obligatory introduction

My name is Adam Garfinkle, and I live in Wheaton, Maryland, USA.  I have been collecting stamps since I was about 9 or 10.  I collect the world, or used to, up to 1976 because the Scott Intl pages I had stopped then.  I focus on the US, Europe and colonies (not including Central and Eastern Europe), and the Middle East/Muslim world (most of it, not all of it).  I also have Scott or Palo and a few White Ace specialty albums for three Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela), and for four Asian countries (Japan, Singapore, Korea, and Thailand), and for Ethiopia.  

On June 1 I will turn 70, assuming I live that long, and turn on Social Security benefits. That is the planned time for me to stop accumulating and start divesting.  We'll see if I have the emotional stamina to actually do that. I plan to do that because neither my spouse, three children or so far five grandchildren could give a damn about stamps, and all are either a little or a lot resistant to learning. 

I have not for many years been involved in any stamp clubs--too busy with work.  I trade with one person only these days who lives fairly near me, just over the river in northern Virginia, where I grew up.  Until recently I have bought from only one auction--just too busy for more than that. Before 2019-20, when my wife and I spent the year overseas and my collecting had to lapse, I bought from only one dealer and two small-time private collectors. I no longer do that.  So my web of connections is very small compared to many collectors.

One motive for joining this forum, to be honest, is to be able to sell material.  But I can't imagine yet making 50 posts to qualify.  Whatever would I say, about what?  So we'll see how it goes.  I'm still pretty busy; not exactly retired and stamps are not my only hobby.  There are also musical instruments and old Cadillacs in the world that need attention.....