Stamp Collecting 101

This ebook will take you on a tour of the joys of stamp
collecting as a hobby, the terms and symbols used by
stamp collectors, the tools you’ll need should you
become a collector one day, and how to get started.
There’s also a section for you on the resources you can
tap to make your hobby as enjoyable and pleasurable
as you want it to be.
And much as we were tempted to include a poem about
stamp collecting, we’re not doing it. Because stamp
collecting is, in itself a poetic endeavor.


TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction.................................................6
Chapter 1: The Joys of Stamp Collecting ....... 10
Chapter 2: Some Terms Used in Stamp
Collecting.................................................. 17
Perforations............................................. 17
Postmarks............................................... 18
Envelopes / First Day Covers ..................... 19
Commemoratives..................................... 20
Overprints and Perfins .............................. 21
Coil Stamps............................................. 22
Booklet Pane............................................ 22
Errors..................................................... 23
 NH ..................................................... 25
 H ....................................................... 26
 LH...................................................... 26
 HH ..................................................... 26
 HR ..................................................... 26
 DG..................................................... 27
 NG ..................................................... 27
Chapter 3: Tools and Supplies Required in
Stamp Collecting........................................ 28
 Minuteman Album................................ 29
 Scott’s Basic Album.............................. 29
 Scott National Album (loose leaf)........... 29
 H.E. Harris Statesman Album Kit............ 30
Stamp Catalogs........................................ 30
Watermark Detector................................. 31
Stamp Tongs ........................................... 31
Magnifier................................................. 32
Color Guides............................................ 33
Perforation Gauge .................................... 33
Glassine Envelopes................................... 34
Stamp-Lifting Fluids.................................. 35
Hinges/Safe Vinyl Mounts.......................... 35
Stamp Periodicals/Newsletters/Magazines ... 36
Chapter 4: Starting Your Hobby ................... 37
Stamp Grades.......................................... 41
 Superb ............................................. 41
 Very................................................. 42
 Fine.................................................. 42
 Good................................................ 42
 Poor................................................. 43
Additional Tips!........................................ 46
Chapter 5: Resources for the Stamp Collector 47
Books ..................................................... 48
Websites................................................. 52
CONCLUSION............................................. 55