AthaBiz

Archive for March, 2010

What makes on stamp more valuable than the other?  Why are some stamps literally worth millions of dollars while other similar issues remain available for only a few dollars? 

The simple answer to those questions is, of course, supply and demand.  High demand and limited supply drive prices upward.  Surpluses or scant interest can make prices drop.  That simple economic answer, however, does not really shed a great deal of light on the particulars of stamp collecting.  Let us take a moment to look at the factors that determine the market value of stamps. Read the rest of this entry »

Some may have a perception of stamp collecting as a somewhat dull avocation practiced only by aging intellectuals in their dusty studies.  Although it is quite easy to imagine the prototypical stamp collector as an aging gray-haired professor in tweed examining a rare stamp with his trusty magnifying glass, the actual population of the stamp collecting hobby is much more diverse.  Young people enjoy collecting postage stamps as do older folks and people from all walks of life.  In fact, stamp collecting seems to be as popular today as it has been at any time in its over 200-year history.  Read the rest of this entry »

Collecting stamps does not necessarily require a substantial investment in terms of equipment.  The tools of the trade used by most collectors are relatively inexpensive and are quite easy to obtain.  Some hobbies require participants to spend a great deal for accessories and supporting devices and equipment, but the cost barrier to entry for stamp collecting is quite low by comparison.  Here is a look at some of the basic tools for stamp collectors. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the most recognizable Latin expressions is “caveat emptor.”  It translates to “buyer beware” and has been used in a variety of situations to express a simple idea–anyone making a purchase should be sure to be well-informed so that they suffer in a bad deal.

We often hear the expression used today to refer to situations where a great deal of money may be on the line with no real guarantee associated with it.  For instance, the purchase of a car or other expensive item on an “as is” basis may warrant a cry of “caveat emptor.”  Another area in which the old adage is well-suited is antique buying. Read the rest of this entry »