Stamp Collecting for Beginners

Stamp collecting is a fulfilling hobby that too many stamp collectors, it’s a way to explore the world. From learning about various cultures or identifying new types of bird species you may not have known about, stamp collecting has many avenues to explore.Before getting started, choose a topic or area of interest that you’d like to collect. If you’re unsure what to choose, take a look at what you’re interested in and do a little research on those topics to find the perfect theme for you.Once you’ve picked a stamp collection theme, it’s time to invest in some basic stamp collecting equipment to get you started. 

Basic Stamp Collecting equipment

The equipment you’ll need will depend largely on how much you intend to specialize in your chosen theme or topic. The basic equipment we recommend includes:Tongs or tweezers: As handling stamps with your hands can cause damage to the stamp because of our skin’s natural oils, so stamp tongs or tweezers are essential for every stamp collector. Start with ‘spade-end’ tongs rather than ‘pointed’ ones, and once you’re used to handling stamps with them, you can then find a style that suits you best.Perforation guide: A perforation gauge helps you measure the number of perforations in a specific space, which differentiates between two stamps that are otherwise identical. The most popular among collectors is the Gibbons Instanta, as it can measure perforations within a decimal point.Watermark detector fluid: The most basic device to help your watermark become visible is ‘watermark fluid’ and a watermark tray. These are simple to use and will quickly make the watermark shown.Stamp albums: Choosing a loose-leaf book or ring binder will work to store your stamps until you’ve built up a collection that requires albums. These are affordable and allow you to rearrange your collection easily if required.Hinges: A hinge is the small gummed strip that connects a stamp to the page of an album. In order to arrange your stamps neatly, you will need these.A stamp identification book: To help identify how a stamp was printed and the date it was issued, there are specialist reference books and stamp catalogs that will help you to identify each stamp and tell you more about their background. 

Start stamp collecting today!

There are now a wide variety of stamp collecting resources available online, including forums for collectors. A hobby that is not bound by age limits or ability, it’s easy to make friends with like-minded people who share your love of collecting. Once you have got your baring’s of the basics and selected a chosen area of interest, feel free to shop our wide selection of collectible stamps!