Stamp Collecting – Introducing Philately to Kids

The bliss in building a collection happens at a very early stage. The third graders at our older kid’s class are into water globes, legos, bouncy balls, greeting cards, baseball cards, marbles, beads and the list goes on. It was surprising when the purpose of their collection was to primarily learn more about the world. Kids are by nature curious and collections play a role in fostering it. Some collections like postage stamps, coins, baseball cards extend beyond childhood and can be a long lost friend on rainy days.

Philately is a hobby that any kid with a burgeoning interest in the world we live in, its inhabitants, countries, and cultures will appreciate. This is the first in a series of articles on philately with a focus on kids.

Below is a short FAQ on this hobby. Future posts will elaborate on these:

1. What are the different collectible items in philately?

The most popular item is used stamps. Close in its heels are unused stamps, first day covers, postal cards, metered postage seals, imprints, etc.

2. Is it possible to identify stamps in my collection – year of issue, the story behind the issue, any other details including value?

Stamp catalogs are the best resource for this information and the leading one is the The Scott Catalog. Other valuable sources include the postal service guide to US stamps by USPS and others.

3. How much money is required to pursue philately as a hobby?

Like any collectible, philately is highly commercialized. One can easily part with thousands of dollars to build a collection. In fact, numerous collectors do so thereby justifying the need for the multi-billion dollar stamp dealership businesses.

However when introducing kids to philately, it is best to downplay the commercial aspects of philately else disillusionment can seep in when they realize money is key to building a collection. Interestingly, in most developing countries, stamp dealerships are rare and those around cater almost to an exclusive group. Thus, kids are mostly spared the notion of acquiring a collection easily with money.

4. How can one build a collection without spending significant money?

The old-fashioned way of building a collection involves the following:

• Religiously reach for the stamps from every postage envelope that passes your way,
• Enlist parents, relatives, and friends to actively scrutinize postage envelopes they receive for you, and
• Trade or otherwise acquire stamps from other collectors.

The above steps are practical ways for young collectors to pursue philately. Specializing by country, continent, or topics is another aspect of philately best avoided by a budding collector. Such restrictions make it harder to acquire stamps without spending capital.

5. What other resources are available to help with introducing kids to philately?

Stamp clubs around your community is the best resource available to up-and-coming collectors. A more involved alternative is building a network of pen pals and trading partners – dedicated websites help with these.




Last Updated: 09/2015.