pdf format - American Philatelic Society

Learning Never Ends with APS...
Information, Courses, Clubs & Specialty Groups, Books, Magazine Articles, Library…
Whether you are a beginning stamp
collector or have collected for years,
the APS provides opportunities to
broaden your interests and enhance
your collecting enjoyment!
Answers Are a Member Service
Fast, friendly information is one of the most valuable
benefits of APS membership! The APS staff offers responses to
questions like: “My mint stamps are stuck together, how do I
get them apart” “Where can I find supplements for my stamp
album” “How do I collect plate blocks from the self-adhesive
stamp sheets”
Answers may involve referring a member to library
materials, matching a member with a mentor, or suggesting an
affiliated club for collectors who are looking for more in-depth
support.
While our staff does not have all the answers, they often
can point you to an individual, dealer, philatelic publication, or
another organization that can meet your specific need.
We also offer a Q&A section on our website that is packed
with helpful information. Visit www.stamps.org.
Information on Getting Started
Free informational brochures are available upon request or in
pdf format on our website. The brochures cover the basics such
as where to find stamps; tools of the hobby; soaking, sorting and
mounting stamps; and more!
Available online at the APS education page is introductory
information about the hobby. Here you can discover how stamps
came to be, tips on getting started, and how to improve your
stamp collection. The APS also offers a variety of publications
for sale, and material just for beginners.
Mentor Services
The dictionary defines a mentor as “a wise and trusted
counselor,” combining the instructional attributes of a teacher
with the insights of a guide or seasoned traveling companion. At
the APS, a mentor is a fellow collector who is familiar with the
territory you’re just discovering, a philatelic friend who can help
show you the lay of the land.
APS Mentor Service — The APS Mentor Service allows you
to tap into the talent and experience we have available among
our members Mentors answer questions by mail, e-mail, or
phone contact. To participate, complete the Mentor Request
form (enclosed in the front of your handbook) and mail it to the
Education Department with $2 mint postage.
Summer Seminar students hard at work.
APS StampBuddy Service — The StampBuddy Service goal
is to make your stamp collecting experience enjoyable.
A StampBuddy mentor who has similar interests and the
desire to help fellow collectors will be matched with you.
A mentor can accompany you to a show, club meeting, or
dealer. Your mentor can also advise you on how to store
your stamps and covers, where to buy your supplies,
and much more. StampBuddy mentors have a wealth
of information and are eager to share it with the new
collector. Go to the APS website to learn more: www.
stamps.org/StampBuddy.
Education Courses
The APS Education Department offers both traditional
and online courses. The traditional courses are offered at the
American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte as well as at various
venues around the United States, usually in connection with a
stamp show.
Traditional Courses
• Adult Beginner’s Workshop— Stamp Collecting 101, a
half-day beginner’s workshop for adults age 15 and up, is
an opportunity to learn a great deal about the hobby in a
short time from friendly stamp experts. The workshop is
held during the Society’s annual AmeriStamp Expo and
StampShow. Topics covered include how to understand
and use the Scott Catalogue; basic tools of the hobby;
how to mount and store philatelic material; how to soak
stamps off paper; and how to identify worldwide stamps.
A small fee is charged to cover the cost of materials.
Contact the Education Department for more details.
• Summer Seminar on Philately — Every June some of
the greatest experts in the hobby — and collectors
eager to learn from them — gather for a week-long,
intensive, hands-on program. Small classes allow highly
personalized instruction and sharing of information.
Each student selects one “major” course of study. Elective
courses and group sessions allow students to sample
4 APS Handbook of Services