Stamp Collecting For Dummies [Paperback]

Richard L. Sine (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764553798 | ISBN-13: 978-0764553790 | Publication Date: August 15, 2001 | Edition: 1

Postage stamps have evolved quite a bit since Great Britain’s 1840 Penny Black, the world’s first adhesive postage stamp. From simple designs featuring the monarch to works of art literally condensed to postage stamp size, hundreds of thousands of different stamps have been issued in the past 164 years—and the great majority of them remain reasonably priced for collectors. With so many stamps to collect from so many countries, a philatelist’s choices are virtually unlimited--which can be both a blessing and a curse, especially if you’re a newcomer to the art of stamp collecting.

Interested in starting a stamp collection, but not sure where to begin? This is the guide for you. Expert Richard Sine fills you in on everything you need to know about selecting, finding, buying, presenting and caring for stamps. An internationally recognized collector and author on stamp collecting (he used to write the New York Times stamp column) he also has much wisdom to impart to collectors who’ve been at it for a while. A gold mine of expert advice and guidance, Stamp Collecting For Dummies is on how to:

• Start or diversify your collection
• Decide what to collect
• Catalog and organize your collection
• Handle, protect, store, and display stamps
• Identify rare and valuable stamps
• Buy stamps online and through auction houses

Unlike most authors on the subject who tend to be pretty stuffy—to put it politely—expert Richard Sine focuses on the side of stamp collecting that’s enjoyable, educational, and fun. With humor, tons of interesting anecdotes about stamps and the men and women who love them, and loads of insider tips, he covers all the bases, including:

• Getting the biggest bang for you stamp-collecting buck
• Researching, locating and buying stamps through traditional sources and online
• Showing off your collection at exhibits
• Customizing your collection
• Housing your stamps and protecting them against the elements
• The ten keys to identifying and authenticating stamps

Stamp Collecting For Dummies is your total guide to starting and building on a really cool stamp collection.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...this fun and informative guide to selecting, finding, buying, presenting and caring for stamps is a must-read for every collector..."  (Stamp & Coin Mart, January 2007)

Review

"Dick Sine has had some of the best writing jobs in stamp collecting, and this book shows why: A thorough knowledge of philately and good writing, mixed with humor and style." —Lloyd A. de Vrise, The Virtual Stamp Club

"With his deep insight into the 160-year old pastime of stamp collecting, Dick Sine proves that philately is not only the hobby for the 21st century, but one that can be easily and inexpensively enjoyed by everyone! The world's stamp depict life on Planet Earth — from the tiniest microbe to world famous athletes. This book will make understanding and collecting them a joy!" —Randy L. Neil, author and former President of the American Philatelic Society

Stamp Collecting For Dummies is great for removing so many of the issues a newcomer to our hobby has, allowing instant enjoyment. Stamp collecting can be a complex hobby, and this cuts right through." —Hugh M. Goldberg, Subway Stamp Shop, Inc.

"This is a long overdue masterpiece, which will surely facilitate the expansion of this royal hobby by allowing everybody the ability to understand the complexities and the beauty of stamp collecting. The breadth of knowledge in this book spans by answering all the initial questions that might arise for the beginner collector, to details for the avid philatelist. A wonderful job by Mr. Sine." —Chesky Malamud and Eli Popack, Founders of Stampville.com (the online Stamp portal)

"Dick Sine has produced a solid and practical introduction to the world's greatest pastime, stamp collecting. His work is not only invaluable to beginners but also of great value to intermediate collectors, especially with his Internet-savvy advice." —Gene Mierzejewski, Editor, The Flint Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (August 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764553798
• ISBN-13: 978-0764553790
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #212,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Stamps

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Starting Point, January 22, 2002

By 

"eknapp6" (Anchorage, AK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stamp Collecting For Dummies (Paperback)

I have always thought the Dummies series of books were some of the best-written "How To" books on the market. This one lives up to that reputation.

Mr. Sine has produced a well-written, clear guidebook for both new and experienced collectors. He manages to cover the subject without getting bogged down in the jargon of the hobby. His style and wit are welcome in a hobby whose literature can at times be very dry.

This is a good guide to a great hobby.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice tips but, February 21, 2008

By 

K. E. Plenckers - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stamp Collecting For Dummies (Paperback)

When you are American and want to start a collection of American stamps, this is the book for you.
The book contains some really nice tips e.g. how to set up a reference collection. However, I would have like to see some more technical stuff e.g. on how to identify watermarks (and especially when its not straightforward). It also is a pity that the author spends a lot of time on American stamps (and I am not American :) ), askPhil and the fact that you can also start a thematic collection. In so many pages the author could and should have covered a lot more ground.
So definitely not a book for intermediate level collectors or people interested in the world outside the USA.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars written with a light touch, April 16, 2006

By 

David A. Baer (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stamp Collecting For Dummies (Paperback)

This volume in the 'Dummies' series is written with a humorous light touch that makes it especially attractive to the Dummy who knows he is one and doesn't need to be reminded that he is one by being frog-marched through impenetrable jargon. In addition, Richard Sine or his editor have had the foresight to break the topics he treats up into very small sections and subsections.

The result is a light-hearted but content-rich introduction to the topic, one that this reviewer is only beginning to explore.

I cannot imagine a more effective starting point for the would-be stamp collector or - like me - the person who needs to know before he invests time and treasure whether this is something he's going to be able to manage.