Stamp Collecting

Why stamp collecting is wonderful after 50

Stamp collecting is a wonderful hobby after 50 because it is quiet, unhurried, and easy on the body. You can do all of it sitting comfortably at your own table, in your own time, with no special strength or stamina required. Every stamp is a small doorway into history, geography, and art, so a single afternoon can carry you from old sailing ships to faraway countries to famous faces from the past. It costs very little to begin, you can grow it as slowly as you like, and there is no scoreboard and no rush. Many collectors find the gentle sorting, soaking, and arranging deeply relaxing, almost like meditation. And whenever you want company, there is a warm, welcoming community of fellow collectors, online and at local clubs, happy to share the hobby with you.

Your first month, week by week

Common mistakes to avoid

• Never use regular tape or lick-and-stick hinges on valuable stamps; use proper stamp mounts so you never damage the stamp or its gum.
• Do not handle stamps with your fingers; the oils can stain and damage them, so always pick them up with stamp tongs.
• Avoid soaking stamps in hot water, and never peel a stamp off paper while it is dry; warm or hot water and dry peeling can tear or thin the stamp.
• Do not store stamps in ordinary plastic sleeves or sticky magnetic photo albums, which can trap moisture and ruin them; use archival, acid-free albums and mounts.
• Try not to overpay early on or chase only 'valuable' stamps; collect what you love first, and learn condition and grading before spending real money.
• Keep stamps out of direct sunlight, damp basements, and humidity, all of which fade colors and curl or stick the paper.

Words you'll hear

Philately

The formal name for stamp collecting and the study of stamps and postal history. A stamp collector is called a philatelist.

Perforation

The little holes punched around the edge of a stamp so it can be torn from the sheet. Collectors measure them, because the count can tell two similar stamps apart.

Watermark

A faint design pressed into the paper during manufacture, visible only when you hold the stamp to light or use watermark fluid. It helps identify which printing a stamp is from.

Mint vs. used

A mint stamp has never been through the mail and still has its original gum on the back. A used stamp has been postmarked (canceled) and mailed.

Hinge

A small folded piece of gummed paper used to attach a stamp to an album page. Mounts are the modern, gentler alternative that do not touch the stamp's gum.

First day cover

An envelope bearing a new stamp postmarked on the very first day it was issued, often with a special design. A popular and affordable thing to collect.

Where to find your people

• Local stamp clubs, which warmly welcome newcomers and often meet at libraries or community centers.
• The American Philatelic Society, the largest stamp-collecting organization, with resources, courses, and a friendly community for every level.
• Stamp shows and bourses, where you can browse, buy, trade, and meet dealers and fellow collectors in person.
• Online forums, collector groups, and eBay, where you can ask questions, learn, and buy or trade stamps from home.
• Library and senior center hobby groups, which sometimes host casual stamp meetups that are easy and relaxed to join.