Resources For New Collector

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the hobby, and was wondering what some of you experienced collectors might recommend as good resources/tools.

At this point I have a Canadian album/collection found at a garage sale, a worldwide album/collection on it's way, along with a stock book, hinges and tongs for handling stamps. Are there any other tools you would recommend? Good books or websites?

Thanks!

Welcome! You've found one good website in this forum. The American Philatelic Society website [www.stamps.org] has a variety of beginner and other resources under the "stamp collecting" tab at left. Since you're in Canada, you'll also want to look at the website for the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (http://www.rpsc.org/) which will have information about clubs and shows in Canada, and other material of interest to Canadian collectors.

You have the basic tools that you need; you can acquire more as you focus your collecting or as a direction takes shape (you may want mounts for never-hinged stamps, or glassine envelopes if you acquire groups of stamps that can be sorted but are not ready for mounting in an album or stock book); you may eventually need a perforation gauge and a watermark tray and fluid for stamp identification purposes if things you collect require these distinctions, etc.) For books, start with whatever you might find in your local library; there are many different introductory books. If you're in luck, your library might carry one or more world stamp catalogs (Gibbons or Scott, or Unitrade for Canadian issues). For immediate purposes, catalogs are great because they tend to have very useful introductory and background material up front that is very useful for new collectors.

Thank you so much for sharing those links paperhistory. Looks like there is lots of good information there for beginners.

I have seen some albums with mounts and they look great. Maybe for Christmas! I was planning a trip to the library to see what they have, so will keep my eyes peeled for some catalogues. Also going to check out this second hand book store we have in town ;-)

Are glassine envelopes better for sorting out used stamps, or are they just generally used for mint stamps? Are regular paper envelopes bad for sorting used stamps?

I've got no problem with using ordinary paper envelopes to store sorted stamps - others may warn against it, but if it's only for a limited time, it won't do any harm.

As a beginner, you may find that having a world collection in your hands is overwhelming. I think you will find that you need to specialise - Canada is a good start, if those stamps grab you. If not, there are countless possibilities, but trying to collect everything and anything is almost impossible.

Maybe when you get your world collection delivered you will see things which you prefer. You can get loose-leaf albums and pages, which give you flexibility you can add more as you wish, and expand as you go.

One good website is this one - an online world catalogue. Best to register with them, for unlimited page views (it's free): http://www.stampworld.com/en/

oceanguy: welcome to the Forum. Regarding your last question, I use both glassine envelopes and other envelopes (from junk mail flyers and solicitations) for sorting stamps. I also use stock sheets, both manila folder like pages with slots, and transparent sheets with black backgrounds. I haven't had anything damaged by either kind of envelope, but do try to avoid envelopes of any kind that get too old. The glassines will turn brown as they age; and gum from regular envelopes can "migrate."

And if you decide you want some country pages, you needn't pay for them. This thread of Kirk's has great links to free album pages

https://goscf.com/t/11268

The France Timbres site is particularly good

For a Canada collection/album I would recommend a Unitrade catalog. You can usually find older ones for fairly cheap on the internet. They are a good source for Canadian material and will help you understand Canadian stamps. The format of the catalog is really nice as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Unitrade-Spe...rade+catalog

Hi oceanguy.
Welcome to the Forum where you will find, I am sure, a great deal of help. Where in Canada are you? It's a pretty big place and some of the help offered may be somewhat regional. I strongly recommend that you consider joining a local stamp club as fellow members are generally great sources of information and assistance to new members as well as bargains on stamp products via club auctions. Our club auction sold a 2016 Unitrade catalogue Tuesday evening for $3!
If you are in the Greater Toronto area, make the library in the Greene Foundation one of your major resources. If you are outside the GTA, contact Kathy, our research librarian, and get on her mailing list for "friends of the library" which is free and frequently has some pretty good and interesting info.
Welcome to a wonderful hobby and don't lose sight of the fact that this is a HOBBY where you are supposed to have FUN.
GJP

Hi oceanguy




For an introduction to WW collecting, specially the 1840-1940 era, may I humbly suggest my website?

http://bigblue1840-1940.blogspot.com

Jkjblue...holy moly! Don't know how I haven't seen your website before now. Incredible!

Oh wow! Thanks for all the amazing information!

Ringo, I do think there will be a time where I specialize in a few countries. Canada is a given, and I also find myself being drawn to Iceland and Newfoundland. Great to know I can use regular envelopes for sorting too!

I have just bookmarked all these pages. The album pages thread looks really interesting! The Unitrade Canada Catalogue will be going on my Christmas list!

Hi gportch,

I am out in the country on the east coast, basically in the middle of nowhere. It seems like the stamp clubs closest to me are one and two hours away. I am going to try to visit one next month when my schedule allows. So far I am having a blast collecting. Great to learn about this amazing hobby. I am like a kid at Christmas;-)

Jkjblue - no need to be humble about suggesting your website/blog. It is fantastic! I have read about a few places I am interested in possibly specializing and bookmarked your page. Very well done and enjoyable to read!

Novapex is this weekend at the Dartmouth sportsplex.
There will be dealers an NS stamp club will have a table.

I may have to find my way to Novapex if the weekend allows for it!

There is a free online catalog for Canadian (and US) stamps at Stamp Smarter, it also contains a lot of additional info for collectors.
Link below.
Don