albums (with the exception of the Lindner-T albums shown at the top of this page) with hinges or stamp mounts. For more information, see Mounting Stamps. There are many kinds of albums---from printed versions that have a particular space for each specific stamp to blank album pages which a collector may use to mount stamps in any arrangement one chooses.

The Collecting of Stamps
is one of the most delightful pastimes in the world. Not only can one collect how one wishes...and WHAT one wishes, but stamps can be acquired in any price range, no matter the budget. Important, also, is that, unlike many collectibles, stamps have an intrinsic value. So when one collects them, value is being accumulated at the same time.