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How to Collect S&H Green Stamps

A staple of American life for much of the 20th century, S&H Green Stamps were redeemable coupons. Participating merchants issued the stamps upon purchase of other goods. Consumers saved up the stamps in special S&H Green Stamp books. Stamps, and books of stamps, could be redeemed for items featured in the S&H Green Stamp Catalog. Consumers exchanged their stamps at merchant-operated S&H Green Stamp redemption centers, thus building customer loyalty. Though not issued since 1981, the old S&H Green Stamps and books are still highly collectible, as are the S&H Green Stamp Catalogs.

Instructions

- 1
  Collect S&H Green Stamps by finding old S&H Green Stamp books. S&H Green Stamp books were designed to hold exactly 1200 stamps. Consumers licked the back of each stamp and pasted it into an empty spot in the book. Each page of the book would hold 50 stamps.
- 2
  Note the proper arrangement of S&H Green Stamps within each book. Stamps came in denominations of 1, 10, and 50. Individual pages should contain either 50 ̶0;1̶1; stamps, 5 ̶0;10̶1; stamps, or 1 ̶0;50̶1; stamp. Pages could also hold combinations of 1̵7;s and 10̵7;s.
- 3
  Buy and sell S&H Green Stamp books at online auction sites, like eBay, and collectibles sites, such as Ruby Lane (See Resource List). Common issue stamp books from the 1960s and 1970s sell for $1 to $2 apiece, with many available in sets. An original proof of an S&H certificate can sell for $90 to $130 at Scripophily.com and other similar sites.
- 4
  Purchase S&H Green Stamp catalogs at online auction sites and garage sales. Catalogs generally cost only a few dollars. S&H Green Stamp catalogs are excellent guides to popular consumer fare of days gone by. Catalogs feature illustrations, descriptions, and prices of furniture, appliances, knickknacks... and even trips to Disneyland

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