How To Start A Stamp Collection?

Just starting to collect stamps. I have 2 albums with the clear strips that stamps go into (don't know the technical name) but I don't know how to start a collection. My mom gave me her stamps so I have a bit of everyhpthing, now we don't really know how to start collecting.

What kind of album is it? Is it US or worldwide? Once you decide you can start with what you have and then decide from there which direction you want to go. You have a nice opportunity to get started for nothing.

If there is a local stamp club, you would do well to attend a meeting and meet more experienced collectors who will be more than happy to help you get started. Do you have any friends who are collectors? Check the library for "how to collect stamps" type information. In any case, just take time to look at your stamps, try and figure out which country they are from and just have a good look. It will be useful to have a pair of stamp tongs if you don't have one. Have fun, it is not rocket science. It is great fun.

If you have the opportunity attend a stamp show and browse through a lot of stamps to see what you like

The albums are blank pages with the sleeves. I am guessing they are worldwide.

Regarding the clubs, I will look into joining one, or at least attending.

I know I like flora and fauna because the color just stands out to me. How do I go about buying stamps, do you recommend buying random lots, full sets, or single stamp. Also, should I focus on new stamps or used ones?

I recommend you start by buying some cheap mixtures of stamps, perhaps on ebay, where you can buy lots of 1000 or so worldwide. It will be fun to sort through them and see which ones you have and which are duplicates, which you can turn around and trade or sell. You can join a local stamp club to trade.

It sounds like you have a stockbook. Does it look something like this?



In terms of how to get started, you might want to spend some time thinking about what to collect. Do you just want to collect US stamps? Worldwide? Old stamps? Newer stamps? A little of everything? If you're not sure, you might want to just buy some assorted packets and mixtures to get started. You'll get a feel for what's out there and what appeals to you and kind of go from there. ebay is one potential source for packets and the like.

A beginner album with printed, illustrated pages, might be a good possibility for you. You can browse listings of various albums and supplies on ebay or a larger retailer such as Mystic Stamp Co (www.mysticstamp.com) to see what's available for albums. Mystic has a large and (mostly) user-friendly website where you can see various albums and stamps for sale. Mystic's prices on supplies are generally decent, but be aware that they are pretty high priced on stamps themselves. There are as many ways to collect as there are collectors, and there's no "wrong" way as long as you enjoy it. And don't be afraid to come here often and ask questions as many people here are happy to help someone get started.

Yes, I have two albums like the one that you posted.
Nobody has answered the question as to how to buy stamps. Would you recommend buying bulks of used stamps or a few of new ones?

Starting with a stockbook is a good idea until you have a better idea of what direction you want to go in (and some people stay with stockbooks even after they choose a direction).

Start with cheap stamps. That way it won't matter if you mishandle some of them while you learn or if you decide to go in a different direction.

Mint (what you called new) will generally cost more than used (there are some exceptions - a few are worth more used than mint, and for some small countries, mint and used are about the same), but it is your choice. Just be aware that some stamps with cancellations were not actually used - they are called cancelled to order or CTO, and in general they are worth less than stamps that were actually used (but you might find them more attractive than actually used stamps as the cancels are usually clean and don't cover up a lot of the design). You will find CTO's from Russia, Hungary, Poland, Czechloslovakia, Bulgaria etc.

For modern stuff ask EVERYONE you know to save their stamps off the mail for you, it will soon add up. Forget buying mint contemporary stamps, waste of money I'm afraid.

In terms of buying, yes, buy the biggest bulk used you can afford.

Check out your local library for info, catalogs, etc, but a huge source of info is the net.
Here's a good place to start-
http://stamps.org/Home

Even ebay has some good points on how to start
http://www.ebay.com.au/gds/How-to-S...34075/g.html

Q/ Do we really want to subject our newbie to the reactions of contemporary non-collectors?

Once upon a time, this was sound advice.

These days, when stamp collecting is, well, less common ...

Cheers,

He There, and first of all welcome to this forum. Of all the answers above, rdavid gives you the best advice if that is a possibility. The way I started, way back just after WWII was through a stamp collecting neighbor. He took me to the local stamp club meetings.
If you have trouble finding a local stamp club, go to www.stamps.org the largest "stamp club" in the US. They can steer you toward all the different clubs in Illinois. If you had listed the name of the town you live in I could have given you the info!
Good luck!

Peter

Hello -

the way I got started buying stamps decades ago was from an approval service like Kenmore Stamps company and Jamestown Stamp company. They send you several packets of stamps which you can examine and chose from and return those you don't want. It is an easy way to get started.

Kenmore: http://www.kenmorestamp.com/approval_stamps

Jamestown: http://www.stamp-co.com/approvals.html

These companies use to provide "penny" approvals meaning the average packet of stamps was $1 or less. I am guessing they are probably more these days. There would be about 15-25 approval packet in each shipment.

I have not used either company in decades, so I am not sure about their current approval service. Generally they also give you a "how to collect stamps" guide which if still available may be of assistance to you.

Petert4522, I looked at the website that you recommended, however, I can't figure out how to navigate it
I live in Palatine IL if that helps.