How to Collect Stamps As an Investment?
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
A lot of people have taken up the hobby of collecting stamps as a means to grow and protect wealth, ever since the recession of 2008 that sent traditional investments into a downward spiral. Unlike the gold index or housing market or the stock, economic conditions do not affect such collectibles. As far collecting stamps is concerned, the great part is that there are minimal rules, as per the National Postal Museum. However, the stamps which need to be collected and those which are necessary for the preservation of collections must be learnt by potential collectors, if they will be collecting stamps as an investment.
To acquire an immense return on investment, familiarizing themselves with the types of stamps that should be collected is necessary for potential collectors. A scale that ranges from poor to superb and centering, is used to determine the value of stamps that is based on condition, as explained by the Smithsonian Postal Museum. Centering is another criterion that also concludes the value of a stamp. The stamp image's position with the outer edges is inspected when checking the centering of a stamp. Stamp with 'poor ratings' should be avoided by those who are collecting them as an investment, while only the stamps belonging within the 'fine' to 'superb' categories are worth collecting.
A complete stamp kit that includes a detector dish, magnifying glasses, tongs, watermark detector fluid and any extra tools needed to identify and handle stamps must be procured. Additionally, not only should collectors be knowledgeable on how to soak stamps but should also procure a soaking kit, if they ever might need to save stamps from mailed envelops. When it comes to lifting a stamp from an envelope intact, they should be soaked in a bowl of cool water for about fifteen to twenty minutes. Often it might take a lot more time since certain stamps do not soak well and at times to prevent discoloration, some of them even need to be soaked with a different approach.
In regards to identifying rare and valuable stamps, apart from reference books and collecting periodicals, additionally the Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue should also be used. Limited-edition stamps are quite worthwhile if identified, while other valuable ones also include those that commemorate distinguished people and topics of today.
Those in search of rare stamps to purchase should be visiting local stamp dealers. Rare stamps can also be found at estate sales or online. Checking the membership lists of the American Philatelic Society, the Internet Stamp Dealer Association, or any other national stamp dealer associations is an ideal option for finding a reputable dealer, for those who decide to purchase stamps from them. To keep stamps clean and organized so they can be quickly identified, they should be placed in a special collector's display book. A higher resale value is earned by well-organized stamp collections. While collectors of great art never consider their purchases an investment, but it cannot be denied that a good stamp collection is indeed a valuable investment.
To learn more about collecting stamps as investment, visit: http://www.stampexchange.com/
Labels: Collect, Investment, Stamps
