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6. FINDING OTHERS WHO
COLLECT
Stamp collecting can be more fun if you find others who
collect stamps. Ask your friends, perhaps they are collectors themselves, or
know someone who is. Check at your school to see if they have a stamp club. The
Ben Franklin Stamp Clubs are sponsored by the United States Postal Service and
are growing in number. If no stamp club exists, speak to your teacher or
principal. Perhaps they would be willing to help organize one. They can do so by
requesting free support materials from your local postmaster.
Frequently, larger populated areas will have either a city or county stamp
club. Inquire at the library, post office, stamp store, or of your collecting
friends to see if they know of a stamp club in your area. Stamp clubs are a fun
way to meet new collectors, obtain new stamps, and learn more about the hobby.
Find a penpal from a foreign country, preferably one who collects stamps.
You would gain much knowledge about the culture, history and geography of
another country. You might even trade stamps through the mail. At the very
least, you will get their country's stamps on your mail. Be sure to use
commemorative stamps on the mail to your penpal.
Join a stamp collecting organization. There are many groups, perhaps some
that even specialize in a collecting area that you are interested in. Most
specialized organizations and local stamp clubs are affiliated with the
American Philatelic Society,
a national society of nearly 60,000 members.
Many stamp collecting groups sponsor stamp shows, which can vary from an
afternoon "bourse" which features several dealers from the area to three or four
day exhibitions which include displays by other collectors. Many of these
exhibitions include special areas for young people to learn more about the hobby
and add new stamps to their collections for free or at a reduced cost. You can
find out about these shows in stamp collector publications, in your local
papers, or from stamp stores in your area. Try to attend the next show in your
area!
Next:
7.Reading about stamps
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