Stamp supplies are required for handling stamps carefully without causing any damage and also for maintaining them in their prime condition. These supplies allow to easily handle, manipulate, and safely preserve stamps. The set of equipments required for stamp collection comes at extremely low rates and hence, a large number of people around the globe enjoy this hobby usps stamps coupon. Stamp supplies that are vital for any collector include stamp collecting albums, tongs, magnifying glasses, mounts us postage stamp today, hinges, envelopes, and watermark detectors. You can get these equipments from a hobby store, stationary shops and through the internet. Hobby stores may be the easiest way to get these equipments, but the range that you can find on the internet for each of the equipments is enormous.
Stamp collecting album is the most basic equipment you will need, to get started with your collection. These albums are designed to safely store and display your collection. These albums save your delicate pieces of stamps from external factors like pollution, dust, dirt, and direct contact with your fingers. One album may be sufficient, if you have a limited collection and you may require many more, if you are planning for a big collection. These albums come in a wide variety and you can select one according to your needs and preferences. Thick pages, strong binding, and ample space are the qualities that you should look for, while purchasing these albums. These albums must be durable and should last longer without any wear and tear.
Another important stamp supplies are tongs. Tongs are used to hold stamps and to put them in albums without touching them with your fingers. The edges of the tongs are smooth to make sure that no damage is caused to the stamps. They are identical to tweezers. These tongs are available in two different materials; stainless steel and plastic. They are very light in weight and inexpensive as well. Hinges and mounts are used to fix stamps to the album. Mounts are considered as a better alternative to hinges. Hinges has gum on their back for sticking the stamp, whereas mounts doesn’t have gum. An avid collector may need thousands of these hinges or mounts throughout the course of stamp collection. However, they are very cheap and you can have thousands of them for just a few dollars.
The details on the stamps are very tiny and cannot be detected by a naked human eye. Magnifying glass is used to view such tiny details on the stamp. Watermark detector is used to find watermarks on the stamp. All stamps do not have watermarks. Watermarks are a great way to differentiate between two similar stamps. Envelopes are also handy for stamp collection hobby. You can temporarily keep stamps in envelopes if needed or they can be used to send stamps to another person. Many books are written about this hobby. You may find vital information that is helpful in organizing an excellent stamp collection album. Magazines related to this hobby are published regularly. A subscription to these magazines can serve you a great deal in finding the latest on the hobby and stamp supplies.
Although mail was first sent by Canadians as early as the 16th century, approximately 100 years before British colonists made their mark there, it was following the French and Indian War that a proper civilian postal service was begun. In 1763 William Foxcroft and Benjamin Franklin set up a run from New york to Québec. The following year post marks were being used throughout North america. Canadian postage stamps were first used in 1851. The province of Canada, following its confederation, was divided into the provinces of Québec and Ontario. These provinces were at the heart of the remaining British possessions and issued stamps between 1851 -1867.
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, which were both provinces having their own stamps joined Québec and Ontario in the new Dominion of Canada in 1867. Great britain ceded Rupert’s land and the Northwestern Territory to the new country in 1870. British Columbia and Prince Edward Island joined with the Confederation in 1871 and 1873.
Some of the most rare and valuable Canadian stamps were issued during the period 1851 to 1867. The province of Canada’s un-perforated 1851 three penny beaver was the first stamp of Canada. Other issues from that year include the twelve penny Queen Victoria and the sixpenny HRH Prince Albert. These early stamps from 1851 were printed on laid paper which had a tendency to fall off the envelopes, which of course makes these early Canadian postage stamps even more rare. Indeed the twelve penny Queen Victoria stamp is worth tens of thousands of dollars today. Rare province of Canada stamps issued in the 1850s and 1860s and printed on wove paper are worth anything from a few hundred dollars to several thousands.
Early issues from New Brunswick were fairly bland, and included images of the Irish shamrock, the Scottish thistle and the English rose repeated twice. Nova Scotia issued stamps with similar designs but instead with a single rose and also with the addition of the Mayflower which is connected with the province. Following the appointment of Charles Connell as Postmaster general, New Brunswick’s pre-Confederation stamps became much more distinct. In 1860 they began using decimal denominations similar to the United states and in the same year Charles Connell released a five cent stamp with a picture of himself rather than one of the British Royal family. This created quite an uproar and he was forced to buy back and destroy this line of stamps. As a result there are few of these stamps surviving and they currently have a value of around $15, 000.