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How to Get a Starter Kit for Collecting US Postage Stamps

In 1840, the Penny Black and the Penny Blue were issued in England--the first postage stamps ever issued by a government. Seven years later, the United States followed suit with its own stamp and by the end of the century, stamp collecting had become popular past-time throughout the country. By collecting stamps from different countries and in different denominations, philatelists can learn around geography and strengthen their math, one reason parents often encourage their children to start collecting.

Things You'll Need

Binder
Plastic sleeves
Reference book
Tongs
Perforation gauge
Watermark fluid

Instructions

- 1
  Assemble your own starter kit. According to the United States Postal Services, you can keep your stamp collection in an ordinary binder filled with clear plastic sleeves. Add a reference book about stamp values, a powerful magnifying glass and a set of tongs to pick up your stamps. Other useful items include a perforation gauge, which can be used to measure the sides of your stamps, and watermark fluid to enhance marks made on the paper when it was manufactured.
- 2
  Buy a starter kit from a hobby store. Many craft and hobby stores carry starter kits for the beginning stamp collector. Retailing at about 30 dollars as of November 2010, a pre-assembled starter kit could include a stamp album with color illustrations, glassine envelopes, a perforation gauge, tongs, and a guide to stamp collecting.
- 3
  Buy a used starter kit. Online auction sites and used bookstores often have used kits available in good condition. Make sure that all the desired pieces are intact before ordering the set, and also be sure to comparison shop--the added cost of shipping can often make the used items more expensive than the new items.

Stamp Collecting