Sources for Stamps Most large cities and some medium and smaller ones maintain philatelic centers. Philatelic centers stock a variety of new issues and recent issues, many of which are not always available at the ordinary postal counter. The Postal Service also maintains a mail-order facility, the USPS Philatelic Fulfillment Service Center in Kansas City. Many nations maintain philatelic bureaus or agencies from which collectors can order new and recent issues by mail at face value. In addition, some foreign postal administrations make issues available at face value through agents in the United States. Most foreign postal services and their U.S. agents offer a standing order service that permits you to receive new issues automatically against a deposit. Some collectors prefer to order directly from foreign postal services; others find their domestic agents more convenient. A list of foreign philatelic agencies appears in Chapter 30. Personal Sources Start with your daily mail. Check junk mail covers for coil stamps that contain plate numbers. They are tiny and appear at the bottom of the design on those few stamps that possess them. You won't find many, but that's what makes them desirable. I happen to like those on advertising covers, especially colorful, illustrated ones. Who knows -- perhaps today's junk mail will end up being tomorrow's treasure. Excerpted from The Official Stamp Collector's Bible by Stephen R. Datz All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
