Are You A Former Worldwide Collector Who Now Specializes?

A couple of days ago, as a former collector of worldwide stamps, I posted in these forums for advice on how to get back into the hobby after a 30 year absence. As I've considered the responses and done a little more research, I am quickly learning that stamp collecting on a worldwide scope is far more problematic today than it was a few decades ago, and I'm starting to consider the possibility that I may have to narrow my focus somewhat.

There are many aspects to worldwide collecting that made it right for me. I enjoyed the connection I felt to different cultures. I liked the variety. I got satisfaction from dipping a toe in every lake. And as a completionist, I was motivated by designated blank spaces in my world album, even as I realized some of those spaces would always stay empty.

So for those of you who were once worldwide collectors, and then felt compelled to pick a specialty, I'm curious as to how you made the switch? Was it an easy adjustment, or did you find it disappointing at first? Did you feel like you were giving up something, or did you consider giving up on the hobby altogether? How did you finally decide on what to focus on? And what did you learn along the way?

Thanks as always.

Hi Kinibo.
Like you I returned to collecting two years ago after being away from it for over 30 years. I had a world wide collection, though as a kid collecting these things I didn't call it that, I just collected what ever came my way.
But when I started again I wanted to specialize and focus on specific areas. I chose to keep and build on my Canadian and American collections, selling the rest to a dealer (didn't get a very good deal, but that's another story).
Specializing has been great, but I keep finding stuff I really like from other countries, so I've started what I call my 'just because' album, which is just anything that strikes my fancy, kept on vario pages.
By the way, my 'specialized' collections have also expanded to Canadian provinces, American possessions and Confederate States, as well as the UN, but that's just the way it goes. Why fight it, I figure.
Good luck with the collection.

Hello Kinibo,

Welcome to the group. I am very new myself and am already finding these forums addicting. Much like you, I collected 30 plus years ago as a kid. I dabbled here and there since, but nothing really serious.

I've decided to narrow my focus from WW down to a few separate categories. I've picked 3 countries (US, Chile, Egypt) to focus on, and plan to do the same with a couple of topical categories (temperature and rugby). In addition, I would really like to choose one stamp, or series, and do a philatelic study on it. I've got one in mind, but I'm not just 100% sure yet.

I'm a completionist, like you, so it will be hard to know that there will always be some spaces unfilled, but I decided to get back into the hobby because of the fun I had as a kid.

I have been trying to focus my collecting in the past year. Exhibiting has caused me to become more focused about what I collect as well. Even with what I have decided to collect the prospects seem nearly endless.

Focus or lack of it is my problem...i start working on one country or topic and then I read a post on the forum and I start searching through the stacks for a stamp or cover that applies to it !!

Kinibo
Came back to stamp collection after I stop for 25 years. As a teenager I got a worldwide collection from my older sister but it was not long I start a Canada and UN collection then a Europa collection. But in those years I didn't have much money to spend on stamps and also had other interests. But I kept my albums. Since i'm back to collecting I focused on different countries. When I get tired I just sell and start another one. I don't make money. I try not to loose to much. Since i'm back collecting I kept my Europa collection and invest in it allot. I sold my UN stamps. I bought a Poland sheets collection and collect the stamps too. Sold most of them by now. I bought an Greenland collection, added to it then sold it. Build a Iceland collection and sold it not long ago. Now I have a Sweden, a Brazil, a Costa Rica and my Europa collections plus some minor topical collections. And also I had a Zanzibar collection, sold it too. So many of us start Worldwide collection when we were young but for me now it's much more fun to focus on few countries. I don't call that specialize. When i'm tired of a country, I sell and with the money I can start another one. Daniel

Well, here's a story about going full circle...

I started off as a world-wide collector. After several years of people telling me that world-wide collecting is hopeless and a sign of an amateur, and that specializing is the sign of maturity, so I archived my WW collection (#1) and spent a couple of decades on a number of specialties.

So began my "specialty collections". Some were so specialized, it was pretty easy to complete. Some, like the the plate numbers of the one penny red, will be impossible to complete (got them all, except for plate #77 -- will an air-brushed #77 count?). But I did wind up accumulating some WW stamps in the process, so I kept another highly disorganized WW collection on the side (WW collection #2).

Last decade, I bought a medium sized WW collection to get my mind off my illness, and started going through it and sorting/cataloging. Suddenly, I remembered all the "fun" of my childhood WW collection. I'm back to that highly immature, hopeless, space-consuming, child-hood passion of WW collection. WW collection #3 is past 100k and working on the 2nd 100k.

So... read the reply posts, soak in the suggestions, but remember...

...it's your collection. Collect what you want, the way you want. If that means washing the gum off mint stamps, then so be it.

Collect whatever stamp makes your heart beat just a little livelier.

And above all, post your stamps and your experiences here. If that means redefining the English language slightly, then so be it.

k

Another collector returning after 30 years. What is it about 30 years?

I haven't decided what I'm going to collect this time around, as my old collection has been sold long ago. I like the classics, so maybe instead of countries, I'll focus on events or time periods and see where that takes me.

I started out collecting WW but only had money for a US album. So, around 1998 with 1,000s and 1,000s of 95% modern WW and no album, I dropped the idea, sold them all for $70.00 and focused on US, Guatemala and Israel. When US went primarily self adhesive and with fewer and fewer people sending me and my friends mail because of e-mail I finally decided to stop collecting US stamps (except for classics up to about 1870). Then I dropped Guatemala and actively collecting Israel. There are just too many stamps and not enough time, not to mention money. So now what?

I finally narrowed myself down to US stamps with manuscript cancels, covers from York, PA (my home town) and occasionally early US covers with elaborate penmanship. All three of these together are manageable and I am pleased with how well I have adapted to just these. Oh yeah, I still have a liking to and have many US CVP31 - 33 which are also known as Variable Rate Coils.

Hi Kinibo and welcome to the forum

I started out by collecting WW and since have decided to down-size my collection and concentrate on just those areas that I want to specialize in.

The three main reasons I quit are (1) - There are just too many stamps in the world to even consider completing, (2) - the postal entities of today are issuing far too many stamps and it is impossible to keep up with them, and (3) - the cost and my budget would not see eye-to-eye

My main specialties presently are Canada, Belgium, GB, Germany and Hawaii. I also decided to stay with US airmails only but not the regular issues.

Chimo

Bujutsu

Money-sucking leeches are on their own. Husband/wife has already given up trying to get you to change. It's the perfect storm...

KHJ you must be talking about me...hopeless,immature, but getting great satisfaction from adding a 1963 DDR stamp to its space in a Scott International album !!

Yes I got back into WW classical collecting after 30 years too.

WW collecting can be done, but one still has to set limits.

• Collect to an album...
Example: Big Blue (Scott Part I 1840-1940), or Minkus Global Supreme -1952. Or pick another date earlier or later if you wish.
BB does a great job of keeping expensive stamps out of the album. Your Grandfather (or Father) collected with this album. They could do it. Why not you?

Check out:
http://bigblue1840-1940.blogspot.com/

• Become a serial WW collector.
Collect a couple of countries at a time, add to them - or change focus - and see where it leads you. Many collectors end up doing this anyway. That way, you can "specialize", but reserve the right to add or become interested in something else.

• The "Keijo" approach.

All world on a modest budget.

http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/

Good luck!

i am 32 years old so your hiatus is about as long as I've been alive! lol

Jim - you're making me a legend?

Anyway, my story is somewhat similar to khj.... I started with worldwide as a kid/youth. Then I got converted into specialized collecting, and did that for about a decade. But on the long run it wasn't for me... Content-wise it didn't simply have the same appeal as worldwide collecting, and to make real progress, I should have put major $$$ into hobby... So I went back to collecting the world, and I'm a one happy camper :)

This one sentence has me flip-flopping back again to wanting to go worldwide. May I ask what has been your primary method for assembling your collection? Are mixed lots advisable, at least in the early going? Do you have particular stamp dealers that you prefer to order from? (Not sure if dealer recommendations are allowable on these forums, so my apologies if this is a question you can't answer).



I love that idea, and I'll keep my eyes open for that. Unfortunately in Canada it seems to be a lot more difficult to find albums, since a lot of ebay sellers don't ship to here, or the shipping costs can run $100 or more. I'm still considering the Statesman Deluxe (with all its limitations) just as a starting point so at least I can begin the journey for a reasonable cost, and diversify from there. I'm also looking into sourcing an old set of Scott catalogues and going with the Steiner pages, as has been recommended here. Again, the catalogues are goint to take time to acquire, it seems, so I'd like to get busy in the meantime