Stamp Collecting
Resources
- Stamp Collecting Merit Badge Pamphlet
- Stamp Collecting Class Preparation Page
- Stamp Collecting Workbook
- US Historic Postage Stamp Album compliments of Mystic Stamp Company
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Merit Badge Advancement Quick Reference
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Acknowledgement Form
Stamp Collecting Requirements Current Scouts BSA requirements
as of September 30, 2025
as of September 30, 2025
1.
Do the following:
Resource:
- Stamp Collecting (video)
a.
Discuss how you can better understand people, places, institutions,
history, and geography as a result of collecting stamps.
Resources:
b.
Briefly describe some aspects of the history, growth, and development
of the United States postal system. Tell how it is different from
postal systems in other countries.
2.
Define topical stamp collecting. Name and describe three other types of
stamp collections.
Resources:
- What to Collect? (website)
- Topical Stamp Collecting (website)
3.
Show at least ONE example of each of the following:
Resource:
a.
Perforated and imperforate stamps
Resources:
b.
Mint and used stamps
Resource:
c.
Sheet, booklet, and coil stamps
Resource:
d.
Numbers on plate block, booklet, coil, or marginal markings
Resource:
e.
Overprint and surcharge
Resources:
- Precancels, Overprints, and Occupations (video)
- Overprints on Stamps (video)
f.
Metered mail
Resources:
- What is Metered Mail? (video)
- Postage Meter Stamp Basics (website)
g.
Definitive, commemorative, semipostal, and airmail stamps
Resources:
h.
Cancellation and postmark
Resource:
- Postmarks and Cancels (video)
i.
First day cover
Resource:
- Collecting Stamps On Cover (video)
j.
Postal stationery (aerogramme, stamped envelope, and postal card).
Resource:
4.
Do the following:
a.
Demonstrate the use of ONE standard catalog for several different stamp
issues. Explain why catalog value can vary from the corresponding
purchase price.
b.
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.
Resource:
5.
Demonstrate the use of at least THREE of the following stamp collector's
tools:
b.
Water and tray
Resource:
c.
Magnifiers
d.
Hinges and stamp mounts
Resource:
e.
Perforation gauge
Resource:
- How to Use a Perforation Gauge (video)
f.
Glassine envelopes and cover sleeves
Resource:
g.
Watermark fluid.
Resource:
- How to Find Watermarks on Stamps (video)
6.
Do the following:
Resource:
a.
Show a stamp album and how to mount stamps with or without hinges.
Show at least ONE page that displays several stamps.
Resource:
b.
Discuss at least THREE ways you can help to preserve stamps, covers,
and albums in first-class condition.
Resource:
7.
Do TWO of the following:
a.
Design a stamp, cancellation, or cachet.
Resources:
- Creativity in Cachets (video)
- Pictorial Postmarks (video)
- What Makes a Good Stamp Design (pdf)
b.
Visit a post office, stamp club, or stamp show with an experienced
collector. Explain what you saw and learned.
Resources:
c.
Write a review of an interesting article from a stamp newspaper,
magazine, book, or website (with your parent or guardian's permission).
Resource:
- Linn's Stamp News (website)
d.
Research and report on a famous stamp-related personality or the
history behind a particular stamp.
Resource:
- History through Cachets (video)
e.
Describe the steps taken to produce a stamp. Include the methods of
printing, types of paper, perforation styles, and how they are gummed.
Resource:
- Stamp Production (video)
f.
Prepare a two- to three-page display involving stamps. Using ingenuity,
as well as clippings, drawings, etc., tell a story about the stamps ,
and how they relate to history, geography, or a favorite topic of
yours.
Resource:
8.
Mount and show, in a purchased or homemade album, ONE of the following:
Resource:
a.
A collection of 250 or more different stamps from at least 15 countries
b.
A collection of a stamp from each of 50 different countries, mounted on
maps to show the location of each
c.
A collection of 100 or more different stamps from either one country or
a group of closely related countries
d.
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, holidays, trains, famous people, space, and
medicine). Stamps may be from different countries.
e.
A collection of postal items discovered in your mail by monitoring it
over a period of 30 days. Include at least five different types listed
in requirement 3.
