Welcome to the home of Britains best First Day Covers

Putting the classics in your collection

The First Day Cover Masterclass

Take your knowledge to a new level

This is your chance. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced collector, this online, distance learning course gives you the edge. It hands you experience and tips learnt over decades from 2 of the world's top experts, allowing you to know when a price is right, when you're being ripped off, what should prove a good investment and how to tell the gems from the dross!

"As well as helping you understand the history of covers and your collection, I hope the masterclass will let you into some of the secrets, including the things we look for when hunting for First Day Covers"
 Brian Austin, Course Tutor

  • The FIRST and ONLY specialist course in first day covers
  • Endorsed by Stamp Magazine
  • Led by 2 world experts Tony Buckingham & Brian Austin
  • Learn to collect for interest and even financial gain
  • Suitable for complete beginner to experienced cover collector
  • FREE to take or . . .
  • Take the short assignments for £10 to get your Certificate of Completion
  • Next course starts September 2010

Register Here see the syllabus Meet the Tutors

The Cover Masterclass is believed to be the world's first and only course in first day covers.

Led by 2 world experts, Tony Buckingham and Brian Austin and sponsored by Stamp Magazine , it aims to give collectors that all important weapon: knowledge.

Our online course takes students from the very basics of collecting covers, through to judging condition, spotting errors, and building a collection for interest and even financial gain.

The course is online only, next starting in September 2010. It is suitable for complete beginners or experienced cover collectors. Lessons will be posted RIGHT HERE on our website every 2 weeks while the course is running. Lessons can be completed in your own time. No deadlines!

You can sign up right now to be emailed when a new lesson goes up and you can read all the course material for FREE.

Or you can choose to pay £10 to take a short assignment after each lesson which will be marked. This will give you:

  • Certificate of Completion from Buckingham Covers and Stamp Magazine
  • Knowledge that you are the first in the world to hold a certificate in first day covers
  • Membership exclusive of the Buckingham Covers Expert Collector club.

What if I fail?

You won't! The assignments are straightforward and in the unlikely event that you do not pass each assignment first time, Brian Austin will support you and you can re-take as often as you want to. The assignments and certificate are not about pass or failing but about showing that you have taken the time and trouble to read the lessons and do the course properly.

The Buckingham Covers Expert Collector Club

Membership of the Buckingham Covers Expert Collector club is exclusive to students who have successfully gained their Certificate and allows them many benefits, including free advice and valuations, discounts off covers sold by Buckingham Covers and free entrance to any future Masterclass courses.

"I believe that collecting must be done for genuine enjoyment rather than purely as an investment but if people do hope to make money on their collection, knowledge is essential."
Besides, knowledge brings such genuine enjoyment of your hobby".
Tony Buckingham

Register Here

 

Meet the Tutors

 

Tony BuckinghamTony Buckingham

Tony is not short of knowledge, with 40 years experience as a collector, dealer and cover producer. "But I still get surprises!" he grins, "There is always more to learn about covers!"

Tony was the first winner of Royal Mail's prestigious Rowland Hill Award for his contribution to philately, edited the first day cover catalogue Collect FDC for nearly 20 years and is a regular contributor to many leading magazines. Tony founded and ran Benham (one of the UK's largest cover publishers) until he sold the company in 1997. Retirement didn't suit him (he missed covers too much) and he started a new cover company, Buckingham Covers in 2000.
Tony has written several of the Masterclass lessons personally.

 

Brian AustinBrian Austin

As Head Buyer at Buckingham Covers, Brian sees thousands of collections each year, has a wealth of knowledge and is a regular writer for Stamp and Coin Mart. He is often asked for advice by collectors. Brian has nearly 25 years experience of covers.
Brian is the course tutor and will be marking your assignments. He has written most of the course personally.

 

The syllabus

  1. (Introduction) The basics
  2. Judging a good cover
  3. Kings and Queens
  4. Queen Victoria
  5. Pre Decimal Queen Elizabeth II
  6. The 1970's
  7. The last 25 years
  8. Definitives
  9. Officials
  10. Errors
  11. Sleepers
END OF MASTERCLASS

Successful students will receive their certificates by the end of January 2011.
Bonus Extra Lesson

  • Lesson 11) The Next Steps (Assignment for this is optional)

 

Any questions? If you have any questions about the Masterclass, just email betty@buckinghamcovers.com and we'll get straight back to you.

Register Here

Sign me up for the Masterclass!
*Please remember to include your name and email address in the body of the email.

 

Buckingham Covers
Brought to you by
the First in First Day Covers
Stamp Magazine
The World's Best Philatelic Publication



 

 

Buckingham Covers Limited, registered in England No. 03877048 is part of Internet Stamps Group Limited, registered in England No. 03497867. Registered office for both: Warren House, Shearway Rd, Folkestone, Kent CT19 4BF, UK.
Tel. (+44)01303 278 137. Email. betty@buckinghamcovers.com

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