Mushrooms, Laos 1985
I’ve been slowly building my collection of mushroom-themed stamps, and this set from Laos is a great example of the kind of detailed, thematic design that was popular at the…
What are Cinderella Stamps?
Cinderella stamps are non-postal labels or stickers that resemble postage stamps but are not actually issued or authorised by a government postal administration for use as postage. They are called…
Lithography in Postage Stamp Printing
Lithography is a printing technique where an image is drawn on a flat, smooth surface (traditionally a limestone plate) using a greasy medium. The plate is then chemically treated so…
Demogorgons in the Post: Royal Mail Releases Stranger Things Stamps
If you thought the only thing lurking in your letterbox was bills, think again. Royal Mail has kicked off 2026 with a trip to the Upside Down, releasing a spectacular…
Are First Day Covers Worth Anything?
If you’ve stumbled across a bundle of First Day Covers (FDCs) and are wondering if they’re valuable, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions collectors (and people…
Can You Make Money from Stamp Collecting?
Stamp collecting is often seen as a nostalgic hobby, or something people fall into after inheriting a family album. But every now and then, someone asks the big question. Are…
What are Agency Stamps?
A Beginner’s Guide to Agency Stamps Agency stamps are postage stamps issued not directly by a country’s own postal authority, but by an outside company working on their behalf. This…
Topical Stamp Collecting for beginners
Thematic stamp collecting, also known as topical stamp collecting, is the practice of collecting postage stamps based on a specific subject or theme rather than by country, date, or catalogue…
The Complete Guide to Postmarks
A postmark is an official marking applied to mail by a postal authority. It usually shows the date and place of handling, and it often cancels the postage stamp so…
Stamp Perforation and Gauges
A stamp perforation is a row of small holes punched between stamps to make them easier to tear from a sheet. The Story Behind Stamp Perforations When stamps had to…