July, 2009

Stamp collecting is considered to be one of the most popular hobbies in the world. This is despite the fact that there is not that much money that can be made from it even if the person has some of the oldest stamps dating back to the 19th century.

Even if there isn’t that much money that can be made, there are individuals who take advantage of it and buy a lot of stamps then sell it to people who want it for a little profit. It has made these people both collector and dealers of stamps.

Just like the regular hobbyist, the dealer has to be careful in handling these. Should any dirt, oil or any damage happen to the inventory, it will be difficult for the person to sell it at the desired price.

The dealer will need the proper tools to handle it. This includes the tweezers to transport the stamps from one place to another. It will really come in handy when the person passes it to the hobbyist who will pay some money so that it can be added to the collection.

Since the dealer has to get stamps from other people to be able to sell it again, this person also needs a magnifying glass so the true value of the stamp can be assessed and proper pricing for those want it can be made.

Storing the stamps till people come and buy it must be stored in an album. The dealer can get this from a variety of places and the nearest are those sold in the local bookstore and at some specialty shops. Since the contents inside are fragile, this should be stored in room temperature and away from direct sunlight.

Dealers need to practice how to use these instruments. Using an old letter with a stamp on it is a good exercise similar to the real thing. By practicing the proper way of handling it, the dealer can make a profit by selling these in good condition.

This begins by putting it the part of the envelope with the stamp in water. When the two begin to separate, the dealer should use the tongs to pick up the stamp. This should be dried using the air and no water must be present anymore when it is placed into the album.

Another place where the dealer can get stamps is at the post office. Since these are sold in rolls and some people are too lazy to go there, the person can buy it then deliver it to the collector with a little profit.

The collector and dealer of stamps can also be found at auctions and exhibits of these small goods. These people can sell a set or in bulk to those who are willing to buy it at the right price.

Another way to get customers will be to advertise in the newspaper by leaving some details and contact numbers. Since there is a demand for stamp collecting, calls will start coming in and deals can be made.

The internet is another venue where the dealer and collector can advertise to hobbyists.

By using everything at the person’s disposal to get in touch with those who want to expand the existing stamp collections, the individual will be making a good income that will be used to buy more stamps and make this cycle continue.

The dealer must have a price catalogue at all times. This will make it easy to get it from other suppliers and give the person an idea how much to sell it to the hobbyist. This can be bought at the local specialty store which gives its standard value in the market.

Stamps are easier to acquire now compared to how it was years ago. By knowing what the hobbyists want regardless if it is old or new and finding the means to get it, money can be made.

Stamp collecting will continue to flourish as long as people need to send parcels and documents to different places in the country and in the world. This will provide the dealer with something to buy and sell with and in the process make some money.

Philately can be described as the collecting and arranging of postal material i.e. postage stamps, postal routes, letters, covers and other material. This collection, be it stamps, covers etc. are usually documented to trace major historical events and other events.

It cannot be established when philately first started as a hobby as there is no known documentation. However, it can be ascertained that philately only started after the introduction of the postage stamp in 1840.

Collection of stamps adapted an approach with the introduction of stamps album. The first album was produced in England in 1852. Thus, when more postage stamps became available, the hobby of collecting stamps became quite common. More people began to take an interest in stamp collecting and philately began to develop. Many serious collectors emerged and one of the world’s largest and oldest stamp collections is owned by the Queen of England. DYTM Raja Muda of Selangor is also reputed to have a good collection.

The word “philately” is said to have been coined in France in 1864 by Georges Herpin. It is from two Greek words: “philos” meaning loving and “llateleiall” meaning free of payment. Originally philately was more confined to the study of labels, representing payment for postal services. From here its area was widened to include the study of the systematic collection of postage stamps, postcards, postal covers, postmarks and other postal material.

Canada Post is taking Canadians on a cross-country journey celebrating four great Canadian Roadside Attractions along the way.

Canada Post issue set of 4 stamps feature Roadside Attractions, denominated 55c each.

Discription of the stamps:

* Mr. PG is an eight-metre high log man raised in 1960 in Prince George to recognize forestry’s important role in the city’s history.

* A second stamp features the Signpost Forest, in Watson Lake, Yukon. The first signs were raised in 1942, by a homesick US G.I. to point his way home. Today, more than 64,000 signs are posted.

* The stunning inukshuk outside Hay River in the Northwest Territories illustrates the stone giants’ purpose in guiding travellers in Canada’s north.

* Finally there is the Pysanka, the largest Easter egg in the world, created to honour Vegreville, Alberta’s large Ukrainian-Canadian community. Beautifully decorated Easter eggs are a tradition among Ukrainians worldwide.

The set is the first in Canada Post’s Roadside Attractions series, which will run over three years.

Australia Post issues set of 5 stamps with denomination of 55 cents each, which feature five of Australia’s most beautiful city parks on 14 July, 2009.

1. Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne: Melbourne’s Fitzroy Gardens was reserved in 1848, although it was not laid out until 1859. Today it ranks as one of the city’s premier parks.

2. Roma St Parkland, Brisbane: Brisbane’s Roma Street Parkland is renowned for its subtropical plantings. This park was the result of a major redevelopment of former railway yards completed in 2000.

3. St David’s Park, Hobart: St David’s Park in Hobart was opened in 1926, its two hectares occupying the site of Hobart’s first burial ground (1804-72).

4. Commonwealth Park, Canberra: There are many parks in the national capital, including Commonwealth Park on the foreshore of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. Since 1965, the master plan prepared by British Landscape architect Sylvia Crowe the park’s development.

5. Hyde Park, Sydney: Sydney’s Hyde Park, Australia’s first public park, was reserved on 11 February 1810. Its present layout is a result of a design competition held in 1926.

Australians have a great love and appreciation for these parks and enjoy visiting them to either engage in a variety of activities or to simply savour a tranquil environment.

This issue features a limited edition (15,000) prestige first day cover with a foiled postmark accompanied by a 100% recycled paper gift card containing lemon scented bottlebrush (Callistemon citrius) seeds. Also available is a prestige booklet with exclusive blocks of four.