Many people around the world collect stamps as a hobby and it has been very popular for many years. There are thousands of different examples available to collectors from hundreds of countries. There are many factors which can make a stamp collectible and those who collect rare postage stamps will spend many years building their extensive collections.
The first stamps that were issued were the penny blacks in Britain in the mid 19th century and featured a portrait of the queen on a black background. A mint example of this stamp would command a huge sum of money if it came up for sale but they are scarce. Many stamps from later periods and from other countries also fetch huge amounts when they are offered for sale.
Many collectors will specialize in one particular type of stamp that interests them. Categories that are popular include commemorative issue, airmail and first day covers. Some other philatelists will look for examples featuring animals, insects or influential people. Other rare items such as stamps printed wrongly or prototypes can also be very rare and sought after.
A postage stamp when sold on the market will have been given a graded rating by an expert. These grades are recognized worldwide and range from poor for a bad example to extra fine for perfect examples. Many mint condition examples can be found and these are extremely sought after by serious collectors.
If you are planning to take up the hobby you will need a few items to manage your collection and keep it in good condition. A book will be needed to display and organize your stamps and you will need a magnifying glass to look at the fine detail on some examples. A pair of tongs or tweezers will also be needed to avoid touching the stamp with your bare hands and damaging it.
Rare and valuable examples can be found in a few different places and some care is needed when paying a lot of money for an example. Dealers can be found in many cities who deal in collectible examples and many are sold at auction. There are also online dealers who buy and sell valuable stamps and also many private collectors. Philatelists clubs are also a good place to find items and to meet other collectors.
If you are planning to start a new collection or add to an existing one by buying rarer items there are a few things to think about before buying to avoid any costly mistakes. Due to the high value of some of the items on the market many have been faked over the years. If buying from anyone other than a reputable established dealer or auction house you should always get an item checked by a qualified expert before making a purchase.
With any collection of valuable items or antiques, adequate insurance should be in place to cover your items against and loss or damages. Many homes will have contents cover in place but this will probably not be sufficient for a valuable stamp collection. There are insurance firms in business who specialize in providing cover for collectibles and a few quotes should be obtained and prices compared.
The first stamps that were issued were the penny blacks in Britain in the mid 19th century and featured a portrait of the queen on a black background. A mint example of this stamp would command a huge sum of money if it came up for sale but they are scarce. Many stamps from later periods and from other countries also fetch huge amounts when they are offered for sale.
Many collectors will specialize in one particular type of stamp that interests them. Categories that are popular include commemorative issue, airmail and first day covers. Some other philatelists will look for examples featuring animals, insects or influential people. Other rare items such as stamps printed wrongly or prototypes can also be very rare and sought after.
A postage stamp when sold on the market will have been given a graded rating by an expert. These grades are recognized worldwide and range from poor for a bad example to extra fine for perfect examples. Many mint condition examples can be found and these are extremely sought after by serious collectors.
If you are planning to take up the hobby you will need a few items to manage your collection and keep it in good condition. A book will be needed to display and organize your stamps and you will need a magnifying glass to look at the fine detail on some examples. A pair of tongs or tweezers will also be needed to avoid touching the stamp with your bare hands and damaging it.
Rare and valuable examples can be found in a few different places and some care is needed when paying a lot of money for an example. Dealers can be found in many cities who deal in collectible examples and many are sold at auction. There are also online dealers who buy and sell valuable stamps and also many private collectors. Philatelists clubs are also a good place to find items and to meet other collectors.
If you are planning to start a new collection or add to an existing one by buying rarer items there are a few things to think about before buying to avoid any costly mistakes. Due to the high value of some of the items on the market many have been faked over the years. If buying from anyone other than a reputable established dealer or auction house you should always get an item checked by a qualified expert before making a purchase.
With any collection of valuable items or antiques, adequate insurance should be in place to cover your items against and loss or damages. Many homes will have contents cover in place but this will probably not be sufficient for a valuable stamp collection. There are insurance firms in business who specialize in providing cover for collectibles and a few quotes should be obtained and prices compared.
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