Mystic Stamp Learning Hub

Learn more about stamp collecting, take a dive into the history of stamps, or get any questions answered.

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Want to start collecting stamps? Want tips on maintaining your collection? Start here.

Learn About Stamp Collecting

  • US – Offices in China

    Used Shanghai Overprints are rare. Most American companies that did business in China used the Chinese post office rather than the US post office.
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  • Not Everything You Read Online Is True—Why Reliable Sources Matter in Stamp Collecting

    The internet has made it easier than ever to research and expand a stamp collection. With just a few clicks, you can find information on just about any stamp ever issued. But as convenient as this is, it also comes with risks—not everything you read online is accurate.
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  • St. Pierre and Miquelon

    A favorite philatelic country is St. Pierre and Miquelon. There is a philatelic tendency for remote areas of great charm to have a collecting importance far in excess of what any local population can create.
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  • Stamp Forgeries

    Almost from the very day that Philately began as a serious hobby, stamp collectors were plagued by forgeries. Forgeries exist in two types; those made for philatelic consumption and those produced to defraud the postal service of revenue (called postal forgeries).
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  • Cinderella Stamps: What are they?

    Cinderella stamps are fascinating non-postal labels that often tell unique stories and add an extra layer of charm to a collection.
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  • The History of Philately

    Originally posted August 25, 2009 May 6, 1840 was an important date in English history. Postage rates were reduced to one penny throughout Great Britain, and pre-payment of mail became…
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  • Old Covers: Windows into Lives Past

    Stamp collecting isn’t just about the stamps themselves – it’s about the stories they tell. Old covers, like the one featured here, connect us to lives long gone, revealing glimpses…
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  • Grab Bags: A Fun Way to Collect Stamps

    Are you interested in starting or expanding a stamp collection, but not sure where to begin? A stamp grab bag might be the ideal solution.
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  • Monthly Time Payments

    Get interest-free monthly time payments on any one item of $200 or more.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Got a question that needs to be answered? You’ll find what you’re looking for here in our FAQ.

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This Day in History

Learn about the history of US stamps with a daily snapshot of this day in US stamp history.

Browse This Day in History
  • February 19, 2025

    Parents Mail Children Through Parcel Post
    On February 19, 1914, parents in Idaho took advantage of the affordable Parcel Post rate to mail their daughter to her grandmother’s house.  It was one of several instances of people mailing children using stamps.
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