The collecting of postage stamps is a hobby that interests people of all ages and all walks of life. It has countless followers in every land. There are over two million stamp collectors in the United States and Canada, and among these are a great many boys and girls.
The most valuable stamp in the world is the one-cent British Guiana magenta of 1856. Only one copy is known to exist; it is valued at about $50,000. There are other stamps worth several thousand dollars while many others are valued at hundreds of dollars. Yet most stamps are not expensive. There are hundreds of stamps worth a few dollars and many more hundreds that you may buy for a few cents. So you see that stamp collecting is not merely a rich man's hobby.
Each stamp collector finds his own stamps fascinating, no matter how much or how little money he spends on them. The reason is that there is always a story behind postage stamps.
The countries of the world use them as a means of telling the world about their industries, their culture, and their great men. They also use stamps to celebrate important events in their history. So while a stamp collector is enjoying his hobby, he is also storing up knowledge about all kinds of things from every corner of the globe.
Usually a beginner collects everything that comes his way. This is the best method, as in this way he will become acquainted with a wide variety of stamps. Later on he may decide to specialise in certain kinds. But unless he has already collected all sorts of postage stamps, he will not have enough general information about his hobby to enjoy it to the full.