Considered a recreation of times long foregone, stamp collection as a hobby is slowly but surely finding its way back into the laps of passionate collectors who wish to enrich their shelves with something simple yet sophisticated. Effortless and highly rewarding, the benefits of this intriguing hobby are endless which would perhaps explain why so many look forward to creating a collection of their own.
If you’re seeking to become a part of the crowd but have no clue where to start, here are a few under-the-rug tips for beginners to help them ace this avocation in no time.
Sourcing
To lay the foundation stone for your collection, you can start accumulating stamps yourself through any mail that you receive or if you would like to lay hands on some of the fancier stuff, you could also ask any near and dear ones located outside the country to share their collection with you. Online marketplaces and stores often sell different kinds of stamp packets that are easily available for purchase whereas post offices also usually carry new stamps with them. Since the hobby is meant to build a community, you’re advised to try and join any stamp collectors’ club or attend a stamp auction or fair. Being a part of the clique would grant you the option of swapping stamps with other collectors through a mutually-beneficial barter.
Condition
Before starting, it’s important to remember that unused stamps are worth a lot more than their used counterparts. Sushilkumar Agarwal, CEO of Mintage World, and the author of Endangered Parrots of the World on Stamps, Coins and Banknotes, shares, “As most of the commemorative stamps are printed once, stamp prices generally do not decline. One of the reasons for some of the stamps to get appreciated might be because of its limited supply. Many stamps with some errors are also highly sought after and they get appreciated faster.”
Categorisation
When it comes to picking a theme, its essential to take a moment to reflect upon your personal interests and decide on something that brings you pleasure. The traditional streams of thought for a collection are three-fold wherein stamps are categorised by monarch, country or rarity and value. While a monarch’s stamps will help you gauge the history of this activity better, characterising them on the basis of their origin country will grant you a deeper understanding of the leadership and traditions of various cultures.
Catalogue
Pic: Wikimedia
A stamp catalogue is essentially a book to map the origin, price list and current market value of stamps issued by every country from the earliest days. It helps provide a reference point to those new to this craft and helps them understand their area of interest much better.
Tools
Though not necessary, getting certain basic tools can give a more refined edge to this hobby. Beginners can get a pair of stamp tweezers to easily lift their stamps without letting any oil or dirt ruin them, a stamp magnifying glass to be able to see the intricate designs better and stockbooks or binders to properly store stamps and prevent decay. In order to preserve the quality, enthusiasts should never permanently affix the stamp on any page and must use plastic sleeves or paper mounts to hold them in place.
Preserve and store
In order to ensure that your stamps stay in their original condition, it’s advised to use acid free paper for the same, use albums of an appropriate size and store them in a dark dry space, free of bright lights, temperature fluctuations and moisture. In case your album has double-sided pages, use plastic sheets in between to prevent the stamps from rubbing against each other.
Overall cost
Before spending a single penny on this hobby, it’s crucial to analyse whether your driving motive for doing this is enjoyment or investment. Draw a clear picture of how much your pocket allows you to splurge and set a budget for
yourself accordingly. Look at realised price lists to get an idea of average costs before deciding on a theme since passion for this field often tends to fade away if you’re unable to purchase the collection you wish to possess. However, as Agarwal recalls, “Each stamp feels like a tiny window into a different world, full of stories waiting to be discovered. The hobby of stamp collection enriches one’s knowledge which cannot be measured money-wise.”
If you’re looking to enthral your mind with a mix of history and culture, then creating a stamp collection is no doubt the perfect way to pass your time in a low-effort yet engaging manner.
