Stamp Collecting Blog - Stamp Collecting

Aliens Invade Stamp Collections

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:09:00 -0700

While supplies last we're offering this Alien Sightings Souvenir Sheet, Stamp Set for only $99.95. That's over $70 off retail.

Our latest newsletter also features a Halloween Fantasy Note as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas Notes.

CD Stamps

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 08:37:00 -0700

Would these be classified as CDs on Stamps or Stamps on CDs? Either way, the Hartford Courant reports today about these Canadian Easy Listening Stamps. By the way, the first I heard of Joni Mitchell was last night via an old Alias episode. I've never been an easy listening type of guy. But the souvenir stamp sheet concept is pretty neat.

Stamp Game

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 19:04:00 -0700

I found this MSN Group called the Stamp Game while searching the Web today. It sounds very interesting. It's always nice to see how stamp collectors leverage the power of the Internet to enjoy their hobby. If anyone has tried this or knows of something like it, please leave a comment. Our comments are moderated which means that comments must be reviewed before they appear.

Is Stamp Collecting for Nerds

Thu, 30 Mar 2006 21:44:00 -0700

What makes something for nerds anyway? Let me retape my glasses and address this question. I could list famous people who have collected stamps but that would be reversing the same ridiculous stereotype. Hobbies simply don't make people cool or uncool. This is common sense and we all know this. But none of us particularly enjoy appearing uncool. For this reason very few of us would wear a shirt that proclaims, "I am a Geek". The opposite would probably also lead to unfavorable comments...wearing a shirt that said "I am Cool". Regardless of which category you might think you fall into, boldly proclaiming either will probably not pan out in your favor. Just the same, it would be ill advised to carry a perforation gauge to the high school prom. This is common sense. [More]

Stamp Topics

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 21:52:00 -0700

There are so many different types of topics one encounters when collecting stamps. In fact, the number of topics is limitless. For example, the topic art on stamps can be further subdivided and specialized into pop art, paintings, portraits, nature scenes, etc. I am still pretty new to this and haven't really spent much time on any one topic enough to call myself a topical collector. But I do plan to focus on a particular stamp topic soon. When I can, I plan to begin collecting stamps featuring the Resurrection. I suppose if there's any place to start, that has to be it. [More]

Stamps and Anticipation

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 22:45:00 -0700

I've waited all week to get back to my Mongolia collection only to find that I was out of time. There's just something about securing a chunk of time for organizing and researching new stamps. [More]

Stamp Cancel Marks

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 20:38:00 -0700

We were soaking off some stamps the other day and noticed that some of the stamps had large, almost defacing cancel marks on them. Obviously, their purpose is to mark the stamp as having been used. But one would think that postal service would do their best not to destroy any aesthetic value of the stamp(s). [More]

Sports and Stamps

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 22:43:00 -0700

No, I'm not talking about Sports on Stamps topicals. I'm talking about teamwork. It's basketball season so let's talk basketball. The NBA is gearing up for the playoffs and we're knee deep in March Madness. Contrary to what commercials and media hype would have us believe, championship teams are built from a group...not just a single marquis player. Sure, marquis players get all the hype. But alone, they do not win championships. [More]

Finding Rare Postage Stamps

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 21:51:00 -0700

Is it even possible to find rare postage stamps these days? One of the things that I feel makes this hobby so exciting is the possibility of finding a true treasure. Think about it. Unlike most other collectibles, postage stamps--while on a letter--were often tucked safely away. While many collectibles are stored away safely, letters of significance were and are often protected for later review whether the owner collected stamps or not. Non collectors generally disregard the stamp entirely. This means that while the entire letter or postcard may be preserved, the owner would have no idea what stamp was on it. [More]

What is a Stamp Packet

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 22:25:00 -0700

Don't all purchased collectible postage stamps come in a packet, glassine, or package of some kind? Sure. But the term packet refers more to the diversity of different packets available. For instance, there are country specific packets. There are United States stamp packets, Russia stamp packets, etc.. There are also packets categorized by topic like butterflies on stamps, trains on stamps, and scouts on stamps. There are even packets categorized, or grouped, by stamp type like commemoratives or triangle stamps. [More]

The Value of a Stamp

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 21:53:00 -0700

Just a few days ago I talked about the value of a stamp or coin going beyond monetary terms. I stand by that. But having stamps in your collection that have a high dollar value is exciting. In fact, seeing just one or two stamps having a higher catalog value than what you paid for the packet is exciting. So, how do you find this value figure? [More]

Kids and Collecting Part 3

Mon, 13 Mar 2006 22:19:00 -0700

Anyone half interested in collecting stamps has heard the talk of today's kids not being interested in stamps. Perhaps there's a shred of truth to that. But that same truth can be applied to most items that kids collect. Are rocks exciting? They can be, I suppose. But the point is that rocks don't have to have images of the latest cartoon characters or the latest boy band for a child to pick it up and put it in his pocket. Nor do they have to be rare and valuable. The fact that they are common and easily found makes looking for a different one all that much more meaningful. These same factors still apply to stamps. So, why aren't more kids collecting stamps these days? [More]

Stamp Soaking

Sat, 11 Mar 2006 21:26:00 -0700

So, you've saved a few hundred envelopes with stamps or purchased a stamp mixture. Now how do you get them off that paper? It may sound odd to first timers but you simply let them soak in cool to room temperature water for 5-10 minutes. But first, be certain that the envelope itself isn't a First Day Cover or have some other historical or personal significance. If it does, it's better to archive the whole envelope. While so much is made of safe handling, it seems plain wrong to dump your stamps in water. While very few stamps have ink that runs after being doused, current US stamps do not. [More]

Kids and Collecting Pt 2

Thu, 09 Mar 2006 22:44:00 -0700

My friends tell me I'm stuck in the 80's. Who decided parachute pants were "out" anyway? I can't force myself to like something just because it's popular. I also can't stop liking what I like (or digging what I dig, if you will). As much as I have a hard time understanding it, it's the same for the current generation. [More]

What are Approvals

Tue, 07 Mar 2006 21:37:00 -0700

In his 1957 book, "Standard Handbook of Stamp Collecting", Richard Cabeen describes the purchasing of stamps on approval as " one of the most important methods used in buying and selling stamps". In fact, Cabeen discusses stamps on approval first over all other methods of acquiring stamps. So, what is the "on approval" thing and why is it so important? [More]