Fun with Philately - The entertainment and interest begins when you have decided what interests you. Then, you head out to find the items that will create a nice collection.

Philatelic Catalogs

Stamps are featured in catalogs. The Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalog is the most commonly referenced, but others are popular according to the country from which they are issued. Dealers will use the "Scott number" to reference items in their own stamp descriptions. This allows collectors to easily reference what they are searching for. You can order your Scott Catalog by calling 513-498-0832, 1-800-895-9881, or write Scott, P.O. Box 828, Sidney, OH 45365-0828 USA.

The Scott Catalog lists the retail value of Standard Postage Stamps from around the world. The estimates indicate what you can expect to pay for a stamp that is in Very Fine condition, without faults.

How to Collect

Lets imagine you were collecting airplane stamps - stamps featuring illustrations of airplanes. Your first and best move would be to contact the ATA (American Topical Association) and request a list of airplane stamps. You would then receive a list of stamps with the Scott catalog numbers referencing these items. One of those listings might include the 1945 Plane and Radio Tower stamp from Chile - Scott # C108.

Now, all you do is look it up in your nifty 5-volume edition of the Scott Catalog and decide if that is a stamp you would like to see in your collection. If you decided that you did, you would mark that one as a go and set out to find it among the others you have decided you’ve just gotta have! Now, the 1945 Plane and Radio Tower issue is only estimated between $.25 - $.55, so you won’t have any problem funding that addition to your new collection! With the Scott number, you can reference the item in auction lists or search for the Scott # in the Stamp One Stamp Search!

Determining Value

Grade & Condition - The grade and condition of stamps greatly determine their value.
Grade addresses only centering and cancellations.Condition refers to the factors other than the grade.

Grading

Dealers grade by the following criteria as written in the Scott Catalog
(1997 Edition - Copywrite 1996 by Scott Publishing Co.):

Fine: designs that are noticeably off-center on two sides. Imperforate stamps may have small margins, and earlier issues may show the design touching one edge of the stamp design. For perforated stamps, perfs may barely clear the design on one side, and very early issues normally wil have the perforations slightly cutting into the design. Used stamps may have heavier than usual cancellations.

Fine-Very Fine: Somewhat off center on one side, or slightly off center on two sides. Imperforate stamps will have tow margins of at least normal size, and the design will not touch any edge. For perforated stamps, the perfs are well clear of the design, but are still noticeably off center. Used stamps will not have a cancellation that detracts from the design.

Very Fine: May be slightly off center on one side, design will be clear of the edge. Will present a balanced apperaance. Imperforate stamps will have three normal-sized margins. Used stamps will have light or otherwise neat cancellations.

Extremely Fine: Close to being perfectly centered, Imperforate stamps will have even margins that are larger than normal. Even earliest perforated issues will have perforations clear of the design on all sides.

Conditions

Factors that can improve the value of the stamp include:

• exceptionally wide margins
• particularly fresh color
• the presence of selvge
• and plate or die varieties
• Unusual cancels on used stamps can also enhance the value

Factors that may decrease the value of a stamp include:

• loss of original gum
• regumming
• a hinge reminant
• foreign objects adhering to the gum
• natural inclusions
• straight edges
• markings applied by collectors or dealers

Faults include:

• missing pieces
• tears or holes
• surface scuffs
• thin spots
• creases
• toning
• short or pulled perforations
• oxidation or other color changes
• stains
• man-made changes such as lightening a cancellation

(These criteria are generally standard, however, Scott acknowledges that there are no official standards for grading, and the prices they estimate are variable based on the dealer you purchase the item from.)

Descriptions

Stamp listings and descriptions are not known for their design appeal. They are straight an to the point! It is necessary however, to understand the standard for which they are written. The following listing is from the Scott Catalog:

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