coastwatcher
Departed
Rest in Peace
Kentucky, USA
Posts: 506
What I collect: Currently focusing on US and possessions
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Post by coastwatcher on Feb 8, 2019 4:33:39 GMT
Who among you cuts off your collections in a certain year? Why did you decide on that particular year? A few of my collections, Rhodesia and German Third Reich, are naturally limited to the years in which they existed. The British Solomon Islands became independent in 1978 and I cut my collection off there. As for the other countries I collect, the cut-off date is usually 2000. Being the end of the millennium, it seems to be a good cut-off point.
There are several reasons why I shy away from post-2000 issues and the ones listed apply primarily to US issues. One is the cost of all the new issues. It seems as though most stamps are issued in souvenir sheets these days and, instead of buying a single stamp, you end up having to buy 20 or more. Instead of the blocks of four that I grew up with, most setenant sets contain 8 or more. I would much rather spend the money it takes to buy a current year set on pre-1930 US issues that I need. Another reason is that I HATE self-adhesive stamps. Having these in my collection makes me feel as though I’m a sticker collector, not a stamp collector.
One more reason is that I don’t like the designs of the majority of stamps produced today. Many are just photographs on stickers and many are just too abstract for my taste. Although an occasional photograph would be fine, they need to move away from them and use more artwork. How about an occasional engraved, water activated issue commemorating a historical event.
The final reason is that I consider quite a few of the issues put out each year as frivolous. I love the Star Wars movies (I was 12 when the original came out) but I don’t feel that it deserves a stamp set, much less Harry Potter! This is just my personal opinion, but I started collecting stamps during the US Bicentennial era partly due to my love of history and stamps commemorating fantasy movies just don’t do it for me.
Sorry if this seems to be a bit of a rant but I was just looking over the upcoming 2019 US issues and, the more I saw, the more I knew that I had made the right decision. I know I’m going to sound like a spoiled child, but I want the stamp issuing policies of my youth back!
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loupy
Member 
Back and active, thank you!
Posts: 70
What I collect: US to 2000 with a focus on 720 & 721, WW 1840 - 1930, DDR 5 year workers, Machins, Canada Centennials, Brazil Allegories, Mexico Archiecture & Archaeology 1950 -75, used stamps preffered when possible.
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Post by loupy on Feb 8, 2019 7:22:20 GMT
I cut off my WW at 1930 which enables me to have 10 years of Classic material to trade for older stamps with other Classic collectors and avoid what I consider a rash of stamp issues aimed at collectors and not really intended to move mail during the world wide economic depression of the 30's. US, I cut off at 2000, but am considering backing that down to maybe through 1977, after which the USPO declared that all the new stamp designs, starting with Scott's #1731 in 1978, were copyrighted, and belonged to the PO. I am starting to feel that they can keep them and I will collect the older stamps that belong to the American people. I too hate the self adhesive stamps, don't care for most of the designs, and find it a chore to collect the newer stamps. Life is short and stamp collecting should be enjoyed. I enjoy the older issues much more than the current "new" issues which in my opinion are aimed at emptying stamp collectors pockets rather than to move any mail.
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Post by feebletodix on Feb 8, 2019 7:49:37 GMT
No. My collecing is done by bottom feeding, scooping up the junk lots that dealers cannot be bothered to go through. Those mixed boxes of leftovers collectors accrete during years spent looking for that gap filler. Mostly for the fun of the rummage.... and the avaricious joy of finding an expensive stamp bought for pennies. Without the drive to specialise, anything from anytime can be kept. Even cinderellas and advertising 'junk' or so I am advised it is properly called.
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator 
Posts: 5,912 
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Feb 8, 2019 7:54:57 GMT
I cut off my WW at 1930 which enables me to have 10 years of Classic material to trade for older stamps with other Classic collectors and avoid what I consider a rash of stamp issues aimed at collectors and not really intended to move mail during the world wide economic depression of the 30's. US, I cut off at 2000, but am considering backing that down to maybe through 1977, after which the USPO declared that all the new stamp designs, starting with Scott's #1731 in 1978, were copyrighted, and belonged to the PO. I am starting to feel that they can keep them and I will collect the older stamps that belong to the American people. I too hate the self adhesive stamps, don't care for most of the designs, and find it a chore to collect the newer stamps. Life is short and stamp collecting should be enjoyed. I enjoy the older issues much more than the current "new" issues which in my opinion are aimed at emptying stamp collectors pockets rather than to move any mail. Well, coastwatcher, I hate to say "me, too" but that is where I am on this question. Like Loupy, I cut off my WW at 1930 for a few reasons. First, like you and Loupy, I didn't want to have to try to keep up with new issues, due to cost and the fact that I don't like them that much. I agree that the self-adhesives are also problematic. I really like the classic issues, and I actually find myself even gravitating more towards 19th Century than the later part of my era (1901-1930). And on top of that, when I went back to WW collecting, I started with an album which was published around 1929-1930, so 1930 was a pretty logical cut-off date. I have been relatively satisfied with that decision, although I do find myself keeping some post-1930 material which has sentimental value or some other aspect that appeals to me. |
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,699
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Feb 8, 2019 11:01:18 GMT
For worldwide, I am focused on British empire primarily KGV to 1980 or so which was the beginning of the Disney and other frivolous issue era.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2019 11:34:56 GMT
Up to the point they stopped being issued solely for postal use and became little more than stickers and cash cows which varied by country.
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tobben63
Member
Stamp eat sleep repeat
Posts: 1,874
What I collect: I collect to much, world wide!
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Post by tobben63 on Feb 8, 2019 11:43:08 GMT
Yes I have cut of year for most countries i collect. For the Scandinavian countries it is when my lighthouse album stops. I think Iceland go to 2009, the others stops earlier.
Germany (Federal, DDR and Berlin) I stop in 1991.
Most other european countries I stop in 1940 (I have an old Schaubek album for all European issued in 1942.
Some other European countries I collect longer (1970 etc). I dont care of the new stamps, hate self stickers stamps.
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renden
Member
Posts: 9,162
What I collect: Canada-USA-France-Lithuania-Austria--Germany-Mauritius-French Colonies in Africa
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Post by renden on Feb 8, 2019 13:55:31 GMT
Most WW collections stop beginning of the 60s except 1) Canada, which goes in the 2000s 2) USA which goes to 1970 3) Some countries will pass the 60s as I have received many "dups" and S/S from friends around the World. If something new that I like appears, I will add it to the designated Country.....year does not matter so......flexibility is my opinion.
René
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madbaker
Member
Posts: 802
What I collect: (Mark) General worldwide collector (to 1975 or so) with a soft spot for Sweden and the rest of Scandinavia.
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Post by madbaker on Feb 8, 2019 14:27:40 GMT
I’m with feebletodix. I’ll keep anything that crosses the threshold and gladly add it to my albums. That being said, what I buy is slightly different. I try to find older material, say pre-1975 and I’m not too fussed by the classics. I’d say 1900-1960 is my sweet spot. Even my beloved Sweden took a nosedive after Mr. Slania died in 2000 or so. So while I don’t love modern issues like the early 20th century, I’ll still merge them in if I get them. Ah, the fun of a rummage through an old envelope filled with smaller glassines full of (mainly all different) stamps. It really doesn’t matter what’s in there to make me happy! |
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Feb 8, 2019 14:59:56 GMT
My non-BNA stuff stops where ever the first section of Stiener pages stopped.The U.S. is up to 2013 and Canada I plan to fill complete.
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renden
Member
Posts: 9,162
What I collect: Canada-USA-France-Lithuania-Austria--Germany-Mauritius-French Colonies in Africa
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Post by renden on Feb 8, 2019 20:30:54 GMT
My non-BNA stuff stops where ever the first section of Stiener pages stopped.The U.S. is up to 2013 and Canada I plan to fill complete. You are very diligent and motivated with new "stuff" - On occasion, I am but not at your level lol René |
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stainlessb
Member
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,906
What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
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Post by stainlessb on Feb 8, 2019 21:06:58 GMT
I decided on US up to 1960-61, if for no other reason is that is when I started collecting stamps (8-9 years old) I may extend another 10 years, but I don't find the later issues very interesting, and the numbers the USPS started producing seemed more aimed at seeling more stamps to collectors that would not go into circulation.
UN- I have not made up my mind if I will keep. If I do, I think 2001 will be the cut off, as (it seems) stamps after 9/11 are deemed more "souveniers
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Feb 8, 2019 21:43:34 GMT
I completely agree with you, coastwatcher. Just too pricey & gaudy post-2000. Most I stop at 1999. Canada, around 1973 for now. May add to 1999 later. I too hate the peel & stick. But hey... what did I use of Beryllium Guy's letter I just mailed to him? A peel & stick Sidney Crosby! Sorry, Chris. I have a bunch I just don't use or collect... I think the Faroes & Greenland are up to 1999 now. Iceland has a bunch of holes, as well as new interest - Germany. I should finish off mounting the Faroes & Greenland just to see what is needed. |
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