Stamp Collecting As A Pastime

A dated work (1902) that was reprinted in 2007. It's a free read on Google Book Search at this link:

http://books.google.com/books?id=8m...ge&q&f=false

I found it interesting, especially this quote:

"In the busy, contentious bustle of the day, the brain, strained too often to its utmost tension, demands the relaxation of some absorbing, pleasure-yielding hobby. Those who have tried it attest the fact that few things more completely wean the attention, for the time being, from the vexations and worries of the day than the collection and arrangement of postage stamps. In fact, stamp collecting has an ever-recurring freshness all its own, a scope for research that is never likely to be exhausted, a literature varied and abundant, and a close and interesting relation to the history and progress of nations and peoples that insensibly widens the trend of human sympathies and human knowledge."

Hard to argue with that !!

I am still trying to explain to my non-collecting friends why I have taken up the hobby, they don't get it... maybe passages like this would help!

And today we have the internet to search for info. Some like to watch tv all the time. I once did that night after night for few month and I almost got depress... No wonder the drug market is strong.

Stampgal and timbres667, perhaps we stamp collectors use our imagination which saves us from depression,boredom and drugs !

Thanks for sharing wt1.
It is an extremely well written description of stamping.

I very much agree with philb on lifestyle choices for the stamper.

I have had so much taken away but stamping has given me much more back.

Stampgal
My best friend use to collect when he was young. If I remember he sold his collection to buy a nice sound system (stereo). He can appreciate my stamps and not telling me I waste my money. Another friend he's crazy about jazz music. He has $20 000 sound system so him to he's not going to critic me for buying stamp. What I don't like is those who think collecting is an investment. Like a workmate who once told me I was waisting my money. Kind of people when you explain deeply on a subject they never change their mind. The more you question the more your willing to learn and philately is an infinite source of knowledge.

Yup

Gardening in the summer, stamp collecting during the winter months. My life is stress free most of the time

Dianne

That's my brain all right!