Hobby: Stamp Collecting

While not necessarily a hobby for the elite, stamp collecting required an eye for detail.

For a start, a piece is usually scrutinised in such detail, that even the way it is perforated is taken into account.

There are no less than seven types of roulettes in the perforations ranging from ordinary serrated lines to serpentine loops.

Another feature is the watermark behind the miniature sheets. Patterns may vary from crowns, rosettes, checks and scrolled 'S's.

Then, there is the antiquity factor.

Errors and oddities are another factor to look out for.

How about its value ?.

It all boils down to scarcity. The harder the stamp to find, the higher the price.