

Table of Contents
1. Introduction - Pg. 2
2. How To Use This Book - Pg. 4
3. Getting Started - Pg. 5
4. Categories of Collecting - Pg. 7
5. Using a Catalog - Pg. 9
6. Acquiring an Album - Pg. 10
7. Supplies You Will Need - Pg. 13
8. Watermarking - Pg. 14
9. Perforations - Pg. 15
10. Locating Hard to Find Stamps in the Catalog - Pg. 15
11. Color Identification - Pg. 16
12. Mounting/Handling Stamps - Pg. 16
13. Removing Old Paper Hinges/Stamps that Have Stuck Down - Pg. 18
14. Advanced Collector - Pg. 21
15. Forgeries, Reprints, Damaged Stamps - Pg. 23
16. Watermarking/Perforations - Pg. 24
17. Storage - Pg. 25
18. Starting Dealer/Specialization - Pg. 26
19. Beginning Dealer Full or Part Time - Pg. 28
20. Selling on Ebay - Pg. 30
21. Acquiring Stamps for Resale - Pg. 31
22. Estimating a Worldwide Collection - Pg. 35
23. Warning Buying Fakes! - Pg. 37
24. Tips on Purchasing Better Items - Pg. 51
25. Purchasing Stamps at Auction - Pg. 52
26. Purchasing Stamps from Other Dealers/Private Parties - Pg. 61
27. Qualifying a Purchase Before an Appointment - Pg. 65
28. Appraisal Procedures, Appointments - Pg. 69
29. Purchasing Postal History - Pg. 71
30. Using the Michael Catalog - Pg. 72
31. Tips on Auction Firms - Pg. 73
32. Which Auction Firm Should I Use? - Pg. 75
33. Photo Section/For the Novice to See if he/she has a Valuable Collection or Only Hobby - Pg. 78
34. Stamp Vocabulary - Pg. 86