Thursday, March 31, 2016

Information Regarding Rare Postage Stamps

By Angela Turner


Many people around the world collect stamps as a hobby and it has been very popular for many years. There are thousands of different examples available to collectors from hundreds of countries. There are many factors which can make a stamp collectible and those who collect rare postage stamps will spend many years building their extensive collections.

The first postage stamp the penny black was issued in Great Britain in 1840 and featured a picture of Queen Victoria. This remains one of the most sought after examples and although unused ones are rare a used one in average condition can be found for around 150 dollars. There are many others which are rarer than this and they will command a much higher figure when sold.

A lot of philatelists will focus on one particular type of stamp and will seek out examples to add to their collection. First day covers, animals, birds and insects are all a popular choice for many. Others may decide to look for examples featuring modes of transport, famous faces or sporting themed stamps. Other items that can be valuable are misprints and examples where errors have been made when in production.

A postage stamp when sold on the market will have been given a graded rating by an expert. These grades are recognized worldwide and range from poor for a bad example to extra fine for perfect examples. Many mint condition examples can be found and these are extremely sought after by serious collectors.

If you are planning to take up the hobby you will need a few items to manage your collection and keep it in good condition. A book will be needed to display and organize your stamps and you will need a magnifying glass to look at the fine detail on some examples. A pair of tongs or tweezers will also be needed to avoid touching the stamp with your bare hands and damaging it.

Rare and valuable examples can be found in a few different places and some care is needed when paying a lot of money for an example. Dealers can be found in many cities who deal in collectible examples and many are sold at auction. There are also online dealers who buy and sell valuable stamps and also many private collectors. Philatelists clubs are also a good place to find items and to meet other collectors.

If you are planning to start a new collection or add to an existing one by buying rarer items there are a few things to think about before buying to avoid any costly mistakes. Due to the high value of some of the items on the market many have been faked over the years. If buying from anyone other than a reputable established dealer or auction house you should always get an item checked by a qualified expert before making a purchase.

As with any collection of rare and valuable items you should always make sure that it is insured against loss, theft or damage. Most homeowners will have some kind of contents insurance to cover their possessions but this will not usually cover valuable collectibles. Specialist insurance companies can be found who specialize in valuables and antiques and these are worth contacting to obtain quotes.




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