Since postage stamps were first introduced in 1840, stamp collecting has been a popular and fascinating pastime.

As a child, this writer's outlook on the world was enlivened and broadened by learning about countries, currencies, flora and fauna of the world, and much more, through being encouraged to collect stamps. And this fascination with stamp collecting has continued so that many years on, used stamps are just too attractive to throw away and if not put into a collection, are torn off the envelopes and donated to charity in the form of kiloware.

Even though you might already have access to a local stamp dealer, an excellent way for stamp collectors to find used stamps to enhance a collection is to visit the used postage stamp auctions at

Postage Stamps | Used Stamps for Sale

See the full range of used postage stamps for sale on eBay

Stamp collecting for beginners: one of the best ways to get started with stamp collecting is to buy a large packet of mixed world stamps. Once you've sorted through them you'll soon notice that some types of stamps will appeal more than others. It might be stamps on a particular theme (known as thematics) such as birds or cars, commemorative stamps, early stamps, or stamps of a particular country either your own or a country or countries you have visited. Or perhaps you have access to a ready supply of used stamps from a specific country, maybe through your job and you can see that as a way to help develop a collection.

It's best to throw away torn stamps (unless they are very rare) along with any that are heavily postmarked or badly creased, or, if you can't bear to part with them, keep them until you have a better example.