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How to Get Postage Stamps in Hampton, Virginia

The hobby of stamp collecting has entertained young and old since postage stamps were first introduced in Great Britain in 1840. As collectors multiplied, specialty stores selling stamps and supplies came into business. Today, though the hobby has waned somewhat in popularity, it is estimated that 25 million people in the U.S. continue to collect stamps. Though brick-and-mortar stores have found it hard to stay in business with the rise of the Internet, collectors in Hampton, Virginia, are lucky to have some local sources to help them pursue their philatelic passions.

Instructions

- 1
  Buy stamps that are still in circulation through one of the five local post offices in Hampton (call 800-275-8777 for locations). You will pay the face value price and select stamps in mint condition. Carefully preserve them in sheets especially designed for new stamps that will fit into your album.
- 2
  Visit the oldest local stamp and coin shop, Reed S. Walton Coins, located at 1138 Big Bethel Road off Hampton Roads Center Parkway (757-838-4566). Walton has been in business since 1968, carrying stamps, stamp albums, binders, album pages, hinges, protective mounts and acid-free envelopes.
- 3
  Travel to nearby stamp and coin stores, all located within a 30-mile drive of Hampton.
  
  Rainbow Philatelics is at 619 Old Dominion Rd in Yorktown (757-872-6264).
  
  In Newport News, find the Collectors Shop, Inc. at 648 J Clyde Morris Blvd # A (757-595-7732).
  
  A &D Coins &Stamps is at 3305 Taylor Rd in Chesapeake (757-686-8314).
  
  Candl Coins &Stamps is at 536 Independence Blvd in Virginia Beach (757-499-5156).
- 4
  Attend a meeting of a local stamp club. There are two in Hampton:
  
  -- the Tidewater Stamp Club, which meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Central United Methodist Church located at 225 Chapel St.;
  
  -- the Peninsula Stamp Club meets at 7:15 p.m., also on the first and third Wednesdays. Contact Major N. F. Bretschneider at 4 Riding Path, Hampton , VA 23669-1081 (757-851-8712) for more detailed information.
- 5
  Go to a stamp collecting convention. The Virginia Philatelic Federation (vaphilatelic.org/shows) maintains an up-to-date listing of all stamp shows around the state. There is an event nearly every weekend throughout the year where you can learn more about collecting; buy, sell and trade stamps; and get to know fellow collectors.
- 6
  Focus your collection on stamps featuring historic Virginia scenes, people or events. The American Philatelic Society has put together a special informational display on its website (stamps.org/Albums/Virginia.pdf) on over 150 U. S. postage stamps dedicated to Virginia and its history. Stamps depict the state's role in various wars, its presidents, civil rights leaders, musicians, authors, state symbols, famous buildings and homes and natural landmarks. Each stamp is categorized and numbered according to its listing in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, the collectors' bible.

Stamp Collecting