Stamp collecting or philately has been a popular hobby for years. People like the many different styles of stamps and are drawn to the idea that some stamps have been all around the world. Stamps are a way to remember special events, people and places. They celebrate the ordinary and the not so ordinary. Stamp collecting can be a fun hobby that also is an amazing educational experience.

If you are thinking about starting a stamp collection you gather your supplies before getting any stamps. You will need an album or box to hold your stamps. Think about what kinds of stamps you will be collecting. If you are looking for old stamps you may want an album with special covers to protect your stamps. Your collection can have a theme or you can collect any kind of stamp. Consider joining a stamp club. At a stamp club you can talk to others and learn about their experiences, about what is big in stamps at the current time and what people are looking to find. You should also get a stamp catalog that covers many different stamps. This catalog will give you information on different stamps so you can be informed about the stamps in your collection. Once you know where you are going to store your stamps and have built up an information base to get information about collecting you can start buying stamps.

You can buy new stamps or used stamps. You can get stamps from other collectors, dealers or the post office, to name a few. You should also have an idea of the types of stamps that are available for you to buy.

The following list explains different types of stamps.

Definitive - feature presidents, other leaders, national treasures, etc.; printed in large quantities
Commemorative - feature historic events, special people, important American topics; printed in limited quantities
Special - feature symbols for special circumstances, like holidays; printed around time of special event
Airmail - used to send overseas mail
Special Purpose - feature special people, places, events, things not covered by other stamps

Now that you know a little something about stamps and stamp collecting you can get started on your own stamp collection.