| h philately can be infinitely interesting and | | | | LACK OF STAMP ORGANIZATIONS AND CLUBS |
| enjoyable, it is a fact as well that stamp collecting | | | | There's nothing that we love more than having |
| has its own shares of obstacles to challenge its | | | | our collections properly appreciated and where |
| followers. As a beginner, you should be aware | | | | else can a stamp collector expect to feel that but |
| beforehand of the kinds of problems that you'll be | | | | in a stamp organization or club - a place where he |
| facing in the future. | | | | truly feels he belongs. Unfortunately, there are |
| WHERE TO BUY STAMPS | | | | not that many stamp organizations that have |
| Compared to other "collecting" hobbies, places | | | | been established in the country. Most stamp clubs |
| where you can purchase stamps are not that | | | | that are recognized nationwide - or in different |
| many. It's very rare that smaller states and | | | | countries in the world - are often located in the |
| towns would have stores that offer large | | | | big cities like New York and Chicago, making it |
| varieties of stamps for philatelists to choose from. | | | | virtually impossible for stamp lovers of lesser |
| And although the Internet makes it possible for | | | | known states to join their groups. |
| stamp collectors to acquire purchases from all | | | | LACK OF STAMP RESOURCES |
| over the world, rising shipping costs can certainly | | | | One of the reasons why that majority of public |
| exclude the less financially blessed stamp | | | | still views stamp collecting with a lot of |
| enthusiasts from fully enjoying this benefit. | | | | misconceptions is mainly because of the lack of |
| LACK OF SUPPLIES | | | | resources available even today. There are just |
| Die cast car enthusiasts can depend on a wide | | | | too few books that are written about stamp |
| range of tools to help them have more fun with | | | | collecting and that could open the world of |
| their little toys. Unfortunately, stamp collectors are | | | | philately to possible newcomers. What little that's |
| just not that lucky! There are a lot of problems | | | | there are mostly boring and would end up turning |
| that could come up when they have to remove | | | | off a stranger completely from liking stamps. |
| stamps from envelopes or when organizing them | | | | Because of this, expect yourself to be greeted |
| in an album. | | | | like a geek or an alien when your "cool" friends |
| THE PRICE OF STAMPS | | | | learn that you are into stamp collecting! |
| Although charm, wit and humor can get you far | | | | AUTHENTICITY OF STAMPS |
| and help you obtain numerous stamps at no cost | | | | This is surely the worst problem that you'll ever |
| at all, there would still come a time that you'd feel | | | | encounter in the world of stamp collecting. It's |
| the pressure of money digging deep and know | | | | extremely hard for newbies to distinguish |
| that some collectible stamps that you're dying for | | | | authentic stamps from very good duplicates. If |
| to add to your collection are completely out of | | | | you pay a thousand dollars for a rare 1920's |
| reach because of the price they've fetched in the | | | | stamp and then end up with a copy instead of |
| market. | | | | the original, you'd no doubt feel like killing someone. |
| While there's always a strong possibility that you'll | | | | Unfortunately, until official stamp organizations |
| be able to chance upon a rare collectible stamp | | | | make a consolidated move to keep con artists |
| and purchase it for a very low price, there's also | | | | from fooling their fellow enthusiasts, you should |
| no denying that most of those rare, hard-to-find | | | | never trust anyone who offers to sell you "rare" |
| stamps are being sold in auction houses and priced | | | | stamps until you've had the item properly certified |
| way out of your league. | | | | by an expert. |