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"What to Collect?" Your stamp collection can be whatever you want it to be -- there is no right way or wrong way to collect! Let's discuss a few ways other people collect stamps which may help you determine what is most interesting to you. Collecting By Type -- Some individuals do collect stamps based on the types of stamps, such as only airmail stamps or only coil stamps. This category may appeal to you if you are interested in stamps used to pay special services such as special delivery or postage due. However, the majority of philatelists collect stamps of all types. Worldwide Collecting -- Many people begin collecting everything -- worldwide. However, with the countries of the world currently issuing a total of about 10,000 postage stamps each year, unless you have lots of money, lots of space, and lots of time, at some point trying to collect every stamp issued by every country is probably unrealistic. Country Collecting -- Traditionally, collectors would specialize by choosing a single country to collect, most often their home country, the country where they once spent a memorable vacation, or a country whose stamps just look interesting. For a few countries obtaining every stamp issued is possible without having to spend a fortune. However, for most countries there will probably be at least a few stamps that most of us cannot afford. Thus some collectors will narrow their specialty even further, perhaps limiting themselves to used stamps issued since they were born. |
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Topical Collecting -- Another increasingly popular method of collecting is by topic. Topicals give you an opportunity to explore all types of stamps from all over the world. Most are relatively inexpensive and allow you to customize and organize your collection however you want. Think of any topic, and someone probably collects it. Animals, birds, flowers, ships, space, scouts, Disney, and sports are some of the most popular topics. However, exhibits have been put together on much less common topics such as rainbows and even outhouses on stamps. Topicals are also great in that you can choose what types of stamps to include. Most topical collectors look for special postmarks that relate to their topic. First day covers and postal stationery also offer great opportunities for topical collections. Mint or Used -- Most people come to prefer either mint stamps -- stamps that have never been used and look the way they did when they were sold at the post office -- or used stamps -- stamps that have served their intended purpose of carrying the mail. An advantage of used stamps is that you do not have to worry about preserving the gum and can use inexpensive stamp hinges to mount your stamps on album pages. Most stamps cost more mint than used, but there are exceptions. Sometimes the cancellations on used stamps are of interest. The choice to collect mint or used or even a mixture of the two is your decision alone. Other Traits -- Some collectors prefer to collect stamps of a certain shape or color. Remember there is nothing wrong with creativity. If you see colorful stamps coming in the mail that interest you, collect them. One individual may choose to collect only yellow stamps, another only stamps issued on their birthday, and a third may be working on building a collection with cancels showing numbers with 1 to as high as they can find. The important thing about stamp collecting is not the value of your collection or how many other people collect the same thing, it is that it is fun for you! At this point you may have decided what type of collection you want to start. You don't have to make the decision right away. Perhaps it's best if you wait until you gather some stamps, see what interests you most, and then make the decision. Personally, I have a box of interesting stamps I have collected over the years, but I wouldn't say they form any type of collection. That changed when the U.S. Postal Service released the Bugs Bunny Issues! I began collecting stamps, first day covers, cachets, and postcards all picturing Bugs Bunny -- so after many years I now can say I have a nice topical collection. Where did I get my stamps and items to add to my collection? We answer this question in our next section "Where to Get Stamps?" Click here to see where you can find stamps. |
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