Posts Tagged ‘stamp clubs’

Are you new to the world of stamp collecting? Stamp collecting is a treasured hobby that people around the world have enjoyed for centuries. If you’re just starting out, there are some things you should know before spending your hard-earned money on collectible stamps.

The first thing you’ll need is to make sure you have the proper stamp collecting supplies. You will need a sturdy album with acid-free pages to display and store your stamps, stamp hinges to safely affix the stamps to album pages, and glassine envelopes for stamps that aren’t ready to be placed in the album. You’ll also need a pair of stamp tongs, because using your hands to handle stamps can cause severe damage. Choose tongs in either plastic or stainless steel, that aren’t too sharp.

The next thing you’ll need to know is how to determine an authentic collectible stamp from a fake. This is where a watermark detector can come in handy. Another option is to only purchase stamps from reputable dealers who offer certificates of authenticity. Also, doing your research before buying can help you determine whether a stamp is the real thing or a fake.

There are many places where you can buy stamps. You can visit stamp shops in your area, or go to stamp shows and conventions. Another option is to shop online. There are a variety of retailers that specialize in selling collectible stamps. You can also find rare stamps on Ebay. When buying stamps on Ebay, however, make sure you deal with an experienced and knowledgeable stamp seller that has a high feedback rating. This will ensure that you’re getting an authentic collectible stamp for the right price.

One good idea is to join an association or group for stamp collectors. This way, you can network with stamp collecting experts who can advise you on all aspects of collecting stamps. Also, you can swap, buy and sell stamps with other collectors. There are groups that meet in person, and groups you can join online. Check MSN groups, Google groups and Yahoo groups for great stamp collecting groups you can join!

Stamp collecting doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby — it can easily be enjoyed for very little money! Many collectors get into stamp collecting first as a hobby, and over the years, work up to buying stamps for investment purposes.

As a beginning stamp collector, the first thing you must do is gather some STAMPS! There are lots of places where you can get stamps. Here are some good sources:

* The easiest and least expensive way to start is by taking stamps from envelopes, packages, and postcards that come to your house. Be sure to ask permission before you cut stamps off of envelopes. (Remove the stamps from packages and envelopes by cutting a portion of the area around the stamp. Don’t try to peel them off, they may tear.

* Ask your friends and relatives to save the stamps from their mail for you. Ask places that receive a lot of mail — neighborhood businesses or where your parents work — to save their envelopes for you. If your interest is foreign stamps, you might try airlines, travel agencies, and foreign government offices in your area.

* Find a pen pal (perhaps friends or relatives) so that you can send each other letters with cool stamps.

* Don’t be too concerned that you are getting too many copies of the same stamps. You can trade duplicate stamps with other collectors.

* You can purchase new stamps at your local post office.

* Stamp Dealers are a great source for older stamps and often offer inexpensive packages containing many different stamps from all over the world.

* Stamp clubs are another place to get stamps. A club may offer stamps as prizes, or have inexpensive stamps you can afford to buy, or there may be someone at the club who might offer you some good advice. Some stamp clubs sponsor junior clubs that meet at schools or the local YMCA or community center. If you are fortunate enough to have one of these in your area, it can be a great source of both stamps and advice.

* Another resource is stamp shows. Here you will not only find stamps but also get to meet other collectors. Stamp shows may be small one- or two-day events in your local area, or very large events in big-city convention halls lasting several days and featuring hundreds of dealers and thousands of pages of stamp exhibits to see. You can find out about stamp shows in your area by contacting your local postmaster.

• Aerogramme Society – international philatelic society for the study of world-wide Aerogrammes and Airletter Sheets. Publishes a quarterly newsletter “The AerogrammeR”.
• American Philatelic Society
• American Plate Number Single Society.
• American Society for Philatelic Pages and Panels
• Association of Great Britain First Day Cover Collectors
• Atlanta Stamp Collectors Club – description, contact information, meeting times, location, newsletter, auction and philatelic links.
• Armenian Philatelic Association
• Austin Texas Stamp Club – holds monthly programs, trading sessions, and stamp auctions.
• Australasian Philatelic Traders’ Association Inc. (APTA)
• American Topical Association – international organization for collectors of topical and thematic stamps.
• Austria Philatelic Society (US) Home Page- collector stamp club for all collectors of Austria philately
• Basildon Philatelic Society (UK)
• Bellville Philatelic Society – news from the society on a monthly basis.
• British North America Philatelic Society -  International philatelic society for the study of Canada and the pre-Confederation colonies.
• Canadian Forces Philatelic Society – non-public organization for serving and former members of the Canadian Forces. Includes articles from the CFPS Bulletin and pertinent web links.
• Confederate Stamp Alliance
• Entrance and District Stamp Club – exists for the promotion and enjoyment of stamp collecting as a hobby.
• Great Britain Philatelic Society – seeks to promote stamp collecting in Great Britain. Publishes the GB Journal.
• Hampshire Philatelic Federation
• Hawaiian Philatelic Society
• High Wycombe Philatelic Society
• Hong Kong Study Circle The Hong Kong Study Circle was founded in 1951 to record and circulate information on the philatelic and postal history of Hong Kong and the Treaty ports.
• International Federation of Stamp Dealers Associations (IFSDA)
• Junior Philatelists of America – national youth stamp collectors organization run by and for young people.
• Liechtenstein Study Group Web site (Stamp club for collectors of Liechtenstein)
• Mexico-Elmhurst Philatelic Society International (MEPSI) is the largest and oldest (begun in 1950) society in the world devoted solely to Mexico philately. MEPSI has an informative quarterly journal, MEXICANA. MEPSI also has an extensive library, auctions, circuits and expertization. They hold annual meetings in the US and Mexico.
• National Duck Stamp Collectors Society – stamp collecting society devoted exclusively to duck stamps. Promotes and encourages the collecting and study of migratory waterfowl hunting and conservation stamps.
• Nederlandse Vereeniging van Postzegelhandelaren (Dutch Dealers organization)
• Northeastern Pennsylvania Philatelic Society (Scranton Stamp Club)
• Ottoman and Near East Philatelic Society
• The Philatelist Exchange – wonderful non-profit site where you can meet and trade with other collectors
• Postmark Collectors Club – national organization encouraging collection of postmarks and postal history. Hosts museum in Ohio and annual national convention.
• Scandinavia Philatelic Society – produces a quarterly newsletter and holds regular meetings in London.
• Scandinavian Collectors Club – an international non-profit organization devoted to research, postal history, education and stamp collecting.
• Society of Israel Philatelists – educational and communication group and a resource for information on Israeli stamps.
• Sports Philatelists International serving the needs of both novice and experienced Olympic and sport stamp collectors throughout the world.
• Tuscan Philatelic Dealers Association – for dealers and collectors of worldwide stamps.
• United States Stamp Society. National association for collectors who specialized in collecting 20th century U.S. stamps and/or postal history.
• Vietbay Philatelic Society
• The Warren Area Stamp Club – Warren, Ohio. Included are contact information, club history, meeting times, meeting location, and our show information. Visit us!