Mystic Stamp Learning Hub

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Top Stories and Guides

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

  • The Perfect Stamps for Wedding Invitations

    When it comes to wedding invitations, every detail matters—including the postage. The right stamp adds a finishing touch that sets the tone for your big day, making your invitations feel even more elegant and personal.

    Read More
  • How to Use Mystic’s Mount-Sizing Guide

    Print off Mystic’s Mount-Sizing Guide here.

    Read More
  • Mystic Stamp’s Website is Getting a New Look!

    Exciting news – we’ve upgraded our website! This will make shopping for stamps easier than ever.

    Read More
  • U.S. Postal Service Announces Additional 2025 Stamps

    On March 6, the US Postal Service announced stamps celebrating the 250th anniversaries of the US Army, US Navy and US Marine Corps, a stamp previewing the 2026 World Stamp Show in Boston and a stamp honoring writer William F. Buckley Jr.

    Read More
  • The Important Role of the Smithsonian Council of Philatelists

    The Smithsonian Institution has long been a steward of history and culture, and its commitment to philately is no exception. At the heart of this dedication is the Smithsonian Council…

    Read More
  • The Secret to a Brighter Day? It’s in Your Stamp Album

    February 28th, 2025 Dear friend and fellow collector, Another year has rolled around and it’s our privilege (yours and mine) to be looking ahead to a fresh year.  That’s really…

    Read More
  • Plate Block Collecting

    Plate numbers were put in the margins of United States sheets so that later the printer would know which sheets were printed from which plates so that plate wear and damage could be monitored. Collectors noticed the marginal numbers and began at first collecting single stamps with the selvage attached as an adjunct to their collection.

    Read More
  • 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.

    Read More
  • 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.

    Read More

This Day in History

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

  • March 25, 2025

    Birth of John Barry

    Naval officer John Barry was born on March 25, 1745, in Tacumshane, Ireland. A hero of the Revolutionary War, he’s been called the “Father of the American Navy.”
    Read More