Scouting/BSA/Stamp Collecting Merit Badge

Requirement 1
Do the following:


 * 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.

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:


 * A. Perforated and imperforate stamps
 * B. Mint and used stamps
 * C. Sheet, booklet, and coil stamps
 * D. Numbers on plate block, booklet, or coil, or marginal markings
 * E. Overprint and surcharge
 * F. Metered mail
 * G. Definitive, commemorative, semipostal, and airmail stamps
 * H. Cancellation and postmark
 * I. First day cover
 * J. Postal stationery (aerogramme, stamped envelope, and postal card)

Requirement 4
Do the following:


 * 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.

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


 * A. Stamp tongs
 * B. Water and tray
 * C. Magnifiers
 * D. Hinges and stamp mounts
 * E. Perforation gauge
 * F. Glassine envelopes and cover sleeves
 * G. Watermark fluid

Requirement 6
Do the following:


 * 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.

Requirement 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 Web site (with your parent's permission).
 * D. Research and report on a famous stamp-related personality or the history behind a particular stamp.
 * D. 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.

Requirement 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.