What are some tips for new stamp collectors? It's a good idea to concentrate on one or a few categories in your stamp collecting, because there are over 10,000 postage stamps issued each year and it would be a bit unrealistic to make it your goal to collect every single stamp.
I would encourage someone to do it as a hobby as opposed to an investment. It should be something that you enjoy. Many people will get started by collecting something related to another hobby. For example, if they are a golfer, they may be interested in Bobby Jones and other golfers on stamps. Or you might be interested in German stamps. It should be something of interest to you. It should be fun, not a task.
It's also a good idea to concentrate on one or a few categories in your stamp collecting, because there are over 10,000 postage stamps issued each year and it would be a bit unrealistic to make it your goal to collect every single stamp.
Some people collect by country or era. Some people might collect just stamps of the Queen Victoria time period of England and its colonies or Great Britain and its colonies. You could collect stamps from the Spanish colonies or Portuguese colonies. You can collect stamps that have been canceled or postmarked or you may choose to collect just unused stamps, ones that haven't been used on the mail and don't have any postmark. Nothing makes one better than the other, they are just differences. One may be less expensive to collect, but that doesn't make it any better or worse to collect.
Another question new collectors may have is where to find stamps. The local post office probably has commemorative stamps issued from the last year. So you might start by collecting the current ones, but eventually most collectors probably will try and go back to previous years and then they will have to find the other stamp dealers or collectors to purchase from or trade with.
As far as storing your stamps, it depends upon the type of stamps that you have and the value of the stamps. Obviously if you spend a thousand dollars on a stamp, you probably want to be a little more careful. Many people find that manila cards with pockets are a good way to get started. This way you can arrange them however you want while you figure out what you want to collect. You could start by arranging them by countries, by topic, by the nomination or color, those would be possibilities as well.
Before you go out and spend lots of money on a printed album, which may or may not be the best for you, the stock cards are somewhat flexible to begin with. It is certainly easier to transfer them, to look at your stamps in different ways.
You want to keep your stamps in a relatively controlled climate, especially if you have unused stamps with gum on their backs. You don't want them in 90 degree weather with 100% humidity. Basements and attics are generally not a good place. Stamps want a climate somewhat similar to what you want for yourself.
