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2. What to Collect

Many beginners collect any and all stamps they can get their hands on. This is good way to start. Through the collecting of a wide variety of stamps come the basic knowledge necessary for the enjoyment of philately (stamp collecting).
Some collectors start as worldwide collectors and remain that way. They attempt to find as many stamps from as many different countries as they can. The general worldwide collector is always on the lookout for new stamps and enjoys the thrill of the hunt.
Many collectors are country collectors -- that is, they collect stamps of certain countries or just one country. For example, many stamp collectors find stamps of the country they were born and/or lived in the easiest to obtain. Another very popular way to collect stamps is by topic or theme, such as space, animals, sports, etc. Collecting by stamp subject can be very challenging and rewarding. You must watch very carefully! Stamps related to your subject may come from every corner of the earth and the subject may be only a small part of the stamp design.

You can also collect First Day Covers (F.D.C) or cachets. Click here to read more.

Collecting postmarks is a never-ending search. Postmark collecting has many fans. You might want to begin by trying to collect postmarks from each state or from foreign countries. Others try to find as many different postmarks as they can from their own city, country, or state. For fun, try to find one postmark for each day of the year. For a challenge, try to find a postmark from the day you were born.
Postmark collecting is just one aspect of a larger collecting field known as postal history. Whether you collect modern meter stamps or early stamp less covers from the 18th and 19th century, you are learning about postal history.
There are many other interesting and specialized areas in stamp collecting -- too numerous to mention here. Be assured that there is no right or wrong thing to collect. Collect what brings you enjoyment and pleasure. Chances are that someday you will probably find someone else who is collecting the same thing you do!

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This page was last updated on 10/06/2006

This website was created on 19th June 2005

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