I joined the Forum a few days ago. Introducing myself... My name is John and I live in Ireland. I am 64 years old and retired. I suppose I got my first stamp album...pre-printed around 1960/61. Of course initially it was all Poland, Hungary, China etc...thematics at a counter in Woolworths. When I was 18, I started to specialise in collecting Ireland (mint and used) In those days ireland 1922-1970 could fit into a single album. Unfortunately because of varieties in paper etc, I became slightly obsessed. In 1999 and 2000, Ireland which had a relatively conservative issuing policy started issuing far too many stamps. I guess that I was just one of many collectors who simply gave up. I did not even look at my albums for over ten years and came back to the hobby in March 2012. The first task was to buy all the issues (mint and used) from 2001-2012 as well as buying all the new issues from 2012 as they were issued. It was expensive but I completed this mission early in 2016. This means that I am up to date except for about 20 or so stamps, mostly overprints from around 1922. The downside is that I now have to buy a new album once a year. The upside is that I am not stressed about it. The goal of completion remains but maybe we are never really meant to be"complete" maybe a collection that is individual, unique and quirky is more important. I have re-discovered a juvenile interest in collecting the world...it can run alongside the serious side of collecting Ireland. But my interest remains mint and used Ireland, including miniature sheets....and this can blend nicely into commercially used postcards and envelopes (NOT First Day Covers) which tells a story about thestamp. Inevitably collecting Irish stamps has led to an interest in Irish postcards, coins and phonecards. Thanks for reading.
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Posted 12/27/2016 12:09 pm
