Andy Pastuszak
Member 
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,533 
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Aug 9, 2022 0:59:02 GMT
There are some moments where one just experiences an event that causes hobby burnout.
When I originally abandoned stamp collecting it was for financial reasons. I was in high school, and about the graduate and I just could not afford it any more.
The I rediscovered the hobby after I moved in with my wife, and then got married. Then I stopped again, because I had kids, and I just didn't have the time to do anything about stamps. The collection ended up in the basement and I forgot about it.
I've been pretty into it since 2009, when I rediscovered the hobby as a Cub Scout leader.
But my first moment in my current stint of stamp collecting that caused some burnout and frustration, was 2015, when the USPS issued the uninverted Jenny stamp that was pretty much unattainable. The imperfs were pretty bad, but they could be had online for not-insane prices. As a completionism, the idea of these Jenny stamps just had me go 'Why bother anymore?" and I stepped away from the hobby for a little bit. I obviously came back. But the idea of those stamps still bothers me.
Now I have a similar problem, but with a different country. Ukraine famously issued their Spider Island soldier flipping off the Missile Cruiser Moskva. The stamp sold out immediately. And it's popping up online now for insane prices. I'm a member of the Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society, and one of the members got a few sheets from someone and was selling them for US$60 PER STAMP. UKRPOSHTA then printed a new stamp that had a similar image, but the the ship missing and the words "Mission Accomplished!" on it. My chance of getting the first stamp at any kind of reasonable price is slim to none, and I can't understand why UKRPOSHTA doesn't just print a ton more of these stamps and sell them. Even more annoying, most of the sellers of these stamps aren't even in Ukraine. So, I can't even justify the price by saying I'm helping someone in Ukraine in a time of strife.
Now Ukraine is issuing (or may have already issued) the 'Tractor towing tank" stamp. I haven't even bothered to look to see what eBay sellers are selling them for, because I can't be bothered right now.
Ordering stamps from UKRPOSHTA is not cheap. In my past experiences, the shipping costs more than the stamps. That's why I switched to using a stamp dealer in Ukraine. Of course all the stamp dealers I used were in Kyiv, and they shut down their eBay stores and fled to Western Ukraine.
The whole idea of post offices creating artificial scarcity just rubs me the wrong way.
Ok, I'm done my rant now.
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Post by paul1 on Aug 9, 2022 7:29:39 GMT
Hi Andy - rants are allowed, and burn out occurs for many for different reasons - for some it's simply overdoing the input - morning noon and night makes for a dull mind and the rest of life gets ignored, then the inevitable happens and we wake up one morning and the passion has evaporated - hopefully only temporarily. At the risk of giving an opinion based on age, some wisdom and experience, I'd suggest there are some collecting directions that don't help us in the long run. When we chase the rare, expensive and fashionable issues we run the risk of being disappointed either because we can't afford or can't find what we think we have to have - we feel perhaps we're not achieving good collection status, which is fine possibly if we are dedicated to an investment collection or money is unlimited. Collecting comes in many guises and there many here who would argue that the most reliable m.o. for a long term interest is to take an interest in what out stamps represent - be it history, politics, geography, monarchy etc., wherein lies a universe of interest, and though it can be, its not usually an investment angle. IMHO your frustration might be alleviated by re-directing your motives for collecting - by all means have a break then try other countries perhaps and try viewing stamps differently. Of course, this is rich coming from someone who has had more hobbies than you can shake a stick at, but I have experienced similar passionless periods for stamps and now collect with less obsession and find this lower key approach has much to recommend it. Perhaps the more you expect from stamps the more you will be disappointed when you don't find that 1c. Magenta. Let's see what other remedies the guys here offer.
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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 Aug 9, 2022 9:42:44 GMT
I guess I am lucky that I am not a completionist! If I don't feel anything for a stamp, I don't add it to my album it.
My problem stems from when I first started collecting back in the early 70's. WW is impossible to attain, and I eventually felt overwhelmed by collecting them. So I switched to individual countries. I have started feeling the same way with the purchase of Belgium and Bulgaria. Why did I buy these bulk lots? I was eyeing a bunch of small lots of Russian over on SOR. But then thought otherwise. Belgium and Bulgaria, although not box-loads by any means, are still pretty much untouched. I have backed off a bit, but then something comes in the mail that I can more easily deal with and I am back! Maybe I'll look into those bulk lots one day...
I was collecting all Canadian stamps, but then postal rates went up, photo stamps were everywhere, and with that just plain ugly (IMO!) stamps were commonplace. My Canada (modern) album is complete to around 1985 or so, then it gets spotty. I don't care - I collect what I like. My album pages have no holes! I'm happy the way it is. I have added stamps I first poo-poo'ed, but it all works for me, and keeps me going!
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Post by paul1 on Aug 9, 2022 9:56:39 GMT
Agree, I think the road to being a completist is very dangerous - what do you do when you have them all. Am sure I've chucked out stuff that now I'd give my right arm for - but I like to go with how my juices flow - a passion one day for early N.Z. - then the next in love with the France pictorials, so collecting what grabs you just about sums it up.
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vikingeck
Member
Posts: 3,262
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Aug 9, 2022 10:38:19 GMT
30 years collecting, getting less diversified , saw me focus energy ,spending money,and research time on the Classic Square stamps of Denmark, having in the bygoing collected and sold collections on Danish West Indies and Faeroe islands. I exhibited in Uk and in Denmark to large silver gilt ( a couple of points short of gold each time) and was President of the Scandinavia Philatelic Society and for 25 years Auctioneer for the same Society, but about 10 years ago , realising that chasing an elusive gold medal was out of budget and out of reach, I was stuck! Nothing new added in the later years, stagnation and loss of interest. No hunt no chase, no interest.
Adding fewer and fewer items to the collection I got bored and sold up. Most went to a Classic Auction house in Sweden, but lesser material set me off trading surplus on eBay which gives as much fun in the disposal as I ever got in the collecting!
However at the same time I steered my attention to other fields..Samoa is well complete now to Independence in the 1960s. I don’t chase new issues and only rarely can I expand the 1st issue Express stamps, my topical Tobacco collection is getting as full as I like though I still hunt covers dealing with the 18th and 19th trans Atlantic trade.
Now a fresh interest has sparked withCape of Good Hope on the one hand and European Classic 1st issues.
Getting stale.? Consider new fields, consider disposing of and having fun selling on the old boring interest, and get a new aspect of the collector trader. The trades can finance new purchases.
My pages are stored in box files, so when Denmark , Danish West Indies, Faeroes were sold off I had room to store my new interests. No need to fret about the cost of new binders or albums , all I need is a printer , a supply of pre cut medium weight paper/card and re useable exhibition protector sleeves.
In Covid lockdown eBay was my saviour and I dip in every day . Some months I sell lots well, some months items stick around and have to be re listed but it keeps me occupied in retirement.
Boredom ? Never , Burnout? No, maybe loss of interest in one direction , ditch one collection or another , but then off on a new pursuit .
which reminds me , I have been thinking the section of Samoa 1930-1960 completed has not been touched for many years ….that is the next area to dispose of …….
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Aug 9, 2022 10:42:52 GMT
Hi Andy For an interesting collection start a Latin America collection. I, especially, suggest Gran Colombia (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela)  Some knowledge of Spanish is necessary but, if lacking, Google Translate does a decent job. Personally, I have a built-in translator, my Colombian wife  JerryB |
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hdm1950
Member
Posts: 1,598
What I collect: I collect world wide up to 1965 with several specialty albums added due to volume of material I have acquired. At this point I am focused on Canada and British America. I am always on the lookout for stamps and covers with postmarks from communities in Queens County, Nova Scotia. I do list various goods including stamps occasionally on eBay as hdm50
Member is Online
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Post by hdm1950 on Aug 9, 2022 11:45:18 GMT
This is an interesting thread. I cannot say I have ever reached that point although through my 20's and 30's I was pretty dormant. It was not due to family as I am single but between running my own business, community service and too much partying there was just not time. It was after my move to Toronto in 1990 and dabbling in collectables and antiques that I dove back into the hobby. There was just so much more opportunities in a big city to find stuff. It also blew me away how much material was available and how insignificant my collection as well as my dad's was. I married those 2 collections. I followed his areas of interest. Both of us were more accumulators than specialists. Like many I soon discovered that one cannot collect everything. Other than Canada and the USA I cut off at 1965 for anywhere else. One should not get to hung up in value but the reality is that there is little produced by most couuntries after 1950 that is holding even face value.
In regards your Ukraine frustration I personally would not go near the present fad. I have seen too many examples of the rise and fall of those bubbles. For sure it takes the fun out of a hobby when it upsets you. Best thing is to step back and look for another direction as several others have suggested.
I admire those in this forum and hobbies in general that can come to the point of selling parts of their collection and pivoting to a new direction. My only frustration with my collections is how they are presented. The size and scope though makes thoughts of remounting overwhelming. I spend way more time looking at what I have now than actually adding. My buying is pretty specific to filling holes in countries I specialize in but I still cannot resist old world wide collections and boxes full of stuff provided it is mostly pre 1965.
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,404
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Aug 9, 2022 12:02:26 GMT
I’ve never experienced burnout from the stamps, but I’ve experienced unhappy social interactions with certain people that soured me on the hobby temporarily. For example, I had such a miserable experience on that board down under that I quit collecting Australian stamps. I couldn’t look at them without being reminded of that jerk. Being a woman in a male dominated hobby can sometimes be really crappy when you encounter the occasional misogynist who thinks women only collect flowers and butterflies and don’t know a perforation gauge from a frying pan. But that is, fortunately, changing.
I have, however, been so busy in real life that I simply didn’t have time.
wait - I did stop collecting any new issues from countries who issue unsoakable self adhesives. Actually, most new issues have become a turnoff for me. But it’s great! All the money I used to use chasing after those lightweight philatelic confections I now put in to buying collections thick with classic material. My collections have become MUCH more interesting as a result. (Interesting to me at least!)
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djcmh
Member
Posts: 771
What I collect: Worldwide
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Post by djcmh on Aug 9, 2022 12:30:16 GMT
Andy re the Ukraine issues let the speculative bubble burst. Prices will come down within the next couple years, much as they did with the Austria Brexit issue a couple years back. Esp the tractor issue which has a printing of IIRC 3 million, which is like 20x the normal print run of Ukrainian commemoratives.
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Aug 9, 2022 13:42:41 GMT
Hi Philatelia
I told that pompous ass to go stuff it for slurs he made (I don't even remember what he had said it has been so long ago). I go there once in a while but not regularly.
So, I would not stop collecting Australia because of him. There are a lot of nicer people who sell Australia. As Mikey says "Try It You'll Like It" (I think I may be dating myself).
I am surprised he did not remove me from the site. I believe Jack started this site because of Mr. Pompous.
Jerry B
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,533
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Aug 9, 2022 13:51:42 GMT
I’ve never experienced burnout from the stamps, but I’ve experienced unhappy social interactions with certain people that soured me on the hobby temporarily. For example, I had such a miserable experience on that board down under that I quit collecting Australian stamps. I couldn’t look at them without being reminded of that jerk. Being a woman in a male dominated hobby can sometimes be really crappy when you encounter the occasional misogynist who thinks women only collect flowers and butterflies and don’t know a perforation gauge from a frying pan. But that is, fortunately, changing. I have, however, been so busy in real life that I simply didn’t have time. wait - I did stop collecting any new issues from countries who issue unsoakable self adhesives. Actually, most new issues have become a turnoff for me. But it’s great! All the money I used to use chasing after those lightweight philatelic confections I now put in to buying collections thick with classic material. My collections have become MUCH more interesting as a result. (Interesting to me at least!) I started my stamp collecting online journey from the forum down under. I'm so glad I found better forums. I haven't been to that place in well over a decade. There are whole websites dedicated to showing what a sleezy stamp dealer the owner of that forum is.
Also doesn't help that that forums is very poorly organized.
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,533
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Aug 9, 2022 13:59:10 GMT
Andy re the Ukraine issues let the speculative bubble burst. Prices will come down within the next couple years, much as they did with the Austria Brexit issue a couple years back. Esp the tractor issue which has a printing of IIRC 3 million, which is like 20x the normal print run of Ukrainian commemoratives. Oh, I'm sure. And I'm sure I'll get over it.
Sometimes I feel like I should collect a dead country no one cares about, so I could complete the set. Something like East Germany. The problem is, I just can't bring myself to collect a former communist country. Communism is the reason why my parents ended up in the US as children. All my dad wanted to do was grow up outside Lviv and become a veterinarian and treat farm animals. Instead, he ended up in the US and worked as an electric motor repairman his whole life. So, collecting as dead communist country really sits bad with me. Same reason I won't collect the Soviet Union.
I've always wanted to collect Germany, but I hear that German collectors are very unhappy with the stuff Deutche Post has been issuing the last few years.
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stainlessb
Member
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,642
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 Aug 9, 2022 15:49:09 GMT
I haven't ever reached burn=out but have drifted into the doldrums a time or two. In fact, just recently, not from boredom, but too many other 'to-do's: and a recent HVAC issue which is now only partly resolved. (I do better during the colder weather periods!). I also think some of my 'doldrums" is adapting to full retirement as the reality of no longer being on any particular time-table sinks in!
I will have the Great American Stamp Show later this month , which I am a volunteer for as well as helping out with the local clubs presence. I have decided to limit what I "might" pick-up if I can find at a reasonable cost and do my best to avoid coming home with more stamps to contend with as I have plenty (but there are a couple of hard to get issues I would love to acquire as the price just seems to be going up and up!)
Maybe just take a 1,2, 3 week 'vacation from stamps (they say absence makes the heart grow fonder...)
Hang in there!
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Post by classicalstamps on Aug 9, 2022 18:20:42 GMT
Collect what makes you happy.
If collecting new issues makes you miserable, collect something else.
There's so many fascinating things to collect out there...
Myself - I stopped caring about new issues 20 years ago.
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tomiseksj
Moderator 
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,263
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Aug 9, 2022 18:40:45 GMT
Andy ( Andy Pastuszak ), perhaps you should consider establishing an end date to your collecting (e.g., 2020) so that the proliferation of new issues doesn't drive you crazy. Even having done that, you're going to have to accept that there will be many issuances that are beyond your reach. |
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jpotx113
Member
Posts: 460
What I collect: USA, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Machins, misc. WW
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Post by jpotx113 on Aug 9, 2022 19:09:38 GMT
Sometimes putting a hold on collections (be it stamps, coins, books, etc) and coming back later gives it fresh perspective. I have never been able to stay with a certain area of collecting consistently for a long period of time, but I always come back!
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Some knowledge of Spanish is necessary but, if lacking, Google Translate does a decent job. Personally, I have a built-in translator, my Colombian wife 
