4 Reasons Why Stamp Collecting Will Survive

This only proves my earlier point. Collecting originated in an era very, very different from ours in many ways, yet has still survived over the years and across many cultures. Clearly it speaks to something innate in a certain type of person. Yes, people might find other things to collect, but how many other things can you collect 100,000 of and yet store on a shelf? And be relatively affordable to boot?

Anyway, it is certainly possible, if not likely, that stamp collecting will dwindle somewhat, at least in the US, where I live. But it's got a long ways to go before it gets into the realm of bear baiting or collecting antique knitting needles.

Generally agree with points already made other than I don't think the picture for collecting in the US is all that bleak. I've read that one reason why sale of e-books has leveled is because the Millenial generation likes the idea of holding an actual book. Noteworthy also is Amazon opening its first brick-and-mortar store in Seattle. Stamp collecting can take advantage of such trends.

In the area of crossover trends, last night, was looking through the current winter gift catalog from the Colorado Railroad Museum. Found this book listed: "Colorado Post Offices 1859-1989." Part of the narrative: "Colorado Post Offices is of interest not only to those in the rapidly expanding field of postal history, but it also provides a valuable reference for anyone intrigued by Colorado history and the state's many fascinating ghost towns and mining camps. 40 photographs, reproductions of 44 historic postal covers and 80 rare cancellations."

Side note: the book is co-authored by the late William H. Bauer, who was a past president of the APS, I think. My point is that outreach to those who collect other collectables, or who have an interest in a state history, can be important for stamp collecting.

Bear baiting?? I think that is illegal in Colorado.

One thing about smaller - at a certain point things would collapse because there won't be enough collectors and dealers to support the catalog producers, the album producers, the expertizers etc.

Not sure I agree on that, albums not produced by the big album producers are already proliferating on the web (see the success of the Steiner pages). We are beginning to see online stamp catalogs which, while they may not have valuations that the majority of collectors would accept today as valid, are at least creating the database that would allow for the marketplace to develop online catalogs that would, over time, come to be seen as a valid reflection of values.

As for expertisers, that is very much an individual skill, and while many are less than fond of PSE because of the whole slabbing phenomenon, the fact that they have created a fairly successful expertising service that is accepted by many in the philatelic marketplace shows that new expertisers do not necessarily have to be part of established organizations to gain legitimacy in the marketplace.

the current marketplace infrastructure might go through a major transformation over the next couple decades as the hobby continues to evolve, but the basic needs of the marketplace will be met via new ventures and projects - they already are in fact beginning to be met in the case of albums.

Want to help ensure more kids get into stamping?

If you love stamping, please check out the idea discussed on the other thread linked below. And consider getting involved with a concept a few of us are discussing in our Forum...
This is an idea to create a current marketing effort to appeal to tweens and teens while exposing them to the world of stamp collecting:

Here's an idea that could use your knowledge, ideas and support. Please check out this thread and consider getting involved in a worthwhile project:
https://goscf.com/t/46924#402846

I hope you want to get involved in some way!

Cheers,
Dan Carazo
Syosset, NY USA