Be an Expert: Stamp Collecting


1. Stamp Collecting Vocabulary     10 Points
Define these words asociated with Stamp Collecting

denomination
adhesive
hinges
coils
used
definitives
souvenir sheet
topicals
first day cover
cancellation
mint
perforations
philately
album
cachet
soak
watermark
imperforate
tongs
pane
centering
selvage
commemoratives
plate block
se-tenant
cover

2. History of Stamps     5 Points
Briefly describe some events in the history, growth, and development of the United States postal system.

3. The Price of a Stamp     5 Points
How much did it cost to mail a letter in:

1863 _____                     1883 _____                 1917 _____                 1958 _____

1975 _____                     1985 _____                 1995 _____                 2001 _____

4.Types of Stamp Collections      5 Points
Define topical stamp collecting. 


Name and describe three other types of stamp collections.

5. Stamp Examples     10 Points
Show at least ONE example of each of the following stamps:

• Perforated and imperforate stamps
• Mint and used stamps
• Sheet of stamps
• Booklet stamps
• Coil stamps
• Plate block
• Definitive stamp
• Commemorative stamp
• Airmail stamps
• First day cover

6. Stamp Topics     10 Points

• Find and show a stamp with a person on it. Tell who the person is and why they are on a stamp.
  
• Find and show a stamp that shows a location. Tell where the location is.
  
• Find and show a stamp that shows a historical event.   Tell what the event was.
  
• Find and show a stamp with a map on it. Explain what the map shows.

7. Stamp Catalog     10 Points
Demonstrate that you know how to use a stamp catalog.
Locate and identify 3 stamps.

8. Stamp Grade Abbreviations      5 Points
Explain these abbreviations of stamp conditions.

• M
  
  
• NH
  
  
• LH
  
  
• VF
  
  
• F
  
  
• NG
  
  
• OG
  
  
• HR
  

9. Tools of Stamp Collecting      5 Points
Demonstrate the use of at least THREE of the following stamp collector's tools:

• Stamp tongs
• Magnifiers
• Hinges and stamp mounts
• Perforation gauge
• Glassine envelopes
• Cover sleeves
• Watermark fluid

10. Identifying Countries     10 Points
Identify these country names found on stamps.

11. Stamp Scavenger Hunt     15 Points
Find a stamp that has each of these topics pictured on it.

Animal
Famous Man
Famous Women
Sports
Medicine/Nursing
Flowers/Plants
Religion
Birds
Trains
Ships
Disney
Fish
Space
Insects
River/Mountain/Lake
Authors/Poets
War/Military
Airplanes

12. Design a Stamp     15 Points
Choose an animal that is found in your state.
It should be the main feature on the stamp.
It should be your own artwork.
Include the common name and the scientific name.
No scrollwork or lettering can appear on the animal's picture.
Use Stamp Template found at: http://www.smithlifescience.com/StampTemplate.htm

13. World Collection      20 Points
200 or more different stamps from at least 15 countries.
Use the USA Passport found at: http://www.ourlosbanos.com/homeschool/printables/lapbook1/lapbook_pretend_passport.pdf
to mount the stamps you find.

14. Country Collection      20 Points
A collection of 75 or more different stamps from  one country.

15. Topical Collection      20 Points
50 or more different stamps on a single topic.

16. Mississippi River Stamp Collection     20 Points
Specialize in the history of the Mississippi river valley.
Create a commemorative stamp collection using the Mississippi River as the theme.

Look for these kinds of stamps that are connected to the Mississippi River

• Music, arts, and literature
• People
• Military/ The Civil war
• Environment/ Biology
• River Formation
• Business on the river
• River Management
• River Transportation

Procedure
1. Choose a theme to collect.
2. Search through US stamps or a US stamp catalog for examples of stamps.
3. Collect 25 stamps.
4. Mount the stamps in an album.

ONLINE RESOURCES
A Brief History of Postage Stamps found at:
http://www.stamps.org/kids/january/stamp_overview.htm

American Philateic Society found at:
http://www.stamps.org

Brirish North America Philateic Society found at:
http://www.bnaps.org/stamps4kids/

Glassine Surfer found at:
http://www.glassinesurfer.com/

Free Stamp Publications found at:
http://www.asdaonline.com/index.php?id=18

Postage Rates Through the Years found at:
http://www.stamps.org/kids/january/stamps_rates.htm

Postage Stamp Template found at:
http://www.smithlifescience.com/StampTemplate.htm

Stamp Tools found at:
http://www.stamps.org/kids/january/stamps_tools.htm

What to Collect? found at:
http://www.stamps.org/kids/january/GettingStarted.htm

FREE ALBUM PAGES
Album Pagers found at:
http://www.iswsc.org/iswsc_page.shtml

APS Album Pages found at:
http://www.stamps.org/education/edu_albumpages.htm

FREE STAMPS
CDDSTAMPS found at:
http://www.cddstamps.com/childrens_corner.htm

Free Stamps for Kids found at:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/8406/free.htm

Free Stamps for Youngsters found at:

http://www.iswsc.org/iswsc_free.shtml

	Web www.smithlifescience.com