Tired Of Stamps

The treasure hunter in me really hopes there's a rare and valuable stamp somewhere in this accumulation of stamps...but frankly, I'm just tired of the search. Values seem to be hugely variable, and I haven't the knowledge. I wonder if you all (my experts!) would even look twice if you saw this lot on ebay? There are stamps from 60 countries here
I might just pack it up and pull it out again in 5 years...
Any advice?

Sort it first. Then put it away. Next time take another step, and so on.


-IBFS

Evaluating collections is a subtle process, especially when you cannot see everything online. It is important to size up how much was spent on it or what unusual sources generated it. It sure looks like this collection was thrown together without much intelligence or expense. Any stamps are fun to work on, but this one might not be worth 10$ from the looks of it.

I am not tired yet, still like xmas at times, not so much as gold and silver treasure hunting that might wane after a while but enjoying a bit of history and things not seen or known before. I got the plastic pages at the thrift shop 2bucks and binder was free in a box lot bought on ebay was putting loose stuff in it to protect.

I just bought this junk box on ebay to browse through (should be here next week)and I was just browsing things I already had in the pictures below today.

Nothing better except maybe boating or sailing.

Sure someone will be interested in stamp lots on ebay if not for anything but curiosity, why do they climb mountains because it is there. Price it take pictures and wait if it doesn't sell it has three times to list on ebay for free usually after that adjust price, maybe show more pictures or different ones and go again. if you don't know worldwide stamps get a stamp finder and check out this link- http://www.stampworld.com/en/

my junk box lot just bought on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Massive-WW-...p=true&rt=nc

What I was looking through this afternoon:

odd he had them postmark the paper he hinged stamps on

from italy was a whole set folded in an envelope

Fiume unused has a small hinge on back kinda cool diamond

Remember to have fun...

I always seem to have one or more mixed collections like this I am working through. I use these when I want to spend "a few minutes" with stamps. I will pull a page or envelope out and sort through it. I will look to fill some holes while putting the duplicates away.

Thar was quite helpful, thank you.

Different treasure for different people!

Once upon a time I collected as many worldwide stamps as I could, up to around 8000, all different, and I arranged them in rows of similar heights. I thought that was neat. Quadrille (graphed) pages.

Now, I look for pretty or nice things, stamps, cancels, envelopes, etc, and hexagon-shaped stamps and cancels, and Canada cancels from 1973 onwards, and USA and Japan and France and now Brazil cancels from that same period. Any stamps that are nice, France art, Canada and Sweden marine life, engraving errors or varieties, etc.

How do I resist buying a worldwide lot that may have anything in it that I like, when I like so many different things?

I don't.

There are too many good things out there.

Now stop showing me more!

My normal life was taken off me!

Fell into a big hole and stamps gave me a life again!

I log roll out of bed in the morning into stamping and then I get really tired of stamping and log roll back into bed again and then I wake up....back to bed......etc.....Love it.... very slow bout it....but all my waking hours......

It's just like collecting anything; if your in it for the money then you won't be in it long. I've known you for a long time on here and that don't seem to be the case with you. Maybe the stamp bug will bite you again someday so I wouldn't suggest selling them but putting them in a safe spot until another time. Collecting waxes and wanes as with about anything so that's my suggestion friend. -Jeff

Good advice. I have several "hobbies" (perhaps a better word would be "avocation"), and the intensity of my devotion to them varies. I'll devote my time to one, more than the others, for a while, and then my interest will shift. I seem not to be able to spread my time equally among them, but rather rotate my time among them, putting all the focus on one for a while, and then moving on to the other. It is not so much that I lose interest, but rather than I realize I've missed one of the other hobbies, and decide it is time to devote some attention to it. Right now it is stamps (hence my presence here). When it is time to shift to a different one, I will not be selling my collection. I'll just set it aside for awhile, and focus on something different. I have at least four such "avocations," so there's always something that I'm devoting a lot of time and effort to (and being retired--though I still do some part time consulting for extra $$$...hobbies are not cheap!), so time is something I've got a fair amount of.

If the are things, at a glance, you can tell you wouldn't be so interested in you can always send them to this APS place that tries to get young people interested in stamp collecting.

Young Stamp Collectors of America club

American Philatelic Society
100 Match Factory Place
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Attn.: Janet Houser


-IBFS

You are all amazing. The collection/accumulation comes from a middle school librarian who had stamp club for the kids (my daughter) at lunch time. It was a jumble in grocery bags when I dug it out of the closet. I spent a lot of time researching and sorting...I love the historical perspective,so if I did start collecting these damn things, that would be my focus. Probably covers! Learning the historical story (I wonder if that was redundant?) of a cover would be exciting!
I'm finally getting back on my feet financially again, so I could even afford a hobby!
I think I'll take one more cruise through them and do some more sorting and research.

Sometimes it takes years for the bug to bite again. In any case, there is no right/wrong way to collect...no-one can tell you that you should collect this or that. it is all in your eyes. while perusing your collection something may catch your eye and spark a new topic/route ide on how to collect these little pieces of paper. As I love stamps said, if your in it for the money, you won't be in it for long. for example, one guy came into the store the other month and he said "oh I tried stamp collecting long ago, but got smat and quit as not much is out there that is worth anything except a few rare ones...glad I got out when I did" (paraphrased). My thought was that he didn't have the mind set for stamp collecting. I collect because I enjoy looking at them in awe and wonder. old school engravings, wonderful penmanship on covers from back in the day when there was pride in one's script. Not to mention holding history in your hands and visiting countries most people have never heard of. This is why I collect. If I find a valuable treasure I count myself lucky. I just try and pass on my passion for this hobby(and others) to those that come through the store, hopefully one or more will get hooked. So, be patient and let it go as it will. you'll find the groove again.

Thanks Chewie, and to all of you!