{"id":14,"date":"2015-07-18T02:29:14","date_gmt":"2015-07-18T07:29:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/catstampsonline.com\/?page_id=14"},"modified":"2015-07-18T02:29:14","modified_gmt":"2015-07-18T07:29:14","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/catstampsonline.com\/?page_id=14","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stamp Collecting Q & A:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Q: How do I start collecting?<\/b><\/p>\n

A: You can start by saving stamps from letters, packages, and postcards. Many
\nbeginning collectors choose a favorite subject like art, history, sports,
\ntransportation, or animals as the theme of their collection. You can have a
\ngreat time on a limited budget with just a few inexpensive accessories such as
\nan album and stamp hinges.<\/p>\n

\n

Q. What types of stamps are there?<\/b><\/p>\n

A: There are many types of stamps\u2013for example, commemorative, definitive, and
\nspecial\u2013and formats such as sheets, booklets, or coils. Stamps may be
\nconventional adhesive (“lick-and-stick”) or self\u2013adhesive (“no-lick,
\npeel-and-stick”).<\/p>\n

Definitive stamps<\/b> are the most common. Generally less than an inch
\nsquare, they are printed in large quantities, and often more than once. A
\ndefinitive stamp is a postage stamp, that is part of a regular issue of a
\ncountry’s stamps (often referred to as a ‘regular issue’) available for sale by
\nthe postal service for an extended period of time. The term is used in contrast
\nwith a “provisional stamp<\/i>“, one that is issued for a temporary period
\nuntil regular stamps are available, or a “commemorative stamp<\/i>“, a stamp
\n“issued to honor a person or mark a special event” available only for a limited
\ntime. Commonly a definitive issue or series includes stamps in a range of
\ndenominations sufficient to cover many or all postal rates usefully. (An “issue”
\ngenerally means a set that is put on sale all at the same time, while a “series”
\nis spread out over several years, but the terms are not precise.)<\/p>\n

Commemorative stamps<\/b>, larger and more colorful than definitive, are
\nprinted in smaller quantities and typically only once. They honor people,
\nevents, or subjects of importance to life or culture. Special stamps, like
\nChristmas and Love, Holiday Celebration, international rate, Priority Mail, and
\nExpress Mail, are usually on sale for a limited time only.<\/p>\n

\n

Q: How do I remove stamps from an envelope?<\/b><\/p>\n

A: Soaking is the best way to remove stamps from envelopes. Tear the envelope
\naround the stamp, leaving a small margin. With the stamp facing down, place into
\na pan of warm, but not hot, water. After a few minutes (self-adhesive gum may
\ntake longer), the stamp should sink to the bottom. When all adhesive is
\ndislodged, remove the stamp preferably using stamp tongs. Place the stamp
\nbetween two paper towels and put a heavy object, such as a book, on top to keep
\nthe stamp from curling as it dries. Leave overnight.<\/p>\n

\n

Q: How can I tell what a stamp is worth?<\/b><\/p>\n

A: When figuring the value of a stamp, ask yourself two questions: “How rare
\nis it?” and “What condition is it in?” Stamp catalog prices will give you an
\nidea of the stamp\u2019s rarity. However, the stamp may sell at more or less than the
\ncatalog price, depending on its condition. Stamp dealers categorize stamps
\naccording to their condition. A stamp in mint condition is the same as when
\npurchased from the Post Office. Hinge marks on mint stamps can reduce value,
\nwhich is why stamp mounts are recommended for mint stamps.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Stamp Collecting Q & A: Q: How do I start collecting? A: You can start by saving stamps from letters, packages, and postcards. Many beginning collectors choose a favorite subject like art, history, sports, transportation, or animals as the theme of their collection. You can have a great time on a limited budget with just…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/catstampsonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/catstampsonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/catstampsonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catstampsonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catstampsonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/catstampsonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15,"href":"https:\/\/catstampsonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14\/revisions\/15"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/catstampsonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}