This ebook will take you on a tour of the joys of stampcollecting as a hobby, the terms and symbols used bystamp collectors, the tools you’ll need should youbecome a collector one day, and how to get started.There’s also a section for you on the resources you cantap to make your hobby as enjoyable and pleasurableas you want it to be.And much as we were tempted to include a poem aboutstamp collecting, we’re not doing it. Because stampcollecting is, in itself a poetic endeavor.TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroduction.................................................6Chapter 1: The Joys of Stamp Collecting ....... 10Chapter 2: Some Terms Used in StampCollecting.................................................. 17Perforations............................................. 17Postmarks............................................... 18Envelopes / First Day Covers ..................... 19Commemoratives..................................... 20Overprints and Perfins .............................. 21Coil Stamps............................................. 22Booklet Pane............................................ 22Errors..................................................... 23 NH ..................................................... 25 H ....................................................... 26 LH...................................................... 26 HH ..................................................... 26 HR ..................................................... 26 DG..................................................... 27 NG ..................................................... 27Chapter 3: Tools and Supplies Required inStamp Collecting........................................ 28 Minuteman Album................................ 29 Scott’s Basic Album.............................. 29 Scott National Album (loose leaf)........... 29 H.E. Harris Statesman Album Kit............ 30Stamp Catalogs........................................ 30Watermark Detector................................. 31Stamp Tongs ........................................... 31Magnifier................................................. 32Color Guides............................................ 33Perforation Gauge .................................... 33Glassine Envelopes................................... 34Stamp-Lifting Fluids.................................. 35Hinges/Safe Vinyl Mounts.......................... 35Stamp Periodicals/Newsletters/Magazines ... 36Chapter 4: Starting Your Hobby ................... 37Stamp Grades.......................................... 41 Superb ............................................. 41 Very................................................. 42 Fine.................................................. 42 Good................................................ 42 Poor................................................. 43Additional Tips!........................................ 46Chapter 5: Resources for the Stamp Collector 47Books ..................................................... 48Websites................................................. 52CONCLUSION............................................. 55