Collecting Stamp collecting is one of the most popular of all hobbies. The "sport of kids and kings," it appeals to young and old alike. It is as fascinating as it is easy. It can cost as little as you like, or it can cost a fortune.

You can jump in with both feet and collect stamps from any and every country in the world. You can restrict your interest to United States stamps or those of any other country. Some people limit their collecting in different ways; they collect only air mail stamps, or parcel post stamps, or postage due stamps, or stamps reproducing portraits or historical events, or commemorative issues, or one of many stamp categories available.

Stamp collectors, like taxi drivers, have a language of their own, and you should be prepared to cope with it. You can do this by buying a philatelic dictionary or encyclopedia at a cost of from 50 cents to $4.95. Another book you should have is Scott's Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, which lists (with the value) every stamp ever issued by any country. Also suggested are the very fine Minkus stamp catalogues for American or worldwide stamps. You will also want to subscribe to at least one magazine such as Scott's Monthly Journal, which can be ordered from Scott Publications, Inc., 461 Eighth Avenue, New York 36, New York, at $2 a year; or MekeeVs Weekly Stamp News, which may be ordered from Severn-Wylie-Jewett Company, 20 Temple Street, Portland 2, Oregon, at $1 a year.




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March 11, 2010