Are You A Completist In Collecting Stamps?

Clearly everyone here is a stamp collector. Just out of curiosity, are you a completist? If yes, what area(s) in which you are (or attempt to be) complete?

Speaking for myself, I do not have deep enough pockets to be complete in US stamps, but I managed to be complete in souvenir sheets, se-tenant sheets, mini-panes, imperf press sheets, etc. I'm still trying to complete my booklet collection.

I think the drive to be complete in some defined area(s) can be a powerful obsession.

Well, I have all US Airmails, all special delivery, and all the parcel post. I have all the Canadian airmails, airmail special deliver, and special delivery. I now am working on completing all Newfoundland, except for few that cost many thousands of dollars. I may, or may not live that long.

No. I don't collect every issue, often I don't collect every stamp in an issued set, and with a few notable exceptions I don't collect modern issues. My preferred period is 1840 to 1960 GB, USA, Egypt, Canadian Provinces, and Australian States. I have also started a Folklore, Myth and Legend theme and am considering adding a Mexico collection.

Terry

I collect GB, Canada and USA, only new issues and directly from the post. But I am anal about having a complete collection; i.e. the 'right side up' Jenny caused me some pain (that's the problem when you're OCD). And no, I won't spend any money on getting one as it will be out of reach for me.
It's quite expensive considering all the booklets, coil stamps and now the imperforate ones from USPS. But it's a hobby...

I began collecting US about 30 years ago ... limited my self to USPS year sets after the Marilyn Monroe Stamp. I have specialty collection of the 1934-35 National Parks issues. I don't think I will ever complete that collection . But interesting items pop up now and then.

Also, I have complete collections of Vatican City , San Marino . Those two collections were my father's and I still maintain the current issues today.
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The stamp collecting society I belonged to years ago had members who collected specialties. I learned a lot around these old timers about US fancy cancels , precancels , plate # coils , gutter pairs , plate# singles, blocks, tagging, and fakes and forgeries. Once a month each member would speak about their specialty as well as additions to their collections.

Not too many active societies with such diversity today ... at least in my neck of the woods .( New England )

Yep.
A completist. Israel 1948-1998. I chose a 50 year period of time, have collected all in the set and then you begin the routine of collecting varieties, FDCs, blocks, tabbed-blocks, covers. It's kind of obsessive but I do have my spending limits. If I feel it's overpriced or an auction is racing away........ then I happily concede.

Happy collecting.

no I'm not a completest for me that notion is out of reach for me or my wallet anyway. I really only collect classic US material and lately focusing on covers and certain town postmarks. I just pick items up as I see them and if it turns out I get close to completing a certain item then I will pursue the remainders casually.

I confess to being a completist for sets. The farther back in US stamps you go, the trouble is when to decide to go used. A used stamp with a light cancel and good centering costs as much as the same unused stamp in VF condition.


-IBFS

I just purchased a completist collection. 1940-2012 no doubles, sheets, SS, booklets total face $15,450. Wow its about 300+pounds in the Linder albums. I only collect the top 2 highest stamps.


Joe