Minimum Equipment

Your World of Stamps —II

At First

A Column for 'New Stamp Collectors, Conducted by KN THIS month I propose to discuss what you will need in the way of basic equipment to begin stamp collecting.

If possible, you should buy a stamp catalogue so that you can quickly identify the country from the inscriptions used on your stamps, You’ll also learn when and why the stamps were first issued, and their current prices.

Perhaps a friend has an wd catalogue that he’s finished with that you could begin with, to set ycu on the right collecting path. As time passes maybe you could buy a more up-to-date one.

There are many ways of acquir ing your stamps. Firstly, you can swap, stamp for stamp, or set for set, with your school or work as sociates. Others may come through exchange with penfriends in other countries. Later you might join a stamp club, at school, work, or in your home district, where swapping, auction sales and comp°titions will help to add to your collection.

There are many reliable stamp dealers that would assist you with specimens. Some of these advertise their stamps, and will usually provide you with price lists and catalogues.

You will have to decide early whether you will save used or un used. or as collectors like to call them, “mint” copies. Whatever type you finally follow, is up to you. The “mint” specimens look better in an album, and under a magnifying glass, you can see all the details.

However, keep the used stamps for exchanging and replacements.

Sometimes “approval books” of stamps are also available from stamp dealers and clubs, and when you receive the books you simply extract the stamps you want, and return payment for them with the book.

You will find that there are separate books for each country, as well as books of various designs.

You should specify the variety of stamps in which you are interested.

It is wiser not to try to get a complete set of stamps at one time.

Unless your finances permit it, it is best to content yourself with small sets, at a lower price. Later you may add some of the higher values.

Often you will find the same design is used in a set of many different values. Therefore wouldn’t it be better, as a beginner, to secure short

sets, with as many distinct desii as possible?

You should always handle yi stamps with great care. Greasy dirty fingers could ruin a valus specimen. Thus, a pair of tweei; come in handy, and prevent y i issues getting creased or torn.

Never pull stamps from envelo or your album, but remove tM by soaking in warm water —butt careful, because you may find paper used in certain types envelopes will stain your specime “Ease it off” liquid can be bouj to assist in the removal of stuck* stamps. (Next month, more about eqt ment.)

Some Interesting Recent

Issues

WHEN the tiny Liechtenstein, in Europe, year celebrated the 10th an versary of the formation of National Red Cross organisation' fine series of “portrait” stamps issued. Each stamp carried a st:J ing portrait of the Royal Chikb of Liechtenstein. These were Crc Prince John Adam, Prince Phr Prince Nicholas and Princess Nod Ever since they were first inr duced as a means of raising moD for health work, in 1929, New 2s

i's “Health” stamps have been urites with collectors, my of the designs have depicted and girls at play and in camp scenes; there have also been raits of Royalty, local views and ery. ie 1956 NZ Health stamps, which to appear this month (Sep >er) will show two young chil in an orchard picking apples i a well-laden tree, ie 1954 “Child Welfare” stamps Indonesia, in six different u e s, gave an indication of hful activities in that Republic.

Mingangkabus boy and girl per ing the Umbrella dance; girls ng Jondkak; boys on bamboo ; Ambonese boys playing flutes; re girls with musical instru ;s and a Srimpi dancing girl used as the designs.