The Blog

Notes from a mountain stamp shop.

Practical philately from Carolina Mountain Stamps — a family-run shop in Hendersonville, North Carolina, serving collectors for more than twenty years.

Brass magnifying glass over vintage United States postage stamps including Washington and Franklin issues

Value & grading4 min read

How to Tell If Your Old Stamps Are Worth Anything

August 28, 2026

Rarity, centering, gum, errors, and plate blocks all affect what old stamps are worth. A practical guide from a family that has been identifying collections for 20+ years.

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Classic United States first day cover envelope with a cachet, commemorative stamp, and First Day of Issue cancellation

Covers4 min read

What Are First Day Covers and Why Do Collectors Love Them?

August 18, 2026

A first day cover is a stamp on an envelope cancelled the day it was issued. Here is why cachets, cancellations, and condition make collectors hunt for them.

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Open stamp album page with rows of vintage postage stamps and philatelic tongs resting on the page

Getting started4 min read

A Beginner's Guide to Starting a Stamp Collection

August 8, 2026

How to choose a focus, gather a few essential tools, find stamps, and store them so the collection lasts — from a Hendersonville shop that has helped beginners for twenty years.

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