1

Stamp Collecting

THE ART OF
Stamp collecting can be a lifetime hobby.

It’s fun and educational for all ages and

it’s easy to start your own collection 

without a big investment. Read on to find

out how you can start or build your very

own collection.

The study of stamps and postal materials

is called philately and collectors are sometimes called philatelists.

How do I start collecting stamps?

It’s easy. You can start by simply saving

stamps from letters, packages, and postcards. Ask your friends and family to

save stamps from their mail.

Neighborhood businesses that get a lot of

mail—banks, stores, travel agencies—

might save their envelopes for you too.

Or you can start your own collection by

choosing one or two of your favorite subjects. Many beginning collectors choose a

subject like art, history, sports, transportation, science or animals as the

theme of their collection. This is called

topical collecting. See the stamps pictured

on this page as examples of the many

topics you can collect.

Will it cost me a lot to start 

a collection?

No! Start with used stamps and you can

have a great time on a limited budget

with just a few inexpensive accessories

such as an album and stamp hinges.

What kinds of stamps are there?

There are a number of different types of

stamps. Their purposes can be described

as commemorative, definitive, and special; their formats can be in sheets, booklets, or coils. Stamps may be conventional

adhesive (“lick-and-stick”) or self-adhesive (“no-lick, peel-and-stick”). 

Definitive stamps (also called “regular

issues”) are the most common type of

postage. Generally less than an inch

square, they are printed in large quantities, and often more than once. Their

denominations can range from 1¢ to $14.

Definitives are usually available for several years, since they’re printed in large

quantities for specific postal rates. 

Commemorative stamps, larger and more

colorful than definitives, are printed in

smaller quantities and typically only

once. They honor people, events, or subjects of importance to American life and

culture. They remain on sale for a limited

period of time, generally about a year;

many post offices carry them for only a

few months. The U.S. Postal Service’s

Philatelic Fulfillment Center also offers

commemorative stamps by mail order for

about one year after they are issued.

Special stamps supplement each year’s

regular stamp issues. They include

Holiday Celebrations, Christmas, Love,

international rate, Priority Mail, and

Express Mail. They also are usually on

sale for only a limited time.

2

TheArt of Stamp Collecting

Booklet
5. Place the stamp between two

paper towels and put a heavy

object, such as a book, on top.

This will keep the stamp from

curling as it dries. Leave overnight.

6. If the stamp is a newer one with

“invisible” gum, dry it face down

with nothing touching the back and

flatten it later if necessary.

Otherwise, it may stick to the paper

towel when drying.

How should 

I organize 

my stamps?

However you 

want to of course—

it’s your collection. 

But be sure to protect

them so they don’t get 

damaged or lost. You can attach your

stamps to loose-leaf paper and put them

in a three-ring binder. Or, the best way is

to store them in a stamp album which

you can buy in stores. 

How do I put a stamp in the album?

It’s best to use a stamp hinge—a small

strip of thin plastic with gum on one side.

Unlike tape or glue, hinges allow you to

peel the stamp off the page without damaging it. Hinges come either folded or

unfolded. 

Booklet stamps are designed to be folded

into a convenient unit. They come in

small folders that contain panes of 3 to

20 stamps each. Gummed booklet stamps

have at least one straight edge.

Coil stamps are issued in rolls. Each coil

has two straight edges and two edges

with either slit-like cuts or holes called

perforations.

How do I remove stamps 

from an envelope? 

If you wish you can save whole envelopes

with stamps on them and store them anywhere—from shoe boxes to special

albums. But if you want to remove

stamps from envelopes it pays to be very

careful. Soaking is the best way to

remove stamps from envelopes. 

Here’s how: 

1. Tear or cut off the envelope around

the stamp, leaving a small margin. 

2. With the stamp facing 

down, place into a pan of 

warm, not hot, water. 

After a few minutes 

(self-adhesive gum may 

take longer), the stamp 

should sink to the bottom. 

3. Wait a few more minutes 

for any remaining gum to 

dislodge from the stamp. 

4. Lift the stamp out preferably using

stamp tongs (a metal tool, like tweezers.)

It is best to handle stamps with tongs

because the oil from your skin can 

damage stamps.

3

Coil Special

Definitive Commemorative
How should I judge the condition 

of a stamp? 

Stamp dealers put stamps into categories

according to their condition. A stamp in

(unused) mint condition is the same as

when purchased from the Post Office. A

used stamp is one that has been canceled. 

To evaluate the condition of a stamp,

first look at the front of it. Are the colors

bright or faded? Is the stamp clean, dirty,

or stained? Is it torn or 

creased? Torn 

stamps are not 

considered 

“collectible,” 

but they 

can be used 

as space 

fillers until 

you get better 

ones. Is the stamp 

design centered on 

the paper, crooked or 

off to one side? Centering can

range from “superb” (perfectly

centered on the stamp) to

“good” (the design on at

least one side is marred

somewhat by the perfs).

Anything less would 

be graded “fair” or

“poor” and, like torn

copies, should be saved only as space

fillers. Centering varies widely on older

stamps. An examination of the back of

the stamp will reveal whether it has been

carelessly treated and thus is less valuable.

Are all of the perforations intact? Has the

stamp been canceled? A stamp with a

light cancellation is in better condition

than one with heavy marks across it.

See examples of these categories pictured

on the next page.

Here’s how to use a folded hinge:

1. Moisten the short end of the hinge

lightly. Press it to the back of the stamp,

placing the fold about 1/8” from the top

of the stamp.

2. Place the stamp in the album and press

down to secure it.

3. Using your tongs, gently lift the corners of the stamp to make sure it’s not

stuck to the page.

Instead of a stamp hinge, you can insert

the entire stamp into a stamp mount—

a small, clear plastic sleeve. Mounts 

are more expensive than hinges, but 

they protect stamps from air, dirt and

moisture.

Is there anything else I need?

Collectors use a variety of other materials

and accessories. Transparent glassine

envelopes protect stamps from grease 

and air. A stamp catalog is a reference

book with illustrations and 

stamp values, such as The 

Postal Service Guide to 

U.S. Stamps. A magnifying 

glass is useful when 

examining stamps; tongs

are used to pick up and 

move stamps. A perforation 

gauge measures perforations 

along the edges of stamps. 

Watermark fluid will enhance 

a watermark, a design or pattern 

that is pressed into some stamp paper

during manufacturing.

How can I tell what a stamp is worth?

When figuring the value of a stamp, ask

yourself two questions: “How rare is it?”

and “What condition is it in?” Stamp

catalog prices will give you an idea of

how rare the stamp is. However, the

stamp may sell at more or less than the

catalog price, depending on its condition.

Stamp dealers categorize stamps according to their condition. Always try to find

stamps in the best possible condition.

Hinge marks on mint stamps can reduce

value, which is why stamp mounts are

recommended for mint stamps.

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Where else can I find stamps?

Check the classified ads in philatelic

newspapers and magazines at your local

library. There is a listing of philatelic

resources on page 19 of this publication

where you increase your knowledge of

collecting stamps. You can also

check the listing of philatelic

publishers in The Postal

Service Guide to U.S.

Stamps. These publishers will

send you one free copy of their

publication then you can decide if you’d

like to subscribe. There are also a number of stamp-related sites on the internet.

What other stamp materials 

can I collect? 

Postal stationery products are popular

among philatelists. These have the stamp

designs printed or embossed (printed

with a raised design) directly on them.

Stamped Envelopes were first issued in

1853. More than 600 million of them are

now printed each year. 

Stamped Cards (or postal cards) were

first issued in 1873. The first multicolored commemorative postal cards came

out in 1956. Several different stamped

cards are issued every year.

Aerogrammes (air letters) are designed to

be letters and envelopes all in one. They

are specially stamped, marked for folding

and already gummed.

Other philatelic collectibles include: 

Plate numbers (including plate blocks)

appear on or adjacent to stamps. Found

most often on sheet stamps, plate blocks

are the stamps—usually a group of 4—

that have the printing plate numbers in

the adjoining selvage, or margin. 

Booklet panes are panes of stamps

affixed in, or as part of, a thin folder to

form a booklet. With self-adhesive

stamps, a newer convertible booklet format has been created so that the stamps,

liner and booklet are all on one unit.

Collectors of booklet panes usually save

the entire pane or booklet. 

Marginal blocks (including copyright

blocks) feature marginal inscriptions

other than plate numbers. The most 

common is the copyright block, which

features the copyright symbol ©, copyright date, and U.S. Postal Service. 

All U.S. stamp designs since 1978 

are copyrighted. 

5

Light Cancel–Very Fine Medium Cancel–Fine Heavy Cancel

Superb

Good

Very Fine Fine
First Day of Issue Ceremony Programs

are given to those who attend first day

ceremonies. They contain a list of participants, information on the stamp subject,

and the actual stamp attached and postmarked in a handsomely designed folder.

First Day Covers (FDCs) are envelopes

bearing new stamps postmarked on the

first day of sale. For each new issuance,

the U.S. Postal Service generally selects

one location, usually related to the stamp

subject, as the place for the first day dedication ceremony and the first day postmark. 

Are there any stamp groups 

I can join? 

Yes! Stamp clubs are a great source for

new stamps and stamp collecting advice.

Ask your local postmaster or librarian

about stamp clubs in your area and contact information including Internet sites.

6

and send it to the first day post office for

cancellation. You can submit up to 50

envelopes, up to 30 days after the stamp’s

issue date.

Here’s how:

1. Write your address in the lower righthand corner of each first day envelope, at

least 5/8” from the bottom. Leave plenty

of room for the stamp(s) and cancellation. Use a peel-off label if you prefer.

2. Insert a piece of cardboard (about as

thick as a postcard) into each envelope.

You can tuck the flap in or seal the 

envelope.

3. Affix your stamp(s) to your first day

envelope(s).

How do I collect First Day Covers?

The fastest way to get a First Day

Cover is to buy the stamp yourself 

(it will usually go on sale the day after

the first day of issue), attach it to 

your own envelope (or cover), 

4. Put your first day envelope(s) inside

another, larger envelope and mail it to

“Customer-Affixed Envelopes” in care of

the postmaster of the first day city. Your

envelopes will be canceled and returned.

Or, you can purchase a plain envelope

with the stamp(s) already affixed and canceled. These are now sold directly by mail

order through the U.S. Postal Service.

Digital Color Postmark First Day

Covers

Since 2005, some cancellations are now

being created as beautiful miniature

works of art specifically designed for

each stamp. These collectibles can be purchased as sets for each year. Products can

be ordered by calling 1 800 STAMP-24

or online at www.usps.com.
AMERICAN ★ COMMEMORATIVE ★ COLLECTIBLES

American Commemorative Panels

Obtain photo or steel engravings, mint

condition stamps in acetate mounts and

subject related text presented on a beautifully designed page. 

American Commemorative

Cancellations

Get official first day of issue cancellations

and stamp(s) affixed to sheets featuring

technical and historical information about

the stamps. 

Standing Order Program

Mix and match Stamps, First Day Covers,

Stationery, Uncut Press Sheets tailored to

your own specific taste in quantities that

you choose.

American Commemorative

Collection

Collect and learn about people, anniversaries, places and events with detailed

stories and the stamps are mounted in 

a protective stamp mount. 

For information on more philatelic products call 1 800 STAMP-24

Here are additional philatelic products to add to your collection 

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Digital Color Postmark Program

Now you can have First Day Covers 

cancelled with wonderfully colorful Digital

Color Postmarks customized to match 

the stamps that are issued. 
8

Black Heritage:

Ella Fitzgerald

January 10, 2007

New York, NY

Oklahoma Statehood

January 11, 2007

Oklahoma City, OK

With Love 

and Kisses

January 13, 2007

Hershey. PA

Literary Arts:

Henry Wadsworth

Longfellow

March 15, 2007

New York, NY

International Polar Year Souvenir Sheet

February 21, 2007

Fairbanks, AK

Forever StampTM

April 12, 2007

Philadelphia, PA

American Flag

April 12, 2007

Washington, DC

Florida Panther

May 12, 2007

Washington, DC

Ella Fitzgerald® licensed by CMG Worldwide, Indianapolis, IN.

HERSHEY’S, KISSES, the plume and the product configuration are 

registered trademarks used with permission from The Hershey Company.
9

The Settlement of Jamestown

May 11, 2007

Jamestown,VA

Pineapple Stamped Card

May 12, 2007

Washington, DC

Horses Stamped Envelope

May 12, 2007

Washington, DC

VISIT US ONLINE AT THE POSTAL STORE

AT WWW.USPS.COM OR CALL 1 800 STAMP-24
10

Bighorn Sheep

May 14, 2007

Washington, DC

Star Wars May 25, 2007 Los Angeles, CA

Hagåtña Bay, Guam

June 1, 2007

Barrigada, GU

Okefenokee Swamp,

Georgia/Florida

June 1, 2007

McLean, VA

© 2007 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.
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Distinguished

Americans:

Margaret Chase

Smith

June 13, 2007

Washington, DC

Distinguished

Americans:

Harriet Beecher

Stowe

June 13, 2007

Washington, DC

Air Force One

Priority Mail®

June 13, 2007

Washington, DC

Pacific Lighthouses June 21, 2007 Westport, WA

Pollination June 29, 2007 Washington, DC

Marine One

Express Mail®

June 13, 2007

Washington, DC

Hearts

June 27, 2007

Washington, DC
Celebrate!

August 17, 2007

Stamford, CT

Legends of Hollywood:

James Stewart

August 17, 2007

Los Angeles, CA

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Marvel Super Heroes July 26, 2007 San Diego, CA

American Treasures: Louis

Comfort Tiffany

August 9, 2007

Portland, OR

Beautiful Blooms

August 10, 2007

Portland, OR

Name(s) of character(s) and the distinctive likeness(es) thereof are Trademarks ofMarvel Characters, Inc. and are used with permission. ©2006 Marvel Characters,Inc. All Rights Reserved. Super Heroes is a co-owned registered trademark.
13

Vintage Mahogany Speedboats

August 4, 2007

Clayton, NY

The Art of Disney: Magic

August 16, 2007

Orlando , FL

Gerald Ford

August 21, 2007

Rancho Mirage, CA

and Grand Rapids, MI

Disney Materials ©Disney.
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Nature of America: Alpine Tundra August 28, 2007 Estes Park, CO

Holiday Knits

October 25, 2007

New York, NY

Christmas: 

Bernardino Luini

Madonna of the

Carnation

October 25, 2007

New York, NY

Polar Lights 

October 1, 2007 

Washington, DC

Jury Duty

September 12, 2007

New York, NY

Mendez v. Westminster

School District

September 14, 2007

Santa Ana, CA
Accessories

The tools used by stamp

collectors, such as tongs,

hinges, etc.

Aerogrammes

Air letters designed to be

letters and envelopes all in

one. They are speciallystamped and ready for

folding.

Aerophilately

Stamp collecting that

focuses on airmail stamps

or postage. 

Album

A book designed to hold

stamps and covers. 

Approvals

Stamps sent by a dealer to

a collector for examination. Approvals must

either be bought or

returned to the dealer

within a specified time.

Block

A group of unseparated

stamps, at least two

stamps high and two

stamps wide.

Booklet Pane

A small sheet of stamps

specially cut to be sold 

in booklets.

Bourse

A marketplace, such as a

stamp exhibition, where

stamps are bought, sold,

or exchanged.

Cachet (ka-shay ́)

A stamp related design 

on an envelope. 

Cancellation

A mark placed on a stamp

by a postal authority to

show that the stamp has

been used. 

Centering

The position of the design

on a postage stamp. On

perfectly centered stamps

the design is exactly in the

middle.

Cinderella 

Any stamp-like label without an official postal

value.

Classic

An early stamp issue. 

Coils

Stamps issued in rolls 

(one stamp wide) for use

in dispensers or vending

machines.

Coil Stamps 

Stamps that are produced

in a long vertical or horizontal strip.

Commemoratives

Stamps that honor

anniversaries, important

people, special events, 

or aspects of national 

culture.

Compound Perforations

Different gauge perforations on different sides

(normally adjacent) of a

single stamp.

Condition

Condition is the most

important characteristic 

in determining the value

of a stamp. It refers to the

state of a stamp regarding

such details as centering,

color and gum.

Cover

An envelope that has been

sent through the mail.

Cracked Plate

A term used to describe

stamps which show

evidence that the plate

from which they were

printed was cracked.

Definitives

Regular issues of postage

stamps, usually sold over

long periods of time. They

tend to be fairly small and

printed in large quantities

often more than once.

Denomination

The postage value appearing on a stamp.

Die Cut

Scoring of self-adhesive

stamps that allows a

stamp to be separated

from the liner. 

Directory Markings

Postal markings that 

indicate a failed delivery

attempt, stating reasons

such as “No Such

Number” or “Address

Unknown.”

Double Transfer

The condition on a printing plate that shows evidence of a duplication of

all or part of the design.

Duplicates

Extra copies of stamps

that can be sold or traded.

Duplicates should be

examined carefully for

color and perforation

variations.

Entire

An intact piece of postal

stationery, in contrast to 

a cut-out of the printed

design.

Error

A stamp with something

incorrect in its design or

manufacture.

Face Value

The monetary value, or

denomination, of a stamp.

Fake

A genuine stamp that has

been altered in some way

to make it more attractive

to collectors. It may be

repaired, reperfed, or

regummed to resemble a

more valuable variety.

First Day Cover (FDC)

An envelope or card bearing a stamp cancelled to

show its issuance date and

place.

Glossary of Stamp Collecting Words and Phrases 

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Hologram 

An image that appears to

be three-dimensional

when viewed from an

angle. Holograms have

appeared on some modern

stamps and stationery. 

Imperforate

Indicates stamps without

perforations. 

Laid Paper

When held to the light,

the paper shows alternate

light and dark crossed

lines.

Line Pairs (LP)

Most coil stamp rolls

prior to 1981 feature a

line of ink (known as a

“joint line”) printed

between two stamps at

various intervals, caused

by the joining of two or

more curved plates around

the printing cylinder.

Liner

The backing paper for 

self-adhesive stamps.

Loupe

A magnifying glass used

to examine details of

stamps more closely.

On Paper

Stamps “on paper” are

those that still have portions of the original envelope or wrapper attached.

Overprint

Additional printing on a

stamp that was not part

of the original design.

Packet

A presorted group of different stamps, a common

and economical way to

begin a stamp collection.

Pane

A full “sheet” of stamps

as sold by a Post Office.

Par Avion

French for mail transported “by air.” 

Pictorials

Stamps with a picture of

some sort, other than 

portraits or static designs

such as coats of arms.

Perforations

Lines of small holes or

cuts between stamps that

make them easy to separate.

Perforation Gauge

A tool used to measure

perforations along the

edges of stamps or the 

distance between peaks 

or ridges.

Philately

The collection and study

of postage stamps and

other postal materials.

Plate Block (PB) 

(or Plate Number Block)

A block of stamps with

the margin attached that

bears the plate number

used in printing that sheet.

Plate Number Coils

(PNC)

For most coil stamp rolls

beginning with #1891, 

a small plate number

appears at varying intervals in the roll in the

design of the stamp.

Postal Stationery

Envelopes, aerogrammes,

stamped postal cards, and

letter sheets with printed

or embossed stamp

designs.

Postal Cards

See “stamped postal

cards.”

Postcards

Commercially-produced

mailable cards without

imprinted postage.

Postmark

A mark put on envelopes

or other mailing pieces

showing the date and

location of mailing.

First Day Ceremony

Program

A program given to those

who attend first day of

issue stamp ceremonies. It

contains the actual stamp

affixed and postmarked, 

a list of participants and

information on the stamp

subject. 

Foreign Entry

When original transfers

are erased incompletely

from a plate, they can

appear with new transfers

of a different design

which are subsequently

entered on the plate.

Franks

Written, hand-stamped, 

or imprinted markings on

the face of a cover indicating that it is carried free

of postage. Franking is

usually limited to official 

government correspondence.

Freak

An abnormal variety of a

stamp occurring because

of paper fold, over-inking,

perforation shift, etc., as

opposed to a continually

appearing variety or an

error.

Grill

A pattern of small, square

pyramids in parallel rows

impressed or embossed on

the stamp to break paper

fibers, allowing cancellation ink to soak in and

preventing washing and

reuse.

Gum

The coating of glue on the

back of a stamp.

Hinges

Small strips of gummed

material used by some

collectors to affix stamps

to album pages.

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Precancels

Stamps cancelled by a

proper authority prior to

their use on mail.

Presort Stamp

A discounted stamp used

by business mailers who

presort their mail.

Prestige Booklet

A booklet commemorating a special topic and

containing stamps, narrative, and images. 

Reissue

An official reprinting of a

stamp that was no longer

being printed.

Reprint

A stamp printed from the

original plate after the

issue is no longer valid for

postage. Official reprints

are sometimes made for

presentation purposes,

official collections, etc.,

and are often distinguished in some way from

the “real” ones. 

Revenue Stamps

Stamps issued as proof of

payment of certain taxes

but not valid for postage.

Rouletting

The piercing of the paper

between stamps to facilitate their separation, often

giving the appearance of a

series of dashes.

Scrambled Indicia® 

A patented process that

conceals encoded text or

graphics within the visible

design. These hidden

images can only be viewed

through a special lens, the

Stamp DecoderTM, available from the U.S. Postal

Service.

Se-tenant

An attached pair, strip 

or block of stamps that

differ in design, value or

surcharge.

Self-Adhesive Stamp

A stamp with pressure

sensitive adhesive.

Selvage

The paper around panes

of stamps, sometimes

called the margin.

Semipostal Stamp

A First-Class Mail stamp

priced to include an additional charge earmarked

for a specific purpose, e.g.,

breast cancer research.

Series

A number of individual

stamps or sets of stamps

having a common purpose

or theme, issued over an

extended period of time

(generally a year or more),

including all variations of

design and/or denomination. 

Set

A group of stamps with a

common design or theme

issued at one time for a

common purpose or over 

a limited period of time 

(generally less than a year). 

Souvenir Sheet

A small sheet of stamps

with a commemorative

inscription.

Special Issues

Stamps with a commemorative appearance that

supplement definitives and

meet specific needs. These

include Christmas, Love,

Holiday Celebrations, 

airmail, Express Mail, and

Priority Mail stamps.

Speculative

A stamp or issue released

primarily for sale to collectors, rather than to

meet any legitimate postal

need.

Stamp DecoderTM 

A device with a special

lens that reveals hidden

images on stamps. It is

available from the U.S.

Postal Service.

Stamped Postal Card

The current term for a

mailable card with

postage imprinted on it.

Stamped Envelope

A mailable envelope with

postage embossed or

imprinted on it.

Star Route 

A mail route serviced by

an outside contractor

rather than a postal

employee.

Strip

Three or more unseparated

stamps in a row.

Surcharge

An overprint that changes

the denomination of a

stamp. 

Sweatbox

A closed box with a grill

over which stuck-together

unused stamps are placed.

A wet, sponge-like material

under the grill creates

humidity so the stamps

can be separated without

removing the gum. 

Tagging

The marking of stamps

with a phosphor or similar coating (which may be

in lines, bars, letters, overall design area or entire

stamp surface), done by

many countries for use

with automatic mail-handling equipment. When a

stamp is issued both with

and without this marking,

catalogs will often note

varieties as “tagged” or

“untagged.”

Tied On

Describes a stamp whose

postmark touches the

envelope.

Tongs 

A tweezer-like tool with

rounded or flattened tips

used to handle stamps.

17
Topicals

A group of stamps with

the same theme—space

travel, for example.

Unhinged

A stamp without hinge

marks.

Unused

The condition of a stamp

that has no cancellation

or other sign of use.

Used

The condition of a stamp

that has been canceled.

Variety

A stamp that varies in

some way from its standard or original form.

Varieties can include missing colors or perforations,

constant plate flaws,

changes in ink or paper,

differences in printing

method or in format.

Watermark

A design sometimes

pressed into stamp paper

during its manufacture.

Water-Activated Gum 

Water-soluble adhesives

such as sugar-based

starches on the back of 

an unused stamp.

First Pictorial 

Columbia Exposition 

America 

American Revolution

Sesquicentennial 

National Parks 

Army Navy 

Territorial 

Presidential 

Famous Americans 

Win the War 

Overrun Countries 

National Capital

Sesquicentennial 

Liberty 

Wildlife Conservation

Champion of Liberty

American Credo 

Civil War Centennial

Prominent Americans

American Folklore 

Space 

American Bicentennial

National Parks Centennial

Black Heritage 

American Arts 

Rural America 

Americana 

American Folk Art 

Performing Arts 

Literary Arts 

Architecture 

Lighthouses 

Love 

Love Stamped Envelopes

Nature of America 

Legends of Hollywood

Lunar New Year 

Transportation 

Great Americans 

American Culture 

American Design 

American Treasures 

American Sports

Personalities 

Distinguished Americans 

Celebrate The Century® 

World War II 

Ratification of the

Constitution 

Pioneers of Aviation 

Garden Flowers 

Looney Tunes 

American Scenes 

American Transportation 

Classic Collections 

America/PUAS 

Artists 

Scenic American

Landscapes 

Scenic America Stamped

Cards 

Historic Preservation

Stamped Cards 

Legends of American

Music 

Classical Composers &

Conductors

Folk Musicians

Hollywood Composers 

Broadway Songwriters 

Art of Disney 

Official Mail 

Official Envelopes 

Official Mail Postal Cards

Statehood 

Olympic Games 

Holiday Celebrations:

Christmas

Holiday

Holiday Celebrations

Weddings 

18

U.S. Postal Service Listing of Stamp Series

Add more fun to your hobby by collecting stamps that

belong to one of these many exciting stamp series.

You can find a complete listing of each series in “The

Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps.”
Please enclose a stamped, 

self-addressed envelope

when writing to these

organizations.

American Air Mail Society

Rudy Roy

PO Box 5367

Virginia Beach, VA

23471-0367

(p) 757/499-5234

AAMSinformation@aol.com

www.americanairmailsocie

ty.org

Specializes in all phases of

aerophilately. 

American First Day

Cover Society

PO Box 16277

Tucson, AZ 85732-6277

(p) 520/321-0880

afdcs@aol.com

www.afdcs.org

Contact Doug Kelsey,

Executive Director

A full-service, not-forprofit, society devoted

exclusively to First Day

Covers and First Day

Cover collecting. 

American Ceremony

Program Society

John E. Peterson

ACPS Secretary/Treasurer

6987 Coleshill Drive

San Diego, CA 92119-

1953

jkpete@pacbell.net

www.webacps.org

The American Ceremony

Program Society is a place

to learn about First Day

and Supplemental stamp

Ceremonies and Ceremony

Programs. 

American Philatelic

Society

Peter Mastrangelo

Department PG

100 Match Factory Place

Bellefonte, PA 16823-1367

(p) 814/933-3803

(f) 814/933-6128

apsinfo@stamps.org

www.stamps.org

America's national stamp

society. Membership benefits include various 

publications, services, and

more. Sponsors national

stamp exhibitions annually

in partnership with the

ASDA and USPS. 

American Society for

Philatelic Pages and

Panels

Gerald Blankenship

PO Box 475

Crosby, TX 77532-0475

(p) 281/324-2709

membership@asppp.org

www.asppp.org

The only society with a

focus on commemorative

cancellations (formerly

souvenir pages) and commemorative panels. 

American Stamp

Dealers Association

Jim Roselle

3 School St., Suite 205

Glen Cove, NY 11542-2548

(p) 516/759-7000

(f) 516/759-7014

asda@erols.com

www.asdaonline.com

Association of dealers

engaged in every facet of

philately, with 6 regional

chapters nationwide.Will

send you a complete listing

of dealers in your area or

collecting specialty. 

American Topical

Association

Ray Cartier

Executive Director

PO Box 57

Arlington, TX 76004-0057

(p) 817/274-1181

(f) 817/274-1184

americantopical@msn.com

www.americantopicalassn.

org

A service organization

concentrating on the specialty of topical stamp collecting. Offers handbooks

and checklists on specific

topics and services.

Ebony Society of

Philatelic Events and

Reflections

Manuel Gilyard, President

PO Box 1757

Lincolnton Station

New York, NY 10037-1757

(p) 212-928-5165

(f) 212-928-1477

gilyardmani@aol.com

www.esperstamps.org

Mailer’s Postmark 

Permit Club

Charles F. Myers

Central Office

PO Box 3

Portland, TN 37148-0003

(p) 615/325-9478

cfmyers@mindspring.com

www.mppclub.org

Publishes bimonthly

newsletter, Permit Patter,

which covers all aspects of

mailer’s postmark permits. 

Plate Number Coil

Collectors Club

Ronald E. Maifeld

President

PO Box 54622

Cincinnati, OH 45254-0622

Rmaifeld@fuse.net

www.pnc3.org

The Plate Number Coil

Collectors Club (PNC3) is

an organization that studies the plate numbers and

plate varieties of United

States coil stamps issued

since 1981. The PNC3

publishes a monthly

newsletter, Coil Line. 

Postal History Society

Kalman V. Illyefalvi

869 Bridgewater Drive

New Oxford, PA 17350-

8206

(p) 717/624-5941

kalphyl@juno.com

Devoted to the study of

various aspects of the

development of the mails

and local, national and

international postal systems; UPU treaties; and

means of transporting mail.

The Souvenir Card

Collectors Society, Inc.

Dana M. Marr

PO Box 4155

Tulsa, OK 74159-0155

(p) 918/664-6724

DMARR5569@aol.com

Provides member auctions,

a quarterly journal and

access to limited-edition

souvenir cards.

Organizations, Publications and Resources

19
Spring-Ford Philatelic

Society

First United Church of

Christ

145 Chestnut St.

Spring City, PA 19475-1804

(p) 610/970-5408

DickRoslie@aol.com

Meeting the last Thursday

of the month at 7:00 p.m.

United Postal

Stationery Society

UPSS Central Office

Bob Wilderman

Manager

PO Box 3982

Chester, VA 23831-8473

upsspubs@aol.com

www.uspss.org

The UPSS is the largest

society devoted to the collecting and study of postal

stationery, postal cards,

envelopes, letter sheets and

other postal products having the stamp already

printed on it.

19th Century Envelopes 

20th Century Envelopes 

U.S. Postal Card Catalog

U.S. Specimens:

Stamped Envelopes and

Wrappers

Transitive Relationship to

Family Tree of Proofs

Contemporary Account

of the 1st U.S. Postal

Card

U.S. Commemorative

Stamped Envelopes,

1867-1965

U.S. Envelope Essays

and Proofs Canal Zone

Postal Stationery

Universal Ship

Cancellation Society 

Steve Shay

747 Shard Court

Fremont, CA 94539-7419

e-mail: Shaymur@flash.net

www.uscs.org

Specializes in naval ship

postmarks and cachets.

U.S. Postal Service

Stamp Services

1735 N. Lynn St, 5th

Floor, Room 5018

Arlington, VA 22209-6432

U.S. Stamp Society 

Executive Secretary

PO Box 6634

Katy, TX 77491-6634

www.usstamps.org

An association of collectors to promote the study

of all postage and revenue

stamps and stamped paper

of the United States and

U.S.-administered areas

produced by the Bureau of

Engraving and Printing

and other contract printers.

Durland Plate Number

Catalog

Expertisers

American Philatelic

Expertizing Service

(APEX)

Mercer Bristow 

Director of Expertizing

100 Match Factory Place

Bellefonte, PA 16823-1367

(p) 814/933-3803

(f) 814/933-6128

Ambristo@stamps.org

Krystal Harter 

Expertizing Coordinator

Krharter@stamps.org

(p) 814/933-3803

(f) 814/933-6128

www.stamps.org

A service of the American

Philatelic Society, APEX

utilizes the outstanding

reference collections at

APS headquarters in conjunction with the nation's

best philatelic scholars to

pass judgement on the

identification, authenticity

and condition of stamps

from around the world.

Philatelic Foundation

Attention: Chairman

George J. Kramer

70 W 40th Street 15th Flr.

New York, NY 10018-2615

(p) 212/221-6555

(f) 212/221-6208

www.philatelicfoundation.

org

A nonprofit organization

known for its expertization service. Their broad

resources, provide collectors with comprehensive

consumer protection. Book

series include expertizing

case histories in Opinions,

Foundation seminar subjects in “textbooks” and

specialized U.S. subjects in

monographs.

Professional Stamp

Experts

PO Box 6170

Newport Beach, CA

92658-6170

(p) 877/782-6788

www.psestamp.com

pse@collectors.com

Organization specializing

in identification, expertization and grading of U.S.

Postage Stamps, Covers,

Revenues etc. PSE publishes a Guide to the

Grading of U.S. Stamps

and The Stamp Market

Quarterly Price Guide.

Either is free upon request.

Periodicals

The following publications

will send you a free copy

of their magazine or newspaper upon request.

Global Stamp News

PO Box 97

Sidney, OH 45365-0097

(p) 937/492-3183

jbrandewie@woh.rr.com

America’s largest-circulation monthly stamp magazine featuring U.S. and

foreign issues.

Linn’s Stamp News

PO Box 29

Sidney, OH 45365-0029

(p) 937/498-0801

(f) 937/498-0876

(f) 888/340-8388 (toll free)

linns@linns.com

www.linns.com

Linn’s Stamp News, the

world’s largest weekly

stamp newspaper, contains

breaking news stories of

major importance to stamp

collectors. A sample copy

of the weekly news-paper is

available upon request.

20
Linn’s U.S. Stamp

Yearbook

(p) 937/498-0802

(f) 800/572-6885 (US only)

(f) 937/498-0807 (outside

US)

linns@linns.com

www.linns.com

Linn’s World Stamp

Almanac

Stamp Collecting Made

Easy

Mekeel’s & Stamps

Magazine-fa

John Dunn

42 Sentry Way

Merrimack, NH 03054-

4407

stampnews@StampNews

Now.com

www.StampNewsNow.com

Weekly magazine for collectors of U.S. & worldwide stamps & covers.

U.S. Stamp News-fb

42 Sentry Way

Merrimack, NH 03054-

4407

stampnews@StampNews

Now.com

www.StampNewsNow.com

Monthly magazine for all

collectors of U.S. stamps,

covers and postal history.

Stamp Fulfillment

Services

U.S. Postal Service

8300 NE Underground Dr

Pillar 210

Kansas City, MO 64144-

0001

(p) 1-800-STAMP-24

Scott Specialized

Catalogue of United

States Stamps and

Covers

PO Box 828

Sidney, OH 45365-0828

(p) 937/498-0831

(p) 800/572-6885

(f) 937/498-0807

cuserv@amosadvantage.com

www.amosadvantage.com

Scott Standard Postage

Stamp Catalogue

Scott Classic

Specialized Catalogue:

Stamps and Covers of

the World including

U.S., 1840-1940

(British Commonwealth

to 1952)

Scott Stamp Monthly

Museums, Libraries and

Displays

American Philatelic

Research Library

100 Match Factory Place

Bellefonte, PA 16823-1367

(p) 814/933-3803

(f) 814/933-6128

aprl@stamps.org

www.stamplibrary.org

The largest philatelic

library in the US, the

APRL receives more than

400 periodicals, and

houses extensive collections of philatelic literature.

The Collectors Club

Irene Bromberg

Executive Secretary

22 E. 35th Street

New York, NY 10016-3806

(p) 212/683-0559

(f) 212/481-1269

collectorsclub@nac.net

www.collectorsclub.org

Bimonthly journal, publication of various reference

works, one of the most

extensive reference libraries

in the world, reading and

study rooms. 

National Postal

Museum

Office of the Director

Smithsonian National

Postal Museum

2 Massachusetts Ave, NE

Washington, D.C. 20013-

0570

(p) 202/633-5502

burmeisterc2si.edu

National Postal Museum

houses more than 16 milion

items for exhibition and

study purposes. Collections

research may be conducted

separately or jointly with

library materials. Call the

museum or its library

(202/633-9370) to schedule

an appointment.

The Postal History

Foundation

Betsy Towle

PO Box 40725

Tucson, AZ 85717-0725

(p) 520/623-6652

(f) 520/623-6652

www.postalhistoryfoundat

ion.org

Hours: M-F 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Foundation has a

world class collection of

postal history information

and artifacts and is a pioneer in its provision of

youth philatelic education

programs. It offers

museum tours, research

library, USPS contract

post office, philatelic sales,

archives and stamp collections.

San Diego County

Philatelic Library

Al Kish, Library Manager

7403C Princess View Dr.

San Diego, CA 92120-1345

(p) 619/229-8813

Hours: Mon. 1 p.m.–4 p.m.

and 6:30 p.m.–9 p.m.,

Tues. 5 p.m.–8 p.m., Wed.

1 p.m.–9 p.m., Thurs. 6

p.m.– 9 p.m., Sat. 9 p.m.–3

p.m. Closed Fri. and Sun.

Spellman Museum of

Stamps and Postal

History

Edward S. Sternick, Ph.D.

Executive Director

235 Wellesley Street

Weston, MA 02493-1538

(p) 781/768-8367

(f) 781/768-7332

info@spellman.org

www.spellman.org

America’s first fully accredited museum devoted to the

display, collection and

preservation of stamps and

postal history. Exhibitions

feature rarities, U.S., and

worldwide collections.

Philatelic library and family activity center open

with admission.

21
Western Philatelic

Library

PO Box 2219

Sunnyvale, CA 94087-2219

(p) 408/733-0336

stulev@ix.netcom.com

www.pbbooks.com/wpl.htm

www.fwpl.org

Friends of the Western

Philatelic Library

Wineburgh Philatelic

Research Library

Special Collections Dept.

Erik D. Carlson, Ph.D.

McDermott Library

The University of Texas at

Dallas

PO Box 830643

Mailstation: MC33

Richardson, TX 75083-

0643

(p) 972/883-2570

www.utdallas.edu/library/s

pecial/wprl.html

Hours: M-Th 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; 

Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Exchange Service

Stamp Master

Charles Bergeron

PO Box 17

Putnam Hall, FL 32185-

0017

Cbergero@bellsouth.net

An “electronic connection”

for philatelists via computer to display/review

members’ stamp inventories

for trading purposes, etc.

Literature

ArtCraft First Day Cover

Price List

Washington Press

2 Vreeland Road

Florham Park, NJ 07932-

1501

(p) 877/966-0001 (toll free)

info@washpress.com

www.washpress.com

Includes Presidential

Inaugural covers. 

Legends of the West

Washington Press 

How some collectors

struck it rich! 

The Inverted Jenny

A Dream Come True.

Operation HUSH – HUSH

How the Project Mercury

Stamp was Planned and

Issued.

The Hammarskjold

Invert

Tells the story of the Dag

Hammarskjold error/invert. 

The U.S. Transportation

Coils

How some collectors

struck it rich!

The White Ace Album

Format Guide

A Listing of Stamps

Required for The 2003

United States White Ace

Album Supplements. Free.

Brookman’s 1st Edition 

Black Heritage First Day 

Cachet Cover Catalog

Arlene Dunn

Brookman/Barrett &

Worthen

10 Chestnut Drive

Bedford, NH 03110-5566

(p) 603/472-5575

(f) 603/472-8795

Illustrated 176-page perfect bound book.

Brookman’s 2nd Edition

Price Guide for Disney

Stamps

Illustrated 256-page perfect bound book.

2005 Brookman Price

Guide of U.S., and

Canada Stamps and

Postal Collectibles

Illustrated 384-page perfect

and spiral bound catalog.

Postmark Advisory

Paul Brenner

General Image, Inc. 

PO Box 335

Maplewood, NJ 07040-

0335

Postmark1@earthlink.net

There is also a web site

announcing these

postmarks. The address is:

home.earthlink.net/~post

mark1

This site is updated twice

a month. 

(How-to-do-it is excellent

for beginners)

A weekly newsletter is

available which provides

descriptive information on

U.S. pictorial postmarks.

A free sample is available.

Fleetwood’s Standard

First Day Cover Catalog

Fleetwood

Unicover Corporation

1 Unicover Center

Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001

(p) 307/771-3238

(p) 800/443-3232 (toll free)

(f) 307/771-3134

www.unicover.com

Precancel Stamp

Society Catalogs

Dick Laetsch

3 Shady Creek Lane

Scarborough, ME 04074-

8480

(p) 207/883-2505

precancel@aol.com

www.precanceledstamps.com

Precancel approvals 

available.

Stamp Collecting Made

Easy

Amos Hobby Publishing Co.

PO Box 828

Sidney, OH 045365-0097

(p) 937/498-0807

(p) 800/572-6885

(f) 937/498-0807

An illustrated, easy-toread, 96-page booklet for

beginning collectors.

The U.S. Postal Service: 

An American History,

Pub. 100

Historian

United States Postal Service

475 L’Enfant Plaza SW

Washington, DC 20260-0012

(p) 202/268-2507

mausman@usps.gov

www.usps.com

Tells the history of the

U.S. Postal Service from

1775 to the present. One

free copy.

22
Sources of Historical

Information on Post

Offices, Postal

Employees, Mail Routes

and Mail Contractors,

Pub. 119

Lists all known federal

sources of information on

topics covered in the title.

One free copy.

www.usps.com/postmaster

finder

International

AUSTRALIA

Max Stern

234 Flinders Street

Box 997 H

GPO Melbourne 3001

CANADA

Canada Post

2701 Riverside Dr.

Suite N0420

Ottawa ON K1A 0B1

CHINA

China National

Philatelic Corporation

14, Taipinghu Dongli,

Xicheng District

Beijing, 100031

DENMARK

Nordfrim

DK 5450 Otterup

GERMANY

Georg Roll Stamps LTD

Hafenstrasse 8

D-26931 Elsfleth

Hermann Sieger GMBH

Venusberg 32-34

D73545 Lorch

Wurttemberg

HONG KONG

Hongkong Post

1706-7, ING Tower

308-320 Des Voeux Road

Central

Sheung Wan

ITALY

Alberto Bolaffi

Via Cavour 17

10123 Torino

JAPAN

Japan Philatelic Agency

PO Box 96 Toshima

Tokyo 170-8668

NETHERLANDS

TPG Post

Prinses Beatrixlann 23

P O Box 30250

2500 GC The Hague

SPAIN

Philagroup, S. L.

Manuel Tovar, 1, 4 izda

28034 Madrid

THAILAND

International House of

Stamps

98/2 Soi Tonson

Langsuan Rd

Lumpinee, Pathumwan

Bangkok 10330

UNITED KINGDOM

Harry Allen

PO Box 5

Watford Herts WD2 5SW

Philatelic Centers

The Postal Service also

maintains Philatelic

Centers located in many

areas to serve stamp

collectors with an extensive

range of philatelic products.

Call 800-275-8777

or visit us online at

www.usps.com

Credits and

Acknowledgments

The Art of Stamp Collecting

was produced by Government

Relations and Public Policy,

Stamp Services, U.S. Postal

Service.

John E. Potter

Postmaster General and 

Chief Executive Officer

Marie Therese Dominguez

Senior Vice President,

Government Relations 

David E. Failor

Executive Director, 

Stamp Services

Terrence W. McCaffrey

Manager, 

Stamp Development

Cindy Tackett

Manager, 

Stamp Products and

Exhibitions

Sonja D. Edison

Project Manager and Editor 

EDITORIAL SERVICES

PhotoAssist, Inc.

Regina Swygert-Smith

7735 Old Georgetown Rd

Bethesda, MD 20814

DESIGN SERVICES

Design, Production and

Project Manager

Roberta Wojtkowski Design

10992 Thrush Ridge Road

Reston, VA 20191

DIGITAL SERVICES

Journey Group, Inc.

418 Fourth St., NE

Charlottesville, Va 22902

23
Publication 225 © 2007 U.S. Postal Service

PSN 7610-02-000-7089

Printed in the United States of America.

The designs of stamps and postal stationery issued since January 1, 1978

are the subject of individual copyrights by the U.S. Postal Service.

®

Stamp Collecting

THE ART OF