Joe McKinney, age 12, of Nashville, Tenn, for his question:

Are stamps bought from a stamp company reproductions?

Stamp dealers sell real stamps, not reproductions. This is true even of the little package of stamps you buy for a few cents. Chances are you are not likely to find a valuable stamp in this inexpensive assortment, though this has happened. The dealer collects his stamps in bulk from all over the world and he is likely to spot any rare items and place them in a more expensive selection.

Any assortment of stamps is useful to the beginner. There are tricks to handling those little bits of paper and practice work is necessary. An unskilled collector is sure to muss up a few stamps while learning the tricks of his hobby.

The stamps a beginner buys may not be rarities, but they are real and full of meaning. They come from far off places which makes them world travelers, ready to give you information ‑ when you know how to read them. Most rare items are old stamps. These fellows are time travelers as well as globe trotters. They are willing to give you historical information ‑when you know how to read them.