Any long-time stamp collectors here?

[Corona]

I've been collecting stamps since I was just a kid. It's a very soothing hobby. I find the history of them far more fascinating than their worth in dollars or pounds.

[danny0278]

I also collect stamps since I was 8 years old, initially I used to purchase it but then I started collecting from one who has relenquished this hobby.

[Corona]

What a wonderful resource. When you're done collecting it's tempting to just sell the lot off if you can. I've seen Mystic Stamp Company advertised (no, I don't work for them) for fair deals on collections.

[Teresa]

I am excited to see there are some of you who are interested in collecting stamps. I have a lot of Hong Kong stamps which I have saved over the years. My favor stamps give you a feel for Hong Kong’s rich history.

[2thrifty]

I haven't gotten into collecting stamps so far. I know people who do though and I save any unusual one's I come across for them.

I'm a huge fan of stamp collections. I started doing such thing since I was 12 years of age. I already have three album of stamps at home. I also have 2 laminated frames full of old stamps. Most of it came from different countries I've visited. I'm planning to sell it soon.

[shandy]

Hi Long-term stamp collectors,

Did anyone ever attend a stamp exhibition? As a stamp collector, it is definitely worth going because you get a chance to view all the rare stamps from the professional dealers around the world. I went to the National Postal Museum. The booklet is worth collecting. It explores the background and implementation of British postal reform, including the first postage stamps, as well as the related story of how U.S. postal administrators adapted those reforms to their larger, more sparsely settled nation.

Shandy

[shandy]

Hi gals and guys,

For stamp collectors, fake stamps can be a terrible nightmare. I want to share some tips with all of you about how to spot a fake stamp.

Inspect the gum on the back of the stamp. Forgers will re-gum a stamp to repair damage to the original gum, in order to increase the value of a stamp. Compare it to original gum, and pay close attention to the color of the gum. There are several important details to look for, such as excess gum texture, overt watermark visibility, stamp curling and sharp perforation tips.

Look closely for repairs to damage on stamps. Common repairs include cleaning stains, replacing torn pieces, sealing holes and tears, smoothing creases and repairing thins. Note that repairs are often masked by the application of a false cancel mark over the repaired area.

Pay attention to the perforations of the stamp. Re-perforated stamps are some of the most common fakes, and can often be fairly easy to spot, particularly with the aid of a magnifying glass. Look for re-perforated fakes to have misshapen holes and poorly spaced or aligned holes.