Stamp Collecting: a Great Hobby for Kids

Author: Joseph Then
You know what it is like when the kids have time off from school and the weather is playing up. They always sit about moping and saying they are bored, even though they have endless video games and toys at their disposal. What they needs is a past-time that has been around for generations, is cheap and easy to get started in and won't make much mess for the parents to tidy up. Stamp collecting for kids may not sound like the answer to parent's dreams but with so many possibilities on offer, this is one hobby that is sure to be a hit.





Stamp collecting for kids is a great hobby because it doesn't cost a lot of money to get started. Every kid will start with a few stamps. Later the kid can develop their collection based on what he likes. The hobby may look dull and boring but if the kids see the wide variety of stamps the kids will get to like it right away. There are countless stamps featuring their favorite comic book heroes, singers, TV shows and sporting stars which means that stamp collecting for kids can follow on from their existing likes. Stamps are being issued all the time and some of them feature kid's favorite. The means that they can have a collection without knowing that they are already collecting stamps.





Another great benefit of stamp collecting for kids is what the child buys today can be a great investment for their future. There are a number of investors putting money into stamps to guarantee a return in the future and even on a child's pocket money, a decent collection built in their youth can provide a return when they are older. It may not be enough to put them through college but it can certainly provide a return to allow them to have some fun when they get there. So stamp collecting for kid can be really fun. And in the future, their stamp collection can bring them money too!





One thing that most parents like about stamp collecting is that it is a hobby that will keep them buzy. It is also a hobby that will teach their kids about value and learning how to take care of their things. The kids may think that they are not learning much in this hobby. However, they may not realized that they are cultivating the responsibility of taking care of a collection. This trait will serve them well in the future. That is one reason why many parents like to see their children to take up stamp collecting. It is even better if they have some friends with the same hobby as it will allow them even more interaction as they can swap and collect together.





Stamp collecting for kids may not be the most exciting hobby in the world. Most kids would rather play video games. However, it is a hobby that will still provide fun, instill reponsibility and allows interaction with other people. This should be a great hobby that all parents should encourage their kids to adopt.
About the Author:
Stamp collecting is a great hobby! You can learn more about stamp collecting, the history and the fun of this hobby. Find out more about stamp collecting at this website ==> http://www.stampcollectinghobby.net
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An Introduction to Postage Stamp Collecting

Author: Jérôme Dufresnes
Stamps are used by millions of people daily yet few of us give them any thought. We take them for granted, seeing them as mere functional objects. It is true that they are functional objects but not only. Ask any stamp collector and he or she will tell you that a stamp is a lot more than that. In the case of used stamps, a lot of them tell a story and reflect the period and mood of the country in which they were issued.


Let us backtrack for a while and talk about the history of stamps and how they came about. It is commonly accepted that stamps were first introduced in the United Kingdom in 1840 with the penny black stamp. It was a revolution of sorts since it meant that the sender had to pay the postage fee and not the recipient like before. Shortly after the two pence blue stamp was issued. On thing to note is that the United Kingdom is to this day the only country whose name does not appear on its stamps.


As you know, stamp collecting is a very popular hobby throughout the world. Some people prefer to collect brand new stamps while others prefer to collect used stamps that actually served their purpose. Some of course do not discriminate and collect both. There are a lot of different types of stamps. Some stamps are issued for collecting rather than postal use. Let us have a quick look at the type of stamps available and their characteristics.


First is the definitive stamp. This is simply your regular stamp in any denomination that you can buy at the post office. These stamps often feature symbols of the country of issuance. They usually begin at the smallest unit of currency and can go up to fifty to a hundred times the usual postage rate. Collectors are looking to collect every denomination of a definitive series.


The commemorative stamp, like its name suggests, is a stamp issued to commemorate an important event, person or location. A few of these are usually issued each year, the first day of issues normally taking place where in the location associated with the person or event.
Pictorial stamps, also referred to as simply pictorials, are stamps depicting a representative landscape of the country of issuance.


Revenue stamps are stamps that were not intended for mail (although some stamps could be used both for revenue and postage) but for collecting taxes and fees. These stamps actually predate the postage stamps. Revenue stamps are issued by the finance ministry.
About the Author:
Mathieu Deprez is the webmaster of DeciDeca.com, an online store specializing in used French stamps, french postage stamps or timbres oblitérés as they are known in French.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - An Introduction to Postage Stamp Collecting

How to Start and Profit From Stamp Collecting as a Hobby

Author: moses zaccheaus



If you are thinking about starting stamp collecting/philately as a hobby, you may be wondering if the hobby is not expensive. You may even ask whether you can enjoy it with limited financial resources. What if you have no money at all for the hobby?. It is not expensive but rather very educative and rewarding to make stamp collecting/philately your hobby.What you start as a hobby may eventualy turn up to be a veritable source of income for you.

One of the biggest questions any stamp collector faces is where to find inexpensive stamps. If you intend to collect the postage stamps of Nigeria and the World and wish to collect both USED and MINT/UNUSED, the opportunities are really great. Not all collections consist mainly of unused stamps that you buy in the Post Office.

Used stamps are worth collecting, They have value and may cost you nothing. Many stamp collectors collect only used stamps. Others collect both Used and Unused ones. Others collect postage stamps from One Country or one part of the World. Some collect stamps by Topics like Sports, Olympics, Flora and Fauna etc. There are many different types of collecting interests available to the genuine collectors.

All postally used stamps started out being received on someone's letters/parcels, at no cost to the person receiving them. The first place to look for stamps, then, is your own letters/parcels. Don't be discouraged when you notice that some of your letters may have on them postage meters or the imprint "Bulk Rate Postage Paid" on their envelopes or parcels in order to enjoy a better postal rate or keep away from affixing postage stamps.

Also, when some people affix real stamps, they often use the

same common ones. You may try ask people who write to you to use topical/thematic/commemorative stamps on their mails. These are normally the stamps issued to honour famous people, places, or events. These special stamps are printed in lesser quantities than the common stamps(definitive) and usually are of much more interest to collectors.

Many people will remember to ask for commemorative/topical/thematic stamps at the post office

when mailing letters to you or your family members if you let them know you are a stamp collector. Also, if you write for offers that require postage or a self addressed, stamped envelope, you can put topical/thematic/commemoratives on your return envelope, knowing that they will come back to you later.

Neighbors, friends, and relatives are another good Sources of stamps. The majority of people just throw away stamps when they receive them on will be nore than too happy to save them for someone who appreciates them. You may even know someone who gets letters from other countries who can give these stamps o you too.

Always be on the lookout for potentially good stamp contacts, and don't be afraid to ask them to go through their mails for you before they throw away all the envelopes. Office mail may be even better. You may know someone who works in an office that gets a lot of mail. Out of 100 or more letters a day, there may be a lot of good stamps that are being thrown away.

Many businesses get a lot of foreign mail and regularly throw

away stamps that have interest and/or value to a collector.

You may even have penpals worldwide with whom you can exchange stamps. Also ask your parents/relations/friends if they have any old letters, which may have stamps on the envelopes. With these sources for stamps.you have started a very rewarding and lucrative hobby.

... to be continued

Moses Zaccheaus



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Stamp Collecting – not Just for Kids

Author: Paul

Stamp Collecting – Not Just for Kids


Starting a stamp collection can be a rewarding and fun hobby. Not just for kids anymore, stamp collecting – or philately – has become one of the world’s oldest and most popular forms of collecting. The advantages of stamp collecting include:





•    Learning about stamps which have been issued by other countries of the world over the years


•     Appreciating stamps as works of art – colourful, well-printed, and well-designed


•    Understanding the purpose of the stamp – whether it is to commemorate famous people or events, flowers, railways, flags, or space and sport





Stamp Collection





Stamp collections can provide both entertainment and education. By learning about all the stamps which have been issued by the countries of the world, you can begin to understand another country’s geography and history. Stamps collection is also a practical way to learn the politics, religion, and everyday way of life in different parts of the world. Stamps also open a world of education in a country’s postal services and postal history, transport systems, and the significance of postmarks.





Want to Start Collecting?





Many stamp collectors have advice for those looking to get into the stamp collecting scene, however, the best advice to the novice is to buy the largest packet of whole-world stamps you can afford. Also, consider buying with this purchase, a medium-priced album and some ‘hinges’ to mount the stamps. By buying a large amount of stamps at first, you can then go through most of the stamps, identifying those which you don’t believe you can find in the stamp collectors catalogue for identifying purposes.   





Sources of Stamps





To keep your stamp collection moving along, there are several different types of stamps and locations to pursue:





•    Persuade your friends to save your stamps from those letters mailed to them from abroad


•    You can buy stamps from the UK Post – several times a year, the UK Post will issue special stamps for those interested in collecting


•    There are several stamp magazines where you can see and meet other collectors


•    Review the online stamp collecting websites for forums and discussion on where to get the latest stamp collection tips





Stamp Collecting and Increasing Worth





Over the years, as stamps age and their rarity increase, the worth of the stamp can increase tenfold. The condition of the stamp is vitally important to its worth. Nothing detracts more from the value of a stamp than a crease, tear, or heavy postmark. Damaged stamps are generally considered useless and worthless, so be wary of your collection when adding stamps.





If you are looking to make the most of your stamp collection, have unused stamps in their original gum as issued by the post office. Also, the ideal postmark is light and clear, as heavy postmarks decrease the value of the stamp by large amounts.





If you are already realizing that there is much more to stamp collecting then first thought, you are right! Stamp collecting can be extremely rewarding if you take the time to pursue it as a serious hobby. Consider learning more about your planet and start your stamp collection today.


About the Author:
The Post Office™ provides customers with the ability to handle many of their personal, business, and household tasks conveniently and quickly - All with the competitive prices and quality services that the UK has come to trust. How can The Post Office™ help you save time and money? Click here to find out more http://www.quoteservices.co.uk/
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Coin And Stamp Collecting- The 3 Point Formula!

Author: Abhishek Agarwal
provide humans with a kind of contentment that other activities cannot provide. It is by indulging in such activities, that humans find a vent for their creative frustrations.



Today, coin and stamp collection are two extremely popular hobbies in today’s world. These two activities have a value that no other hobby can compare to.



Why?



This is due to the fact that stamp and coin collecting, in addition to embodying the act of collecting different types of stamps and coins, also help in the preservation and personification of the world’s history. Both coin and stamp collecting help highlight different images used to visually record significant events in history.



In terms of appeal and value, both stamp and coin collecting are indistinguishable. People who want to collect stamps, coins or both need to follow a few guidelines before starting on the hobby.



1. Conduct a research



In addition to being interested in the hobby of coin and stamp collecting, it is important to do homework before starting the activity. This will help you gather enough information and knowledge before getting into the activity.





2. Exercise caution before buying anything



Do not purchase any coin or stamp before knowing how to identify and classify them. When it comes to coins, knowing how to grade is extremely important. When it comes to stamps, it is important to know the procedure of identifying the slight disparities that creeps into the type of paper used and other distinguishable features like colour, perforations or watermarks.





3. Identify the correct product

You should never purchase coins or stamps without having full knowledge on how to identify or classify them. When it comes to coins, knowledge on grading is important. When it comes to stamps, you need to be able to distinguish between slight disparities in features such as perforations, color and watermarks.



These are few of the various pointers that need to be considered by every coin and stamp collector should know. Following these tips will help you overcome all the difficulties that come in the hobby of coin and stamp collection with confidence.

About the Author:
Abhishek is an avid Coin Collecting enthusiast and he has got some great Coin Collecting Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 58 Pages Ebook, "Understanding And Mastering The Art Of Coin Collecting!" from his website http://www.Fun-Galore.com/92/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
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Stamp Collecting as Hobby and for Profit?

Author: Joseph Then
Stamp collecting is a hobby enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. However, what you may not know is that it is not just collecting of stamps, it's more than that





It's seems to be a fact that stamp collecting is a very fulfilling experience for all people around the world.  The excitement of acquiring a valuable postage stamp, coupled with the thrill of witnessing its rarity soar throughout the years, is truly an exhilarating feeling.  Even with the advancement of emails and digital age, it's should not be a surprise that the hobby of stamp collecting still lives on among the people.





But stamp collecting can be more than just a hobby.





Stamp collecting can actually be a profitable venture, a hobby that can be transformed into a business, and for many entrepreneurs, a dream come true.





Welcome to the business of stamp collecting, where there are many ways to earn substantial income while enjoying the joys of one of the most wonderful and fulfilling pastimes in the world.





The Game Of Speculation





The number one way by which a stamp collector can earn some income from his hobby is, of course, by buying and selling postage stamps.





Just like any investment model, the stamp collector is supposed to sell stamps when they're hot, and but them when they're not.  It's just a business of knowing which postage stamp that have the highest chance of appreciation.  When there is an appreciation of the value of the stamps, that is where the collector can sell them for a profit.





Speculative stamp collecting is an investment model that requires a small financial investment - currently circulated stamps cost less than $0.50 each - yet yields significant earnings as a normally-priced stamp today can cost as much as $40 in a matter of 2 or 3 years.





Philatelic Investing





Philatelic investing is similar to simple stamp inventing in so far as they both involve the buying and selling of postage stamps.  However, whereas the latter is about speculating on currently circulated postage stamps, the former is all about the purchase and eventual disposition of postage stamps that already command significant prices.





Philatelic investing usually involve stamp collecting that are themed.  Philatelic investors usually concentrate on specific types of postage stamps, as the variety of published stamps may be too overwhelming for any businessman in this field.





Philatelic investing will need more research.  Unlike simple stamp speculation where investments can be bought for mere cents, the subjects of philatelic investing cost hundreds of dollars, and sometimes, thousands of dollar even.  Hence, a critical study of market forces, postal history and other relevant information is necessary in order to make sound investments that have the greatest chances of garnering fantastic profit.





Philatelic Brokering





Some people who are deeply involved with this hobby think that speculative postage stamp collecting is not as high-yielding as they'd like to fancy.  The problem with philatelic investing is that it does require an amount of investment, which can be pretty tough.





The next best way to capitalize on the prevailing passion for postage stamps is through philatelic brokering.





Philatelic brokering involves offering one's services to find the postage stamps that particular collectors are looking for.  It involves the usage of one's knowledge about postage stamps and about postal history as well as the industry to provide for the needs of other collectors... for a fee of course.





A collector may be looking for a 19th century half-penny British stamp of Queen Victoria, for example.   If you know where to find one for, say, $850, you can offer your services to the collector.  Ask for $1,000 for the said stamp, which will immediately net a profit of $150 for a single transaction.


About the Author:
Find out more about stamp collecing today! It's a fun hobby and it can have the possibility of bring in money! Check out my website for more information ==> http://www.stampcollectinghobby.net
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