What Would You Do Next ?

Hi!

I'm approaching a time in the "stamp collecting continuum" that brings some questions to mind. I'm sure many of you have been there, and I was wondering what path you pursued........

My WW collection spans 1840 - 1950s, and is housed in Scott's International Albums (I, II, & III). I started WW last year, and began by buying up several albums. I pulled what I needed from each and that yielded a nice "base" for the collection. Next, I've gone after individual country or alpha collection of countries offered up on ebay. This has added significantly to the collection.

So now I'm at the point where the bulk (certainly not all) of the remaining needs are either very expensive or just not readily available. Of course I still pore over the auction sites, but I'm looking for groups or collections - rather than individual stamps.

The above is probably a common story, but I wonder what process or steps you all took in putting together your collection?

I have started three or four countries over the past year, the most recent being St. Pierre & Miquelon. I started each by buying collections on ebay. These gave me a good base for the country. There are many holes, so, as I mount the stamps, I am looking on ebay for the individual stamps to complete sets and fill holes.

Several of my other countries are British Commonwealth countries. In those instances, the process of buying prior assembled collections doesn't look like it would have worked as well. Most of the collections I've seen are too spotty and would require a lot of watching for the missing items. I also think purchasing complete sets for many Commonwealth countries is cheaper than assembling sets. I could be wrong about that but that's what I'm observing.

By the way, I've been surprised at how hard it is to find St Pierre & Miquelon material at reasonable prices. I think I've asked elsewhere if this is a popular country?

Hi,
I've picked up a number (over 12) albums over the last year and found what one would tend to expect......... The albums tended to have the same basic stamps for a given country, and only 1 or 2 for other countries (or none). I suspect its because the former owners of these albums got their start in the 50s & early 60s and picked up the same packets of stamps from the many approval companies or the local dime store. St. Pierre & Miquelon is one of those countries where "everybody" has the same couple of stamps, but that is all.............

Have you considered collecting covers?

Not really (I've got my hands in too many things already). But if I did, it would likely be of the WWII naval ships.

mobilman
I once bought a very nice Greenland collection on ebay and it's on ebay I spend the most for stamps but I also bought a great Poland sheets collection from a dealer in the Netherlands. So shop around. For many dealers ebay is just one way to sell you would surprise what kind of treasure they decide to sell by big auctions firm or directly to their best costumers who can afford it. Daniel

Perhaps it's time for you to "graduate" from ebay and similar sites. You've already realized that buying general, world-wide, collections is only good for a while. Have you thought about specializing in a given country or area; as suggested by NBStamper (sounds like you've at least thought of it)? Over the years; once I got out of college in the early 1970s and started working for more than minimum student wages; I've specialized in a number of countries. To name a few: Canada & provinces; Portugal & colonies; Poland; and last year, started moving into Mexico. I look for stuff in all these areas; with a general mid-1960s (for my Scott Blue Internationals Parts I to V) to early 1970s cut-off (all Portuguese colonies except Macau were independent by 1975). In addition, I have a modest US collection.

I'm also still assimilating material from several world wide collections bought over the past 30 years. I sympathize with your situation with your world wide collections.

If you do decide to specialize, look for the specialized collector society for collectors of that country or country area. As examples, there are the Mexico-Elmhurst Philatelic Society International (MEPSI) and the International Society of Portuguese Philately (ISPP). Of course, APS membership is a given. For some areas; like Canada & Provinces; there is more than one society (Royal Philatelic Society of Canada; British North American Philatelic Society; there may be others). Most of them have pretty decent web sites.

If you decide to specialize, the APS stamp store or circuits can be good places to get stuff. Good auction houses will have country or area specific collections to tempt you. And I occasionally buy from a couple dealers who advertise in Linn's or APS. For auction houses, I am currently on the mailing lists for Daniel Kelleher (CT); Michael Rogers (FL); Bond Enterprises( AZ). The first two are on the web. But do check for their commission rates.

The individual dealer that I do the most business with is D & P Stamps from California. They seem to be the best, and almost only, dealer in the country (USA) that specializes in the Portuguese area.

Hi,
Thank you for all the good info. Actually, I do specialize in the USA, having a couple of Scott's Nationals that are quite full. I've been at the point with them that I go for individual stamps rather than groups. But for the WW, I'm just not quite there yet.

NBSTAMPER




I agree. Sometime I bought partial sets and you have to go after the missing stamp that is only on sale as buy it now for 80% cat. value. You have to pay extra shipping. And after all that you maybe end up saving a few $. I don't know about you but when I fall in love with a set of stamps and I can afford it I buy it and I just can't wait it's in my mailbox.

Ok, I have to add something here that may not make much sense to some............

I've bought full years of a country's stamps, and sets of certain groupings, and the like. They really can be nice, but there is a feeling that "it was too easy" - for want of a better expression. Missing a stamp or three from a page or other grouping gives me something to seek out. Said another way, the search is a good part of the fun. Ha, I guess sometimes the end justifies the means, and sometimes the means justifies the end.

Yikes, I must be tired....... I'm getting philosophical !

Yeah. It's only for stamps I can spend hours shopping that's how whith internet I got to know many dealers with website. They only problem is when the fever reach the peak and you spend to much.

I was ready for a change in 1973. I was bored with stamp collecting. I had a list of stamps that I didn't have and I planned on buying them in the best condition I could afford - just like thousands of other collectors. Crossing catalogue numbers off a list wasn't much fun. Then I discovered postal history. My eyes were opened to a new world of collecting which I controlled and not stamp catalogues and stamp dealers. I was the boss of my collection!

I've shared my interests with many people via the internet:

http://postalhistorycorner.blogspot.ca/
http://netherlandspostalhistory.blogspot.ca/
http://greatbritainphilately.blogspot.ca/
http://philphilately.blogspot.ca/

If you want something new use your imagination.

Interested in Naval material then go for it!

Many collectors love preparing check lists and being narrow specialists. I'm not one of those people. It saddens me that the 19th century approach to collecting still dominates. It doesn't have to be so.

You don't have to collect this way. You shouldn't need anything. Try having fun. Here is an example :













Remember : You're the boss of your collection. You don't have to do what everyone else does, unless you are an exhibitor. Exhibitors must follow RULES.

"You don't have to do what everyone else does, unless you are an exhibitor" that's not a fair statement .-------A friend of mine does original research and exhibits to show others what he is doing and what he found in his research ,he's is not ever going to win top prize and a national award .Also I doing something that excessed any famous collector in history and hold the biggest collection of its kind . My collection has more stamps from more countries and political groups who issued stamps than any of the famous or wealth collectors in past history .Every collector can make his collection different .Look at what can be done with Great Britain Machins. Cost doesn't become a factor if you look around for something interesting .-------by the way nice display of 3 cent covers Lorddenning .

Does anyone else besides me think that the first Jefferson cover is a most unattractive cachet?

Unless you have unlimited disposal money the process isn't much different for many people. So know I play in different areas.

Goals

1.) Have the largest collection of used USA stamps.

This lead me branching out to collecting Pre Cancels, Pefins, color shifts and you name it. I mean there is a ton of sub -collecting you can do. What I really like it is a very cheap way to expand and fired the interest in my personal stamp collecting.

I will never fully complete my USA MNH collection but I still expand it slowly one classic at a time.

I concentrate of three other countries, Canada, Australia and Israel. Great fun since I am really in the beginning so every stamp I get is mostly something I don't have.

With the help of people on this forum I have start building a Third Reich collection.

There is just so many ways to collect stamps that there is something for everyone.