Will Stamp Collecting Survive?

Why you care so much about it ?

First let me give another example; I made Model Railroading, in model railroading the more peoples who do it , the more models manufacturers produces, so we need more peoples.

But stamps collecting ? I prefer classic area, they don't produces those stamps anymore, so the less peoples who collect them, the more they become available at cheaper prices. The peoples who have cares that much are the ebay sellers, Brick and mortars stores and companies like Amos, but us collectors; it's a win win situation, at least for me, I will die with my stamps collection, I will never get my money back from it. My kids are doing great at school, they will have professional careers and they will not need money from my stamps after I pass away. The more stamps come cheaps, the more chances they will come looking at keeping it instead of selling it.


I'm way more concern about my computer services business, everyone use smartphones and tablets..... well at least a lot of them.

From the perspective of an old man like myself, it is hard not to recognize the decline in printed information/research about stamps, as well as the lack of opportunity to exchange information "face to face" with other collectors. In the 1970's and '80's, Linn's Stamp News and American Philatelist had articles that would spur interest and perhaps research. Stamp clubs and shows had mentors who could pass along knowledge most directly. Today, the remaining publications are mere shells of themselves. I very seldom clip, or download articles for further study because the material presented is so basic. Just about everything I can find about my current interest, computer-vended postage, is only available online. I think stamp collecting will survive, it's just that the massive and increasing changes in technology will make collectors more isolated, and good information a little tougher to find.

So the consequence of everyone targeting the new (and new issues) collector is boredom for the rest of us?

I disagree with BOOKBNDRBOB ,the whole information source for philately has transferred to sites like this and other chat rooms on the internet . I have posted hundreds of scans that people can learn from and I have gotten information from dozens of people who posted here . A lot of other people have helped me add dozens if not hundreds of pages to my worldwide collection.The information they posted has helped me make notes in my albums also for future write ups .
As much as I posted here with my stuff ,I have received much more information coming my way from all the other posters that are part of this community .

Ikeypikey, I didn't intend to slam the editorial policy of only discussing/presenting new issues...but it does seem that it is about the only thing the publishers allocate space to. To the point, It appears that there are not people out there willing to submit substantive and interesting articles. Perhaps I am just naive. The publications are a lot thinner now, and they are overwhelmingly devoted to advertising. Journalism doesn't pay the bills.

Hate to be the bearer of reality here...but everything has changed in the Digital Age we currently live in.
I'm 65 years old and I like newspapers. But when I take a commuter train in to New York City, I see few others reading "paper"
of any kind. Because these folks use a Kindle, tablet or smart phone may directly hurt area66's business. But I am glad that this online forum exists! So I strongly agree with floortrader in that my ability to log on to this community after a tough day at work and an evening dining with friends is a wonderful thing! If I stay involved, I may get to know ikepikey, floortrader and area66 well because they have decided to get involved in this community. That is meaningful to me. None of my friends collect. Neither do folks in my family. So while bookbndrbob seems saddened by the changes he has experienced, I am thankful that I easily can share my growing passion about stamps with others who are knowlegable and appreciative.

Yep, without the internet, it's entirely possible I'd never come in contact with another collector. There is no stamp club in the city where I live and the closest one is about 2 hours away, I think. 25 years ago, not only would I have not had an internet connection to other collectors, I wouldn't have any face-to-face connections, either.

I see & understand words like 'community' and 'forum' and 'digital social space' ...

... but, to me, SCF is my 24/7 stamp club.

Yessir.

The comments here seems to suggest that there are many of the readers here that are proud they are not members of stamp clubs except for those online.

Pagoda

I am pround to be member of my local club, I live in a town or 3000 peoples and we find the way to form a club.

Pagoda; this is typical to all forums about hobby and many other things, in model railroading we call them armchair modellers.

Quote: "without the internet, it's entirely possible I'd never come in contact with another collector."

Long Island, New York where I live has a population of approx 4 million. I did a search for stamp clubs and found one
about 25-30 miles away and another in Manhattan about 25-30 miles the other way. I think I'll try to establish a club right in my area
in order to have some personal face-to-face time with other collectors. But short of that taking off, THIS Community will be my stamp club!

Where I live there are no stamp clubs. I only know of one person who collects/saves stamps as she worked in the local post office for a number of years.

She did mention once that the post master in the next town over had a huge stamp collection that sold for next to nothing at the estate sale in 1987. The lady didn't say if she purchased it and I didn't ask.

Being a member here exposes me to the many different facets of philately which I would have never known about.

-MV

If you are that good at reading minds, what am I thinking right now?

Your conclusion is not support by evidence.

For example, I belong to my local IRL club, which meets ~once per month.

I also belong to SCF, which meets 24/7 <== You can excuse me for enjoying that convenience.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

dcaraz1949 you live in Long Island so go visit some stamps stores to fix your albums choice.....lol.