The world's first adhesive postage stamp was issued by the British Post Office in 1840. Since then all the countries have issued more than 200,000 stamps. However, if you are a budding philatelist it is better to collect on specific themes — animals, flags, flowers and so on. Or you can collect according to the country.
There are unused (mint) and used stamps. Mint stamps being expensive, you may start by collecting used stamps. The stamps in your collection should be in perfect condition including the perforations.
Used stamps bear postmarks (cancellations) of the office of posting. First, see if the stamps are of interest to you. To remove a stamp, cut carefully around (with a space of one centimetre) the stamp. Fill a dish with clean waterand float the stamp face up. The stamp will become separated from the paper. Remove the traces of gum by gently rubbing it keeping the stamp under water. Then place it between two sheets of white blotting paper. When the stamp has dried place it in a stamp stock book.
Once you have marked the place in your stamp album transfer it. Give a brief write up below the stamp. Allot separate pages for each topic. Similarly, allocate distinct pages for mint stamps. It is better to keep the album pages in a loose leaf binder. This will help you display the pages in an exhibition. When it runs to many pages, number the pages on the reverse in the lower left hand side.
Philately is considered the king of hobbies. Join a philatelic club/society and meet other collectors and compare notes.
R.S.
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