Stamp Collecting For Dummies holds everything a new collector needs to know -- how to start a collection; how to handle, protect, store, and display stamps; plus how to diversify or specialize a collection. This friendly guide explains how to evaluate a stamp's value -- with a special pricing guide appendix. Plus, it shows you how to catalog and organize your collection using new software designed specifically for stamp collectors. The color insert illustrates the detail and beauty of a variety of stamp designs. The book also alerts you to pitfalls to avoid when buying stamps online and through auction houses, and features a "Collectors Resource Section" that includes websites, magazines, chat rooms and more!
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Nice tips but:
When you are American and want to start a collection of American stamps, this is the book for you.
The book contains some really nice tips e.g. how to set up a reference collection. However, I would have like to see some more technical stuff e.g. on how to identify watermarks (and especially when its not straightforward). It also is a pity that the author spends a lot of time on American stamps (and I am not American :) ), askPhil and the fact that you can also start a thematic collection. In so many... more info
written with a light touch:
This volume in the 'Dummies' series is written with a humorous light touch that makes it especially attractive to the Dummy who knows he is one and doesn't need to be reminded that he is one by being frog-marched through impenetrable jargon. In addition, Richard Sine or his editor have had the foresight to break the topics he treats up into very small sections and subsections. The result is a light-hearted but content-rich introduction to the topic, one that this reviewer is only beginning to... more info
A Good Starting Point:
I have always thought the Dummies series of books were some of the best-written "How To" books on the market. This one lives up to that reputation.
Mr. Sine has produced a well-written, clear guidebook for both new and experienced collectors. He manages to cover the subject without getting bogged down in the jargon of the hobby. His style and wit are welcome in a hobby whose literature can at times be very dry.
This is a good guide to a great hobby.
A Great Starting Place:
I have always thought the Dummies series of books were some of the best-written "How To" books on the market. This one lives up to that reputation.
Mr. Sine has produced a well-written, clear guidebook for both new and experienced collectors. He manages to cover the subject without getting bogged down in the jargon of the hobby. His style and wit are welcome in a hobby whose literature can at times be very dry.
