Ways To Collect

hello I am looking for ways to collect US stamps. Do I need to just go to the post office and buy different book types of stamps? Is there like a Stamp website like the US mint? Any help well be appreciated I am new to this if you didnt already know

to the family Daviscfad!

There are many ways to get U.S. stamps. Going to the PO is one way. Buying from online sources is another. StampWants, StampOffers and ebay are just a few of the auction sites. There are hundreds of over sites like Mystic Stamps out there also.

Good Hunting!

Daviscfad

The post office is the place to start if you want to collect new issues. If you are interested in older issues than online sites may be best and most likely cheaper than commercial store sites. Once you decide what you want to collect there are hundreds if not thousands of sources out there. Check out the APS website for ideas also.

Welcome Daviscfad

I kik started my collection on line through ebay and had a ball.

Dian

Also, decide if you want mint or used --I like the used--a lot easier on the pocketbook! After your 50th post here--you can email me your address and I'll send you some extra US stamps that I have! I'm sure there are a few others that wouldn't mind helping out a new collector. I decided to collect topicals rather than try to fill album spaces in a US album-so I collect Red Cross, Nursing, Christmas, US Flag, etc. Happy collecting!

Gussyboy1

Thanks for the replies sounds like I am going to have to get me a philatelic book also

You can't beat this book for basic stamp collecting information. Stamp Collecting for Dummies. The Amazon link is below.

http://www.amazon.com/Stamp-Collect...51792&sr=1-1

You may want to go to your local library and look in their reference/hobby section for stamp catalogs ie. Scotts. You can also find Linn's Stamp News, Scotts Stamp Monthly, and other philatelic (stamp collecting) periodicals. All of which you can read for free.

I need to get one of those stamp collecting for dummies book.

Dianne

I won "Stamp Collecting for Dummies" here on the forum--it was exactly what I needed to get up to par with the basic stamp lingo and info. I think I sent mine to Laurita along with a stash of stamps.

daviscfad, I sent out the word to all my email and family friends that I was collecting stamps and some of them started cutting them off envelopes for me. I even asked my Dentist's office to save them and they were happy to help. My cousin works in a big company where they deal with a lot of different folks in foreign countries--he sent me quite a bit from Japan, etc. Getting the word out to others is a good step to take.

Gussyboy1

Do you guys cut the stamps off of envelopes that are mailed to you and throw it into the collection?

David

Most of us soak the stamps the envelopes. I just cut them off as close as I can without damaging the stamps. You can google soaking stamps and they will give you all the details.

Dianne

I have found some of the more recent US stamps hard to soak--so I do what one of our forum members suggested--I use the scrap booking scissors (the ones with the zig-zag look) to cut around the stamp and then place it in my album.

Gussyboy1

That's a great idea Gussy.

I was wondering what the best way would be to deal with those tough to soak ones.

Dianne

WOW, you've got tons of good advice from this one thread daviscfad!

Ain't it cool what this site has become.

Hello everyone.....

This should help......from Linn's Aug. 18th issue. For some reason I can't post really large images.......if you can't see this well, I can email it to you as a larger image.