The Stamp Bug: An Illustrated Introduction to Stamp Collecting

Desmond Maley is the music librarian at the J.W. Tate Library,
Huntington College, Laurentian University.

One of my happiest childhood experiences was discovering the world of
stamps. I now wish I had had this book at that time.

The Stamp Bug provides children with clear and specific advice on
getting started. The authors discuss such fundamentals as using tongs
and hinges, proper methods for removing stamps from envelopes, sorting
stamps, and mounting a prize-winning collection. They also discuss post
office language, philatelic agencies, and organizing a stamp club. The
final chapter, intended for “advance bugs,” focuses on kinds of
stamps, perforations, printing, papers, and using ultra-violet lamps. A
glossary rounds out the presentation. The book is abundantly illustrated
with drawings and photographs, most of which are in black and white.

As a child collector, I wish I had known of the “stamp remover
box.” Made up of a container with a tight-fitting lid, a rack or
grill, and a moistened cloth or sponge, this handy homemade invention is
used to remove stamps without submerging them in water. The
illustrations show clearly how to make and use one.

Douglas and Mary Patrick also punctuate the narrative with informative
anecdotes. Thus, we read of the well-intentioned woman who mounted her
husband’s 1897 Jubilee set (by far the most valuable Canadian
commemoratives ever issued) with cellulose tape over each stamp, partly
destroying the collection in the process. This shows the importance of
good habits in stamp collecting.

First published in 1978, this 1993 edition does not point out that
computer graphics have created new possibilities for children who want
to design their own albums. Still, the quality and clarity of the
Patricks’ writing make their book an excellent introduction to stamp
collecting for children. Highly recommended.