I'm New To Stamps And This Website

Please be patient- if I make a mistake
I did a few posts last week and obviously got it all wrong!
I have come across a large collection of stamps and used the web for reference.
Simply a country and picture
Naturally, I am only looking for the scarce stamps but amazed with the variety, quality and detail of same stamp but different slightly.
Interesting
I'm learning how there are so many variations of a stamp.
It's all unbelievably complex.
But I'll keep trying
Thanks
Paul

Welcome, Paul. Thanks for sharing a few details about your collecting.

As you have discovered there are a wide variety of stamps produced within individual countries. The two largest categories are known as definitive and commemorative. The definitive typically includes a series of the same or similar design with differing denominations (e.g., one cent, two cent, etc.). Definitive stamps often feature a portrait of a significant person within the issuing country.

By contrast commemorative stamps (or issues) "commemorate" (or celebrate) a particular event or historic milestone. And often are limited to a single issue.

The Forum is a valuable information exchange resource. And like you, it's members seek to continue their own philatelic learning journey.

The Forum features a search button near the top of the page which provides access to thousands (if not more) of prior member postings, questions, and comments. I use it frequently to determine if a potential question has already been addressed, as well as a means of learning addtl background info.

As you consider future posting, plz note that clear message titles typically garner the most and best responses. For example, a message entitled, "China: help identify" is more likely to result in the desired response than "What's this?"

Welcome to a hobby of (potential) lifetime enjoyment.

Calstamp
Thank you
I don't whether to go forward or call it quits.
It's amazing what I have discovered and learnt
Enjoying the journey

Pshann,

Collecting for the enjoyment of collecting, whatever that might be, is the name of the game. Don't hesitate to ask questions especially if you need basic information and especially more advanced sources of information for any possible topic. You should be able to find folks on this board a little further along on their collecting journey glad to share experiences. Russ

Paul, it can be overwhelming if you inherit or acquire a large collection as your entry into collecting. I tried to do everything at once and got nothing accomplished. Now I pick an area to focus on each time I get involved, whether it be a time period, country, revenue, precanceled, perfins, postage due, special delivery, etc., since each area has special issues with design, perforations, watermarks, color, etc.

Don't rush, you will get there.

Paul,

Welcome! Two key things.

1. We all make mistakes in our collecting. For me the first big one was using Scotch tape to "mount" stamps in my first album. Luckily they were cheap stamps going into a kid's album so no loss.

2. Most stamps are neither rare nor financially valuable. If you go in looking for gold nuggets you might miss out on how enjoyable the pyrite can be.



Dale

Paul.

Believe pbmorris' comment re selecting a country or area on which to focus is sage advice. Have been collecting worldwide for more than 50 yrs. However, in recent yrs have "learned" to focus on a country or region. As a result my "productivity" (enjoyment) has increased substantially. This approach has allowed me to delve deeper versus simply "putting stamps away".

If you opt to stick with the hobby, recommend checking out the American Philatelic Society. APS has a great member lending library. And in recent yrs has begun offering a variety of online presentations etc.

Most importantly, enjoy. It's a hobby not a job.

You might try focusing on your own country. You are no doubt familiar with many of the people and places featured on your country's stamps. You will undoubtedly find things that you did not know about. Or maybe there is another country that interests you. In either case you limit your field, too many stamps can be overwhelming. The skills you acquire, using tongs (tweezers), catalogues, perforation gauge, mounts or hinges etc. will be applicable to any area of philately you may choose to pursue. There is a near infinite amount to learn about history, culture, geography, production processes, etc. Start small, you can and will find many other areas of interest as you go along. Stamps are a great hobby and it is your choice as to how much time, interest, and money you wish to spend.

Good luck.

And, if you can obtain some good hard copy materials - a guide, book or magazine about stamp collecting; a catalog for the country you are most interested in; and beginning websites - you will help yourself a great deal; start small, many of us haven't done it all in 50 or 60 years so there is a great advantage to staying focused.

Thankyou