Not Many Basic Collectors Out There?

Hi Fernando

Like you I prefer used stamps, but do collect mint when these come my way. And you're right. most of the individual stamps shown seem to be mint - but there are quite a lot of used ones as well, including used definitives - look for instance at some members collections eg sellospain and anthonyUK.

So in my collection I have a lot of basic defins from all over the world, but more topical stamps (as I find collecting topics fascinating, very varied and do-it-yourself).

I collect only used, never purchase mint.

Fernando:

I collect both and for me, it's about ease.

For example, for the past year or so, I have been collecting Canada. I can buy most modern Canadian stamps for near face value. Sometimes there's a little premium over face value; on the other hand, sometimes on a lot of mint, I might pay less than face.

On the other hand, I don't get a lot of mail from Canada. And much of what I do receive is metered mail. As you know, finding modern issues that are postally used can be difficult or almost impossible. So for me, it's easier to get Mint Never Hinged than to get postally used copies.

For classic-era stamps, I can't afford MNH or even Mint, so for those issues, I collect used stamps.

Anyway, I think it's a coincidence that most of the recent scans are mint -- stick around a few more months and you'll see a balance of mint and used.

Kirk

I prefer used but will, if I have to, take a mint example.

I have some Machins and too many Canada flower 2004 on definitives, trying to study the perfs.

Since I have 'officially' tried to reduce my collecting, I collect only Canada personalized stamps but somehow I have lots of other stamps everywhere. This is hard to explain as I was trying so hard to just collect certain stamps. Now I have Mint, Used, Covers, FDCs, not enough Vario pages at all and specialized areas in my place for stamps this and stamps that.

Definitives are in there somewhere.

I am a both a specialized and general collector. There are countries that I specialize in but I appreciate stamps of all kinds (well, almost). Not a fan of the ugly stamps (no, Indian "Uglies" are not ugly to me).

When I first started to collect seriously in the late sixties the Mint Never Hinged
craze was in full swing and that's what I wanted.
A hinge mark on a mint stamp to me made it inferior, something to be shunned. Crazy, eh?
I also wanted at least mint because I want to view the stamp
unobstructed by any postmark.
That doesn't mean I haven't accumulated tons of used stamps over the years also.
But they have to be in good condition, no missing perfs,thins, stains, bar cancellations etc.
I don't collect garbage.
Lately though I've been hooked more by Postal History for which I had absolutely no interest before.
Funny how collecting habits change.

I prefer a postally used worldwide stamp..will take unused to fill a hole...if you have a lot of stamps to exchange you will find people here after the mandatory 50 posts !!

I collect virtually anything (mint or used). Like most collectors, though, it is necessary to confine one's collecting interest to a specific country or topic. For me, I primarily collect U.S., but I have friends who have contacts in foreign countries that have provided me with a nice selection of foreign stamps, so I do collect other countries, too, although on a much lesser scale.

It seems to me that many of the recent posts on this site have intentionally pictured "mint" stamps to help point out some of the finer details of a stamp that could be hidden if a used example were shown. This is especially true with stamps where multiple varieties exist that could mean the difference between a common versus valuable stamp.

Personally, I get just as much enjoyment out of collecting "common" stamps than I do the more valuable ones. Although one can argue the point that most common stamps will never be worth anything in our lifetime and the "better" stamps are likely to show some future appreciation in value, I've always taken the position that stamp collecting is my hobby, not a means for me to acquire wealth. Of course "wealth" is a relative term ... many of us may not see it in financial gain, but at least we gather a "wealth" of information and knowledge about the stamps we collect and the history behind the issues shown and, of course, the good friendships we make because of our hobby.

I collect used stamps only. Old Australian divinities and the new decimal issues of both comms and defins.
All my mint stamps with gum go back to auction. I do not collect them.
It is my belief that used stamps that can be proven to be postally used will be more expensive than MNH in the future. This trend is slowly creeping into our great hobby that we share. Used stamps do not get the credit they deserve.
But there is a true out cast in stamp grading and that is mint with no gum. They are totally unwanted by the used collector and the mint collector. They just do not fit in anywhere.KGV

Definitives, YES!

That is why I have brcstamps.com

They are the orphans nobody wants to adopt.

Fernando

If the stamp has a nice socked on the nose CDS and in this case
is actually worth slightly more than the MNH one then I might
prefer the canceled one.
It's a cheap, common stamp either way but interesting.

lithograving.
The cheapest,ripped and torn stamp you can find.
Can be worth a great deal with a rare postmark.
Postmark collectors are renowned for having damaged stamps in there collections and think nothing of it.
When buying at auction a lot described as a postmark collection, should be treated with great suspicion if you are looking for fine used stamps.

I collect world wide, so definitives are apart of that. Mint or used, I don't care, anything that comes my way. I classify myself as a very basic collector, I don't specialise at all.

Steve

Hey Fernando,
Hardly any of my pictures will be mint
I collect stamps for enjoyment not value but value is an added bonus.
Here an example.
I would much rather have this stamp in this condition than not at all.
Of course though I would love a better condition example but the chances of finding another is slim in the manner I found this one.