SYD KRONISH | Stamps USPS nears end of interesting year

It's been an interesting 12 months for the U.S. Postal Service.
At year's end, the USPS released its annual Christmas religious stamp and four colorful nonreligious stamps, a repeat of the Hanukkah and Kwanzaa stamps, the Snowy Egret definitive, the Stop Family Violence semi-postal and the Dr. Seuss stamp.
Others issued earlier in the year were the Special Olympics stamps, go behind the scenes film-making stamp and the full-color 28-page Old Glory Prestige Booklet with its illustration showing the history of the American flag.
Soon a complete listing of the 2004 schedule with release dates, designs and background information will be available.
Starting a collection
Youngsters starting a collection need advice about how to organize their stamps, what kinds of albums to use, how to acquire first-day covers, the condition of stamps and where to find them. When starting, regardless of age, you should protect your stamps so items don't get damaged or lost. You can attach your stamps to loose-leaf paper and place them in a three-ring binder or arrange them in a formal album -- available at stores and stamp dealers.
There are various types of albums to select. Some feature specific categories while others provide pages to add stamps as your collection grows.
When placing stamps in any album, it is best to use a stamp hinge -- a small strip of thin material -- often glassine -- with gum on one side. Never use tape or glue instead of a hinge. You can insert the stamps into a special mount with a clear plastic sleeve. Mounts are more expensive than hinges, but they protect better.
Another suggestion for beginners are glassine "see-through" envelopes that can be used to keep the stamps clean until you place them in an album. Buy a magnifying glass to help you examine your stamps.
How to get items
The Stamp Fulfillment Services of the Postal Service has the 2003 stamps and other philatelic items. Call (800) STAMP-24 or contact the online Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop.
You may decide to collect first-day covers when new stamps are released. Just call the same toll-free number, (800) STAMP-24, for information. Ask for a free comprehensive catalog, which gives hints on covers and new issue purchases.
Once you get involved and interested in the hobby, consider joining a stamp club. Such clubs can be a source for new stamps and stamp collecting advice. These clubs often meet at schools, libraries and community centers. Ask your local postmaster or librarian for locations and phone numbers.