Stamp Collecting Guide

Finding rare stamps which are valuable is the dream of many stamp collector enthusiasts. While most stamp collectors begin the hobby because of the simple pleasure associated with it, there is no denying the fact that we all secretly hope we will one day run across a rare stamp that will have a large market value. The good news is that it may not actually be as hard as you might think to locate rare stamps. For 10 easy tips to help you find rare stamps, keep reading.

When looking for rare stamps it is extremely important to know what to look for. If you are not sure what constitutes a rare stamp, one could easily slide right past you and you would never know it. Taking the time to educate yourself about known rare stamps can greatly increase your chances of locating rare stamps.

Garage sales can actually be a good place to be on the lookout for rare stamps. Individuals cleaning out closets and even stamp collections belonging to family members may unwittingly hawk rare stamps for relatively little money at a garage sale or yard sale. If you know what to look for this can be a great way to find rare stamps.

Ask your friends and neighbors for their old stamps. Keep in mind that while not all old stamps are necessarily rare stamps, you just never know what you might find. There could very easily be a rare stamp attached to an envelope sitting in your next door neighbor’s basement or attic; just gathering dust.

It is also important to be on the lookout for errors on stamps when searching for rare stamps. Some of the most valuable and rare stamps in the world have resulted due to errors. Two of the most famous, and rare stamps, in the world were created as a direct result of errors. The Inverted Jenny; for example, reflect a bi-plane flying upside down. This particular stamp has been known to sell for tens of thousands of dollars at auction. The Three Skilling Banco yellow, another very rare stamp, was also created as a result of error. This stamp is so rare simply because it is the only known example to be printed in yellow; while all other examples have been shown in a blue-green color.

Estate sales are another excellent place to look for rare stamps. You never know when you might run across either an old letter that has a rare stamp on it, a box of miscellaneous would-be junk that might happen to contain a rare stamp or even a stamp collection with that prized stamp you’ve been searching for.

Of course, you may also be able to find rare stamps at stamp shows and stamp auctions but you should be prepared to either pay top price for the real thing or become the victim of fraud. Only in rare circumstances will you find a rare stamp that is truly authentic in an auction that is selling cheap.

Flea markets can be another excellent resource for rare stamps. It is quite possible you might find a rare stamp in a flea market stall for sale by someone who has absolutely no idea of what they have in their possession.

Don’t forget to be on the lookout for entire collections that are for sale. When an avid stamp collector dies, his or her heirs may not know what else to do with the collection and sell it as a whole. You may be able to pick up the entire collection for very little and be surprised to find out there are actually some rare stamps present.

Church sales and bazaars could also be another place to locate rare stamps. Many times church members will clean out the basements and attics of their homes and the church itself in order to have a sale and bazaar to raise funds for a project. You will usually find a mix of items, but if you know what to look for you never know what you might find.

Finally, keep an eye out on your own mail. While many people today use either metered mail or the plain generic stamp you just never know when you might receive a piece of correspondence with a rare stamp on it.