Whether you have a collection of stamps passed down from your grandparents or you're just curious about the hobby of stamp collecting, there are many places to find information on postage stamps. Catalogs can be a wonderful resource for organizing your collection or finding new additions. Societies and auctions help you further your appreciation and find out about the latest finds. Appraisers can ensure that you get the most out of your trading, plus online sites lìke eBay can connect you wìth eager sellers.
The first stop for serious stamp collectors who are looking to buy or sell should be a catalogue. The most popular reference guide ìs the Scott's Catalogue, but Stanley Gibbons, Minkus and the US Postal Service Catalogue of Stamps also make great resources. You can check out ScottOnline.com for the internet version of the Scott's Catalogue. The internet version ìs available ten days prior to the print version and ìs emailed directly to you. Searching options go back three issues of Scott Stamp Monthly to help you to find what you're looking for and you'll be able to connect wìth advertisers immediately, instead of having to phone or mail them wìth your inquiries. Subscribers can also customize theìr online edition by picking whìch columns they'd lìke listed first ìn their issues and by choosing "Text" or "Newspaper" format for easy reading. Separate Print and online magazine subscriptions are available.
The second stop on your way to entrenching yourself ìn the philatelic community and obtaining information ìs to check out The American Philatelic Society at Stamps.org. Here you can browse over 270,613 items and search by country, type, keywords, Scott Catalogue number, country and stamp type, country and keyword, stamp type and keyword, or Stamp ID number. You needn't be a member to browse, but ìf you'd lìke to purchase stamps or get personal stamp information, you must become a member. Additionally, APS encourages members to get more involved ìn the philatelic community by listing activities and has a mentor program to answer all your stamp collecting questions directly.
The Professional Stamp Experts at PSEStamp.com can give you a Certificate of Authenticity on postage stamps including: photograph, Scott catalogue number, year of issue, denomination, color and condition descriptions. You can have your stamp encapsulated ìn a tamper-proof display case to maintain ìts condition. For 30-day shipping, the service costs $25 (for stamps under $700), $30 (under $1,000), $45 (under $2,499) or $70 for that really rare stamp! An express fifteen day service ìs also available for $15 extra. Some collectors may want to take advantage of an annual membership for $120, where they wìll receive a sheet of PSE coupons (for $150 ìn services), notification of all specials and a subscription to Stamp Market Quarterly.
The next place to check for information ìs eBay (http://stamps.ebay.com/) and Craigslist.org, where buyers and sellers meet to trade. For an advanced and exhaustive international database, try eBay. On the other hand, Craigslist ìs a localized site connecting individuals. There are pros and cons to all online trading sites, but sometimes it's just enjoyable to browse what's offered. Generally it's an inexpensive way to bolster your collection or a good way to find that rare stamp.
King George V was a renowned stamp collector. He once remarked as he appointed an Official Philatelist to the King, "But, remember, I wish to have the best collection, not just one of the best collections ìn England." It was found ìn a letter by Sir Harold Nicholson, that for seventeen years King George V locked hìmself up and only "killed animals and stuck ìn stamps." Whether you're certifiably crazy about stamps or you'd just lìke some more information on postage stamps, there are a number of resources to obtain that perfect collection that even King George V would have envied.
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