For the every day collector who can't wait for the next auction, a Scott's catalog can fill the void in one's collection. Additionally, the APS, Stanley Gibbons, Kenmore Stamp and the US postal service offer catalogs for your enjoyment.
Scott's Catalogue is a world-renowned philatelic reference for people who want to buy postage stamps and sell or appraise their collection. Annual subscriptions for this 5,000 page pamphlet cost as little as $18.97 for six months or as much as $98.97 for three years. Subscribers can choose between print or online, or even receive both for a small price! The Scott's Catalogue numbering system is how most collectors categorize their collections, so it's not uncommon to refer to an "Inverted Jenny" simply as "C3a."
The American Philatelic Society has a database of over 270,613 items that you can 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 buy postage stamps or get personal stamp information, you must become a member. Membership fees go toward publishing their monthly journal and costs range from $11.75/year to $38, depending on when you register (July - September is best).
The first Stanley Gibbons catalogue was published in 1865 and since then, they've been a leading resource for collectors looking to get postage ones from Great Britain or elsewhere, with the exception of the United States. You can find a $181,575 first day black cover from Great Britain (1840), an unused 1847 one from Tobago for $8,070, or 1 1913 "kookaburra" one from Australia for $80.
This is the place to find a rare stamp or special gem for your collection. It should also be noted that in addition to the free online catalogue, Stanley Gibbons also offers personal, web-based stamp "My Collection" organization where you can keep an online database of your collection.
Kenmore Stamp Company from Buffalo, NY has been in operation since the 1930s and offers a wide array of them from $10-20, Pope John Paul II and Lord of the Rings souvenir sheet types to $195, first Trans-Atlantic crossing / Zeppelin flight covers, $3,900 red-brown 5 cent Franklin imperforates and mint 10 cent Washington blacks for $16,000! This is a great place to acquire them, whether you're a beginner or expert philatelist.
The United States Postal Service puts out an annual catalog where you can find all the commemorative and press sheet stamps put out each year. At Shop USPS, you can order the full catalog or just browse a few categories. Buy 20 Marvel comic ones for $8.20, a 79-cent Gerald Ford one or an uncut Star Wars press sheet for $18.45.
There are decent prices for first-time collectors. Whether you'd like to purchase postage stamps with pop culture themes as gifts or collectibles, you can find them here.
Many people buy postage stamps through legitimate catalogs to safeguard their investments and receive some sort of guarantee of authenticity. However, beginners might find it more advantageous to collect stamps online through an auction site like eBay, where bids start as low as one cent.
Trading stamps through catalogs isn't free, which is why other internet sites seem to have such an enormous selection on hand.
For online information on postage stamps, hobbyists can check catalogs like Scott's, societies like the American Philatelic Society, authentication centers like the Postal Stamp Experts, or buying and selling auctions like eBay. The best way to further your love of stamp collecting is to immerse yourself by taking advantage of every possible resource available. Read on for some noteworthy suggestions on how to get started.
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 Scott Online site 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 . 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.
You may want to find the exact worth on postage stamps -- or if you want to sell an expensive stamp, you'll need a certificate of authenticity. The APS offers an "expertizing service" utilizing high-tech equipment and over 140 specialists. They charge $25 on stamps worth under $1,000 or 2% of higher value stamps.
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.
King George V was a renowned stamp collector. He once remarked as he appointed an Official Philatelist to the King, "But, remember, I wish to have the best collection, not just one of the best collections in England." It was found in a letter by Sir Harold Nicholson, that for seventeen years King George V locked himself up and only "killed animals and stuck in stamps."
Whether you're certifiably crazy about stamps or you'd just like some more information on postage stamps, there are a number of resources to obtain that perfect collection that even King George V would have envied.
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