How to Start a Stamp Collection

By Society & Culture & Entertainment Last updated Friday, May/10/2024

1). Go to the post office and purchase new stamps.
2). Take used stamps off your old mail. Note that it's sometimes more valuable to collect the entire envelope rather than stripping off the stamp because of a unique postmark date.
3). Ask friends and family for their old stamps. Their saved envelopes also can be valuable.
4). Purchase stamps from dealers, who are often listed in newspaper classifieds and offer stacks of assorted stamps.
5). Order stamps through the mail or via Web sites, either by approval or by want list. "Approval" is when a dealer sends you assorted stamps and you choose which ones to keep. A "want list" is when a dealer checks his or her stock and quotes prices for specific stamps you want to collect.
6). Bid at stamp auctions or philatelic exhibitions. Take the time to look through the merchandise and make educated deals.
7). Trade with fellow collectors. Do this by meeting other stamp traders at shows, auctions and stamp clubs.

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