Introducing Myself

Good evening:
I'm a Life Member of the APS (since 1989) and have been collecting since I was 11. Like many of you, I started collecting as a kid, shelved it as teen and young adult and then rediscovered the joy as I matured (emotionally and financially!) I'm now 52.

I collect U.S. and Canada with a special interest in Newfoundland.
I have also collected various examples of postal history and while living in Vermont, put together a nice collection of 19th century Vermont advertising covers.

Recently, having filled all the "affordable" spaces, I'm toying with the idea of collecting "the world", 1840-1940 the so called "classic period". I'm intrigued by this project and would love to hear from those who collect this area but have mixed feeling for myself. I will need to shift my focus from "superb gems" to "adequate". Not sure I'm ready for that. I have never paid the NH premium for mint (I prefer LH) but I have always insisted on at least XF centering, preferably S. For my used material, very light cancels are a must except my U.S. Revenues where I appreciate a nice dated manuscript or hand stamp. All this has made for slow collecting but ultimately a collection I display with great pride. Anyone can fill the spaces. That's not my goal.

So there you have it ( "Me") in a very small nutshell.

I look forward to learning from you and sharing what I have to offer.

Grayslate,

Same story, except I'm not a Life Member, and have too many special interests, most completed to my limit.

The Scott Classic catalog got me thinking about 1840-1940 in 2003. A lack of time to assess what I already had in worldwide kept me on the sidelines until a year or so ago.

At that time, I decided that I would collect only the stamps of the era that I found interesting. This started out as airmails and special deliveries.

I upgraded to the 2011 Scott this year due to the numerous value changes and more content in the later volume (more details in many places.)

I don't expect to collect everything, but everything should have a story.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it...
until something else catches my interest

Hi Grayslate,

An oddly familiar story (except i'm 50), for my world wide collection, i'm doing much as you are. My North America and British Commonwealth, I still try to stick to the better examples.

There are simply too many stamps world wide for me to attempt to be that picky (mind you, that has more to do with my budget than anything else) about.

Please post samples of what you consider to be your best collection areas, we love to see them.

Glad you found us. Welcome. Can't wait to see and read more about your collection.

Welcome to S.C.F. Grayslate! looking forward to seeing some of your collection!

Hello Grayslate, welcome!

hi grayslate and welcome to the best bunch of collectors going. you can ask, show, watch, or jump right in, whatever you feel comfortable with. Welcome aboard - jeff

Welcome Graystate

Glad you could join us

Dianne