The Stamp Collecting Blog
@ Jamestown Stamp Co.
What is Stamp Collecting
It’s surprising just how often the question, “What is Stamp Collecting?” is asked. This seems to request a more thorough answer than the obvious. Of course, stamp collecting is the act of collecting stamps. (Remember the last time you got away with giving a definition like that…2nd grade, maybe?) Often, it seems, that the real […]
Tell us About Your Stamp Collection
During our early school days, we were encouraged to tell about our day, what we learned, what we found interesting. Perhaps you gave detailed replies. Or, perhaps, like me, you gave vague answers in an attempt to speak like an adult. Either way, as we age, our interests become more unique, more personal. Likewise we […]
What are Definitive Stamps?
In its common English usage the word ‘definitive’ implies something as ultimately final…the ‘be-all and end-all’, if you will. In Stamp Collecting terminology, Definitive might be defined as ‘new standards’ for postage stamp rates. The philatelic glossary at Arago concisely defines Definitive Stamps as those that are “issued in an indefinite quantity and for an […]
What are Back of the Book Stamps?
The term “Back of the Book Stamps” generally refers to those stamp issues that have appeared in the back of the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue’s country sections. The catalog itself is released in volumes, each covering a set of stamp issuing nations. U.S. “back of the book” stamps appear at the end of the […]
National Hobby Month
January is National Hobby month. Isn’t it telling that we now have to have a national month of awareness to remember to treat ourselves to time spent on activities we love? If only there were a way to remind you to spend time with it regularly. Like a good little puppy bringing its ball to […]
Stamp Album Supplements
During our youth, the end of the year signaled things like exciting new changes and vacation time. As we grow older the new year begins to mark deadlines and expiration dates. We certainly hope you find some time to relax and enjoy the finer things in life like your growing stamp collection. One thing that […]
Modern Stamp Design Techniques
The artistry of postage stamp design has certainly gone through many evolutionary changes over the last two centuries. What began with mere text and numerals became portraits and reproductions of famous paintings and photographs. Today we see a wide range of bold artwork and design elements such as holographic imagery and embossed lettering. Of course, […]
Holidays on Foreign Stamps
In the recent past we’ve talked about Stamp Collecting and its relation to Global Diversity, World Geography, and even Creating Memories. Perhaps it was with these topics still in mind that I began to research the topic of holidays on Foreign Stamps. The intention was to research holiday themes on worldwide postage stamps. I planned to […]
Making Time for Your Collection
If there is a time of year when time is in short supply, it’s during the month of December. Mail holidays, school closures, crowded stores, inclement weather, and end of the year deadlines all work against any prospects of having some quiet time with your stamp collection. But you can make time if you pencil […]
Collecting Stamps and Memories for the Holidays
“Every passion borders on the chaotic, but the collector’s passion borders on the chaos of memories.” – Walter Benjamin The Holidays! Many will play host to family and friends this holiday season. And many of the invited will be children. Above the cacophony of video game consoles and mobile devices, you might hear the distant […]