How to Collect Used Stamps

Create a collection of stamps. You can get used stamps from the letters you receive, from friends and relatives, or even from neighbors.

Store the used stamps in a large brown envelope or folder until you're ready to work with them. You can store whole envelopes, but often for space reasons it's better to rip each envelope and leave about a half-inch border around each stamp. If a postage stamp covers the envelope and stamp, keep that stamp intact when you tear the envelope. Collecting used stamps with complete postal stamps are sometimes more valuable.

Do your background research if you're collecting stamps for their potential value. Find out if it's OK to remove the used stamps from their envelopes or if it's better to keep them attached. Read stamp-collecting books, or ask someone knowledgeable in stamp collecting if you're not sure.

Fill a large, shallow bowl with warm water. You can also use a baking dish like a glass casserole dish. Do not use hot water, since you might damage the stamps. Soak the used stamps in the water with the picture facing up for about 30 minutes or until they start to separate from the paper.

Remove the stamps completely from the paper using the stamp tongs. Try not to further damage the stamps' ridges as you remove them. If the stamps don't come off easily, soak them for longer instead of tearing them off the paper.

Lay a couple of layers of paper towels on a flat surface that won't be disturbed for some time. Use the tongs to place each stamp with its picture down on the paper towel. Let them air dry for as long as needed.

Transfer the stamps to clean paper towel. Then, carefully place the stamps under a heavy book to flatten them out if they've curled.

Sort the used stamps. You can sort by country, denomination or whatever category you like. Use the tweezers to move them around. Place the stamps in a special stamp collecting album.