Stamp collecting as
a hobby
Last week we told you how good it was to engage in a hobby and stamp
collecting was one of them. This week we give you some information and
hope this information will help you when you start collecting stamps.
Stamp collecting covers postage stamps and related objects, such as
covers. It is one of the world's most popular hobbies, with estimates of
the number of collectors ranging up to 20 million in the United States
alone.
A philatelist collects stamps but need not, collect the objects of
study, nor is it necessary to closely study what one collects. Many
casual collectors enjoy accumulating stamps without worrying about the
tiny details, but the creation of a large or comprehensive collection
generally requires some philatelic knowledge. This is especially
important for those who intend to spend large amounts for stamps.
Stamp collectors are an important source of revenue for some small
countries who create limited runs of elaborate stamps designed mainly to
be bought by stamp collectors. The stamps produced by these countries
far exceed the postal needs of the countries.
Some collectors, observing the generally rising prices of rare
stamps, have taken to Philatelic Investment. Rare stamps are among the
most portable of tangible investments, and are easy to store.
They offer an attractive alternative to art, other collectible
investments, and precious metals.
The first postage stamp, the One Penny Black, was issued by Britain
in 1840.. It pictured a young Queen Victoria, was produced without
perforations (imperforate), and consequently had to be cut from the
sheet with scissors to be used. While unused examples of the "Penny
Black" are quite scarce, used examples are common, and may be purchased
for $25 to $150, depending upon condition.
Children and teenagers were early collectors of stamps in the 1860s
and 1870s. Many adults dismissed it as a childish pursuit.
Queen Victoria's profile was a staple on 19th century stamps of the
British Empire; here on a half-penny of the Falkland Islands, 1891.
During the late 1800s many of those collectors, now adults, began to
systematically study the available postage stamps and published research
works on their production and plate flaws.
It was not until the 1920s that publicity about valuable stamps
encouraged a large increase in the number of stamp collectors.
This rapid increase in postage stamp values was largely due to very
few of the older stamps being saved in good condition. Especially
difficult to find were pairs, triples, and large blocks of older stamps.
Because many U.S. stamp issues of the 1920s rose rapidly in value,
during the 1930s many American collectors stockpiled mint U.S. stamps
with the hopes of selling them for a sizeable profit in a few years'
time. This never materialized.
Even today, more than 60 years later, one can find many 1930s U..S.
issues in mint condition for close to face value, and many stamp dealers
and collectors still use stamps issued as far back as the 1930s for
postage when mailing letters.
Most US postage stamps issued since the 1930s are easy to obtain and
have minimal value.
Some high face value stamps, such as the $2.60 United States Graf
Zeppelin issued in 1930, are worth substantial amounts of money.
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