Fun Freetime: Stamp Collecting

Stamp collecting is one of the oldest hobbies in the world, dating back hundreds of years. It has been practiced by kings, queens, and presidents, and even celebrities, including John Legend, Maria Sharapova, James Earl Jones and Patrick Dempsey, which he admitted on The David Letterman Show

The American Stamp Dealers Association recently started The StampLove campaign. The goal of the interactive social media, online and media relations effort is to bring back and attract new stamp collectors. The StampLove is using social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Youtube ) to spread the message about WHY people should love stamps. They have also produced a stamp-collecting video.

I had a chance to find out more about stamp collecting. 

1)      What makes stamp collecting a good hobby?

This is a hobby anyone can relate to and is affordable and accessible to anyonee. There are so many different elements of Stamp Collecting that makes it a hobby you can connect with. That’s what The StampLove  campaign is all about. We broke stamp collecting down to the 4 elements current collectors point out and new collectors will find intriguing.

• If you like art or collect, think of every stamp as a miniature piece of art conceived and executed by a creative mind.
• Stamp mark so many points and people in history. The are mementos to remember the times and people that shaped our world. Stamps are ingrained in our historical DNA.
• Nowadays families don’t spend enough time together. Everyone is too busy or have their own technology there are into. Stamp collecting is something that a family can rally around.
• Everyone loves a treasure. Some stamps have tremendous value. The America Stamp Dealers Association has more than 400 members, many of them sell stamps from just pennies to 10s of thousands of dollars. And every dealer is willing to talk to new collectors and evaluate the stamps a novice may have. It’s the stamp you find in your grandmother’s attic which may just pay for a nice island vacation.

2) How can people get started in stamp collecting?

                Visit www.thestamplove.com and figure what about stamp collecting (value, art, history, family) is in line with your personality. Then visit an American Stamp Dealers Association show. Buy your first few stamps and talk to those experts. They will lead you in the right direction. Also, you can find an ASDA that lives close to you and simply pay them a visit. It is a great way to get started…we are here to help bring about a new generation of stamp collectors.

3) What are some ways that parents can use stamp collecting to encourage learning as well?

You can use stamps  for history and geography lessons. Check your child’s syllabus and you can start to find stamps that fall in line with what they will discuss.

 

Stamps are also a great tool to teach organization. A well organized stamp collection is a good stamp collection and becomes easier to enjoy over time.

4) What should a person do if they think they have a stamp that has great value?

Visit an American Stamp Dealers Association member or an ASDA show. You can find both by visiting www.thestamplove.com