Stamp collecting is a very old hobby and is considered to be one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Though there is not that much money that can be made from this hobby unlike collecting coins, some people just do it for the fun of it.
This hobby involves delicate work. A little smudge, dirt or oil on any part of the stamp loses it value. This will make it hard to trade it with other people should the person want to trade it in exchange for something else.
The first thing that a person needs when working with these little objects is the proper tools. Stamps should be handled using a tong. This is similar to tweezers but has a flat edge. This will make it easy for the collector to transfer it from the envelope to the album.
A magnifying glass is also needed to check on the quality of a stamp before buying it or trading it with a fellow collector. Stamps of good quality should have all the perforations intact which is the way of making sure it has never been used.
The album is a special binder that is used to store stamps. This can be bought at the local bookstore or at some specialty shops. Since the contents inside are very delicate, this should be stored in temperature and away from direct sunlight.
The best time to practice using these instruments is with letters that the person has received from people. The stamps are usually located on the upper right hand side and to get it out; the area around it must be cut out and placed in water.
After some time, the envelope and stamp will separate. Using the tongs, the person should pick up the stamp, dry it in the air to make sure all the water has been taken out the inserting it in the album. This practice should be done every time there is a need to extract it from a glued surface.
Another place where the person can get stamps without using a pair of tongs is by buying it from the post office. This can be bought per sheet and taken out later should the collector want to trade it with something that another collector has.
There are also people who do business like this that can be found in the newspaper and in the internet who sell stamps in sheets for a price. It just takes some time for the individual to look around and find it.
In order for the collector to have a wider network that can aid in the stamp collection, it will be a good idea to join a club. The benefits of being a member allow the person to trade with other members and stay informed about upcoming exhibits and fairs where further exchanges can be made.
Stamps can also be acquired at auctions. All it takes is for the person to know when it will happen and be ready with some money to bid for it.
The best way to determine if the stamp that is about to be bought is at a good price is by checking a price catalogue. This can be bought at the local specialty store which gives its standard value in the market.
Stamp collecting is both a hobby and a business. Should the person have a lot of a certain kind, to be able to get others to add for the collection, this can be sold just like how other people do it to make some money.
The best place to do it is the internet. The person can advertise it and have sort of an online auction. This can also be exchanged for other stamps.
Stamps these days are circulated more often that it was years ago. Because of this, there is not that much money to be made even if the person has a very good collection.
The internet and other ways of sending messages have made snail mail obsolete. Though this has not erased the use of the postal office or of stamps, it is still used in places where technology has not changed things.
Stamp collecting is fun and looking some through old letters could be the beginning of something big.
