Requirement 1: Do the following:

Requirement 1a: Discuss how you can better understand people, places, institutions, history, and geography as a result of collecting stamps.

Requirement 1b: 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.

Requirement 2: Define topical stamp collecting. Name and describe three other types of stamp collections.

Requirement 3: Show at least ONE example of each of the following:

Requirement 3a: Perforated and imperforate stamps

Requirement 3b: Mint and used stamps

Requirement 3c: Sheet-booklet and coil stamps

Requirement 3d: Numbers on plate block, booklet, coil, or marginal markings

Requirement 3e: Overprint and surcharge

Requirement 3f: Metered mail

Requirement 3g: Definitive, commemorative, semipostal, and airmail stamps

Requirement 3h: Cancellation and postmark

Requirement 3i: First day cover

Requirement 3j: Postal stationery (aerogramme, stamped envelope, and postal card)

Requirement 4: Do the following:

Requirement 4a: Demonstrate the use of ONE standard catalog for several different stamp issues. Explain why catalog value can vary from the corresponding purchase price.

Requirement 4b: 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.

Requirement 5: Demonstrate the use of at least THREE of the following stamp collector's tool:

Requirement 5a: Stamp tongs

Requirement 5b: Water and Tray

Requirement 5c: Magnifiers

Requirement 5d: Hinges and stamp mounts

Requirement 5e: Perforation gauge

Requirement 5f: Glassine envelopes and cover sleeves

Requirement 5g: Watermark fluid

Requirement 6: Do the following:

Requirement 6a: Show a stamp album and how to mount stamps with or without hinges. Show at least ONE page that displays several stamps.

Requirement 6b: Discuss at least THREE ways you can help to preserve stamps, covers, and albums in first-class condition.

Requirement 7: Do at least TWO of the following:

Requirement 7a: Design a stamp, cancellation, or cachet.

Requirement 7b: Visit a post office, stamp club, or stamp show with an experienced collector. Explain what you saw and learned.

Requirement 7c: Write a review of an interesting article from a stamp newspaper, magazine, book or Web site (with your parent's permission).

Requirement 7d: Research and report on a famous stamp-related personality or the history behind a particular stamp.

Requirement 7e: Describe the steps taken to produce a stamp. include the methods of printing, types of paper, perforation styles, and how they are gummed.

Requirement 7f: 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.

Requirement 8: Mount and show, in a purchased or homemade album, ONE of the following:

Requirement 8a: A collection of 250 or more different stamps from at least 15 countries.

Requirement 8b: A collection of a stamp from each of 50 different countries, mounted on maps to show the location of each.

Requirement 8c: A collection of 100 or more different stamps from either one country or a group of closely related countries.

Requirement 8d: 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.

Requirement 8e: 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.