Did You Ever Think Your Collection Is Just Junk?

Jeff just remember that one mans junk is another mans treasure. This is what I keep saying about my collection which I'm going to post some here as well as soon as I can get my scanner running or buying a new one.

Someday I may give it a Hindu burial on the banks of the Hudson !!

The value of my collection is in the personal pleasure. As every poor boy says, its not about the money.

There is something to be said for "perfect" stamps.
Sure they are awesome, and we all should own a few.
However, most folks will get nowhere fast with filling
their collections if they only filled holes with "perfect"
stamps. Then there is the fact that "imperfect" stamps,
especially used stamps, have personality to them that
"perfect" stamps rarely aquire. So, IMO, a 'well rounded'
collection absolutely requires LOTS of stamps with said
personality, and of course the occasional "perfect" examples.

As stated by several already, one man's "junk" is another's "treasure". Sure if some affluent collector who has all of the world's rarities in stamps were to look at your material he might come up with the word "junk" to describe it. (He'd say the same thing about my collection, too.)

I don't subscribe to the idea that any stamps are junk! There are always new and exciting variations to look out for. I have often had negative comments made about my collection because the majority are used stamps or modern issues or precancels or first day covers, all of which are collectible to some but considered "junk" to others.

There's no right or wrong way to collect stamps. I refuse to follow the advice of big shot collectors who can buy stamps for big money without blinking an eye and wonder why I don't do likewise. Frankly, my budget simply doesn't allow for that. I am just as content collecting the stamps that are within my budget. While my collection may never realize the value of those who collect the true rarities, my collection was never meant to be an investment ... only an investment in myself. It makes me happy to recall how I acquired some stamps, no matter how common they may be. It is a relaxing hobby. I even get to learn a thing or two from the stamps I already have. There's nothing wrong with collecting stamps simply for the pleasure of it.

Depends, if you are a dealer buying, it's junk.... until after the dealer purchases your "junk" and it turns from a turd to a gold nugget by virtue of his philatelic powers, and he markets his "treasure"

You know, I guess at the end of the day I didn't do so bad after all! I feel much better about everything and fred that's disturbing...lol. wt1 I feel the same way and just happy to have what I do. I find the history almost as fascinating as the stamps themselves lately and it really helps having a supporting community like this to assist. Thanks again and Happy easter to everyone who celebrates it! The sun is out and I'm off to feed the chickens! (Seriously I have chickens...and shake-n-bake...lol)

ILS (Jeff) started a thread which, judging by the number of posts, seems to have struck a nerve. I'll add my two cents worth. Nice stamps; I don't collect U.S. but would be happy to own those.

I'd like to second many of wt1's comments. I'm not sure who can afford the world's great rarities these days! In fact, other than the New Brunswick Connell, I've never seen one and don't expect to anytime soon. And why would anyone thumb their nose at anyone else's collection; that comment by wt1 shocked me a little! I once had a very prominent North American dealer comment negatively on my collecting New Zealand (although he didn't see what I had), calling it "odd-ball" stuff. He's the same fellow who sold me a N.Z. 1898 5/ for a rather high price when I didn't know the difference between a postally and fiscally used copy. His was obviously fiscal (embossed stamp, etc.) but sold at a postally-used price. I never fogot the comment (it was about ten years ago) and, because of the 5/, I've never bought anything from him since even though he often sells some really nice material.

It probably doesn't need to be said again but to each his own. Collect what you enjoy and enjoy what you have collected. I think I have a nice collection but I'm sure some others would not find it as appealing as I do. Especially my common Austrian and Czech collections! But I'm not losing any sleep!

Read the rest of my postings please. I know they aren't junk but just thought that if I knew then what I know now....I just thought some days collectors feel that way and comment likewise. But only part of the post was read I guess. I'm OK with what I have and am still going to expand on it and I'm good with my collecting budget and make it work- somehow! lol

Elite collectors probably thought F.D.R.'s collection was junk..apparently that did not keep him from enjoying it..i have been to shows with people who spent 50 times what I spent..good for them..i think we all try to do whats right for us !

Yeah I decided that my collection isn't that bad after-all and will be actively pursuing companions for them in the near future. I just won a lot on an auction site today hat re-kindled my passion so I'll chalk it up to a lul. Thank you for the encouraging words everyone!

I think you have a pretty nice collection going there and they are presented very well on your pages. I would love to have that many older stamps, but I am no ways near that.

As far as the stamps condition, they all look good to me. Keep on collecting what you love.

ILS, great stuff on the pictures you posted. I have been snobbed by dealers and elitists but alas I move forward and collect what I like.

This is an old post but thank you very much for the encouragement. I tend to focus more on covers these days but I am much more patient in selecting singles. Live and learn I suppose?

Nope, if my collection brings me pleasure and enjoyment, then it cannot be junk. But then again, I collect for me, I don't collect to show off to other people, I find those are the folks that tend to have the biggest problems because they're just showing off, not enjoying their collections. I'm not jealous of your stamps, I don't want you to be jealous of mine. It shouldn't matter. Collect what makes you happy and consider whether your feelings are based on yourself or on your ego.

Overactive egos are always bad.