Collecting and Collectibles : articles

Tips for Collecting Salt and Pepper Shaker

...a set of whimsical shakers attracts your attention at a flea market or shop. A memorable trip may have been commemorated with a special set of shakers. Even an inherited set of vintage shakers reminding you of a special person may have inspired you to start collecting…

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How to Value Your Doll Collectible Items

...Other places to find information about your item (doll) would be websites selling your item (doll), antique or boutique shops, toy or hobby shops, and resell shops. Also, check out the resource books at the public library….

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Who’s who in stamp collecting: Famous Stamp Collectors

...His most famous collections were stamps from US that were unused, letters from presidents, autographs from presidents, the history of Philadelphia post, etc….

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How to Start Collecting Your Collectible Figurines

...Many people express their love for animals by collecting animal figurines; others show off their heritage by collecting China dolls, Indian dolls, or heritage figurines; while still others capture the scenic beauty of the New England coast by collecting lighthouse models and figurines. The possibilities of collecting collectible figurines are endless….

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What Are Rare Stamps and How to Spot Them

“...Unbelievably, rare stamps are investments that are of the tangible kind. Compared to art they are also a worthwhile and enjoyable investment especially for enthusiasts. First things first, the fact is that rare stamps are really, definitely very rare. But what is it that makes a stamp rare?...”

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Should You Collect U.S. Stamps or International Stamps

“...The easiest and probably the most famous stamp to collect are those that come from one’s own country. However it all depends on your own preference. For instance, stamps from Austria began to be collected through a specific motif that a particular stamp or group of stamps have. An example would be the collection of stamps as according to the pictures they have, such as flowers, dogs, trains, paintings, ships, buildings, weapons or women…”

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What are Mints and Mint Marks

“...Collectors can determine the value of a coin though mint mark, date and condition examination, whereby the coins condition is the most significant factor and standard to decide on its value. On the other hand, defining the Mint which hit the coin is tremendously important as well, so to decide and arrive on the value of the coin; the coin can be hit in huge quantities at a single Mint and minute quantities in another hit….”

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What You Should Look For in a Coin

Coin collecting is not really about investment, it should be a fun and thrilling hobby. While the overall goal of a coin collector is to complete a set of coins, learning what to look for in a coin is important to make sure no one can take advantage of your need to complete a particular set.

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How to Judge the Condition and Grading of Stamps

First things first, a grade involves centering, gum and cancels. It basically describes the design of the stamp and just how well the design is located right in the middle and in between the stamp’s perforations. A stamp’s condition is the basic description of its obvious characteristics, such as the stamp paper used, the ink, or the gum. A perfect stamp may or may not be that hard to find. What is definite is that what one seeks one shall definitely find. Though it could take numerous and stamps upon stamps of searching, it is definitely out there.

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A Stamp Processing Guide: How to Soak, Sort, Identify and Mount Your Stamps

If you are one of the countless stamp collectors that derive much pleasure from soaking and mounting stamps yourself, you will want to learn the proper way of processing stamps. First of all, you have to collect all the envelopes with their stamps attached. You may then want to sort or organized them before and after soaking. Now, take an envelope and cut the envelope around the area around the stamp. Then place the stamp along with the paper it is stuck to on the saucer of water. Now, place the stamps on a towel face-down. Let the stamps dry.

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Valuing Your Postcard Collection

Postcard collecting is the hobby of collecting postcards for enjoyment or money. For the casual postcard collector, all kinds of postcards are interesting. For a more serious or professional collector, there are other issues to be aware of. Did you know, for instance, that a postcard collection is more valuable if it is acquired around a certain theme? If you have a theme around which your collection revolves, it will be easier to acquire new items, and the value of your collection may grow over time. Another element that adds to a postcard’s value is how rare it is. If you collect postcards from certain cities, for instance, you will find that postcards from smaller cities are more rare, and therefore more valuable, than ones from larger cities.

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Master the Stamp Collecting Methods

For starting collectors, here are a few sources of collecting stamps to help you build up your stash of postal wonders. The oldest and cheapest means of getting stamps is the mail that gets to your mailbox. However, you will have to take great care in handling such stamps as you have to learn how to properly soak and mount these stamps for you collection. Trading stamps is one of the most exciting activities in stamp collecting. It’s a great way to meet fellow enthusiasts and a great way to land your hands – I mean stamp tongs (never handle your stamps without them!) on a unique stamp. Many collectors have duplicate stamps – just like you. You may be able to get good deals on these stamps especially if they are not rare.

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Starting a Stamp Collection: Where to Get Stamps

As a stamp collectors, you will always need a good, steady supply of stamps to fill your albums. But where do you get these stamps? And how do you procure them? There are two ways to get stamps – the free way or the paid way. The free way is fun, since you get to work like a detective sorting, soaking, mounting and processing these stamps on your own. If you wish to collect stamps the quick way, the paid method works pretty well – especially when you seek bulk amounts of stamps. Paying for stamps is also a great way to acquire rare stamps. However, paying for stamps is not advisable to beginners unless they go for bulk stamps to beef up their collection.

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Handle Your Stamps Like a Pro – Stamp Tools and Their Uses

While many hobbies require very expensive equipment, stamp collecting requires inexpensive and readily available equipment to enjoy. If you are serious about starting and maintaining a good stamp collection, you cannot be without the following tools. Stamp tongs are specially designed tools that look like tweezers so you may be tempted to ask whether tweezers would do instead. A good set of magnifying tools can help you spot damage, tears, and detail of stamps. Perforation gauges help collectors count how many perforations a stamp has per 2-cms. Watermark Detector is very handy in viewing hidden, embossed or imprinted patterns that stamps may or may not have.

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The Basic Types of Stamps

Before they start collecting, stamp collectors try to identify the types of stamps. These will help them segregate and sort stamps according to their classification. On its basic concept, there are three main classifications of stamps — special, commemorative, and definitive. Other types of stamps are airmail, certified mail stamp, customized stamp, late fee stamp, express mail, etc. Whatever type of stamp you choose, these items denote one thing — man’s value of his history.

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Where to Find Rare and Collectible Coins

If you are one of those people who want to invest on coins, here are several places to start your collection. Several shop owners are dealers that know a lot of information about the coins and are selling some coins too. There are times when your local mall will have an exhibit from several coin dealers. There are thousands of dealers worldwide and most of them have websites that allow you to pay them through mail order or through any online payment system such as PayPal. Flea markets sellers are usually looking for quick sell and would probably give you discounts when you buy their items in bulk. If you are looking to invest for really, really rare coins, the best place to go would be in an auction. Coin collectors usually have duplicate coins that they are willing to sell for a lower price compared to its market value.

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How to Make Your First Stamp Album

Before you decide on starting a stamp collection you must first determine what kind or type of stamps you are going to collect. You can collect any kind of stamp but it would be more valuable if you collect a certain kind of stamp. You can choose to collect stamps according to their types, formats, purpose, or condition. You can already start collecting stamps even if you do not have the money to spend on it. Start with used stamps because you can have them for free. To start off your stamp collection, make sure you are equipped with the very basic stamp collecting tools like a stamp album, tongs, hinges, a perforation gauge, a magnifying glass and a watermark sensing device. When you have collected enough stamps, it is better to place them in a stamp album. Most stamp albums already have hinges with which you can mount the stamps safely.

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Learn The Lingo of Stamp Collectors

Stamp collectors use simple but weird terms like referring to a stamp placed on an envelope but which was canceled the very first day it was sold as first day cover. Business people may be more familiar with the term revenue stamps which refer to stamps that are not for postage of a letter but for the payment of taxes.

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Learn How to Become a Numismatic

Numismatics is the study of money, medallions, banknotes, token coins, and stock certificates. Numismatists are generally interested in use of money, its origin, appearance, variety and production. They aim to explore the role of the different kind of currency in our history using mint. Mint refers to the place or facility where the coins are being manufactured. If you have no back ground in grading coins, you have no business in coin collecting and numismatics without employing help from the experts. Whether you are selling, buying or collecting coins, it doesn’t hurt to acquire basic knowledge or information.

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