Start Your Kids Collecting Stamps
Just about every child loves to collect things. Boys often collect matchbox cars, action figures or rocks, while girls often collect dolls, teaspoons or thimbles - but there are thousands of different things that kids love to collect. So why not help a child collect something that's fun, educational and may increase in value over time? Stamp collecting can grow into a lifetime hobby and it's easy and inexpensive to get them started.
Here are a few ideas to help you get your kids interested in stamp collecting:
Decide together what your children want to collect. Are they more interested in collecting stamps from a certain country or stamps with a particular topic like Boy Scout stamps? Do they like stamps that feature one of the Disney cartoon characters, or maybe stamps that show Princess Diana? Make the decision jointly, with everyone having a say: choose stamps that they will like and will hold their interest.
Help your beginning stamp collectors with the stamp collecting supplies that they'll need. The proper tools will help their stamp collection grow and be something to be proud of. At a minimum, the kids will need at least a few stamps, a pair of stamp tongs, a catalog that pictures stamps so they can be identified, some type of stamp album and/or a stock book, and some glassine envelopes.
Keep their stamp collections going by giving them stamps to add to their collection on a regular basis (or you could let them buy some very inexpensive stamps.) Collect stamps that you receive in the mail and set them aside for the kids. And keep the kids excited about their stamp collections by asking them questions about it, such as did you see the new Boy Scout stamp that just came out? Are you planning on adding it to your collection? Do you need any help organizing your stamps?
Work on the children's stamp collections with them. It's quality time you can spend together and it's an investment for the future - it's not just a financial investment, it's an investment in your childrens' futures.
Showing posts with label beginning stamp collecting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beginning stamp collecting. Show all posts
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Some Food For Thought On Collecting Stamps
Where is philately headed? Are postal administrations going to kill off the postage stamp as being too expensive to produce? Will the value of collectible stamps go through the roof because of this? Will philately itself become extinct? Where will philately be in 50 years?
Our thoughts are that stamp collecting will be around for a long time, even if stamps are no longer produced sometime in the future.
1. Adhesive postage stamps have existed for almost 170 years - since 1840. Millions of collectible stamps from the 1800s still exist, and many stamp collectors still avidly desire stamps that were produced 100 or more years ago. We believe that will still be the case even if countries stop printing new stamps in the future.
2. If new stamps are no longer produced, this may well make existing postage stamps even more desirable than they are now. If that occurs, the values of collectible stamps will rise as a function of supply and demand.
The main problem for stamp collectors going forward is that nowadays, stamps rarely turn up on letters and parcels any more, as post offices prefer to stick cheaper, computer-generated labels on them when the people mailing them bring them in to the post office to be franked and mailed. And in many cases, when stamps are used, they are the same definitives over and over again. Commemorative stamps are just as attractive as they ever have been, but hardly anyone uses them. Another problem for collectors are the peel-and-stick self-adhesive stamps. Some are almost impossible to soak off paper, while the better ones are merely difficult.
Does anyone have an opinion on this situation?
Where is philately headed? Are postal administrations going to kill off the postage stamp as being too expensive to produce? Will the value of collectible stamps go through the roof because of this? Will philately itself become extinct? Where will philately be in 50 years?
Our thoughts are that stamp collecting will be around for a long time, even if stamps are no longer produced sometime in the future.
1. Adhesive postage stamps have existed for almost 170 years - since 1840. Millions of collectible stamps from the 1800s still exist, and many stamp collectors still avidly desire stamps that were produced 100 or more years ago. We believe that will still be the case even if countries stop printing new stamps in the future.
2. If new stamps are no longer produced, this may well make existing postage stamps even more desirable than they are now. If that occurs, the values of collectible stamps will rise as a function of supply and demand.
The main problem for stamp collectors going forward is that nowadays, stamps rarely turn up on letters and parcels any more, as post offices prefer to stick cheaper, computer-generated labels on them when the people mailing them bring them in to the post office to be franked and mailed. And in many cases, when stamps are used, they are the same definitives over and over again. Commemorative stamps are just as attractive as they ever have been, but hardly anyone uses them. Another problem for collectors are the peel-and-stick self-adhesive stamps. Some are almost impossible to soak off paper, while the better ones are merely difficult.
Does anyone have an opinion on this situation?
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The UPU - What IS It?
The Universal Postal Union (the UPU) is the "governing" body for international postal services, and all legitimate postal authorities are members. Founded in 1874, it's basic purpose is (and was) to set standard rates for international postage. For many years it even specified colors for domestic and international postage, which is why so many early monocolor stamps from different countries are red for basic postal rate stamps.
As of the year 2000, over 10,000 different commemorative stamps, mini-sheets and stamp-related items had been issued by postal authorities around the world in honor of the UPU. Collecting stamps with a UPU topic or theme is a popular and generally inexpensive stamp collecting specialty.
The Universal Postal Union (the UPU) is the "governing" body for international postal services, and all legitimate postal authorities are members. Founded in 1874, it's basic purpose is (and was) to set standard rates for international postage. For many years it even specified colors for domestic and international postage, which is why so many early monocolor stamps from different countries are red for basic postal rate stamps.
As of the year 2000, over 10,000 different commemorative stamps, mini-sheets and stamp-related items had been issued by postal authorities around the world in honor of the UPU. Collecting stamps with a UPU topic or theme is a popular and generally inexpensive stamp collecting specialty.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Adopt a Young Stamp Collector - Sponsor Their Hobby
Wouldn't it benefit stamp collecting as a hobby if we all sponsored a child and helped that young person build a new stamp collection? Wouldn't this practice help to ensure the future of stamp collecting? And what a great way to spend quality time with the child!
It would be easy to do, and very inexpensive. And it would help you, the child and stamp collecting itself.
Steps:
1. Pick a child, everyone knows at least a few!
2. Give stamps to your child. You can give single country stamps, worldwide stamps or topical / thematic stamps, whatever seems most interesting to the child.
Stamp assortments are generally very inexpensive and are perfect for a beginner.
3 Teach the child how to identify the stamps, how to care for the stamps and how to mount them for display. Mounting can be done very inexpensively with hinges and blank notebook paper, or you can go a bit further and use stamp mounts and a beginner's stamp album.
4. Additional stamps can be given to the child on special days such as birthdays or Christmas.
As the child's stamp collection progresses you can give him or her an older stamp catalog (used older catalogs are very inexpensive).
Wouldn't it benefit stamp collecting as a hobby if we all sponsored a child and helped that young person build a new stamp collection? Wouldn't this practice help to ensure the future of stamp collecting? And what a great way to spend quality time with the child!
It would be easy to do, and very inexpensive. And it would help you, the child and stamp collecting itself.
Steps:
1. Pick a child, everyone knows at least a few!
2. Give stamps to your child. You can give single country stamps, worldwide stamps or topical / thematic stamps, whatever seems most interesting to the child.
Stamp assortments are generally very inexpensive and are perfect for a beginner.
3 Teach the child how to identify the stamps, how to care for the stamps and how to mount them for display. Mounting can be done very inexpensively with hinges and blank notebook paper, or you can go a bit further and use stamp mounts and a beginner's stamp album.
4. Additional stamps can be given to the child on special days such as birthdays or Christmas.
As the child's stamp collection progresses you can give him or her an older stamp catalog (used older catalogs are very inexpensive).
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Beginning Stamp Collecting - Today's Installment of A Tutorial on the Hobby for a Lifetime (continued)
Stamp Collecting Tips - How to Handle & Store Your Stamps:
1. Always use stamp tongs to pick up and handle your stamps. They look like household tweezers, but stamp tongs do not have sharp edges. Regular tweezers could easily harm your stamps. You may find it awkward to use tongs in the beginning, but stick with it, it will become second nature.
Do not pick up your stamps with your fingers or even lay them out on a bare table. The natural oils from your skin and the dust on the table will dirty the stamp over time. When looking at your stamps, place them on a clean piece of white paper or something similar, then use tongs to pick them up.
2. You can use clean, plain white envelopes to organize your collection when you start. Write the name of the type of stamps on the envelope to help you stay organized.
When you're starting a stamp collection it's best to keep it simple and just sort your stamps and label your envelopes by country, unless you've already decided you want to focus on just certain types of stamps.
3. When you're done working with your stamps for the day, it's good practice to put your stamps into a clean, sturdy container or box. Shoe boxes or empty desk drawers are an ideal place to store your envelopes.
4. After a while, buy a package of glassine envelopes for your stamps. These are inexpensive, semi-transparent envelopes made especially for stamp collecting. Stamps can stay fresh inside glassines for a fairly long period of time. Many types of paper have high levels of acidity or other properties that over time can harm the stamps inside. It's perfectly okay to temporarily store your stamps in these regular envelopes for a few weeks or even months depending upon the quality of the paper, but you shouldn't keep them there for much longer than that.
Stamp Collecting Tips - How to Handle & Store Your Stamps:
1. Always use stamp tongs to pick up and handle your stamps. They look like household tweezers, but stamp tongs do not have sharp edges. Regular tweezers could easily harm your stamps. You may find it awkward to use tongs in the beginning, but stick with it, it will become second nature.
Do not pick up your stamps with your fingers or even lay them out on a bare table. The natural oils from your skin and the dust on the table will dirty the stamp over time. When looking at your stamps, place them on a clean piece of white paper or something similar, then use tongs to pick them up.
2. You can use clean, plain white envelopes to organize your collection when you start. Write the name of the type of stamps on the envelope to help you stay organized.
When you're starting a stamp collection it's best to keep it simple and just sort your stamps and label your envelopes by country, unless you've already decided you want to focus on just certain types of stamps.
3. When you're done working with your stamps for the day, it's good practice to put your stamps into a clean, sturdy container or box. Shoe boxes or empty desk drawers are an ideal place to store your envelopes.
4. After a while, buy a package of glassine envelopes for your stamps. These are inexpensive, semi-transparent envelopes made especially for stamp collecting. Stamps can stay fresh inside glassines for a fairly long period of time. Many types of paper have high levels of acidity or other properties that over time can harm the stamps inside. It's perfectly okay to temporarily store your stamps in these regular envelopes for a few weeks or even months depending upon the quality of the paper, but you shouldn't keep them there for much longer than that.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Beginning Stamp Collecting - Today's Installment of A Tutorial on the Hobby for a Lifetime (continued)
Plan your stamp collection, but keep in mind that there are no rules, only the ones you set for yourself. Your ideas and collecting habits will change over time and as your collection grows. Your plan - whatever it is - should be flexible enough to allow for growth and broadening interests.
Your first thought might be to establish the theme or topic of your collection. The easiest place to start is to collect stamps that come from mail that is sent to you or your family or friends. Most of these stamps will be from the country in which you live. Many collectors start this way, and branch out later as their interest grows.
There are several different types of stamp collections. For most types you will need at least one stamp catalogue, and possibly several reference books.
Single country.
This type of stamp collection is where you try to collect every stamp issued by the country that you select. The more you collect, the more specialized your collection will become. This will take some time but is a great experience. You will develop in-depth knowledge of the country's stamps.
Topicals or Thematic Stamps.
In this type of collection, you try to collect stamps with a similar theme from anywhere in the world. The choice of topic is yours. The list of possible topics is basically unlimited, but some popular themes are trains, airplanes, space, ships, flowers, flags and Boy Scouts. For something a bit different, you could also try collecting all of the worldwide stamps that were issued in the year of your birth.
Omnibus Collection.
In this type of collection you collect all the stamps that were issued by various countries in connection with a specific event, such as the death of Princess Diana, the Silver Wedding Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II, the coronation of King George VI, etc.
Ad hoc stamp collection.
This is a collection with no apparent rhyme or reason - they are just "stamps that you like." Many stamp collections start this way, and this is how many stamp collectors learn about stamps. This stage may take years, and a collection like this can be left and returned to many years later. This type is usually the least expensive for those with limited funds.
Plan your stamp collection, but keep in mind that there are no rules, only the ones you set for yourself. Your ideas and collecting habits will change over time and as your collection grows. Your plan - whatever it is - should be flexible enough to allow for growth and broadening interests.
Your first thought might be to establish the theme or topic of your collection. The easiest place to start is to collect stamps that come from mail that is sent to you or your family or friends. Most of these stamps will be from the country in which you live. Many collectors start this way, and branch out later as their interest grows.
There are several different types of stamp collections. For most types you will need at least one stamp catalogue, and possibly several reference books.
Single country.
This type of stamp collection is where you try to collect every stamp issued by the country that you select. The more you collect, the more specialized your collection will become. This will take some time but is a great experience. You will develop in-depth knowledge of the country's stamps.
Topicals or Thematic Stamps.
In this type of collection, you try to collect stamps with a similar theme from anywhere in the world. The choice of topic is yours. The list of possible topics is basically unlimited, but some popular themes are trains, airplanes, space, ships, flowers, flags and Boy Scouts. For something a bit different, you could also try collecting all of the worldwide stamps that were issued in the year of your birth.
Omnibus Collection.
In this type of collection you collect all the stamps that were issued by various countries in connection with a specific event, such as the death of Princess Diana, the Silver Wedding Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II, the coronation of King George VI, etc.
Ad hoc stamp collection.
This is a collection with no apparent rhyme or reason - they are just "stamps that you like." Many stamp collections start this way, and this is how many stamp collectors learn about stamps. This stage may take years, and a collection like this can be left and returned to many years later. This type is usually the least expensive for those with limited funds.
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