Ron
Member 
Inactive
Posts: 317 
What I collect: Collecting US, Canada, Poland, Liechtenstein and a boat load of topical themes.
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Post by Ron on Jul 22, 2016 17:22:10 GMT
The computer and internet combination have done some wonderful things for the stamp collecting community - this forum is a good example of one of the good things. The ability to interact so easily with other collectors from the far flung reaches of the world, the ability to shop and research online are two other positives of stamp collecting in the digital age. What I think is the downside is the loss of stamp stores and the opportunity to walk in and see with your own eyes what I'm considering purchasing, being able to have personal interaction with other collectors and see what and how the collect, however, is sorely missing.
For me I wonder am I collecting right? Is there a right and a wrong to it all? What could I do to/with my collection or add to it that others have done but won't ever see or think of on my own. Not that I'm looking to steal another person's ideas mind you but seeing another collectors album(s) could trigger all sorts of ideas for my own.
For example I have my US collection in Harris Liberty albums and, of course, I'm looking to fill every single empty space but I also insert blank quadrille pages and ad lib a few things - a pertinent cover here and there, coil pairs, booklets and the like. It's really a by the seat of my pants kind of thing - in the end it's my collection and as long as I'm pleased that's all that matters. Still, I would be nice to see what others are doing up close and personal and likewise share with them.
I think I just need to get my behind up and join the local stamp club and put to rest these nagging questions.
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Ryan
Moderator 
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,749
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Jul 23, 2016 3:22:37 GMT
For me I wonder am I collecting right? Is there a right and a wrong to it all? .... in the end it's my collection and as long as I'm pleased that's all that matters. The answer to the first question is yes. The answer to the second question is no. And the last sentence quoted is the reason why the first answer is yes and the second answer is no! ha ha If you're trying to collect for the purposes of impressing others, then of course you need to target your collection around what impresses others. There is an art to that and competitions in exhibitions target the perfection of that art. Of course, "perfection" in that sense is entirely subjective and each judge has an individual idea of what is perfect. (See this week's Linn's Stamp News for an op ed written by a Dutch collector ranting about the poor competition results obtained by Dutch exhibitions at the recent World Stamp Show in New York.) There's a lot of value for any "digital age" collector in exhibiting, as so much can be found online (for example, see Exponet). But I, personally, get far more enjoyment out of my collection by digging through piles of stuff than I ever would by making attempts at collecting & displaying according to the standards set by others. After all, in the end it's my collection and as long as I'm pleased, that's all that matters. Ryan |
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theamateurphilatelist
Member
Keep calm and collect stamps!!
Posts: 317
What I collect: India, Machins, India, Laos, Austria, Russia, Commonwealth omnibuses, Covers, Birds
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Post by theamateurphilatelist on Jul 23, 2016 12:23:37 GMT
The computer and internet combination have done some wonderful things for the stamp collecting community - this forum is a good example of one of the good things. The ability to interact so easily with other collectors from the far flung reaches of the world, the ability to shop and research online are two other positives of stamp collecting in the digital age. What I think is the downside is the loss of stamp stores and the opportunity to walk in and see with your own eyes what I'm considering purchasing, being able to have personal interaction with other collectors and see what and how the collect, however, is sorely missing. Well, another downside of computer and internet combination on stamp collecting is that there are much fewer letters being posted and even fewer stamps being used these days    |
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Ron
Member
Inactive
Posts: 317
What I collect: Collecting US, Canada, Poland, Liechtenstein and a boat load of topical themes.
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Post by Ron on Jul 23, 2016 14:55:55 GMT
You both are so right and encouraging. On an upside note, Manishmo, I have a 14 year old granddaughter who likes "vintage things" ... she and I write letters to each other a few times a month and she gets the biggest kick out of actually getting "snail mail". I started collecting when I became a grandfather the first time and consider my granddaughter the owner of "my" collection and myself as a mere steward. Sadly she shows zero interest (so far) in philately. However, we did use part of her collection for a Social Studies Fair project on the postal system - she garnered 2nd place in the parish (county) but most important got an A in Social Studies that year.
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Mick
Member
Posts: 992
What I collect: Mostly covers and postmarks. Also miscellaneous paper ephemera.
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Post by Mick on Jul 23, 2016 15:46:57 GMT
You both are so right and encouraging. On an upside note, Manishmo, I have a 14 year old granddaughter who likes "vintage things" ... she and I write letters to each other a few times a month and she gets the biggest kick out of actually getting "snail mail". I started collecting when I became a grandfather the first time and consider my granddaughter the owner of "my" collection and myself as a mere steward. Sadly she shows zero interest (so far) in philately. However, we did use part of her collection for a Social Studies Fair project on the postal system - she garnered 2nd place in the parish (county) but most important got an A in Social Studies that year. Congrats to her, and I think it's a fine thing that the two of you write letters to one another. I hope that it can be "your thing" for many years to come :-). And maybe she will get more interested in the postal history side of philately. As an aside, has anyone had any experience with the Cover Collectors Circuit Club? On the one hand it seems like it may be fun to join. But on the other hand the example covers on their web page all seem quite artificially "philatelic", which does not interest me that much. |
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Ron
Member
Inactive
Posts: 317
What I collect: Collecting US, Canada, Poland, Liechtenstein and a boat load of topical themes.
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Post by Ron on Jul 23, 2016 15:53:09 GMT
You both are so right and encouraging. On an upside note, Manishmo, I have a 14 year old granddaughter who likes "vintage things" ... she and I write letters to each other a few times a month and she gets the biggest kick out of actually getting "snail mail". I started collecting when I became a grandfather the first time and consider my granddaughter the owner of "my" collection and myself as a mere steward. Sadly she shows zero interest (so far) in philately. However, we did use part of her collection for a Social Studies Fair project on the postal system - she garnered 2nd place in the parish (county) but most important got an A in Social Studies that year. Congrats to her, and I think it's a fine thing that the two of you write letters to one another. I hope that it can be "your thing" for many years to come :-). And maybe she will get more interested in the postal history side of philately. As an aside, has anyone had any experience with the Cover Collectors Circuit Club? On the one hand it seems like it may be fun to join. But on the other hand the example covers on their web page all seem quite artificially "philatelic", which does not interest me that much. I have to agree with the "artificially philatelic" ... there's a certain beauty to covers obviously never intended for collecting but sent as mere communication, greetings, congratulations and the sort. Most of us are old enough to remember writing and receiving letters and know their contents were often quite ordinary and I don't ever recall mailing a letter thinking it may someday end up in the hands of a collector. However, how cool would it be to come across a lot of covers only to find one sent or received by you? Long shot of long shots but it would be incredible! |
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phook
**Member** 
Posts: 14
What I collect: Netherlands, birds on stamps, 1950-1970
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Post by phook on Jul 25, 2016 12:24:49 GMT
I think it was the internet that got me back into collecting, especially being able to buy from Ebay.
The range of what is available (in relation to both stamps and information) is fantastic. Forums are (mostly) friendly and welcoming.
I've been to a couple of stamp fairs, but didn't really greatly enjoy the experience. I mostly buy lower end stuff, so perhaps dealers aren't that interested.
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theamateurphilatelist
Member
Keep calm and collect stamps!!
Posts: 317
What I collect: India, Machins, India, Laos, Austria, Russia, Commonwealth omnibuses, Covers, Birds
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Post by theamateurphilatelist on Jul 27, 2016 7:05:51 GMT
I think it was the internet that got me back into collecting, especially being able to buy from Ebay. The range of what is available (in relation to both stamps and information) is fantastic. Forums are (mostly) friendly and welcoming. I've been to a couple of stamp fairs, but didn't really greatly enjoy the experience. I mostly buy lower end stuff, so perhaps dealers aren't that interested. It definitely has made buying stamps very easy. And now I can buy from across the globe too :-) |
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theamateurphilatelist
Member
Keep calm and collect stamps!!
Posts: 317
What I collect: India, Machins, India, Laos, Austria, Russia, Commonwealth omnibuses, Covers, Birds
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Post by theamateurphilatelist on Jul 27, 2016 7:07:14 GMT
You both are so right and encouraging. On an upside note, Manishmo, I have a 14 year old granddaughter who likes "vintage things" ... she and I write letters to each other a few times a month and she gets the biggest kick out of actually getting "snail mail". I started collecting when I became a grandfather the first time and consider my granddaughter the owner of "my" collection and myself as a mere steward. Sadly she shows zero interest (so far) in philately. However, we did use part of her collection for a Social Studies Fair project on the postal system - she garnered 2nd place in the parish (county) but most important got an A in Social Studies that year. That is such a sweet thing to start with. I am sure she'll get a liking to stamps too in due course of time with letter writing. You care lucky man Ron  |
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