New To Stamp Collecting

I am new to stamp collecting, I collected stamps when I was a school kid, but left it there, now I have started collecting stamps again. I collect stamps by themes such as animals, birds, butterflies etc. could somebody give me some tips about how to collect stamps through penpals, exchange, swap. How to start a exchange of stamps with people abroad, what are the basic necessary things I should do to increase my stamp collection.

warm wishes.

I personally find that route laborious,
and sometimes expensive.
There are other easier avenues I'd suggest.

1.Join a stamp club
2.some clubs have "circuit sheets...literally thousands
of other peoples duplicates, in 1-50 books that are priced
you look through, take the stamp you want if the price is right
(and generally is) signed the blank space and pay your dosh.
3. Join a stamp club
4. stamp clubs have private auctions, cards of stamps
(sometimes books of thematic stamps!) going at cheap rpices
5.join a stamp club...

see where I am going here :)

I highly recommend buying KILO lots at auction. They are fun to go through - always have a treasure or two in there. And by far the cheapest way to assemble a collection. What you don't want you bundle up and trade off.

Yes, good idea.
Western Australia Red Cross sells modern
Australian $12 per Kilo.

Palaniappan, you've already taken the biggest step in the right direction, by joining the SCF. When you have 50 post you will be able to buy, sell and trade right here.

Steve

P.S. Rod where is your stamp club?

Hi Steve,
I have moved out to the Mulga.
My closest club shall be 160 Km (gulp)

Mulga - Acacia woodland/scrubland. Thanks for increasing my vocabulary, Rod.

Good on ya Smauggie,
Yep she's pretty barren here all right.

Stamp club is best bet to not only acquire but as with this forum you will gain knowledge quickly. Best would probably be to focus on 1-2 themes ata a time wether ist a couple countries or topical ideas. Once you hit the right amount of post you can likely find a member in here that can swap trade or sell you whatever your looking for. First and foremost is enjoy the hunt and have fun.

You can buy small lots of stamps on auction sites. I suggest search using your topic in the stamp category.

Look at our prior posts on the subjects that interest you for likeminded collectors and possible trading partners (after 50 posts).

You could also join the American Topical Association (ATA) and search their website for handbooks and checklists for world wide stamps of a particular theme.

Check you local paper, library, directory for stamp shops or clubs in your area. Ask you Post Office if they know of any other stamp collectors they do business with.

Dude you just beat me to it...our new man found the SCF so he has access to the internet...i have just started working Argentina so I am bidding on a lot of stockcards of Argentina on the internet..i get more than a fair amount of duplication..but I get some good ones mixed in and it does not "break the bank" !

I am also new to collecting and have found a couple of themes to follow so this is helping me to focus my searching, but I have discovered buying bulk is much cheaper. Also, the anticipation of recieving the post is great and sorting through tons of stuff is cool. Good luck.