Art-ology

The two basic rules that every stamp collector adheres to are to enjoy collecting stamps and to properly take care of them. Except these, you get to decide what kinds of stamps to collect and have them displayed in any way you want. Therefore, stamp collecting can be a very enjoyable activity for someone who is creative.

Stamps come in four basic types, namely, traditional, topical, specialist, and worldwide. The stamps you would find in a traditional collection are those that represent a specific country. The stamps included in a topical collection are those based on collector’s choice of design. Specialist stamp collectors are those who have multiple duplicates of just one stamp design. Worldwide stamp collectors are those who would add any stamp they can get their hand on, to their collection. Any How to Collect Stamps class will tell you to start as a worldwide stamp collector until you decide what you like best and then you can specialize if you desire.

There are stamp collectors who have multiple collections which are not of just one type. For beginners, it is best to check out as many stamps as you can and gather all information achievable. Doing these would allow you to discover sides of stamp collecting you would never have imagined existing. Another way to learn more about collecting is to read as much stamp news as you can get your hands on. The more you know the better.

What is important for you to keep in mind is that when starting out in stamp collecting, begin with just what you have in sight. There is no need to rush. As you go on, you will stumble upon the stamps you truly would like. In the meantime, be happy with what you have at the moment and be sure to take good care of them.

In stamp care, you must always have stamp tongs no matter what. Stamp tongs are basically your ordinary tweezers minus the sharp edges.The use of tweezers is unacceptable for collectors as these will damage your stamps. The strict use of tongs for stamps is another thing all collectors must observe.

In addition, never lay out stamps on top of a bare table or use your hands to pick them up. The particles of dust on the table and the natural oils of your skin will only soil your stamps. If you want to look at your stamps, pour them out onto a clean sheet of white paper or such. Every collector is painstaking when it comes to his collection. You cannot call yourself a stamp collector by simply having a lot of stamps. You should be passionate about collecting stamps, and you must be very strict with regards to stamp care.

Beginners in stamp collecting need not have a lot of supplies. The only must-have supplies are stamp tongs, envelopes, and a box for storage. As mentioned earlier, the tongs would be used to pick up stamps. Meanwhile, envelopes will hold your stamps organized according to their type. You will then store these envelopes inside the storage box. Make sure to label the envelopes according to the type of stamps contained inside them.