Where To Find Information on Postage Stamps

The following information in this article is the result of many hours of professional research and I hope it will help you.

Whether you have a collection of stamps passed down from your grandparents or you're just curious about the hobby of stamp collecting, there are many places to find information on postage stamps. Catalogs can be a wonderful resource for organizing your collection or finding new additions. Societies and auctions help you further your appreciation and find out about the latest finds. Appraisers can ensure that you get the most out of your trading, plus online sites like eBay can connect you with eager sellers.

The first stop for serious stamp collectors who are looking to buy or sell should be a catalogue. The most popular reference guide is the Scott's Catalogue, but Stanley Gibbons, Minkus and the US Postal Service Catalogue of Stamps also make great resources. You can check out ScottOnline.com for the internet version of the Scott's Catalogue. The internet version is available ten days prior to the print version and is emailed directly to you.

Searching options go back three issues of Scott Stamp Monthly to help you to find what you're looking for and you'll be able to connect with advertisers immediately, instead of having to phone or mail them with your inquiries. Subscribers can also customize their online edition by picking which columns they'd like listed first in their issues and by choosing "Text" or "Newspaper" format for easy reading. Separate Print and online magazine subscriptions are available.

The second stop on your way to entrenching yourself in the philatelic community and obtaining information is to check out The American Philatelic Society at Stamps.org. Here you can browse over 270,613 items and search by country, type, keywords, Scott Catalogue number, country and its type, country and keyword, its type and keyword, or Stamp ID number.

You needn't be a member to browse, but if you'd like to purchase them or get personal stamp information, you must become a member. Additionally, APS encourages members to get more involved in the philatelic community by listing activities and has a mentor program to answer all your collecting questions directly.

The Professional Stamp Experts at PSEStamp.com can give you a Certificate of Authenticity on postage stamps including: photograph, Scott catalogue number, year of issue, denomination, color and condition descriptions. You can have your stamp encapsulated in a tamper-proof display case to maintain its condition.

For 30-day shipping, the service costs $25 (for stamps under $700), $30 (under $1,000), $45 (under $2,499) or $70 for that really rare stamp! An express fifteen day service is also available for $15 extra. Some collectors may want to take advantage of an annual membership for $120, where they will receive a sheet of PSE coupons (for $150 in services), notification of all specials and a subscription to Stamp Market Quarterly.

The next place to check for information is eBay (http://stamps.ebay.com/) and Craigslist.org, where buyers and sellers meet to trade. For an advanced and exhaustive international database, try eBay. On the other hand, Craigslist is a localized site connecting individuals. There are pros and cons to all online trading sites, but sometimes it's just enjoyable to browse what's offered. Generally it's an inexpensive way to bolster your collection or a good way to find that rare stamp.

You may have a gold mine in the stamps that you own and are not even aware of their worth. Or that perfect stamp could be waiting for you to spot it. Any dedicated hobbyist will naturally want more information on their collection so they can take pride in it and get the most from their hobby. Therefore, looking online for information on postage stamps only makes sense.

Thanks for reading; I bet you liked the article so check out another.

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Today's Tip On Stamp Collecting

The next place to check for information is eBay and Craigslist, where buyers and sellers meet to trade. For an advanced and exhaustive international database, try eBay. On the other hand, Craigslist is a localized site connecting individuals. There are pros and cons to all online trading sites, but sometimes it's just enjoyable to browse what's offered. Generally it's an inexpensive way to bolster your collection or a good way to find that rare stamp.


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