How do I find stamps for my collection?

Anyone who receives mail can help you save stamps for your collection. Your local post office has stamps, both ordinary regular issue stamps and colorful commemorative stamps. You can visit a stamp show in your area that will have dealers in stamps from whom you may make purchases. You can join a local club for stamp collectors. You can even buy stamps online from Internet auctions, stamp dealers, and stamp collecting societies.

A. How can friends and family help you collect stamps?

1. Family mail – free, and a great way to start collecting!
2. Family business contacts – another way to get free stamps!
3. Old family correspondence – check your attic for treasures from the past!
4. Have friends save stamps from their mail for you – more free stamps!

B. Can I buy stamps for my collection from Post Offices?

1. United States Postal Service – http://www.usps.com
2. Canada Post – http://www.canadapost.ca
3. Other worldwide postal agencies Worldwide Philatelic Agencies http://www.askphil.org/b38a.htm

C. How can I buy stamps from the stamp marketplace?

1. Internet
   • Ebay – auction site or “buy it now” http://stamps.shop.ebay.com/Stamps__W0QQ_sacatZ260?_trksid=p3907.m21
   • Retail websites – online dealers http://stamps.org/directories/dir_DealerMembers.htm
   • APS Stamp Store – American Philatelic Society members’ online store http://www.stampstore.org
   • United States Postal Service – USPS online store http://www.usps.com
   • Linn’s Zillions of Stamps – many dealers sell at this online shopping mall http://www.zillionsofstamps.com
   • Stamp Wants – auction and retail sales http://www.stampwants.com
   • Auction websites http://www.stampauctioncentral.com
2. Buy stamps from professional stamp dealers
   • American Stamp Dealer Association – full list of ASDA dealers
     • By Specialty http://www.asdaonline.com/index.php?id=49
     • Dealers With Retail Shops http://www.asdaonline.com/index.php?id=9
     • Dealer Search http://www.asdaonline.com/index.php?id=8
   • Internet Dealers Association – full list of IDA dealers http://www.ipdaonline.org/
   • Stamp stores – locate stores by zip code http://stamps.org/directories/dir_DealerMembers.htm
   • Stamp show dealers – locate a dealer attending a stamp show
3. Stamp Auctions
   • Floor auctions – list of upcoming live auctions (usually accept phone and internet bids, too) http://stampauctionnetwork.com/us.cfm
   • Mail sales – list of upcoming sales held by mail/ e-mail bids http://stampauctionnetwork.com/mail.cfm
   • Internet auctions – list of upcoming internet auctions http://stampauctionnetwork.com/dir/aucdir9.cfm
4. Stamp stores – locate stores by location http://www.stamps.org/directories/DaEngine.asp
5. Stamp shows – locate a show near you or travel to shows in the US and worldwide http://stampshows.com/ http://stamps.org/directories/dir_ShowCalendar.htm

D. Can I buy, trade or auction stamps at a stamp club?

1. Local stamp clubs – list of local stamp clubs by state http://stamps.org/directories/dir_LocalClubs.htm
2. National stamp clubs – list of national stamp clubs http://stamps.org/directories/dir_SpecialtySocieties.htm