 Stamp Collecting
This Merit Badge requires 1 session to complete.
The Pathways to Eagle preparation work items for the Stamp Collecting merit badge are: 7, 8
- Items in RED - MUST be completed before the session starts to make it possible to complete the merit badge at Pathways to Eagle. Bring proof of completion (item, written work, note, photo, etc.)
- Items in GREEN - Can be completed before the session starts or done during merit badge session.
- Items in BLACK - MUST be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of these requirements during the merit badge session.
Scouts are strongly encouraged to use a Merit Badge worksheet to show that they have done the preparation work for the merit badge.
Download the workbook for the
Stamp Collecting Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from the U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
Scouts MUST be able to discuss any items completed as preparation works or as written work.
Note: Some requirements contain items that fall into more that one category and are listed as the higher category.
| a. |
Discuss how you can better understand people,
places, institutions, history, and geography as a
result of collecting stamps. |
| 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. |
3. |
Show at least ONE example of each of the following: |
| a. |
Perforated and imperforate stamps |
| c. |
Sheet, booklet, and coil stamps |
| d. |
Numbers on plate block, booklet, or coil, or
marginal markings |
| e. |
Overprint and surcharge |
| g. |
Definitive, commemorative, semipostal, and airmail
stamps |
| h. |
Cancellation and postmark |
| j. |
Postal stationery (aerogramme, stamped envelope, and
postal card) |
| 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. |
5. |
Demonstrate the use of at least THREE of the
following stamp collector’s tools: |
| d. |
Hinges and stamp mounts |
| f. |
Glassine envelopes and cover sleeves |
| a. |
Show a stamp album and how to mount stamps with or
without hinges. Show at least ONE page that displays
several stamps. |
| b. |
Discuss at least THREE ways you can help to preserve
stamps, covers, and albums in first-class condition. |
7. |
Do at least TWO of the following: |
| a. |
Design a stamp, cancellation, or cachet. |
| b. |
Visit a post office, stamp club, or stamp show with
an experienced collector. Explain what you saw and
learned. |
| c. |
Write a review of an interesting article from a
stamp newspaper, magazine, book, or website (with
your parent’s permission). |
| d. |
Research and report on a famous stamp-related
personality or the history behind a particular
stamp. |
| e. |
Describe the steps taken to produce a stamp. Include
the methods of printing, types of paper, perforation
styles, and how they are gummed. |
| 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. |
8. |
Mount and show, in a purchased or homemade album,
ONE of the following: |
| 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. |
|
The requirements listed on this web site are believed to be correct.
The official requirements can be found in the current edition of
"Boy Scout Requirements Book 2025"
Download the workbook for the
Stamp Collecting Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from, The U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
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