- Do the following:
- a. Discuss how you can better understand people, places, institutions, history, and geography as a result of collecting stamps.
- b. Briefly describe some aspects of the history, growth, and development of the United States postal system. Tell how it is different from postal systems in other countries.
- Define topical stamp collecting. Name and describe three other types of stamp collections.
- Show at least ONE example of each of the following:
- a. Perforated and imperforate stamps
- b. Mint and used stamps
- c. Sheet, booklet, and coil stamps
- d. Numbers on plate block, booklet, or coil, or marginal markings
- e. Overprint and surcharge
- f. Metered mail
- g. Definitive, commemorative, semipostal, and airmail stamps
- h. Cancellation and postmark
- i. First day cover
- j. Postal stationery (aerogramme, stamped envelope, and postal card)
- Do the following:
- a. Demonstrate the use of ONE standard catalog for several different stamp issues. Explain why catalog value can vary from the corresponding purchase price.
- b. Explain the meaning of the term condition as used to describe a stamp. Show examples that illustrate the different factors that affect a stamp's value.
- Demonstrate the use of at least THREE of the following stamp collector's tools:
- a. Stamp tongs
- b. Water and tray
- c. Magnifiers
- d. Hinges and stamp mounts
- e. Perforation gauge
- f. Glassine envelopes and cover sleeves
- g. Watermark fluid
- Do the following:
- a. Show a stamp album and how to mount stamps with or without hinges. Show at least ONE page that displays several stamps.
- b. Discuss at least THREE ways you can help to preserve stamps, covers, and albums in first-class condition.
- Do at least TWO of the following:
- a. Design a stamp, cancellation, or cachet.
- b. Visit a post office, stamp club, or stamp show with an experienced collector. Explain what you saw and learned.
- c. Write a review of an interesting article from a stamp newspaper, magazine, book, or Web site (with your parent's permission).
- d. Research and report on a famous stamp-related personality or the history behind a particular stamp.
- e. Describe the steps taken to produce a stamp. Include the methods of printing, types of paper, perforation styles, and how they are gummed.
- f. Prepare a two- to three-page display involving stamps. Using ingenuity, as well as clippings, drawings, etc., tell a story about the stamps and how they relate to history, geography, or a favorite topic of yours.
- Mount and show, in a purchased or homemade album, ONE of the following:
- a. A collection of 250 or more different stamps from at least 15 countries.
- b. A collection of a stamp from each of 50 different countries, mounted on maps to show the location of each.
- c. A collection of 100 or more different stamps from either one country or a group of closely related countries.
- d. A collection of 75 or more different stamps on a single topic. (Some interesting topics are Scouting, birds, insects, the Olympics, sports, flowers, animals, ships, holidays, trains, famous people, space, and medicine). Stamps may be from different countries.
- e. A collection of postal items discovered in your mail by monitoring it over a period of 30 days. Include at least five different types listed in requirement 3.
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