Stamp Collecting For Dummies

by Sine, Richard L.

• ISBN13: 9780764553790
• ISBN10: 0764553798
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-08-15
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Postage stamps have evolved quite a bit since Great Britain's 1840 Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp. From simple designs featuring the monarch to works of art literally condensed to postage stamp size, hundreds of thousands of different stamps have been issued in the past 164 years-and the great majority of them remain reasonably priced for collectors. With so many stamps to collect from so many countries, a philatelist's choices are virtually unlimited--which can be both a blessing and a curse, especially if you're a newcomer to the art of stamp collecting.Interested in starting a stamp collection, but not sure where to begin? This is the guide for you. Expert Richard Sine fills you in on everything you need to know about selecting, finding, buying, presenting and caring for stamps. An internationally recognized collector and author on stamp collecting (he used to write the New York Times stamp column) he also has much wisdom to impart to collectors who've been at it for a while. A gold mine of expert advice and guidance, Stamp Collecting For Dummies is on how to: Start or diversify your collection Decide what to collect Catalog and organize your collection Handle, protect, store, and display stamps Identify rare and valuable stamps Buy stamps online and through auction housesUnlike most authors on the subject who tend to be pretty stuffy-to put it politely-expert Richard Sine focuses on the side of stamp collecting that's enjoyable, educational, and fun. With humor, tons of interesting anecdotes about stamps and the men and women who love them, and loads of insider tips, he covers all the bases, including: Getting the biggest bang for you stamp-collecting buck Researching, locating and buying stamps through traditional sources and online Showing off your collection at exhibits Customizing your collection Housing your stamps and protecting them against the elements The ten keys to identifying and authenticating stampsStamp Collecting For Dummies is your total guide to starting and building on a really cool stamp collection.

Author Biography

Richard L. Sine, author of the Encyclopedia of U.S. Postage Stamps CD-ROM and former New York Times stamp columnist, has been collecting and writing for more than 20 years.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(6)
Part I: Getting the Fundamentals Licked	7	(42)
Uncovering Stamp Collecting's Coolness	9	(8)
A Stamp by Any Other Name	17	(10)
Dissecting Your Stamp's Anatomy	27	(22)
Part II: Making the Most of Your Moolah	49	(42)
Raising Their Green Heads: Finances	51	(14)
Getting a Grip on Grade and Condition	65	(8)
``Appreciating'' Value	73	(18)
Part III: Stampeding Is a Group Thing	91	(70)
Leaving No Stone Unturned: Finding Stamps	93	(16)
Getting a Little Help from Your Friends	109	(20)
``Familializing'' Yourself with Stamps	129	(10)
Showing off at Exhibits	139	(22)
Part IV: Customizing Your Collection	161	(44)
Uncle Sam's Stamps	163	(16)
Globe-trotting	179	(12)
Planning and Theming	191	(14)
Part V: Protecting Your Collection	205	(30)
Housing Your Stamps	207	(16)
Faking It	223	(12)
Part VI: The Parts of Ten	235	(28)
Ten Keys to Stamp Identification	237	(10)
Ten Ways to Dispose of a Stamp or Collection	247	(8)
Ten Commonly Asked Questions About Postage Stamps	255	(8)
Part VII: Appendixes	263	(30)
Appendix A: Rooting Through Resources	265	(12)
Appendix B: Glossary	277	(16)
Index	293