Stamp collectors
Hobbies are pleasurable pastimes or interests we pursue when we are not studying or working. Many people like sports, camping or prefer to spend their spare time with other physical activities, while the more intellectually stimulated individuals may be thrilled playing chess for a few hours, or working on their extensive stamp collection.
Philately is the study of stamps, and is not the same as collecting stamps, which is basically gathering stamps and organizing them. Stamp collecting is a great hobby because there are no financial restrictions. You pay as little, or as much, as you want for stamps or accessories, such as albums or stock books, stamp hinges, magnifying glass, or tongs with rounded tips. Annual catalogues usually give you stamp history and value and can be bought in stamp shops, or borrowed from the library. Many stamp values can now also be found online, but make sure that your lists are current, as the value of stamps changes yearly.
Knowing how to determine the value of a stamp is important for buying and selling. You do not want to pay too much when buying, or not asking enough when selling or trading. The intrinsic value of a stamp depends on its condition and rarity, not on the amount marked on the stamp’s face. Are the outer teeth (stamp edges) and corners intact? Is the back of the stamp clear and not torn or discolored? How is the face color quality? Many questions need to be answered, and as you can see, stamp collecting is really not as boring as many may think!
Featuring article - Stamp specialties – what to collect!
If you are interested in collecting stamps you will have to make an important choice and decide if you want to specialize in used or unused stamps. Used means the stamps have been sent through the mail and were cancelled, while unused stamps were purchased and went straight into albums or stock books. The main difference between the two is that unused stamps are typically more expensive.
Once that choice has been made, most collectors will pick one or more topics, often related to other interests they have. This can be from a specific country, or any other theme or concept, including animals, flowers, and vehicles, various types of art, musical instruments, Disney characters, coats of arms, or famous people. This practice is called topical or thematic stamp collecting.
Stamps come in various shapes and sizes. Even though most of the postal stamps are rectangular, it is no longer unusual to see a specimen that is round, square, triangular, rhombus or octagonal in shape. Some may even be cut out looking like a heart or butterfly, making this also a great subject to collect.
Elaborate stamp designs have always been attractive to collectors from all over the world. The hologram stamps made quite a wave and were in high demand, even more so then first day covers or souvenir sheets. First day covers consist of a stamp, or set of stamps, attached to an envelope, and postmarked with a special commemorative postmark on the first day the stamps were issued. Souvenir sheets or miniature sheets are completely different, as these stamps are designed as part of a bigger sheet, often portraying artwork or scenery. These stamps are not cancelled and can actually be used.
The most valuable stamps to collect are those that are rare, quite old, or have mistakes. More than once, stamps were released too early, or with a design flaw. The production will then stop until the mistake has been corrected, but in the mean time some mishaps are circulating and are quite sought after by those who see more in a stamp then simple payment for postal services.
Hobbies Like Stamp Collecting Can Improve Your Health
We all know that having a hobby can be fun and rewarding, but did you know that hobbies are good for your health? In recent scientific research, it has been discovered that people who have rewarding hobbies live longer and enjoy healthier lives. This effect is particularly important for retirees -- while retirement tends to cause higher rates of depression, anxiety, and chronic health problems, retirees with hobbies tend to do much better, because they are staying active and interested in life. A great example of a hobby that can enhance your health is stamp collecting, because it is inexpensive, requires no specialized knowledge or tools, and can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of health and age.
So how exactly do hobbies like stamp collecting help a person's health, and what kind of health conditions do they protect against? The most tangible benefit of stamp collecting on a person's health is the enhancement of mental health that comes from becoming more social. Stamp collectors enjoy a vibrant social community, both in real life and online, and frequently attend stamp collecting conferences, swap meets, and gatherings, as well as participate in online forums and chats. Clinical evidence suggests that enhanced social opportunities are effective in preventing and treating depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
We also have evidence that the enhanced quality of life that comes from enjoying a hobby can be effective in preventing and treating certain physical medical conditions, such as chronic pain conditions and autoimmune conditions. In fact, stamp collecting and other hobbies tend to reduce stress, which can result in lowered risk factors for heart disease and many other physical conditions.