Stamp Collecting (Philately)

This is a common US regular issue stamp.

If you want to buy just one it will probably cost you from 10 to 25 cents at a stamp store for a used one.

Unused, about twice face.

If you want to order it by mail, you would have to pay postage and handling in addition.

Dealers get them as part of larger lots for almost nothing per stamp- say 65% face if mint and 1/4 cent if used.

Pretty much every year. The US has included a one cent stamp in all of their definitive stamp sets. You will need to consult the catalogs to find the specific types and how many years they were actually issued, though they are always available.

Normally a mint, unused stamp is worth more than a canceled one.

There are exceptions to this:

For a canceled stamp to have more value than a mint one, it should still be on the envelope.

Some countries have issued large quantities of stamps for sale to the collectors' market and were never intended for postal use. Finding these actually used for postage is good. And example is Tonga, which issued many unusually shaped stamps.

Special cancellations can have value. Examples are First Day of Issue, special events or locations and dates of historically significant events.

Older stamps with rare cancellations or from small town that only existed for a few years a century ago can have value to postal history collectors.

There are many factors involved. If it is unused, it can be used for 23 cents worth of postage. If it is relatively recent and used, it has a minimal value. There are a few stamps that might be worth more than face value to a collector, but not many at that face value.

Mint (New) = 35 cents

Used = 20 cents

(Scott Catalog of US Stamps 2011, page 178)

When estimating stamps values we look first for the reason of the estimation request.

Is it for insurance purposes? Than it would be replacement value of full catalog retail. For the 1934 1c Yosemite regular issue stamp the Scott Catalog # is 740.

And the value is $0.20 for a used or a new single stamp.

If you wanted to know how much you would get for it if you wanted to sell it, the answer is a tad more complicated. It depends on the condition of the stamp and if you find someone who wants it. The simplest way to sell it in today's market is on eBay. If you are not a member, you register and list it for sale. Today eBay does NOT charge a listing fee for the first 50 items you offer for sale.

If you sell it you will pay a final fee of 9% and if you use PayPal there will be a fee for that as well.

US postage rate increases -- for ordinary first class letters

============================================

June, 1932 up to 3 cents from 2 cents.

July, 1958 up to 4 cents

Jan , 1963 up to 5 cents

July, 1968 up to 6 cents

May, 1971 up to 8 cents

June, 1974 up to 10 cents

June, 1976 up to 13 cents

June, 1978 up to 15 cents

May , 1981 up to 18 cents

Nov , 1981 up to 20 cents

Feb , 1985 up to 22 cents

June, 1988 up to 25 cents << 25 cents in 1990.

June, 1991 up to 29 cents

Jan , 1995 up to 32 cents

June, 1999 up to 33 cents

Jan , 2001 up to 34 cents

June, 2002 up to 37 cents

Jan , 2006 up to 39 cents

May , 2007 up to 41 cents

May , 2008 up to 42 cents

May , 2009 up to 44 cents

Yes, postage stamps require that you pay for them. That is how the postal service gets its revenue so that it can do business. Postage goes up when the cost to deliver exceeds the cost taken in.

Chances are that it is not valuable.

---

There are two notable issues, both fairly old but common:

There is a 1962-1963 light blue George Washington, which was being offered 4 for 99 cents in 2015.

There is also the 1967 darker blue, which was also worth about face value.

You can locate these by their Scott catalog numbers: 1213, 1232B (pane/booklet), 1283

---

The much rarer 1908 issue may be valuable if in excellent uncancelled condition

(see Scott 335)

It is called a stamp album. They can be purchased in a wide variety of styles and costs. The most expensive contain a mount for each stamp already on the page, so you all you have to do is slide it in. Others contain some printed pictures and you past the stamps in with hinges.

£500

Diana and Charles were a popular topic for postage stamps from many countries. You will need to consult the catalogs and do some research. There are lots of stamps issued and they vary in value from almost nothing to some nice values.

Most libraries will have a copy of Scott's Postage Stamp Catalog of the World. First of all, you have to identify the specific stamp or card. That in itself can be a daunting task, but most of the catalogs are well illustrated with lots of information. Once you know what item you have, the catalog will provide a set of prices that can be used to estimate value. The value is what a collector could expect to pay for a stamp in fine/very fine condition. If selling, most cases you would be lucky to get 25% of the catalog, unless it is very valuable, then an auction would be worth looking into. The most common American catalog for identification is Scott's. Others are Stanley Gibbons, Minkus and even the US Postal Service Catalog of stamps.

*Because these were made after the 1930's most dealers will only pay 1/2 face. You are more likely to get more from a Diana fan or Stamp collector.

As of January 22, 2012 the rate is 45 cents.

You could also buy the "forever" stamp which will never lose its value as a current stamp.

This is a common US commemorative stamp.

If you want to buy just one it will probably cost you from 10 to 25 cents at a stamp store.

If you want to order it by mail, you would have to pay postage and handling in addition.

Dealers get them as part of larger lots for almost nothing per stamp- say 65% face if mint and

1/2 cent if used.

It is the kind of stamp I use on letters if unused or give to kids if used.

You will need to consult the catalogs and do some research. There are lots of stamps issued and they vary in value from almost nothing to some nice values.

Most libraries will have a copy of Scott's Postage Stamp Catalog of the World. First of all, you have to identify the specific stamp or card. That in itself can be a daunting task, but most of the catalogs are well illustrated with lots of information. Once you know what item you have, the catalog will provide a set of prices that can be used to estimate value.

There are several sites online that can be a big help. Look for "stamp identifier" using a search engine. You can type in the part of a word that you can read and it will help. They usually have lots of pictures to help with symbols and names.

Unused their virtually worthless. Postally used in fine condition you might get a pound or so.

Maybe. Without a whole lot more information, it would be hard to determine. The country of issue, the specific stamp design, the condition of the stamp and even the cancellation can make a difference. Consult a good stamp catalog, available at most libraries, to learn more.

Will need more information. You can consult a stamp catalogue at your local library to identify the year and condition of the item with an estimated value for it.

Post cards are listed as 'back of the book' items in the country of origin.

No. It's enough to write "Par Avion - By Airmail"clearly in the top left hand corner of your envelope.

These were used on most letters during WW II and are very common. Used ones are

almost worthless; mint ones can be had for 10 to 20 cents each.

The US has issued dozens of George Washington stamps, many with a value of 3 cents. You will have to completely identify the stamp to find a value. A catalog, available in most libraries can help you determine the value.

the sympathetic sdkjskj

That can get to be pretty tricky! For First Class mail you need to use a stamp or combination of stamps that matches the current cost of 41 cents for the first ounce. Depending on what type of mail, businesses can get all sorts of discounts for sorting things, having the nine digit zip code and meeting other requirements. A quick visit to the USPS web site will give you the current rates and requirements. They also have a page that will show you what the value of the non-denominated stamps.

Great Britain does not print their name on their postage stamps. The name of the country is not mentioned because United Kingdom was the first country in the world to start postage stamps. However, all of the postage stamps have at minimum a silhouette of the current Queen (or King).