I Want To Build A Fine Collection

I want to build a fine collection..do I have the discipline to go beyond identifying and mounting a stamp...will I treat a low value plain looking stamp that applies to my area or topic the same way I would treat the eye candy ? How badly do I want that fine collection ?

You'll compromise -- you know you always do

Me too,
Kirk

Time and money. Each is needed for philately and each limited. There are (*gasp*) things in life more important than stamps. That being said, philately can be an important part of a well-rounded life.

depends on how you narrow your collection. time vs quantity equals quality

It all depends on how thoroughly the virus has infiltrated your body. In the terminal stage, you will eschew the eye candy for the dowdiest, dimmest-looking low-value definitive, of which you will accumulate several hundred (or thousand or tens of thousands, according to country) copies, and obsess and bore your friends & family to dry sobs over microscopic thinnings of the frame lines and usages of the stamp from obscure post offices.

Welcome to the Club.

Philb: Your personal likes is foremost followed closely by discipline.

If you like ships, limit your first gatherings to Spanish galleons. If trains, do transcontinetal steam engines. If people, do heads of state but only for a few countries.

As your preferences evolve you can start focusing on a defined area....amending and expanding it as you go.

Well Phil, as someone who is trying to do the same, I would suggest that you stay away from auctions, shows and even newsletters and magazines. I know that when I see something on an auction I can feel my fingers itch and my eyes will start to spin, and my tongue hangs loosely. I'm whispering "WOW, will you look at that!" Then I look at my collection that I'm still trying to organize into some sort of structure. I take deep breathes, and tell myself to back away from the edge. It does take discipline and a great amount of fortitude to ride the postal tide. Be a champ. Stay away from that stamp!

Donna

Donna, my wife LOVES to bid..i am the cheepo !

I agree with Donna Merkle - stay away from temptation 'cos you're collection will grow anyway following your inclinations. I've now stopped using my credit card to buy stamps - too easy to go overboard especially if you like most stamps.

Anyweay, Philb, a "fine collection" is not an objective thing. A fine collection is a collection that you enjoy. I prefer to think in terms of mini collections - so I've got a collection I love of birds, another of flowers, etc - but also a few pages of lighthouses, and several hundred stamps about farming (which I've only just stated putting together). But I also have "nerdy" (i.e. specialised catalogue) collection of early Union of South Africa Stamps - and similarly of 19th century Spain, and UK Machins. It's a fine colection to me - and quite frankly it doesn't matter much if other peiople don't agree (tho' it would be inconvenient if my wife didn't like the collection too, given the amount of timne I spend on it!)

So - if you like it, it's fine. And if you don't like it - well, give it away!

A fine collection of modern stamps for me is an mnh stamp collection. One reason is because an mnh is more attractive to me but that's my preference.I feel a cancel on a used stamp hide something. Also one time I approach dealers to sell a collection and often the ask first if my collection is mnh or what percentage of it is.

In my purchase on the net I try to save by buying complete years at decent price or at least lots with many complete sets. For my Europa collection I succeed this way. I couldn't afford collecting Europa another way. Many of those stamps are expensive. However my newest complete year is 2005 and I just wait I can have a good deal for years after.

I check one time the total of Paypal payments for previous years.I realise I spend allot on stamps even without taking in account what I spend at the stamp store and stamp show. I tell myself I don't have car and it would cost me more to have one. But to some spending allot of money on stamp instead of owning a car you're probably nuts. That's right we're all crazy stamp collectors and we travel in a universe of knowledge more than a car could do. Daniel

Then I probably do ok...on the stringent self imposed budget I seem to set for myself year after year !!