Finding Your Focus in Stamp Collecting
Stamp collecting is an incredibly flexible hobby that is suitable for nearly all ages, from young children to lifelong enthusiasts. Because the countries of the world issue approximately 10,000 new postage stamps each year, attempting to collect every single stamp ever issued is generally unrealistic due to constraints of money, space, and time. Instead, most collectors find relaxation and enjoyment by narrowing their focus to a specific specialty. Using an app like StampSnap can help you log your initial finds and create a likely identification record as you begin exploring different areas.
Traditional Country and Worldwide Collecting
Traditionally, many collectors choose to specialize in a single country. This is often their home country, a place where they spent a memorable vacation, or simply a nation whose stamp designs they find visually interesting. While obtaining every stamp issued by a specific country is possible for some smaller nations without spending a fortune, most countries have at least a few rare issues that are difficult to acquire. To keep their collections manageable, some philatelists narrow their country focus even further, such as collecting only stamps issued since their birth year.
Exploring Topical and Visual Themes
Topical collecting is an increasingly popular method that allows you to gather stamps from all over the world based on a specific subject. Popular topics include animals, birds, flowers, ships, space, scouts, Disney, and sports. However, you can choose highly customized themes, such as rainbows, outhouses, or even stamps of a specific shape or color, such as collecting only yellow stamps. Topical collectors often expand their scope by including related postal history, such as special postmarks, first day covers, and postal stationery.
Collecting by Stamp Type and Special Services
Another way to specialize is by the functional type of the stamp. Some collectors focus on airmail stamps or coil stamps, while others specialize in stamps used for special postal services, such as special delivery or postage due issues. Beyond traditional postage stamps, you can also collect non-traditional philatelic materials and ephemera. This includes covers, which are envelopes that actually carried mail through the postal system. Some individuals also collect markings or labels applied to mail, including postage meters, Christmas Seals, and revenue stamps.
Choosing Between Mint and Used Stamps
As you establish your specialty, you will likely develop a preference for either mint or used stamps. Mint stamps have never been used and look exactly as they did when sold at the post office, meaning you must take care to preserve their original gum. Used stamps have served their intended purpose of carrying the mail. There are several advantages to collecting used stamps. Most stamps cost less used than mint, and you do not have to worry about preserving the gum, allowing you to use inexpensive stamp hinges to mount them on album pages. Sometimes, the cancellations on used stamps are also of great historical interest.
Inspiration from Famous Collectors
Stamp collecting has often been called 'the hobby of kings and the king of hobbies,' attracting individuals from all walks of life. Famous collectors include President Franklin Roosevelt, astronaut Henry Hartsfield, actors Gary Burghoff and James Earl Jones, explorer Jacques Cousteau, tennis superstar Maria Sharapova, and musicians John Lennon, Freddy Mercury, and Ron Wood. Learning about the diverse interests of these famous philatelists shows that there is no single right or wrong way to build a collection. Your specialty can be entirely customized to reflect your own unique interests, whether you collect for relaxation, historical knowledge, or the simple appreciation of miniature works of art.
Essential Tools for Your Chosen Specialty
Regardless of your specialty, handling stamps safely requires the right tools to prevent damage. The Smithsonian National Postal Museum identifies a simple pair of stamp tongs, an album, and a general reference book as sufficient starting tools. Tongs feature smooth ends designed to pick up loose stamps without direct finger contact, protecting them from skin oils. A magnifying glass helps reveal small design details, while a perforation gauge can distinguish look-alike issues by measuring their perforations. For advanced specialization, tools like watermark detectors, color guides, and catalogs help you compare physical observations with reliable references to make a likely identification. For digital organization, tools like StampSnap can help you keep a convenient record of your collection as you build it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between mint and used stamps?
Mint stamps have never been used and look exactly as they did when sold at the post office, requiring careful preservation of their original gum. Used stamps have served their postal purpose, often feature cancellations, and are generally more affordable and easier to mount using inexpensive stamp hinges.
What basic tools do I need to start collecting stamps safely?
According to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, a basic setup includes a pair of stamp tongs with smooth ends to avoid direct finger contact, an album, and a general reference book. A magnifying glass and a perforation gauge are also highly useful for identifying design details and measuring perforations.
Can I collect stamps based on a specific topic or theme?
Yes, topical collecting is highly popular. You can collect stamps from all over the world based on subjects like animals, flowers, space, or sports. You can also choose highly customized visual traits, such as stamps of a specific shape or color.