STAMP COLLECTING


These were the REQUIREMENTS in 2001-2006.

To see the current requirements, click here

To see the changes which were made in 2007, Click here.

Click Here for the PREVIOUS requirements.


  1. Do the following:
    1. Discuss how you can better understand people, places, institutions, history, and geography as a result of collecting stamps.
    2. Briefly describe some aspects of the history, growth, and development of the United States postal system. How is it different from postal systems in other countries?
  2. Define topical stamp collecting. What are some other types of stamp collections?
  3. Show at least ONE example of each of the following:
    1. Perforated and imperforate stamps
    2. Mint and used stamps
    3. Sheet, booklet, and coil stamps
    4. Numbers on plate block, booklet, or coil, or marginal markings
    5. Overprint and surcharge
    6. Metered mail
    7. Definitive, commemorative, semipostal, and airmail stamps
    8. Cancellation and postmark
    9. First day cover
    10. Postal stationery (aerogramme, stamped envelope, and postal card)
  4. Do the following:
    1. Demonstrate the use of ONE standard catalog for several different stamp issues. Explain why catalog value can vary from the corresponding purchase price.
    2. Explain the meaning of the term condition as used to describe a stamp. Show examples that illustrate the different factors that affect a stamp's value.
  5. Demonstrate the use of at least THREE of the following stamp collector's tool:
    1. Stamp tongs
    2. Water and Tray
    3. Magnifiers
    4. Hinges
    5. Perforation gauge
    6. Envelopes and sleeves
    7. Watermark fluid
  6. Do the following:
    1. Show a stamp album and how to mount stamps with or without hinges. Show at least ONE page that displays several stamps.
    2. Discuss at least THREE ways you can help to preserve stamps, covers, and albums in first-class condition.
  7. Do at least TWO of the following:
    1. Design a stamp, cancellation, or cachet.
    2. Visit a post office, stamp club, or stamp show with an experienced collector. Explain what you saw and/or did.
    3. Write a review of an interesting article from a stamp newspaper, magazine, or book.
    4. Research and report on a famous stamp-related personality or the history behind a particular stamp.
    5. Describe the steps taken to produce a stamp. include the methods of printing, types of paper, perforation styles, and how they are gummed.
    6. Prepare a two-to-three page display involving stamps. Using ingenuity, as well as clippings, drawings, etc., tell a story about the stamps. How do they relate to history, geography, or a favorite topic of yours?
  8. Mount and show, in a purchased or homemade album, ONE of the following:
    1. A collection of 250 or more different stamps from at least 15 countries.
    2. A collection of a stamp from each of 50 different countries, mounted on maps to show the location of each.
    3. A collection of 100 or more different stamps from either one country or a group of closely related countries.
    4. A collection of 75 or more different stamps on a single topic. (Some interesting topics are Scouting, birds, insects, the Olympics, sports, flowers, animals, ships, Christmas, trains, famous people, space, and medicine) Stamps may be from different countries.
    5. A collection of postal items discovered in your mail by monitoring over a period of thirty days. Include at least five different types listed in requirement 3, above.

BSA Advancement ID#: 108
Pamphlet Revision Date: 2007
Requirements last revised in 2007

Worksheets for use in working on these requirements: By Craig Lincoln Word Format PDF Format

Page updated on: May 08, 2022



Scouts Using the Internet Cartoon - Courtesy of Richard Diesslin - Click to See More Cartoons
© 1994-2024 - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Site Map | Disclaimer | Project Team | Contact Us | Privacy Policy

Materials found at U. S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. Websites may be reproduced and used locally by Scouting volunteers for training purposes consistent with the programs of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) or other Scouting and Guiding Organizations. No material found here may be used or reproduced for electronic redistribution or for commercial or other non-Scouting purposes without the express permission of the U. S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. (USSSP) or other copyright holders. USSSP is not affiliated with BSA or WOSM and does not speak on behalf of BSA or WOSM. Opinions expressed on these web pages are those of the web authors. You can support this website with in two ways: Visit Our Trading Post at www.ScoutingBooks.com or make a donation by clicking the button below.
(U.S. Scouting Service Project Donation)


(Ruth Lyons Memorial Donations)