What Has Stamp Collecting Done For You?

I started collecting when I was six years old. No one got me into it, I got myself into it.

What did it do for me?

Almost immediately, it made me aware of other countries in the world. This meade me want to read about those countries, so as a result, I think I learned to read that much faster. Before long, instead of checking out cute little kiddies' books when my class went on our weekly visit to the school library, I was checking out geography-type books on different countries. By the end of that school year, I could tell you the capital city of probably 80% of the countries of the world; in fact, one of my memories of the latter part of that school year was sitting on the steps at school overhearing two grade seven girls doing their homework on European capitals, and being able to give them all the answers they didn't know, much to their astonishment.

This in turn led to an interest in history. The next year, I was checking out books such as "Berlin: City Split in Two", while my classmates were still reading kids' books. I successfully argued for and received permission to access the adult non-fiction seciton of my local public library as well. Ultimately, this led to a BA in History.

The other thing stamp collecting did for me was that it allowed me to make friends with those having similar interests. Before I brought my collection to school one day for show and tell, it seemed that no one collected stamps. Before too long, it seemed that a third of the student body took up the hobby. Stamp trading sessions became commonplace at recess, where, before, they never existed. At our school, stamp collecting was a "cool" hobby to have. Later on, when I became exposed to stamp clubs, it was a way to make friends whenever we moved somewhere where they had a club.

The hobby opened up several different worlds to me, but in those days it didn't have to compete with such things as the internet and Nintendo. Kids were much easier to interest back in the late 60s, I guess.


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Thats a great question,,i was just thinking along those lines the last couple of days...i think stamp collecting kind of defines who I am as a person (boring eh?) I would go as far as to say its a form of self expression...it can fill hours of my day..i am retired...sure there are people who have probably 6 or 7 other interests..animals,nature,athletics,sports,boating,classic autos, music, etc etc....all good things...my main interest seems to be the well being of my family and collecting stamps !! I hope I do not sound too shallow...

I started collecting in the seventh grade(How? that's another Q). Started reading books about geography and all the countries.
my geography class teachers all made the classes so boring when it could have been interesting. I decided to be a teacher. went to college. I didn't have money for all my books so I majored in geography and went by what I learned from my stamp collection and reading. I feel I owe my college degree to stamp collecting. Got my B.A. & teaching certificate but in 1970 there were 120 teachers
for every open position. Scratch teaching. However, college was still the best 4 years of my life.
As for now, the only income I have had for 2 years is selling at the flea market. mostly stamps.
Stamp collecting is a fantastic hobby and more interesting than anything I can think of. well, maybe, fishing comes close.
Also I love living in Florida. Been all up & down the east coast and the keys. it's just great. And it's not COLD.

I'm not sure stamp collecting has done anything tangible for me. I mean it is a hobby and offers enjoyment but short of providing hours of studying and learning it hasn't been a life changing event.

I like to think of it as what have I done for stamps. In that regards I have been very successful. I have assembled a collection of stamps that will be preserved for many years to come. I have ensured they will stay on the earth in their best shape just a little longer. I have assembled multiples of most US stamps so that future stocks will be around for future collectors.

I guess you could say stamp collecting has made me become some what of a small size preservationist.

Stamp collecting has opened new areas of interest and enhanced other nonstamps areas of interest for me. There is always something new to learn. I can't say it has helped me financially in any way, more than likely just the opposite. Ha!

What has stamp collecting done for me?

1. It has helped me keep my bank account at or near $10.00 for most of my collecting life.
2. It has allowed me to have control of at least one area of my life.
3. It has been a significant stress reducer and escape from my day to day life. (I'm not retired like Phil and Bob!)
4. It has been a source of learning about history and geography that I probably wouldn't have had otherwise.

There is a saying among stamp collectors I know that we are merely stewards of the stamps we now hold..that in the future (future ?) they should go on to someone else who will preserve an care for them. I think thats a pretty good way of looking at it..they should be passed to a responsible person..i will attempt to give my older son some idea of the better material I have..the common stuff can go into the mill !!

I started stamp collecting at age eight. I am now 43. I got back into it, seriously, twenty years ago.

Stamp Collecting gives me the hobby that teaches me about world events and history, gives me an edge in Trivial Pursuit, makes me a well rounded individual, and has introduced me to many friends.

It's a great hobby that keeps your mind active!

David

I haven't been into it long, so for now, all I can
respond is that it has given me something interesting
to do that is cheaper than my usual hobbies.
Coins, cars, guns... With this economy, I needed that.

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One of the nice things about stamp collecting is that you can have a lot of fun with little money!

David

Stamp collecting has given me sore eyes and tendonitis in the fingers, from sorting out too many stamps!

Really though, I feel as if it has given me a better view of the world, than a non collector would have.

< inappropriate political statement, removed>
Sorry if I offended anyone.


Steve

Ah come on that wasn't even close to the truth, she is pretty cool lets not spread that bad rumor.

Yeah just think..she could have had access to the red telephone !

Hey if I move to New York can I become a Senator too?

Sure, they'll take just about anyone. AND, you'll be in a position to get all kinds of cool philatelic material for nothing.

I wasn't trying to insult all youse New Yakers. Being from Louisiana we have more than our fair share of scoundrals and outright criminals.