This is the ultimate guide to getting the most out the world's most popular hobby, with countless examples of rare, vivid and historical stamps spanning almost two centuries, plus advice on price and guidance about acquisition. Read some of the fascinating stories behind the world's most sought-after stamps, from the famous commemoratives of American presidents to issues from some of the most remote post offices in the world. Stamps trace the character and history of the country from which they originate, and this encyclopedic visual directory is a stunning account of some of the most bizarre, vivid and poignant examples ever created.

From America's leading experts, your ultimate Guide to Stamp Collecting Whether you've always wanted to start a stamp collection or already have the beginnings of one, this is the definitive guide to becoming a smart and savvy stamp collector, with information on everything from the history of stamps to surprising celebrity philatelists to the best way to remove stamps from envelopes. You'll receive priceless expert advice on: Finding and identifying stamps Caring for and exhibiting your collection Understanding collecting terms Verifying authenticity Using internet resources And much more!

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 houses Unlike 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 stamps Stamp Collecting For Dummies is your total guide to starting and building on a really cool stamp collection.

Contains current market prices for the United States, U.S. Possessions and trust territories Canada and provinces, and all United Nations. Includes U.S. commemorative index and colorful stamp identifier, grading criteria, and more for the United States and British North America. Full Color

A perfect introduction for novices — and fun for all! — this mega-set provides everything a beginner needs: an illustrated album with room for over 1,000 stamps; a guide booklet that explains how to build and care for a collection; a catalog listing hundreds of historic stamps available for purchase; a magnifying glass; adhesive hinges for mounting stamps; and a starter pack of 25 real U.S. postage stamps.

Discusses where and how to obtain stamps; tools, accessories, catalogues, and albums; identification of stamps; and the history of stamps. Includes a dictionary of terms.