Stamp Collecting
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know
A Definitive Book

New Edition has a photo section illustrating what better stamps look like

The writer, Michael DuBasso has been an International dealer and Foundation Director for forty years. This book has been ten years in the writing and covers everything that a collector or dealer would want to know about stamp collecting and dealing. It is an important tool and no collector or dealer should be without it. Here is some of subject matter covered.

• How to get started
• Where to go for stamps
• Categories of stamp collecting
• Where to find albums & supplies
• Stamp newspapers & magazines
• Recognizing valuable stamps in an inherited collection
• How to mount stamps
• How to use stamp tools & supplies
• National List of stamp clubs & Organizations
• How to buy*** Protecting your collection
• How to use a stamp catalog
• How to correctly identify stamps
• How to become a better collector
• Stamp terminology

• Improving your collecting habits
• Safeguarding a valuable collection from dampness & mildew
• How to use the German catalogs
• How to use the British catalogs
• Buying through dealers
• Bidding tips at auction
• Why to use a bidding agent
• Lists of ethical auction firms
• Lists of expertising organizations

• Categories of dealers
• Specialization
• Advertising
• Professional organizations
• Buying at auction
• Dealer ethics
• Buying stamps from a private party or estate
• Percentage levels to acquire stamps in different conditions and categories
•  Forgeries in stamps
• Expertising information

• Becoming a better dealer
• Specialization at a higher level
• Sensitive information: inside the auction house
• Advertising
• Dealing directly with your customers and keeping them