Other Postal Stamps
Your postal collection is never complete because thousands of stamps are available on eBay. You can limit your stamp selections to only United States postal stamps or expand your collection to include lots from countries worldwide. Certify your rare pieces through services like the Philatelic Foundation or the APS (American Philatelic Society) to officially authenticate their value. Whether you're new to collecting or a veteran philatelist, postal stamp publications provide insider tips, price guides, and books about philately to fast track your interest even further.
Which Postal Stamps Should I Collect?
Collectors normally personalize their collections to suit their tastes. Consider these suggestions:
- Specific Categories: If you're passionate about nature, collect bird, cat, and plant stamps. There are aviation, sports, and animation stamps along with a wide variety of other categories.
- Works of Art: Stamps can have an exquisite appearance making them stamp worthy to a collector. Examples include Norman Rockwell stamps, landscapes, and European postal stamps that may have an artistic appearance.
- Value: The thrill of the chase also applies to stamp collectors who look for rare stamps that have more value. Overall, the return on investment for a stamp collection is higher as compared to other hobbies.
What Are Postal Covers?
The term coined by philatelists refers to the outside of an envelope or package that displays a cancelled stamp. You can shop for U.S. stamp covers by cancellation type such as hand stamped, pen, or machine cancelled along with first day of issue and fancy cancel examples. Covers are available by topic in specific denominations from 1 cent and higher as well as used, mint never hinge, and other quality determinations.
How Should I Store Postal Stamps?
You'll be as proud of your stamps as any other collector. Keep showing your prized possessions as long as you follow basic preservation tips such as these:
- Light: As with any art, exposure to natural light fades stamps in a hurry. They may also yellow and crack.
- Temperature: Preservation is key to enjoy your collection for years to come. Keep your stamps in an environment between 65-72 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity level that averages 35-55 percent.
- Storage: Cardboard boxes invite pests such as mice and insects that could destroy your stamps. Display them in stockbooks or albums placed on a shelf at least 6 feet high should your structure ever flood.