Beginning Stamp Collecting - A Tutorial on the Hobby for a Lifetime (part 1 of several parts)


There are many different ways to begin collecting stamps, but here are some of our thoughts on how to get started.

1. Collect stamps before you BUY any stamps.

Save every stamp that comes to you on mail. Ask your friends and relatives for their stamps. Get stamps from your office or by any other means that you don't have to pay for. Accept every stamp that's given to you, no matter how rough-looking.

This will let you get a taste of the hobby without having to spend any money. You can learn the basics of stamp collecting by using these free stamps.

2. Learn the basics about stamp collecting.

The basics include how to soak stamps off paper (read other entries in this blog for some tips on this) and how to identify your stamps. You'll need a stamp catalog of some type to identify them. Borrow one from the library (most libraries carry stamp catalogs), borrow one from a friend or relative, or ask for a catalog as a gift. An older stamp catalog is just fine to get started with - there's no need to buy the most recent specialized version yet.

You should also learn how to safely store your stamps. For now, a stock book or a box with a lid is fine. Keep your stamps dry and away from high humidity - and the dog, if you have one.

You can also learn some basics by talking about your stamps with stamp collectors that you know. They can give you some tips and tricks that are based on their experiences. If you don't know anyone who collects stamps, post on this blog - we'll answer your questions quickly.



The single most important thing to remember is that collecting stamps is fun, not a "job."

And secondly, if you have children, by all means share your hobby with them. They'll thank you for it, it's great quality time together and educational for everyone.



This is only the first installment of this tutorial, so if you're a new stamp collector or thinking about collecting stamps, stay tuned.