To outline all of the facets and sidelines of stamp collecting is much like trying to define outer space. Each has almost limitless boundaries.

Stamp collecting`s charm is its individual, tailor-made freedom to fit the desires of any collector for as much as he wishes to spend in time, money and effort. For beginning collectors, some good advice is not to take on more than they can handle comfortably in all of those areas. That maxim applies whether stamps are collected by country, by topic, by time period or within any other personal parameters.

Many years ago, it was possible to collect all the stamps of the world. A small, optimistic minority may still try to do so. But with more than a half million stamps already issued worldwide, and with thousands more being released each year, that is an impossible dream even for the opulent few. Great rarities and thousands of varieties now make it impractical for anyone, however wealthy, to attain world completeness.

The following guidelines may aid you in whatever your collecting choices may be.

Enjoyment: Collect what pleases you or what interests you.
Many fine, award-winning collectors follow that path, collecting stamps or covers just for the fun of it. F. Burton Sellers, a prominent collector, works hard on the stamps of Haiti, Panama and United States possessions.
The late Emerson Clark, a past president of the American Philatelic Society, specialized in the stamps of Canada and Mexico.
The message from these prominent collectors is clear: You can be serious about stamp collecting and have fun at the same time. These fine collectors are saying you may do what you please, without worrying about cataloging, organization or whether anyone else collects that way. Collecting stamps and their related material is probably the least structured hobby in the world; you can do exactly as you wish.

Common sense: Be aware of your financial limitations, and beware of unbelievable bargains and outrageous pricing. Most beginning collectors attempt to try for too broad a stamp spectrum. Collecting every U.S. postage stamp is now almost an impossible dream.
Tightening your collecting goals will allow you to become more knowledgeable about what you do collect. With that focused knowledge comes price sagacity, better selectivity and, very possibly, more enjoyment

Authoritative sources: Let yourself be guided by any and all reliable sources. Read avidly, seek information and assistance in your stamp searching, follow the philatelic press, and never be afraid or too proud to ask for help from fellow collectors and dealers who know your collecting field.

Join a local stamp club or start one if none exists in your community. When it comes to stamp collecting, camaraderie and knowledge just seem to go together. International, national and regional societies now embrace almost every collecting phase and stamp-issuing country. Seek them out. Many societies publish data about specific collecting fields in newsletters, papers and journals. Some maintain libraries whose books are available to members.

Techniques: Learn as much as you can about the stamp hobby, its tools, language and methods. Good basic catalogs will give you much of this information; their introductions often can educate you on terms, printing methods and stamp design. Read them, though they may seem complex at first. A thorough knowledge of these will help you attain your collecting goals. When you realize, for example, that a tiny variance in perforations can mean the difference between a common stamp and one of great value, you will appreciate the wisdom of a quest for philatelic knowledge.

Although you have been advised to limit your collecting goals, don`t apply that rule to your accumulation of knowledge. As with antique and art collecting, knowledge and discernment are the keys to common-sense approaches and the enjoyment of your hobby.