Product Description

Postage stamps have evolved quite a bit since Great Britain’s 1840 Penny Black, the world’s first adhesive postage stamp. From simple designs featuring the monarch to works of art literally condensed to postage stamp size, hundreds of thousands of different stamps have been issued in the past 164 years—and the great majority of them remain reasonably priced for collectors. With so many stamps to collect from so many countries, a philatelist’s choices are virtually unlimited––which can be both a blessing and a curse, especially if you’re a newcomer to the art of stamp collecting.

Interested in starting a stamp collection, but not sure where to begin? This is the guide for you. Expert Richard Sine fills you in on everything you need to know about selecting, finding, buying, presenting and caring for stamps. An internationally recognized collector and author on stamp collecting (he used to write the New York Times stamp column) he also has much wisdom to impart to collectors who’ve been at it for a while. A gold mine of expert advice and guidance, Stamp Collecting For Dummies is on how to:

• Start or diversify your collection
• Decide what to collect
• Catalog and organize your collection
• Handle, protect, store, and display stamps
• Identify rare and valuable stamps
• Buy stamps online and through auction houses

Unlike most authors on the subject who tend to be pretty stuffy—to put it politely—expert Richard Sine focuses on the side of stamp collecting that’s enjoyable, educational, and fun. With humor, tons of interesting anecdotes about stamps and the men and women who love them, and loads of insider tips, he covers all the bases, including:

• Getting the biggest bang for you stamp–collecting buck
• Researching, locating and buying stamps through traditional sources and online
• Showing off your collection at exhibits
• Customizing your collection
• Housing your stamps and protecting them against the elements
• The ten keys to identifying and authenticating stamps

Stamp Collecting For Dummies is your total guide to starting and building on a really cool stamp collection.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #461320 in Books
• Published on: 2001-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 408 pages

Review
"...this fun and informative guide to selecting, finding, buying, presenting and caring for stamps is a must–read for every collector..."  (Stamp & Coin Mart, January 2007)

Review
"...this fun and informative guide to [...] stamps is a must–read for every collector..."  (Stamp & Coin Mart, January 2007)

From the Back Cover
Praise for Stamp Collecting For Dummies
"Dick Sine has produced a solid and practical introduction to the world′s greatest pastime, stamp collecting. His work is not only invaluable to beginners but also of great value to intermediate collectors, especially with his Internet–savvy advice."

"This is a long overdue masterpiece!" —Chesky Malamud and Eli Popack, Founders of Stampville.com

Jam–packed with an expert′s stamp collecting secrets

Discover the art of stamp collecting today!
Novice stamp collectors, relax! Let expert Richard Sine show you everything a new collector needs to know, from starting a collection to diversifying an existing one. Packed with tips on identifying valuable stamps, caring for them, and buying stamps online and through auction houses, this handy reference is your step–by–step guide to creating a really cool stamp collection.

Discover how to:

• Start or diversify your collection
• Decide what to collect
• Catalog and organize your collection
• Handle, protect, store, and display stamps
• Identify rare and valuable stamps

• Sign up for daily eTips at www.dummiesdaily.com
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Customer Reviews

Revieiwng stamp collecting for dummies
The book follows the customary 'Dummies' format so looks familiar to anyone who has used similar publications in the past. I do feel that the chapters could have been laid out in a way that enables easier access for the absolute beginner (or 'dummy' - perhaps I'm one !)to be able to get started. My perception is that it makes what should be a fun and easy hobby into something a little too technical and complicated. Perhaps there should have been two publications: "Stamp Collecting for COMPLETE Dummies' and 'Stamp Collecting for More Serious Dummies'. In general, though, the book is very comprehensive and I would guess should be on every stamp collector's bookshelf.