Stamp collecting is an enriching hobby because it has educational and cultural value. In about six months, you will have learned about countries and special events, and a lot about the stamp collecting industry as well. You will probably meet a lot of interesting fellow stamp collectors with whom you can swap notes and news.

Stamp collectors, however, must try to gain knowledge continuously by reading and by joining clubs and seminars and talking to as many stamp dealers as possible so that they get a flavor of the current market news. We will start with some basic references you will need to help you gain a better understanding of stamp collecting:

Books

Here are some suggestions for the beginning stamp collector:

All About Stamps: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Philatelic Terms

This book was written by Wayne L. Youngblood and targets both the amateur and the more sophisticated collector. This reference book is rich in high quality photographs and provides many references. It also talks about Cinderella stamps, Omnibus issues and uses terms like socked-on-the-nose cancel. This book is in paperback and is published by Krause Publications.

The World Encyclopedia of Stamps & Stamp Collecting: The Ultimate Illustrated Reference to Over 3000 of the World’s Best Stamps…and Perfecting a Spectacular Collection

As the title suggests, this beautiful hardcover is the collector’s guide to the world’s best stamps. Another great book to add to your reference library.

The Romance of Stamp Collecting: Notes From the World of Stamps, Stamp Collecting and Stamp Collecting

This book by Ernest Anthony Kehr can be expensive. At the time of this writing the prices for this book on Amazon range from $16 to $160. However many stamp collectors who are passionate about their hobby will be attracted to the title—who couldn’t use a bit of romance even while collecting stamps? Stamp collectors also share their experiences.

Blackbook Price Guide to United States Postage Stamps


This EXTREMELY great book is a complete reference and price listing of U.S. stamps as far back as 1847! It is very well organized and also has some wonderful tips on caring for, and grading stamps. This price guide comes out yearly.

Stamp Collecting

This book by Stephen Datz, is fun and easy to read and is a great introductory book on stamp collecting and is a must for the new collector. The book covers where to find stamps, how to grade them, and how to build a collection from your first stamp to your 1000th. It also has a great glossary for stamp collecting terms.

Stamp Collecting for Dummies

What list of book recommendations would be complete without a mention of the astonishly popular Dummies series? Stamp Collecting for Dummies is a wonderful and straightforward introduction to the hobby of stamp collecting. It covers how to acquire stamps, how to keep them organized, how to care for them, and how to sell them.

Stamp collecting is probably one of man’s older pursuits that can be labeled “wholesome” and promising.”

It is wholesome because of the educational and cultural value that collectors are treated to every time they acquire a stamp.

Once they acquire one, they then put their knowledge to a test when they try to identify it. Whether one is a grandparent or a grandchild, stamp collecting can offer hours of enjoyment.

It is up to you to decide whether you want to pursue an expensive hobby or one that is within your budget, for stamp collecting can be both.