1. YOU CAN COLLECT STAMPS BY SEARCHING FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR USED LETTERS . ALWAYS CHECK AND MAKE SURE OF ANY DATES THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE ENVELOPES YOU COLLECT ARE FAIRLY CURRENT AS OLDER DATES ON SOME ENVELOPES MAY SUGGEST THAT THIS MIGHT BE A FIRST DAY OF ISSUE FOR THE STAMP, WHICH MAKES THE ENVELOPE AS WELL AS THE STAMP VERY COLLECTABLE. ( SO THIS ITEM IS A COLLECTABLE ALL BY ITSELF AS IT IS CALLED A FIRST DAY COVER) YOU CAN ALSO BUY FIRST DAY COVERS FROM THE POST OFFICE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONCE THE STAMP GOES ON SALE.)

ALTHOUGH THE BEST WAY TO GET STAMPS IS FROM ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER OR TRADING PARTNER.

ALSO ITS FUN TO BUY MIXTURES WHICH ARE USUALLY SOLD BY WEIGHT.

2. ONCE YOU HAVE YOUR ENVELOPES SORTED INTO KEEPERS AND THE OTHERS WHERE YOU JUST WANT THE STAMP FROM THEM YOU CAN CUT AROUND THE STAMP ENVELOPE WITH THE SCISSORS PLEASE MAKE SURE TO LEAVE ROOM AND DO NOT CUT TO CLOSE TO THE STAMP AS TO DAMADGE THE STAMP. USUALLY A COENER CUT.

3. NOW YOU COME TO THE FUN PART AS YOU WILL NEED A TUB OF WATER OR BASIN IN WHICH TO PUT YOUR CORNER CUT STAMPS IN IN ORDER TO SOAK THEM OFF. THIS WILL TAKE A LITTLE TIME FOR GLUE, PAPER AND STAMP TO SEPERATE.

AFTER A WHILE YOUR STAMPS SHOULD FLOAT FREE FROM THE PAPER OR YOU MAY HAVE TO GENTLY HELP THEM.

I FIND IT BEST TO PLACE THEM FACE DOWN ON A TOWEL UNTILL DRY, AFTER THAT THEY ARE READY FOR YOUR STOCK BOOK OR ALBUM.