The two basic rules that every stamp collector adheres to are to enjoy collecting stamps and to properly take care of them. Except these, you get to decide what kinds of stamps to collect and have them displayed in any way you want. Therefore, philately can be a very enjoyable activity for someone who is creative.
Basically, there are four kinds of stamps: traditional, topical, specialist, and worldwide stamps. The stamps you would find in a traditional collection are those that represent a specific country. The stamps included in a topical collection are those based on collector’s choice of design. Specialist stamp collectors are those who have multiple duplicates of just one stamp design. Worldwide stamp collectors are those who would add any stamp they can get their hand on, to their collection. Any How to Collect Stamps class will tell you to start as a worldwide stamp collector until you decide what you like best and then you can specialize if you desire.
A number of stamp collectors choose to have more than one collection of different stamp types. For beginners, it is best to check out as many stamps as you can and gather all information achievable. If you do these things, you could stumble upon areas of stamp collecting which did not even enter your wildest imaginations. Another way to learn more about collecting is to read as much philatelic news as you can get your hands on. The more you know the better.
The main thing you should remember when beginning your journey as a stamp collector is that you should start with just what you have within reach. You do not necessarily have to do too quickly. As you go on, you will stumble upon the stamps you truly would like. Be satisfied with what you have and take good care of them for the time being.
As a stamp collector, you need to get hold of stamp tongs, by hook or by crook. Stamp tongs are basically your ordinary tweezers minus the sharp edges. Tweezers will damage stamps and no stamps collector will ever use them. That is another must in stamp collecting—use stamp tongs.
Moreover, never use your hands to pick up your stamps or even put them on top of a bare table. Your stamps will get dirty by coming in contact with your skin’s natural oils or with the dust on the table. If you want to look at your stamps, pour them out onto a clean sheet of white paper or such. Collectors are very meticulous with their collection. Having numerous stamps is not enough grounds for calling yourself a stamp collector. You should be passionate about collecting stamps, and you must be very strict with regards to stamp care.
Beginners in stamp collecting need not have a lot of supplies. Stamp tongs, envelopes, and a storage box are all the things you are required to have. As mentioned earlier, the tongs would be used to pick up stamps. Meanwhile, envelopes will hold your stamps organized according to their type. You will then store these envelopes inside the storage box. Do not forget to write the name of the stamp types on the envelopes containing them.