Customer Reviews

Guide to Stamp Collecting (Collector's Series)

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Janet Klug is the Past President of the American Philatelic Society; its journal (a subscription includes membership) is the American Philatelist. She has written an excellent overview guiding a beginner through the steps of starting a stamp collection.

She writes: "[I]t includes proper care and handling of stamps, locating stamps for a collection, using the tools of a stamp collector, and deriving maximum enjoyment from a stamp collection." As a collector for over 50 years, I give her the highest marks for achieving her objectives.

There are too many excellent suggestions to summarize in this Review, but a couple will give a flavor of her writing.

"Myth: Stamp collectors are nerdy and obsessive about their collections.

"Truth: Most collectors of anything are somewhat obsessive. Collecting is a passion. Stamp collectors are not any different in that regard.... Rock 'n' roll singer/song-writer and former Beatle John Lennon collected stamps in his youth." Klug illustrates the cover page of Lennon's album; he drew beards and mustaches on Queen Victoria and King George VI.

Klug argues that stamp collectors must form a collection of books as their collection grows. She recommends Fundamentals of Philately by L. N. Williams on the technical elements of stamps, for example. As your interests narrow, you will want to purchase additional reosurces; a collector of women on stamps will want a copy of Women on United States Postage Stamps by Anita Price Davis, for example.

Klug worked closely with the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in creating her book; the Lennon album was acquired by the Smithsonian in 2005. It is well worth exploring the website of the Smithsonian or the American Philatelic Society if you have any further interest. Klug's book is beautifully printed on heavy stock with clear illustrations and an attractive format which could serve as a model for arranging your stamps on an album page in an attractive manner.


Robert C. Ross 2008

This book is well-written and decently researched. It doesn't "dumb down" the subject for kids, it's written clearly and directly, and is decently illustrated. Recommended.