Collecting Definitive Stamps




Definitive stamps are frequently used to pay everyday postage charges that apply to letters rather than parcels. Often featuring the portrait of an important person in the issuing country's history, they are usually smaller and somewhat less attractive than other types of stamps such as commemorative stamps. And many times the design of a particular definitive stamp is used for many years, with several different printings of the same design being required.




But in spite of this relative lack of creativity in their designs, definitive stamps are usually far more appealing to philatelists than other types of stamps. In fact, a common saying is "definitives are where the money is at." This is because the re-printing of a definitive stamp's design - sometimes by a different printing company -over the years tends to give rise to different collectible varieties of that stamp. Some stamp collectors specialize in these varieties and some varieties are quite rare and expensive.



An easy and inexpensive way to obtain varieties of definitive stamps is through buying stamp mixes. You get a lot of stamps for very little money when you buy stamp assortments, and they will entertain you for a long time if you're looking for varieties. A good source of definitive stamp mixes is The Stamp People. You can buy US definitive stamp mixtures (which include sheet stamps, booklet stamps and coil stamps) and or you can buy US all-coil stamp mixtures (no sheet stamps or booklet stamps) at their website, for a very low cost. They also sell definitive stamp mixtures from selected other countries.



So go where the money is - collect definitive stamps.