Collecting stamps can be very rewarding, and is a hobby suitable for all skill levels and budgets. A beginner or a child can be satisfied with albums with beautiful reproductions. An experienced collector can be captivated by a detailed study of a single piece and the desire to complete a themed collection. The correct way to collect stamps is what makes you happy.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Collecting the Stamps
Step 1. Start your collection with commercial stamp packs
In craft shops and flea markets you can find packages containing hundreds of used stamps. They are perfect for starting a new collection. But make sure they contain "all different" stamps and not multiple pieces all the same.
Step 2. Buy new stamps at the post office
You can find commemorative ones never used in any office, often with particular designs very coveted by collectors. Some prefer these brand new stamps because they are of better quality, while others prefer those canceled with postmarks. You can specialize in the type you prefer, or collect both.
Step 3. Ask local businesses, shops, and friends to keep the stamps for you
Companies also receive a lot of mail from abroad, both from customers and suppliers. Even friends and family can keep the postage stamps of the letters they receive and then deliver them to you.
Step 4. Find a pen pal
If you enjoy writing and receiving letters, find a pen pal to start a constant correspondence with. You can find specialized websites that help you connect with a friend in another country so that you can receive postage stamps that you wouldn't otherwise have.
Step 5. Exchange the stamps
When you've assembled a fair number of pieces, there's a chance you have duplicates or some stamps you don't care about - you can exchange them with other collectors by expanding your collection. If you don't have friends or colleagues with the same passion as you, ask the shop assistants or customers of the hobby shop where you need them, or ask the vendors in the flea markets if they are interested in exchanges.
In the beginning, it is better to exchange one stamp for another stamp, rather than trying to learn its market value. The exceptions are pieces torn, damaged or covered with a very heavy postal mold which generally have a much lower value than those in excellent condition
Step 6. Join a club
Experienced collectors often meet to exchange tips and stamps. You can do an online search to find the nearest philatelic group to your home.
If you are looking for something more specific, find out if there are any trade fairs or auctions specializing in stamps
Part 2 of 4: Remove the Paper from Used Stamps
Step 1. Handle the stamps with the pliers
You can get them from an online philately site or hobby shop: they allow you not to touch the stamps with your fingers, avoiding transferring moisture and grease from the skin. They are quite similar to eyebrow tweezers, but have rounded tips to avoid damaging the paper. Their particular shape is suitable for slipping under the paper, avoid those with sharp points because they could tear the stamps.
Step 2. Cut the bulk of the envelope
Used stamps are often detached from an envelope before being placed in the appropriate albums. If you like to keep the post office mold as well, skip the next few steps and just cut out the envelope around the stamp and store it as is. Otherwise, cut a small square around the stamp without being too precise.
Since pieces with postmarks take up a lot of space in a collection, many people decide to keep only the most interesting items
Step 3. Soak most of the stamps in warm water
This traditional method works for all pre-2004 American postage stamps and for most older postage stamps. Put the stamps attached to the paper in a bowl of warm water, they must face up. Leave enough room for each piece so they can all float to the surface. When they start to separate from the paper underneath, use the tweezers to transfer them to absorbent paper. Handle wet stamps with great care and try to get rid of paper scraps. If this does not come off, let the piece soak for longer, do not try to forcefully separate the paper from the stamp.
Pieces that are glued to colored envelopes or with red molds, should be soaked in separate bowls, as the ink may melt and stain them
Step 4. Rinse and dry the stamps
Once you have managed to peel off the envelope residue, rinse the back of the stamps to remove any traces of glue. Wait for them to dry overnight on a paper towel. If they curl, you can place them between two heavy books after wrapping them in absorbent paper.
Step 5. Peel off the self-adhesive stamps with air freshener
In Italy the first pieces were seen in 1992 on the occasion of a commemorative edition of philately, while in 1999 they became more common and used for priority mail. Unfortunately, to detach these specimens it is not enough to immerse them in warm water. You need to get a gas-free, 100% natural, citrus-based air freshener spray. Spray a small amount on the paper attached to the stamp until it soaks and becomes translucent. Turn the stamp up and roll the paper gently starting at one corner. As you proceed, carefully peel off the stamp; to remove the residual glue, dip a finger in the talcum powder and rub the back of the stamp.
Part 3 of 4: Organizing and Maintaining the Collection
Step 1. Classify the collection
After spending some time accumulating pieces, most collectors decide to narrow down their field of interest to a particular sub-category of stamps. Even if you have decided to dedicate yourself to a rather large selection, choose a theme that will guide you in the classification. Here are some ideas:
- Country: This is probably the most common criterion. Some people try to have at least one postage stamp for every country in the world.
- Thematic collection: choose the stamps that have a certain meaning for you or those that you find interesting or beautiful. Butterflies, sports, famous people, airplanes are among the most common subjects on stamps.
- Color or shape: divide your pieces to make the collection look good. Try to collect stamps with unusual shapes, such as triangles.
Step 2. Purchase a dedicated album
These albums, also called "classifiers", protect the pieces while keeping them visible and divided into files and pages. Some are sold with the image of the stamps of a particular country or the circulation of a certain year. Your task will be to place the original stamp over the leading image.
Some are books, others are binders to which you can add new pages. Those with a black background highlight the stamps
Step 3. Arrange the stamps
In some albums it is sufficient to slide the pieces into plastic bags. In other models, however, you have to get a specific sticker that does not damage your stamps. Choose between these two possibilities:
- "Linguella": it is a small folded piece of paper or plastic. To use it you need to moisten the shorter end and attach it to the back of the stamp. Then moisten the longer end and pin it to the album. This technique is not recommended for valuable stamps.
- "Classifier": these are plastic bags, they are more expensive but they keep the stamps better. Slip each stamp into the bag, moisten the back of the bag, and then attach it to the album.
Step 4. Separate the pages with plastic sheets
If your album plans to place the stamps on all the double-sided pages, then you must interpose some plastic sheets to prevent the pieces from rubbing together with the risk of breaking. You can use mylar, polyethylene, polypropylene or alternative materials.
Avoid vinyl sheets as they are not effective over the long term
Step 5. Keep the album in a safe place
Humidity, bright light, and sudden changes in temperature can damage your collection, so avoid storing it in the warm attic or damp basement. Do not leave it near exterior doors or concrete walls, as they can transmit moisture. If you have decided to store it near the floor, put it in a box first.
Part 4 of 4: Identifying the Rare Stamps
Step 1. Always refer to collectible books
Catalogs and price guides are excellent resources for understanding the value of your pieces, they should feature the illustrations of the various stamps and provide a classification by year, so they are easily searchable. The internationally recognized catalogs are: Scott Postage Stamp Catalog, Stanley Gibbons for pieces from Great Britain, Yvert et Tellier for France, Unitrade for Canada, Minkus and Harris US / BNA for the United States. For Italy you can refer to the Bolaffi, Sassone or the Unified catalog.
You can also find these books in better-stocked libraries, if you'd rather not buy them
Step 2. Examine the specimens with a magnifying glass
Stamps differ only in one line or one point, so the magnifying glass is the most valuable tool for a collector. Small jeweler monocles are very effective, but the most valuable or hard to identify stamps require high power magnifying glasses with built-in light.
Step 3. Use a calibrated reamer
This is a tool that allows you to measure the indentations on the edges of the stamp. This is only necessary for the most experienced collectors dealing with highly valuable specimens. A calibrated reamer lets you know how many holes there are in 2 cm and is a factor that greatly influences the value of the stamp.
If the catalog you are consulting has two numbers, for example "Perf 11x12", know that the first number refers to the horizontal perforation and the second to the vertical one
Step 4. Check the watermark
Often the paper for stamps carries it back, even if most of the time it is so blurry that it is barely visible against the light. If you have a stamp that can only be identified by the watermark, you need to get a special liquid that is non-toxic and safe for stamp paper. Place the specimen on a black tray and drop a few drops of liquid to highlight the watermark.
- This is another great trick for detecting hidden creases or repairs.
- If you don't want to get your stamps wet, buy a dedicated watermark tool, such as the electronic watermarkoscope.
