八年级英语下册 Unit 6 How long have you been collecting shells stamp collecting素材 人教新目标版.doc

stamp collectingstamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects, such as covers (envelopes or packages with stamps on them). it is one of the worlds most popular hobbies, with estimates of the number of collectors ranging up to 20 million in the united states alone.collectingcollecting is not the same as philately, which is the study of stamps. a philatelist often does, but need not, collect the objects of study, nor is it necessary to closely study what one collects. many casual collectors enjoy accumulating stamps without worrying about the tiny details, but the creation of a large or comprehensive collection generally requires some philatelic knowledge. this is especially important for those who intend to spend large amounts for stamps.stamp collectors are an important source of revenue for some small countries who create limited runs of elaborate stamps designed mainly to be bought by stamp collectors. the stamps produced by these countries far exceed the postal needs of the countriessome collectors, observing the generally rising prices of rare stamps, have taken to philatelic investment. rare stamps are among the most portable of tangible investments, and are easy to store. they offer an attractive alternative to art, other collectible investments, and precious metals.historythe first postage stamp, the penny black, was issued by britain in 1840. it pictured a young queen victoria, was produced without perforations (imperforate), and consequently had to be cut from the sheet with scissors in order to be used. while unused examples of the penny black are quite scarce, used examples are common, and may be purchased for $25 to $150, depending upon condition.children and teenagers were early collectors of stamps in the 1860s and 1870s. many adults dismissed it as a childish pursuit. during the late 1800s many of those collectors, now adults, began to systematically study the available postage stamps and published research works on their production, plate flaws, etc.some stamps such as the triangular issues of the cape of good hope became legendary. (see stamps of the cape of good hope).it was not until the 1920s that publicity about valuable stamps encouraged a large increase in the number of stamp collectors. this rapid increase in postage stamp values was largely due to very few of the older stamps being saved in good condition. especially difficult to find were pairs, triples, and large blocks of older stamps.because many u.s. stamp issues of the 1920s rose rapidly in value, during the 1930s many american collectors stockpiled mint u.s. stamps with the hopes of selling them for a sizeable profit in a few years time. this never materialized. even today, more than 60 years later, one can find many 1930s u.s. issues in mint condition for close to face value, and many stamp dealers and collectors still use stamps issued as far back as the 1930s for postage when mailing letters.most u.s. postage stamps issued since the 1930s are easy to obtain and have minimal value. some high face value stamps, such as the $2.60 united states graf zeppelin issued in 1930, are worth substantial amounts of money. other stamps issued since 1930 that are usually worth something are souvenir sheets from popular countries, hard to find plate number coils, and errors in printing.future of stamp collectingit has become commonplace to declare that the future of stamp collecting is bleak, due to the increasing popularity of e-mail, other electronic forms of communication, and custom-made stamps. however, both the telegraph and telephone were revolutionary alternatives to physical mail when introduced in the 19th century, yet did not spell the end of stamps on mail. also, collectors tend to be just as interested in old stamps as new ones, and they would not stop collecting just because no new stamps were being introduced; on the contrary, in forums such as the letters page of linns stamp news, many collectors complain that there are too many new types of stamps to keep up with each year, and that the flood seems to be increasing rather than decreasing.stamp collecting equipmentno equipment is needed in order to be able to collect stamps. however, the great majority of collectors choose to invest in a few essential items for the better display, preservation and inspection of their stamps. below are some of the more commonly used pieces of stamp collecting equipment.the easiest and cheapest method to store stamps is placing them in glassine envelopes and storing them in a box free from humidity, light, and heat. this obviously will be of no help when trying to go through the stamps for display or other purpose. placing stamps in stamp albums helps in easy display of the stamp collection. stamps can be displayed as per the wish of the collector, by country, topic, or even size, such that the ultimate display is pleasing to the eyes. archival stockbook with clear plastic pockets for the stamps: one of the safest means of stamp storage page from a 1930s stamp album with printed squares for mounting and information on each country detail from a stamp catalogue giving information on age, origin and value clockwise: hinge-mounted stamp, stamp about to be hinge-mounted, stamp damaged by a hinge magnifying glass perforation gauge. also known as an odontometer stamp tongs with rounded tips,preventing damage from skin oils and rough handling the tools and items of collecting all fit neatly on a deskacquiring stampsthe starting point of many new collectors is to ask family and friends to save stamps from their incoming mail. although the stamps received by major businesses, and those kept by elderly relatives, may be of international and historical interest, the stamps received from family members are often of the definitive sort. definitives seem mundane but considering their variety of colours, perforations and printing errors can fill many pages in a collection. introducing either variety or specific focus to a collection can require the purchasing of stamps, either from a dealer or online. large numbers of relatively recent stamps, often still attached to fragments of envelopes, may be obtained cheaply and easily. rare and old stamps can also be easily obtained via similar channels, with costs extending far beyond the means of all but a tiny minority of consumers.duplicate stamps are the stamps that a collector already has, and are th