Is stamp collecting expensive?

It need not be. You can collect on any budget, from inexpensive worldwide packets to specialist rarities. The basic equipment is modest in cost.

What equipment do I need to start?

To begin, an album or stockbook, stamp tongs to handle stamps without damaging them, and a magnifier. More tools can be added as your interest grows.

Do I need to collect one country, or can I collect anything?

Either. Many collectors choose a country, period or theme, while others enjoy the whole world. There is no right way, only the way you enjoy.

Collecting

Stamp Collecting for Beginners

Stamp collecting is one of the most rewarding and affordable hobbies there is. To begin, choose a focus that interests you, a country, a period, or a theme, gather a few inexpensive tools, an album, stamp tongs and a magnifier, and start adding stamps from packets, mixtures, gifts or a trusted dealer. There is no right way to collect, only the way you enjoy.

At a glance

What you need to startAn album, tongs and a magnifier

ChooseA country, period or theme, or collect broadly

Where stamps come fromPackets, mixtures, gifts, dealers

The golden ruleHandle stamps carefully, never damage them

CostModest; you can collect on any budget

The pointTo enjoy it

What stamp collecting is

Stamp collecting, or philately, is the gathering and study of postage stamps and postal history. People collect for all sorts of reasons: the history and geography stamps capture, the art of their designs, the satisfaction of completing a set, or simply the pleasure of a well-kept album.

It can be as casual or as serious as you like, and it costs as little or as much as you choose.

How to begin

A few simple steps get you started, and each has its own guide: choose a focus (or collect broadly), get the basic equipment, find some stamps, and look after them. The cards below take you to each.

The beginner guides

Everything a new collector needs

The one rule that matters

Handle with care

If there is a single rule for a beginner, it is this: handle stamps carefully, and never do anything that might damage them. Do not soak valuable stamps or covers, do not use ordinary glue or tape, and do not try to clean or "improve" a stamp. Good habits protect both the stamps and any value they hold, as our guide to what affects a stamp's value explains.

Frequently asked questions

Choose a focus that interests you, or collect broadly, gather a few basic tools (an album, tongs and a magnifier), and start adding stamps from packets, mixtures, gifts or a trusted dealer.