oregon1234
**Member** 
Inactive
Just sorting away over here...
Posts: 32
What I collect: Trying to focus just on Hong Kong. Wish me luck.
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Post by oregon1234 on Dec 5, 2019 20:14:01 GMT
Background: I inherited collections from multiple family members and have been initially sorting by country....there were upwards of 20+albums (just the old fashioned sort where you slide the stamp into a channel and there is no writing, descriptor, mounts or labels), boxes full of First Day Issues, and then boxes of just stamps still on paper, in glassine envelopes and wrapped in paper sheets. I think I have finally sorted out all the Hong Kong and China ones and I'm starting to soak and identify those.
My question is this: I have multiples of several stamps. Sometimes there is a pair or several in a block. How do I know which ones I should keep? I am starting to mount them onto album pages (using Showgard mounts) so I can see where there are gaps in the collection. But should I keep blocks (are they more valuable?)? Should I mount them on a following page?
I figure I should keep stamps that are well centered and have the least amount of postmark on them, although I really like some of the very clear postmarks that say where in Hong Kong or China they were sent from.
My goal is to separate out all the "Extras" of each stamp that I have, so I can use them in sale/trade to fill in the blanks in my collection. But of course I want to keep the "best" version of the stamp for my collection.
Thank you in advance for your advice and help!
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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 Dec 5, 2019 20:23:50 GMT
What Catalog(s) do you use - You have to do an inventory before starting to put the stamps in an album where there is an image. Once you start inventory (hope you have a system for that ) then you can open a file for duplicates (being sure you are not missing any variety etc. More members will give their opinion - you seem to have work for many years to come  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 Dec 5, 2019 20:25:05 GMT
it really depends on your preference. Myself, I prefer canceled stamps, especially with clear dates. I do have mint or unused stamps in my collection, but more chance than purpose (in some instances a cancelled stamp has a higher catalogue value). as to pair or blocks, again, preference I do have horizontal and vertical pairs and strips of 3 -5 of some very early France stamps, which I will likely make a place for on a page, but in all cases, I acquired these in lots and they were not my main focus.
so, short answer... there is no right or wrong way of collecting, it's your collection. You reign supreme  |
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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 Dec 5, 2019 21:05:46 GMT
it really depends on your preference. Myself, I prefer canceled stamps, especially with clear dates. I do have mint or unused stamps in my collection, but more chance than purpose (in some instances a cancelled stamp has a higher catalogue value). as to pair or blocks, again, preference I do have horizontal and vertical pairs and strips of 3 -5 of some very early France stamps, which I will likely make a place for on a page, but in all cases, I acquired these in lots and they were not my main focus.
so, short answer... there is no right or wrong way of collecting, it's your collection. You reign supreme Stan this member needs a 101 thread and you will read what I suggested to him in the other thread - Put everything in same thread as he is only starting to ask important questions for a newcomer René |
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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 Dec 5, 2019 21:19:57 GMT
Very nice post, Kristy ( oregon1234)! It's good to see you following up your nice intro with more info about what you are working on and asking for advice. I did much the same thing when I was at the same stage as you are now. Frankly, I agree with Stan ( stainlessb). Despite what some may tell you, you don't have to do anything. It is, in fact, completely up to you to choose how to go about it. Just as a point of reference, I started out collecting mainly mint stamps or used stamps with unobtrusive cancellations and VF centering or better. Those are still my preference, but through many of my friends on TSF ( blaamand, barbu, Anping, renden, and others) I have learned to appreciate fine postmarks in a way that I never did before. So now, for countries of particular interest, I find myself collecting one of each stamp that showcases the image of the stamp (mint or used lightly cancelled), and then also keeping copies of the same stamp with particularly noteworthy postmarks. I am not alone in this pursuit, as others are doing the same thing. But as Stan so rightly says, in my opinion, it is up to you to choose. That is the joy (and the burden) of the collector! Some people struggle with this choice in perpetuity, never really making up their minds, and vacillating back and forth between various options. It has certainly been a challenge for me. I think I have made more progress in this regard in the more recent years. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do! Above all, be true to yourself, and try to choose a path that makes you happy.... stamp collecting is supposed to be fun, after all! Kind Regards, Chris  |
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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 Dec 5, 2019 21:26:34 GMT
The beauty of this Forum is that members give their opinions kindly and with thought - You can't beat Chris Beryllium Guy for his analytic responses - Well I should not isolate him as all of us contribute in our way, but I like your responses, Chris. c.c. oregon1234René |
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