INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Easier said than done! You may be able to determine the age based on clues in the design. Look for historical events or figures, or try to pick out words on the stamp. Exact years are not typically printed on stamps, so it can be quite difficult figure out exactly how old your stamp is. Head to an expert stamp dealer if you need extra help. The older the stamp is, the more valuable it will be--so it's worth the extra effort! Stamps printed within the last 70 years, even those in mint condition, probably won't be valued any higher than they were originally. As with the stamp's age, look for historical figures or events on the stamp, or words--knowing the language can help you narrow down the country. A picture of Queen Victoria, for example, is probably from 19th-early 20th century Great Britain, while a picture of the Hoover Dam may be mid-century American. Depending on your stamp, it might be easier to identify it before you try to determine the age and country of origin. After you've looked over the stamp's physical condition, you'll know enough about it to be able to find it in a reference book. American stamp collectors often use the Scott Specialized Catalogue (now available in an e-book format as well), while British philatelists tend to use the Stanley Gibbons catalogue. Check out your local library to see what options you have. You can try looking at online resources and catalogues as well, but do so with a grain of salt. They may not be as accredited or accurate as reference books. The stamp's rarity will depend on its age and quantity in its initial print run. The rarer the stamp, the higher the value; some stamp collectors even say that rarity is the single most important factor in determining stamp value, more than condition or age. Check in reference books or with a professional dealer to figure out the initial print run of your stamp. An old stamp won't necessarily be rare and valuable. The 1861 1-cent Benjamin Franklin stamps, for example, aren't very valuable because about 150 million of them were produced. Though in general you want your stamp to be as perfect as possible, error stamps are an exception. These rare stamps have an error in the design rather than the centering, perforations, etc. Error stamps are extremely valuable because of their scarcity; there may only be 50 or 100 of them in existence. Valuable stamp errors include design errors, such as a map showing the wrong border; an omission error, such as Thatcher Ferry bridge stamps in which the bridge itself was missing in the design; or an inversion, like the American Inverted Jenny stamps, which printed a biplane upside down.

SUMMARY: Figure out the age of the stamp. Determine the stamp's country of origin. Identify the stamp with a reference book. Determine the rarity of the stamp. Keep an eye out for error stamps.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: It will be easier to set trends if you have many friends who are popular and well-liked in their own right. This gives you more social capital and influence on the rest of your peer group. Trends are a powerful demonstration of how social influence motivates people. In general, people follow trends out of a desire to fit in. Trends are typically started by the rich and the famous because on some level people think looking more like them will give them some of that prestige. Don't make friends with popular people just to be a trendsetter. Make sure your friendships are genuine. . If you are confident and fun to be around, people will want to be more like you. Be conscious of how you present yourself, and try to be as likeable as possible. Maintaining good posture is often overlooked when thinking about charisma. Always try to keep your back and neck straight. Avoid being overly serious. This doesn't mean you have to be the class clown, but more laidback people tend to be more universally liked. Being kind and compassionate will go a long way. Express genuine interest in other people by paying them thoughtful complements. Ask them about their lives and interests. Doing these things will make others feel good about themselves and they will attribute these good feelings to your presence. Once you're known as a likeable person, others will want to be more like you. Without even noticing it, they may adopt some of your style, preferences, and habits. In other words, they will follow the trends that you set. This may seem counterproductive if you're trying to be stylish. While you may want to shake things up when it comes to your appearance, your personality shouldn't also change drastically. Don't be consistent in how you dress, but be consistent in how you act. In general, popular people are known to be reliable. People like to know where they stand with a person and are put off when someone is completely unpredictable. If you try to be a chameleon and change who you are depending on who you're with in a bid to make everyone like you, people will catch on. You may develop a reputation as being inauthentic, causing your popularity to plummet. Instead, be your best true self wherever you go. You won't be able to set a trend if other people don't see and follow it. Start by trying to be more "seen." Make people notice you and cultivate a presence. Talk louder if necessary, make jokes, and learn how to be the center of attention. If you want to start fashion trends, try to dress well in general. Your peers will start to think of you as a person who knows style and will be more likely to attribute an unusual look to a new trend rather than a fashion faux pas. While positive attention is great, don't be too loud or obnoxious. People who try to be cool rarely are. Make your outgoing persona seem effortless. If you have trouble being extroverted without it seeming forced, focus more on other methods of securing popularity.

SUMMARY:
Make a lot of friends. Be charismatic Be likable. Stay consistent. Get noticed.