The Hobby of Collecting Stamps

Stamp collection is one of the hobbies that can be pursued by adults as well as by children. Learn more about the hobby of collecting stamps.

Childhood is the wondrous magical time when every activity seems like an adventure. This is also the time when the brain imbibes and retains knowledge at the highest speed. Basically this translates into the fact that children need to be introduced to hobbies which expand their mind, enhance their boundaries of knowledge and spark off their innate creativity. Stamp collection is a hobby which can do all three of these tasks and more. Learning new facets about the world, nature and different culture becomes very easy and interesting once the habit of stamp collection is incorporated.

Stamp Collection Basics

The alternative name for stamp collection is philately and so all collectors of stamps are called philatelists. Some philatelists also collect things like envelopes and post cards. If stamps are collected according to some theme or goal then that is called topical philately. What your child will be involved in at this stage is youth philately.There are many types of stamps which a philatelist can collect but for kids it is recommended that they stay away from rare and antique stamps and concentrate on the ones that are easy to acquire and are picturesque.

Type of Stamps

Let us take a look at the different types of stamps.

Regular Stamps

Regular Stamps are the ones that are used on daily mail envelopes. You can go to the post office and ask to buy definitive stamps which are used to pay for the regular mail. These are the kind of stamps the child should start off with collecting.

Commemorative Stamps

Commemorative stamps are issued on special occasions, events, and holidays or as a sign of memory of important people of the world. Usually, they are larger in size than regular stamps and they are also special issue i.e. issued for only a short time. Children will derive a lot of pleasure from collecting these stamps.

Special Stamps

Special stamps are also fun to collect as kids. They are issued during occasions like Thanksgiving, Independence Day or Valentine’s Day etc, and usually have a specific theme. Special stamps are usually large, colourful and pretty to look at.

Antique or Vintage Stamps

The older a stamp grows or its rarity and antiquity makes it valuable. The antique or vintage stamps are very valuable and can usually be traded or brought at stamp auctions or from other mature and experienced philatelists. Collecting such stamps is usually the hobby of mature adults who can invest a lot of resources into stamp collection.

Starting Off with Stamp Collection

There are many ways in which this interesting habit of philately can be incorporated and encouraged.The stamps from the envelopes that are received in the mail should be pried open and saved. These stamps should then be pasted or mounted on proper stamp books.It is good to make pen friends who live in different corners of the world. This way letters can be written to different places of the globe and when the replies come back the stamps on them will add value to the collection.Ask friends or neighbours and relatives for their old envelopes and take stamps from there. Asking the post office for their old envelopes is also a good idea as they are sure to have lots.Used stamps can be brought in large quantities from charities. These charities usually buy off or are donated stamp collections from philatelists who have just grown tired of this hobby. Buying stamps in bulk is incidentally called kilo ware.Stamp collection is a magical experience. Sometimes in the middle of a sea or regular common place, stamps you will chance upon a rare and beautiful one. The thrill is similar to the game treasure hunt. If done properly, the hobby of stamp collecting yields a lifetime of rewards.

How to start pursuing the hobby of stamp collection? What are the benefits of pursuing the hobby of stamp collection for children? At what age can children start collecting stamps? Discuss here.