"Is Stamp Collecting Dying?" Stamp Community Made The News!

An article that I'm sure will interest SCF members, especially since they quote stampcommunity.org as the source of some of the varying opinions on the question "Is Stamp Collecting Dying?"

http://www.ecommercebytes.com/C/abb...4639290.html

WT1---Thanks for that link ..........stamp collecting isn't dying its just moving to other countries.You got to remember as many countries move up in education and wealth ,they still don't trust or want to put money into their banking system,so money will go into hard and movable assets.

Nice story... I think/hope it's simply shifting it's form. Which, considering how the world has changed over the last 20-30 years, might be well due.

That said, my oldest kids school class was seeking draw prizes earlier this month, and I suggested my missess that I could build up some topical stamp packets from extras. Despite she's a collector too, I was slightly shocked when she said ' you silly man. A lovely gesture, but absolutely no'.

The times they are changing...

Stamp collecting is like a slippery fish that has three ways to go Bricks and Mortar Stamp Dealer, On-line Dealer or The ebay type Dealer.

The ebay Dealer is the winner at the moment and because of the strong usage from stamp collectors. It is growing leaps and bounds but ask the on-line dealer about stamp collecting and it is more likely you will get a boom and gloom response.

It is all going to become very clear where stamp collecting is in the next 5 years.

IMO. KGV

Interesting wt1

I have old books in my library, plus have seen articles in all the popular stamp magazines and papers announcing the demise of stamp collecting. The books and articles date back to 30 years and the oldest being 50+ years!

Guess what? - We are still here and the hobby is still going strong. I say this judging by the different auction houses etc,, online & otherwise.

Apparently there are more middle-aged people taking up the hobby, some coming back into it, as a source of relaxation away from their hectic jobs.

Postage stamps might cease being issued in the future by the PO entities, but the hobby will most likely carry on.

We can at least hope anyway.

My opinion of course.

Chimo

Bujutsu

My oldest boy tells me I am wasting his inheritence by collecting stamps. He of course says this jokingly, but he is serious in his belief that what I have now will become totally worthless in my lifetime. My response is, life is a whole lot more than money or the value of things. If you enjoy something that doesn't hurt anybody than go for it. If you meet great people and make friends along the way that's the thing that has true value. That's what I get out of collecting regardless of what the future brings.

Collecting anything has it's ups and downs. Watching the Antique Roadshow, they will say that some piece they're showing may have sold for double 5 years ago but the market isn't hot anymore. Stamps in general has been one of the most volatile markets of any type of collecting. There isn't much if any intrinsic vale to them. About 95% of them have marginal value to them. It is finding that small 5% that drives me. We have seen the guy trying to sell a handful of stamps on ebay for $70,000.00 that we know is worth a couple of dollars. We also know when he sobers up that he is hooked as well. It was the beauty and attention to detail that made him think they were worth a fortune.
No, stamp collecting isn't dying, it is just learning to find a place in the hearts and minds where there are a lot of competing interests.

As long as people collect things, stamp collecting will not die.

There are just too many things nowadays to captivate the younger crowd
compared to when I was growing up but these little bits of paper will
survive in the future.

And I believe that we with this forum and others will keep this great hobby going indefinitely.

If stamp collecting is dying I know quite a few dealers that are going to be stuck with a heck of a lot of inventory...but they seem good natured and not too worried about it !

Stamp collecting seems to be more of a hobby of older generations; those past spending their time with fast cars, faster women, and howling at the moon all night. I know thats not true in every case; there are many younger collectors I'm sure. But generally I think its a "taking life easier" hobby time unlike recreation/hobbies that are more macho. My mother got me interested in stamps when I was about 12yrs. old. I work at collecting on a small scale (cutting grass and paper routes for the revenue)until girls came along and started taking up my time. After marriage, kids and career expectations, stamp collecting went to the back of the closet. About 10yrs. ago, my daughter drug out the old album and got me back interested in collecting--I think that may be true for may collectors. Every since then, I've been at it. It seems to me that there is a passion, a deep passion, along with the fascination of learning, and finding the treasure that keeps me driven. I think everyone who is really into stamp collecting has that passion, drive to learn, and thrill of the hunt. I have owned an antique shop, an antique mall and have space in two antique mall now. I hear antique dealers complaining about the same thing--antique collecting is dying out as all the old folks are going. Antique collecting and stamp collecting will survive. When the younger generation ages, I think many of them will find, or return, to these pursuits. Every month when I read my copy of the "American Philatelist", I always look over the membership report. Ever notice the ages of the new members? The most negative thing I see about stamp collecting is the USPO. Just my point of view, thought I'd share it.

Good article and love that SCF was included. I was just at my newly found consignment store that I still need another 20hrs to look through. I know they were given a massive qty of stamps ( by description 2/3 of a pallet full) but the owner has little time or interest in getting it to the floor. In the few minutes I was there 2 buyers of old books and 1 of those darn little souvenire spoons. The odd thing is while I was browsing and my wife was looking at jewellery (will never loose interest) I came across some older hockey cards and was like a moth to a flame. Not that I'd get back to collecting cards but it floods back memories of throwing them at a wall and checking off checklists. Stamps basically do the same but just don't seem to warrant the floor space. Several of the older pawn shops in my area used to be named such and such stamps and coins but now focus on gems jewels and coins only. Lets face it it is much easier per sq ft to have a million in gold than in stamps . Honestly I think as printed postage slowly but surely dies off the attraction to have what once was will grow.