Mystic Stamp Learning Hub

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Learn About Stamp Collecting

  • Understanding Stamps Graded 98 or 100 by PSE

    Professional Stamp Experts (PSE) is a leading company in the field of stamp authentication and grading. SE uses a standardized grading system to evaluate the quality and appearance of US stamps.
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  • Private Die Proprietary Stamps

    Private Die Proprietary stamps are a special class of Revenue stamps. Unlike standard government-issued Revenue stamps, these were custom-designed and printed for individual companies, typically manufacturers of matches, medicines, perfumes, playing cards, and other proprietary goods.
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  • U.S. Postal Service Announces Holiday, Elie Wiesel Stamps

    The US Postal Service today announced its latest set of stamps celebrating the holiday season as well as a new issue honoring humanitarian Elie Wiesel. These designs are preliminary and subject to change.
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  • Washington Franklins

    Another area in which the United States outspecializes any other philatelic country is the Washington Franklin Series of 1910-1930.
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  • Civil War-Era Adversity and Patriotic Covers

    The American Civil War was not only a conflict of armies but also a clash of cultures and resources. Among the most poignant and collectible artifacts from this era are adversity covers and patriotic covers.
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  • The Pan-American Inverts

    The Pan-American Inverts are among the most storied and coveted errors in US philately. They capture both the drama of early 20th-century printing and the excitement of the Pan-American Exposition of 1901.
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  • Proofs

    Proofs are stamp impressions that the printers make usually before the stamps go to press to show to postal officials for final approval of the stamp design, color, and printing quality.
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  • Canadian Beavers

    The first animal on stamps thematic, the first allegorical representation of a national identity, and one of the finest engraved stamps of the nineteenth century are all found in the first issue of Canada.
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  • Kiauchau

    Throughout the late nineteenth century Germany was as involved as any European power in the fight to carve up China for political and commercial advantage. They contracted for land by the bay of Jiaozhou (or as they spelled it, Kiauchau) in northern China in 1898.
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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
  • July 18, 2025

    Death of Horatio Alger 
    On July 18, 1899, “rags to riches” author Horatio Alger died. He’s best known for his story Ragged Dick, about a boot shiner who rose to middle-class success.
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