Articles » Rare Stamps
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Collecting Stamps - Watermarks
Part of the joy of collecting stamps is examining them - to discover their origin and history, or simply to enjoy them as works of art. But a close examination has a practical side as well. It can help detect a forgery or form part of the assessment of the stamp's value. Part of that process involves looking for and identifying watermarks.
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Stamp Collecting - Using Fluorescence
Technology and art often combine in philately. The art aspect is obvious to the naked eye. But sometimes the technology is invisible, as in the case of fluorescent stamps.
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Each individual will have his or her preferred way of preparing, mounting and storing stamps. But despite personal choices there are common tools that most collectors will find useful, regardless of his or her own way of working.
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Like any collectible, the philatelic world has its champions - the rarest, the highest price paid at auction. Some of these have long and interesting histories apart from the price paid.
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Supplemental Stamp Collectibles
Collecting stamps is a never ending source of interest. You can collect for a lifetime and still be on the hunt for that rare gem, that odd bit of history that is captured by a stamp. Along the way, you may have a lull where the good ones just aren't coming along at a price you can afford. But you can still keep your hobby active by looking into other, related collectibles.
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Once you've learned to prepare your stamps by careful soaking or other methods, you'll want to store them safely and stylishly. There are dozens of different items to choose from. Choices range from simple glassine envelopes placed on stockpages in three-ring binders to dehumidifying cabinets and safes.
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Most people who pursue stamp collecting became seriously interested at a young age. They noticed a foreign stamp or read an article about some of the million dollar stamps that have been discovered in an odd location. They get intrigued by the history behind these miniature works of art. Eventually, they became more than avid collectors, they became investors.
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Stamp Collecting - Soaking For Beginners
Most stamps collected have been used as postage. Unlike uncirculated coins, that's part of what makes them valuable, since they then acquire a history and often interesting cancellation or other marks.
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Introduction to Stamp Collecting
Stamp collecting has grown in just over 150 years from a hobby for children to a worldwide phenomenon for collectors and investors. Today, thousands of collectors spend time and money to obtain everything from a mundane 1840 One Penny Black for a few dollars to the $2.2 million 1855 Tre Skilling Banco Yellow.
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Displaying Stamps – Mounts and Hinges
How best to secure a stamp to a display medium is an ongoing debate. Hinges were used traditionally and many stamps have their value affected - up or down - by the size and nature of the 'hinge marks' on them. Mounts have come into common use over the last 30 years.
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Helpful Stamp Organizations and Museums
Collectors have to sift through lots of information while tracking down and researching stamps. It can be helpful to have a handy list of organizations that in one way or another support that effort.
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Determining the value of a stamp can be a complex affair. It's made more so by the existence of forgeries.
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Many enthusiastic philatelist has reached a lull in collecting at some point. The affordable gems are coming less frequently and growing out of your price range. To keep the momentum going, you can start looking for the unusual. Perfins are one of those great oddities that can flesh out a collection.
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Catalogs for the Stamp Collector
Very early in his or her collecting efforts every stamp collector will need the guidance of several sources of information. Fellow collectors are helpful and there are many forums where helpful tips and enthusiasm can be shared. Dealers can help in the education process, and most are knowledgeable and honest. But the indispensable source of information about stamps remains the catalog.
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Stamp Collecting - A Beginner's Glossary
Today, everything has become specialized. Even stamp collecting, once the province largely of youthful amateurs, has grown into a worldwide auction and investment business. But the romantic lure of stamp collecting remains for thousands whose interest in philately is purely esthetic joy, intriguing detective work and a love of history.
