Star Trek Stamp Collecting: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide
Are you looking for a new hobby? Are you a Star Trek fan who loves collecting? Perhaps you want
to start a Star Trek stamp collection but aren't sure how - or you're wondering if this is even
for you. This guide was created to answer all your questions.
Why Collect Stamps in a Digital World?
I know that collecting postage stamps isn't usually thought of as "cool." It's often seen as a
hobby from a different era. We live in a highly digitized age, with social media algorithms and
streaming services designed for instant gratification. Attention spans are shrinking, and fewer
people use "snail mail," preferring emails or instant messaging.
However, postal services and stamps still exist. They are part of our culture, and collecting
them can be deeply gratifying. Maybe you collected stamps as a kid, or maybe you've never
thought about it - but you're a fan who wants more merchandise and has limited space at home.
Whatever your reason, this guide is for you.
I'll skip the general history of philately - there are plenty of resources for that. Instead,
let's focus specifically on Star Trek stamps.
Why Star Trek Stamps are a Great Choice
-
A Hobby for Years: There are over 1,000 Star Trek stamps in the world! It's
incredible that
such
a niche segment of pop culture has so many issues. Trying to obtain them all is a task for
years, if not decades. Plus, new stamps are released regularly.
-
Minimal Space Required: Many Star Trek collections get bulky quickly.
Unless you have a
dedicated room to display hundreds of books, hundreds of starship models, or hundreds of
action
figures, space is an issue. My entire collection of over 1,100 items fits into just three
stamp
books and takes up less than 40 cubic centimeters on my shelf.
-
Affordability: Star Trek stamps are accessible. Many can be bought for as
little as $1.
While
rare items can reach $100, most collectable sets are in the $4 - $8 range. You can easily
jumpstart a collection with dozens of stamps for $50.
-
Easy to Source: It's easy to find these items. My "go-to" is eBay, but you
can also find
them on
Etsy, Delcampe.net, at conventions, or in local philatelic shops.
- A Unique Path: In an era where everyone follows the same trends, collecting Star Trek stamps makes your hobby truly unique. You're going your own way, not following the herd.
How to Start Your Collection
It's simple: obtain one stamp, and you're a collector. Buy another, and your collection is growing. You can't go wrong here - whether you buy 50 items in a week or one every six months, whatever works for you is perfect.Technical Tips for Beginners
How to store your collection? I highly recommend buying a proper stamp book (stockbook). This keeps your stamps secure and beautifully displayed. You can find these on Amazon, at big bookstores, or specialized philatelic shops. Brands don't matter much; the main difference is simply the number of pages.How do I know what I'm missing? If you want to be a "completest," this website is built for you. I catalogue stamps by country, from the US and Canada to exotic locales like Tuvalu or Palau. You can decide to collect only one series (like The Next Generation) or try to obtain everything ever issued.
Official vs. Unofficial Stamps
There is one thing I wish I knew when I started: the difference between official and "illegal" stamps.- Official Stamps: Released by national post offices (like Canada Post, Royal Mail, or USPS). These are licensed by Paramount and are valid for postage.
- Cinderellas: These resemble stamps but aren't valid for postage. They are often created by fans for fans or for special conventions. They are fun additions and are clearly marked as Cinderellas on this site.
- Illegal Stamps: These are produced by entities trying to make money without paying for licenses. They often use unauthorized photos and pretend to be from countries like Chad, Congo, or Madagascar.
Where to Start?
If you're on the fence, I recommend the 2020 Royal Mail (UK) set or stamps from Canada. They are some of the most beautiful in existence. Issues from St. Vincent and the Grenadines are also great starting points.Philatelic Glossary
- Stamp: A small piece of paper issued by a postal authority as proof of payment for delivery.
- Sheet: A large unit of stamps as they are originally printed before being separated.
- Mini-Sheet (MS): A smaller group of stamps (often 1 to 10) printed together on a single sheet, usually with decorative borders related to the theme.
- Souvenir Sheet: A small sheet of stamps issued to commemorate an event. The decorative border is often as important as the stamp itself.
- First Day Cover (FDC): An envelope with a stamp that has been cancelled (marked) on the very first day that stamp was issued.
- Mint Condition: A stamp that is in perfect condition, never used, and has its original glue (gum) on the back.
- Official Stamp: A stamp issued by a legitimate government postal service.
- Illegal Stamp: A "stamp" produced without the authority of a national post office or the franchise owner.
- Cinderella: Any item that looks like a stamp but was not issued for postal purposes (e.g., fan-made items).
- Personalized Post Stamp: A legitimate stamp where a portion of the design can be customized with a personal photo or logo.
- Stamp Book (Stockbook): A book with clear pockets used to store and display stamps without using glue or hinges.
- Cancellation: A mark placed on a stamp by the post office to show it has been used.
- Perforations: The small holes punched between stamps to make them easy to separate.
- Gum: The adhesive on the back of a stamp. "Original Gum" (OG) means the glue is still exactly as it was when it left the factory.
- Hinge: A small, transparent piece of folded paper used by collectors to mount stamps into albums. (Note: Many modern collectors avoid these for "Mint" stamps as they can leave a mark on the gum).
Check out other Star Trek articles in the blog section.