Throughout this section we have tried to show some examples and give you some guidance as to the ground rules. But do bear in mind that these 'rules' are ONLY guidance and reflect what most people do.
If you decided that you want your stamps or covers on bright pink paper with gold writing, that's up to you. It is your collection and the main aim is to have fun, perhaps learn a thing or two and to want to share with others.
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What should I look for?
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Check the face value of the stamps (that is how much the stamps cost), for that can help tell you how much the letter weighed, or if other services were used.
For example, look out for special labels, such as to indicate that the letter was sent by Registered Post.
Look out for any other markings. These can be various, such as letter not able to be delivered; letter damaged in the post; insufficient postage paid; letter sent to the wrong address.
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click each for larger image
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Letters sent overseas will sometimes bear a postmark of the country in which the letter was delivered, or even of countries through which the letter passed on its journey.
As with stamps, you need to decide on a theme for your collection. A few ideas might be:
Letters sent across the Atlantic Ocean; Letters from one country to another Letters sent by air, or sea, or by train.
You will need to mount and write up your cover in a similar way as you present your stamps. Remember, however, that covers are large, so you will probably only be able comfortably to fit two or three onto each page.
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Where do you find covers?
It's amazing how many envelopes are simply thrown into the waste paper basket.
If you know someone who works in an office, ask if they will save for you all the envelopes from the daily mail but do make sure they open the envelopes carefully and neatly, and do not remove or damage the stamps.
If you go to stamp exhibitions, or stamp fairs, you will find many dealers have large boxes full of covers. Do not be afraid to browse through. Many might be more expensive than you can afford, but others might well find a place in your collection.
Here are a few examples of items that you might include in a postal history collection.
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Some other ideas
Combining stamps with covers, including slogan postmarks and meter marks, can help you tell a story through stamps. Or covers with postmarks from your own town. Or covers with just certain stamps (eg American stamps - because you have a pen pal there?). Or covers with Queen Victoria 1d lilac. Or.... |
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