Used Collector Questions

If you collect modern US USED stamps, how often are you forced to mail something to yourself to get a used copy of a new stamp?

I do not collect modern US, but looking at my mail I would have to mail myself the new issues almost every time they are issued. With the possible exeption of the Christmas stamps and the nonprofit / presorted stamps of which I seem to get plenty!

Peter

I would have to agree. I get plenty of the Four Freedoms Flag Stamps, too.

Commemoratives are elusive to find on stamped mail unless they are received from a fellow collector. Your average mail from friends and relatives (i.e. greeting cards, etc.) typically have the booklet version of whatever might be at the USPS sales counter; whereas the commercial mailings (i.e. medical bills, etc.) typically have the coil versions of the definitive stamps (in the rare event meters aren't being used).

I would say more than half of the stamps I get in the mail aren't even cancelled!

I have never done so. I assume I will be able to pick them up as kiloware and such. The assumption is not playing out so well as yet.

I haven't done so yet.


I have begun to sell (mainly books and things) on ebay and have begun to enclose a SASE and ask that the buyers send the stamps back from packages. (here's a good example of one I recently sent out). Hopefully I will be able to get enough back to complete a fine used collection of recent USA stamps.

That's a great idea!

edit - But if you start sending out packages like that, you might end up with some new collectors :)

I wish I could get caught up with things and make up some auction lots of 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 used USA commems (and regular issue) on cover (addressed to a city in ND for water bill payment - a true usage of postage) and off cover, on piece. I've got quite a bunch that had been saved for me over the last few years. Also have some from a local phone company that saved for me the envelopes people sent their bill payments in.

Dave N.
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I will mail myself something to get a cancellation from a specific city, but I have not done so to get a stamp. I have several people save their mail for me and the stamps eventually come that way or through kiloware.