Stamp collecting for beginners guide: Why collect stamps?

Beginners’ Guide to Stamp Collecting

We reveal what makes stamp collecting such a popular activity with our beginners’ guides to stamp collecting.

What do Her Majesty the Queen, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova have in common? Like 2.5 million people in Britain and millions of others around the world, they collect stamps.

What is it that makes stamp collecting such a popular activity? Check out the Q&A below and perhaps you will want to join those who enjoy stamp collecting!

What stamps can I collect?

There are no strict rules. You are free to collect what you like. You may decide to collect the stamps of one country or more than one. You may want to collect stamps that illustrate a theme that interests you, such as birds, football or fashion. You could study the history of the postal system. It is entirely up to you.

How much will it cost me?

You can spend as little or as much as you like on stamp collecting.

It is possible to build an interesting collection with very little outlay.

Equally, it is possible to spend a lot of money to add to your collection. You set your own budget.

How much time does collecting stamps take?

It can take as much or as little time as you wish.

Some people spend most of their free time on collecting, while others just devote the odd hour now and again.

Is stamp collecting a solitary pastime?

As a stamp collector you can, if you want, pursue your interest without anyone else involved.

Alternatively, it can be a very sociable pastime, with regular meetings of collectors, both locally and nationally.

Is there enough to do?

As a stamp collector, you will always have something to work on.

You could be buying stamps, identifying and sorting them, storing them or mounting them on pages.

You could also be disposing of stamps that are surplus to your collection.

Is it anything more than just collecting bits of paper?