Stamp collecting does not require any special equipment except for the storage of the stamps. Some collectors improvise albums and boxes that are humidity, light and heat proof. Albums can be arranged according to categories at the discretion of the collectors. Categories can include issuing country, theme or year of print. It is a good idea to have a magnifying glass and thongs to pick the stamps to avoid damage from skin oil and dirt.
It is easy to start a stamp collection. By collecting stamps from the mail of friends and family one can have a varied collection. If however a collection is to follow a specific pattern or theme then it may be more expensive as the stamps will have to be bought from a dealer or online. Sites like EBay has thousands of dealers in stamps and one can build a collection shopping there. Some collectors invest in a topical area for collection for example the Olympics, maps, famous people, animals or scenery. It is dependant on personal taste and preference or ease of collection.
There are so many types that one can choose to collect. Some of the interesting ones includes postage stamps, commemorative stamps, revenue stamps (are issued for postage as well as for paying government revenue in small amounts), pictorials (stamps with a country's scenery or animal life) or even Cinderellas (stamps that are not valid for postage).
Although some collectors carry out stamp collecting as a hobby many other are in it for the money. If one has a big enough collection of rare and therefore valuable collection of stamps they could make a tidy sum from it. There are fears that technology may devalue the value of stamps. But old and rare stamps are not likely to lose their value just like many other things affected by technology; vintage cars have not lost their appeal even though we may have better cars now. There are many stamp collectors' groups and clubs established all over the world. Members meet to exchange or trade collections and even hold competitions and award prizes.
There are even more internet clubs and blogs on stamp collecting online featuring news, events and discussions about and around stamp collecting. Taking the clubs online is an easy option as members can communicate outside of geographical borders which would otherwise be difficult normally. Blogs offer news on exhibitions, new stamp issues and even directories for stamp collectors and those interested in making exchanges.
As a hobby stamp collecting is satisfying and also a learning experience. Each piece of stamp collected has a story or history behind it and from it one can tell something of the atmosphere prevailing in the society at the time it was issued.
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