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Intro... As with antique and art collecting, knowledge and discernment are the keys to common-sense approaches and the enjoyment of your hobby.- from: Linn's (links are my choice - A.J.)Random notes...As I see it, my job here it is NOT to redo what o t h e r s have done so well but, rather, to add a few ideas gathered from experience and to bring together the best that I can find from the multitude of sources available on the internet. Please note that most embolded links - like the word 'others' above - have a seperate link in each letter: o - t - h ... Enjoy! A.J. (and if you know this place my old page is here)
Collecting
is Nuts...
What is Philately? Well, it's more than 'stamp collecting'. The term was coined in the 19th century by M.G. Herpin, a French collector, and as E. Barrow of The Philatelic Society of Trinidad and Tobago notes, "The story of how the name Philately arose has been repeated many times.." but we find his posted version a bit clearer than most:
"Phil" is a prefix that connotes attraction or love, hence a philosopher is a "lover of truth" and an Anglophile is a "lover of all things English". Up until the introduction of postage stamps mail was sent postage free with the cost to be paid by the person to whom the mail was addressed. It was a sort of Cash On Delivery system which in today’s terms may seem unfair. In the 19th Century this was equated with being taxed for the delivery of mail, but the introduction of stamps and fixed rates allowed mail to be paid for by the sender. Thus the French coined the term Philately, i.e. "love of being tax-free", for those early stamp collectors. - E. BarrowThe Basics Menu Albums for stamps - best left for another time.. (see: Caring/Storing below) Caring for stamps Soaking stamps Mounting stamps safely (see also 'Hinges' below) Storing stamps
Collectors of stamps
Grins ;) A Y2K bug
Hinges - used to affix or hold stamps in place Identifying the past presence of Dealing with hinge remnants What kind of hinges should be used? To Hinge Or Not To Hinge? - It can affect value. + Other Marks on stamps The 'right' way to leave your mark Pencil marks on the gum Dirty or stained stamps See Also: Expertizers (and the mark they make)
Watermarks - not a bad thing but a hidden element; an advanced subject but references elsewhere demand some words.
Perforations - The Hole Story
Tools: Tongs - them funny tweezers.. INDISPENSABLE! Magnifying Glass - find one. Plastics in Philately Identifiers & Glossaries Glossary - Terms and sources used herein (usually supply type items)
Value What Are Dealer Buy Prices? (i.e. what a dealer will pay)
Is My Stamp Worth Anything? $.15 on average (retail) and $.01 (or less) in reality for most stamps.
Appraisals, Insurance, charity and U.S. taxes
Auctions - a good place to see what people will pay or accept and to sell or buy.
Classifieds - caveat emptor!
Dealers
Stamp Shows
Other - ways of acquiring stamps
Some Suggested Books
Fundamentals of Philately - Williams & Williams
A highly recommended starting point for your philatelic library. 1990, 862 pages; Includes bibliographical references and index.
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Original : (1769178721 c.1/20/2008)
