Category Archives: Stamps FAQ

Answer some of the more Frequently Asked Question about stamps. Wether you want to learn more about the tagging or perforation, it’s all here!

FAQ-What is a stamp grill?

Posted on April 10, 2018 by Lisa

A series of late 19th century USA stamps are known for having “grills”. What is a stamp grill? Basically, a grill was a security method developed to prevent the fraudulent reuse of postage stamps. Every time a stamp is used … Continue reading →

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Top 5 FAQ for stamps

Posted on February 23, 2018 by Lisa

Here is a quick go-to reference article containing answers to the most common stamp questions. For more detailed answers, click on the link provided after each question. 1) What is my stamp(s) worth? This has got to be the single … Continue reading →

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FAQ-Should I repair or restore my stamp?

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Lisa

This is a very touchy and controversial subject. In short, if you have a rare, valuable, or classic stamp and you want to preserve its original value—the answer is «NO». The only time you should consider restoring such stamps is … Continue reading →

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FAQ-How to preserve your stamps

Posted on January 16, 2018 by Lisa

You’ve invested in a stamp collection—now you want to keep it in pristine condition. Here are some tips to help you keep your stamps in tip-top shape. Keep your stamps somewhere where you can control the temperature. Ideally, you should … Continue reading →

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FAQ-What is the difference between a postmark and a cancellation?

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Lisa

The words “cancellation” and “postmark” are often used interchangeably, although strictly speaking this not completely accurate. This article will attempt to explain the actual difference between the two, while not establishing any hard and fast rules. After all, stamp collecting … Continue reading →

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FAQ: What is my stamp worth?

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Lisa

The question we get asked the most at Arpin Philately is: What is my stamp worth? Here is a short checklist to help you get going. 1) Begin by auto-evaluating your stamp’s worth. To do this you will need a … Continue reading →

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FAQ-What is a die-cut to shape stamp?

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Lisa

In a previous article we already discussed what a die-cut stamp is (see article: FAQ-What is a die-cut stamp?). Many of you have noticed when shopping for your Quarterly Packs that some stamps are described as «die-cut to shape from … Continue reading →

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FAQ-What is a die-cut stamp?

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Lisa

Modern printing has had a huge impact on stamp production and philately. Experienced collectors and philatelists are now finding themselves having to learn new philatelic terms and definitions. For example, many new stamps are die-cut. What does that mean? Simply … Continue reading →

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UPDATE: How to remove self-adhesive stamps from a paper backing?

Posted on April 21, 2015 by Lisa

Canada Post is issuing more and more self-adhesive stamps and a lot of you have asked how to remove them from a paper backing (such as an envelope). A previous article discussed how to do this using Bestine, a chemical … Continue reading →

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FAQ-How to care for your stamps properly?

Posted on April 10, 2015 by Lisa

Now that you have spent good time and money on your stamp collection, you want to take care of it! What are some of the things you should never do a stamp? Some of these points may seem basic to … Continue reading →

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