How Much Is A Book of Stamps

Need to mail an urgent letter but do not have any stamp at hand? We understand what you’re going through right now. Having a sheet or a book of stamps handy is necessary as you never when you might need to mail an urgent letter or envelope to your customers or a family member. Unlike the olden days, you do not have to run to the postal office to ask for a few stamps to mail your letters. With the technological innovations that USPS has made in the past few years, you can get access to any postal service using the tip of your fingers. Not only can you order a few stamps online, but you can also get yourself an entire book of stamps. But how much is a book of stamps? Let’s discuss below…

How Much Is a Book of Stamps Cost

The USPS facility issues stamps to every corner in the USA. Not only can you buy single stamps, but you can also buy sheets, booklets, and coils as well. And guess what, these stamps aren’t just available on the USPS site, but many other popular business websites and retail outlets. With such diversity in the availability of stamps, you can get a significant amount of stamps in a single go. But should you be investing in a book of stamps when USPS keeps changing the prices of postage stamps every one or two years? Well let’s suppose you are a business person and you need to send mails to many customers in a single day, so how many booklets do you buy? How many stamps are there in a single booklet? And of course how much is a book of stamps?

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Before we answer any of these questions, you need to understand what a first class postage stamp is. This postage stamp is affixed on all first class mails and it has a value of 58 cents. The first class forever stamps are one of the most commonly used stamps and these stamps are manufactured in bulk quantities throughout the entire year, unlike other stamps. As many people send mails through this mailing class, they make use of these stamps to pay for the postage.

So, How Much Is a Book of Stamps and How Many Stamps Are in a Book?

A first class postage stamp book is used by almost everyone who uses USPS services to send mails. USPS updates the designs on the stamps every year and every book may or may have the same price. Now, the number of stamps in a single book varies as well but the standard stamp book(when purchased online from USPS official website) contains a total of 20 stamps. If you are buying a forever stamp book from any other website or any other retail outlet, then you might get a larger quantity of 30, 45, or 50 stamps. 

On August 29, 2021, the price of the Forever stamp has been updated to 58 cents from 55 cents. As Forever stamps can be used on first class mails for literally forever, you do not have to pay for the extra postage if you have already purchased these stamps before August 29th. So, now that you know how much is a book of stamps, purchasing forever stamps in bulk quantities is never a bad idea. Now moving towards the cost of these books, if you are buying a forever stamp book from USPS online website, you need to pay a total of $11.60 for a book of 20 Forever stamps with each stamp worth 58 cents. 

How Much Is a Book of Stamps if Purchased From Retail Stores or Business Websites?

Would you be surprised to know that if you buy booklets of stamps from business websites or retail outlets, you might get them at a cheaper rate? Websites such as stamps.com or eBay, and retail outlets like Amazon or Walmart also sell stamps in bulk quantities at cheaper rates. In some cases, you might also get a discount(during the holiday season) if you are purchasing stamp books from the USPS official site.

Do Forever Stamps Expire? 

Forever stamps do not expire. Well, they are called Forever stamps for a reason. These stamps were introduced in the year 2007. Forever stamps were a huge hit as soon as these stamps hit the market. Some people still use the stamps they purchased in the year 2007 for mailing their one-ounce letters. Hence, called Forever stamps. 

What About Those Stamps Which Are Not Classified as Forever Stamps?

As far as other stamps are considered, any stamp that is not damaged or used remains valid for use. If the price of a stamp(other than Forever stamps) has increased, then the person needs to pay the updated postage price. So, instead of discarding the old book of stamps, you simply need to make up for those extra cents. 

What Are the Different Categories of Postal Stamps Available?

Many kinds of postal stamps are out there and each stamp is used for a specific reason. Some of the most important types of stamps are as follows:

• Definitive stamp: A definitive stamp is a stamp that has a definite value imprinted on it. These stamps are manufactured in bulk quantities throughout the year. These stamps remain valid until they are reprinted by the official government of that state. The definitive stamps come in various designs and it is updated at regular intervals y the government.
• Semi-postal stamps: A semi-postal stamp is a stamp that is pricier than the usual definitive stamps. The additional surcharge is imposed so that the revenue generated is distributed to those organizations that are working towards a specific social cause. The first semi-postal stamp was created in 1997 with the aim of collecting funds for breast cancer research. Although the government was certain that people would not invest extra money for these stamps, they still carried on with the procedure of introducing these stamps to the public. To their surprise, more than half the population purchased these stamps and the project was successful.
• Commemorative stamps: These stamps are used to honor those people and events that shaped the history of a country. The first commemorative stamp was issued in the year 1893 which featured Christopher Columbus and his adventurous voyages.

Stamp Collecting as a Hobby

If you aren’t a stamp collector, then you probably won’t understand the appeal of collecting stamps, as they are just a piece of ancient paper. Well, that’s exactly why many history buffs are obsessed with collecting stamps as they not only get to explore and learn about the diverse ancient cultures and traditions, but they also get to keep a part of that ancient culture as a token of remembrance in their scrapbooks. Let’s not forget that many stamp collectors also love to show off their collections to their fellow competitors. If you’ve never been a stamp collector before, then this can be a bit difficult for you, as those stamps aren’t available everywhere. You need to look everywhere to build a bigger, better collection. Some of the equipment that you might need to get started is:

• Tweezers or tongs
• Perforation guides
• Watermark fluid
• Stamp book
• Hinges

How to Start Stamp Collection

Now, you need to decide where to get the stamps from. There are many places from which you can get stamps. You can go to auctions, stamp fairies, or visit any charity shop, talk to a dealer who sells ancient stamps, etc. You can also buy a book of stamps from eCommerce stores, considering you have an of how much is a book of stamps. As a collector, you need to do the research and ensure that the stamps are authentic.

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When your stamps are ready, soak them in warm water(with the design of the stamp facing upwards) for 10 to 15 minutes. Peel away the paper that sticks to the bottom of the stamp and separate the stamp from the paper. Place the stamps carefully by sandwiching them between the kitchen towels. You can place this kitchen towel in between a thick book to prevent it from crumbling. Once this is done, you have to mount the stamps with the stamp hinges. 

As a beginner, you obviously cannot learn about the art of stamp collecting in a single day. You need to learn about the different varieties of stamps, the tools needed, learning the methods to keep your stamps from deteriorating and so much more. We recommend you to read this book titled The Complete Guide to Stamp and Stamp Collecting. This book covers the basics of stamp collecting and how you can start your very own collection. If you require more information on the types of stamps, then make sure to check out this book on The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps.

Conclusion

Now that you have an idea of how much is a book of stamps on USPS, you can go grab as many Forever stamps as you want. Make sure to check out more stamps from the USPS Stamps Page as there is a variety of holiday stamps, commemorative stamps, the first day of issues stamps and so many more. If you love to collect stamps, then we have also suggested a few books that can help you learn more about stamp collecting.

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