Tales Of An Old Collector

StampNut,

This is a terrific site and I know you will enjoy it. I became a contributor (Supporter) early on. It is interesting that you stopped at 1999 as I am considering doing the same. I really wish I had "kept with it" as you did. But I am really glad that I came back. Thirty years of looking at those unfinished Harris albums in my dresser did me in. Strictly singles MNH for me. Today was a good day as I finished MYSTIC Volume Five 1990-1994. Five more years to go and then it'll be decision time. Continue forward or go back as you did. What is distressing is that the 1940's, 50's, and 60's all fit into one MYSTIC binder. It'll take two binders just for the 1990's!

Take care,
Jack Kelley

Family,

Well, I've finally made it to 12/31/1999. The MNH collection new extends from 1920 to 2000. All newly housed in MYSTIC Premium albums. Looks really good!

Now its decision time. Continue forward or start the Washington-Franklins.

Stay tuned,
Jack Kelley

Hi again Jack, I'm sure you're thrilled to have completed your new Mystic albums. What I did with my album pages might also interest you. I purchased a case of acid free page protectors and now each page has added protection just in case my hands might be dirty and I forget to wash up first. The pages look great and have added protection. It will of course increase the thickness of each album. I've purchased several new sets from Mystic over the years and that way I was able to get additional binders and then gave the pages off to youngsters I thought might become interested in the hobby. I just put them in some black binders. Its a win win concept for me. My MNH collection now spans 12 albums. Enjoy your new albums!
Don

Jack - great story here. I went through a similar exercise moving from a Harris Liberty to a a Mystic Heirloom album. I moved all the MNH into the Mystic albums then started a parallel collection of used US on Steiner pages.

Now looking back, I don't see me ever completing a MNH collection pre-1930 so I'm considering combining the used stamps back into the first volume of my Mystic collection. Now I've been looking at purchasing volume 1 of the hingeless album with the premium binders.

BTW - we all struggle with and "end date" for our collection. I have pages to 2010 in the last volume but only have stamps through 2006. I can't see buying any newer issues as I would rather spend the money on classic era stamps.

Family,

It took three months, but I finally updated my US MNH to 12/31/2014. It took nine Mystic Premiums to cover ninety five years 1920 thru 2014; two binders for the first fifty years and seven for the next forty five! It was an ordeal and I am still questioning whether I should have stopped at 12/31/1999. Now on to the "real" US stamps.

Jack Kelley

Hi Family,

This will probably be my last update on my re-entry back into the hobby. Above you can see my collection and below it my reference materials and supplies. I have organized this MNH collection as follows (left to right):

VARIO Binder contans MYSTIC Heirloom pages 1847 to 1899. No stamps.
MYSTIC Binder 1 1900 to 1919 This is what I am working on now.
MYSTIC Binder 1 1920 to 1939 Missing Scott 613 (surprise, suprise)
MYSTIC Binder 2 1940 to 1969 Complete
MYSTIC Binder 3 1970 to 1979 Complete
MYSTIC Binder 4 1980 to 1984 Complete
MYSTIC Binder 5 1985 to 1989 Complete
MYSTIC Binder 6 1990 to 1994 Complete
MYSTIC Binder 7 1995 to 1995 Complete
MYSTIC Binder 8 1996 to 1999 Complete
MYSTIC Binder 9 2000 to 2004 Complete
MYSTIC Binder 10 2005 to 2010 Complete
MYSTIC Binder 11 2011 to 2014 Complete
VARIO BINDER 2 Back of Book. Airmails only. Missing Zeps (but not for long!)

A big part of this hobby for me is organization and presentation. Sadly, this phase is pretty much finished now. Everything is all Showguard Mounted. Since I will be spending the rest of my days working on MYSTIC Binder 1, I plan to read about Washington-Franklins as well as other research.

Jack Kelley

Hi Jack - I like your story, thanks for sharing. By the look of it it seems you have been quite busy the last months - looking very nice indeed! Happy stamping and all the best for the Washington-Franklin study!

Thanks Blaamand,

I am really happy to be "back in the hobby" after so many years away. I am now in a phase of my collection where I never thought I'd be. Especially having been away for so long. Thsnk you for your kind words.

Jack Kelley