New Member From Illinois

Good Morning All!
I was referred to this forum by a friend as I am looking to start a collection of stamps for my 3 year old grandson for when he is older and looking to see if anyone knows where a good place is to perhaps get some free stamps to make a kind of starter album for him. I don't know much about stamps except, I just think it would be a cool collection for him and want to have something fun between us to do as he grows. He has seen my American Flag Forever stamps and loves them as he loves the American Flag, especially when he sees one on a motorcycle! Haha. Any thoughts or ideas you may have as to where I can get his collection off the ground would be greatly appreciated. I don't have much money but maybe even if someone knows of a place where I could get a fair amount to start for not much money, if free starter ones are not an option, I would love to hear about it! Thank you so much for your time here and for letting me be a part of the group! I look forward to reading all kinds of posts and getting more familiar with what I want his future collection to be!
Sincerely,
Corid72

Welcome.

Please try and remove your Email address as this is against this forum's policies. Ans it invites spam on your computer!


Peter

Sorry about that - I didn't know. I have removed it

Corid, no problem. After you post 50 times you can use the forum's Email system without showing your jnfo


Peter

Hi Corid!

Are you looking for some American flags in particular, or just American stamps? Or even worldwide?

I have a shoebox of mostly modern stamps to go through and as I do, I could pull out my American doubles. I should have some flags, some other modern American, and lots from around the world (mostly modern as well) if you're just hunting for anything and everything. Let me know and I'll see if I have enough to send some over to you :)

Hi Nightwitch!
Thank you so much for your message! How super kind of you! I'm looking for any kind of stamps at all to get a collection started for him, the American Flag stamp that he had an interest in made me think that a stamp collection would be awesome to start for him as he grows up. We talked about it and where it goes on an envelope and things like that - not that he completely gets it as he's 3 but it's a start in learning. I'm going to look for a book for him to put them in as well. So sorry, I talk too much, the short answer is any kinds at all :)
Thank you so much again for your message and for looking, I appreciate you!

Please note that the forum has a rule which disallows trading contact information between members until they have 50+ posts. Unfortunately, there is an existing history of some people who will pose as parents/grandparents for the purpose of taking advantage of others. The 50+ post rule helps prevent this, I hope everyone understands.
Don

Oh goodness! Does 50 posts on my own question count? lol I plan on looking around more to learn but haven't posted anywhere else yet :)

Yes, asking questions counts. In fact, asking questions is an excellent idea. It will help you learn about what stamp collecting has to offer and help you avoid making some mistakes.
Don

Perfect - thank you Don! I will find my way around more as the day/weekend continues. I'm excited to learn more as I can put that with an album for him, like a learners sheet kind of thing for him as he gets older :)
P.S. Hate that the world we now live in has to be leery of people posing to be grandparents to take advantage of anything! It's the greatest gift I have ever received to be called Gramma!

Corid72

Try the link below for free stamps for young collectors. ISWSC gives away thousands of stamps each year to schools, clubs and individuals. You do not need to be a member of ISWSC, just contact them here:

https://iswsc.org/iswsc_resources.html

Linus

Thank you so much Linus I will check it out!

Edit - Just sent them an email :)

No worries, Corid, we've both got to work up to that 50 post mark lol. And that's fine, it'll take me a bit of time to wade through the box anyway. Let's both keep posting and learning, and I'll reach out to you once I have some more information :)

Thank you so much Nightwitch, I greatly appreciate it! If I get any doubles for him at any point I can put them aside for you as well! :)

Corid72,

My grandfather was a rural mail carrier back in the 50's. My grandmother's father was a postmaster in a small post office in the late 1800's. That's my excuse for collecting gonig on 60 years. You are starting a project that will have many rewards beyond stamps.

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.

My personal bias is a used stamp loses the story of its journey in the postal service when it is removed from the cover it transported to its destination. Collecting postal history adds a whole new aspect to your journey in our hobby.

Wishing you many enjoyable future days in our hobby. Russ

Welcome.
The first question/decision in any hobby or collection is your budget.
If you don't get free stamps, decide how much you are willing to spend, like how much you are willing to pay for 100 different stamps, or 1000. According to your answer, you can be directed to the proper website to buy them. Some sellers offer stamps inside a stock book.
As for the topics on the stamps, he is 3 y/o, so in the next 5-10 years I'm sure he will love colorful stamps, fauna, flora, cars, airplanes, and the like.