Hints and tips for stamp collection
Some may consider stamp collection and trading as a mundane pastime and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Auctions and online sales of rare stamps can be fiercely battled and incredible prices reached with some Australian stamps reaching the $100,000’s and overseas prices in the millions have often been reached.

1. Locating stamps
Rare stamps collecting takes some tenacity in in visiting sales, auctions, garage sales etc. in the chance of discovering a find that may be oblivious to the holder. Other options for locating stamps is be sure to let everyone know that your collecting, many hunters are better than one so recruit as many people as you can to be your hunter gatherers!

Auctions are a major part of the philatelic market. The first step towards buying at auction is getting on an auction house’s mailing list, or at least getting to a catalog for an upcoming sale. Most auction firms gladly send catalogues without charge and may email updates.

2. Sorting out your collection
Sorting is necessary to facilitate the storing process. Most of the stamps you have are on paper because they are cut out from mailing envelopes. One idea is to sort them into:
• stamps with white background paper
• stamps with colored background paper
• stamps with rubber stamp ink
• stamps without rubber stamp ink

3. Trim the fat
Leave about 1-2 cm safety margin when you trim your stamps. Also, try not to cut the perforations, as it could reduce the value of your stamp.

4. Soak that waste away
Never try peeling a stamp off the paper, even if it’s loose. The way to do it is to soak it in water. The water temperature should be around 30-35°C. Water that’s too warm or hot will increase the chances of color running. Soak your stamps for around 15 minutes. Soak in batches, like you do your washing ie. colors separate from whites.After 15 minutes, pick up a stamp with your fingers and try to peel it off the backing. If there is even the slightest of resistance, drop it back into the water and wait for another 10 minutes or so.

5. Dry them off
After peeling, lay your stamps face up into a waiting paper towel. Put another sheet on top and gently blot the excess moisture. Be extra careful since wet stamps are very fragile. Afterwards, line them up in the plastic page of your stamp album. They should be dry after 4 hours or so.

Current Online Auctions

Bulk lot 1200+ used Australian STAMPS 90s+ Australiana Visit Auction

AU $5.95 (2 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Aug-20-2008 13:28:51 EST Bid now | Add to watch list

250 all different world wide USED Stamps good mix gc uh Visit Auction

AU $2.81 (4 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Aug-20-2008 15:23:42 EST Bid now | Add to watch list

(018) Australian, Quality International stamps Visit Auction

AU $2.47 (4 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Aug-20-2008 15:56:50 EST Bid now | Add to watch list

USA: Lovely as well as Scarce Stamps 99ct Unbelievable Visit Auction

AU $22.50 (6 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Aug-20-2008 17:00:41 EST Bid now | Add to watch list