What Did You Do Philatelically: Today Or Recently?

The stamps you select are really pretty. Light clear cancels and all appear flawless. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you, I'm glad that you like them. It seems that, after 50 years, I've learnt something on stamps...Never, is too late...

I finally tried using Hydrogen Peroxide 3% to remove some rust from some red-orange stamps. I was inspired by a recent post on this by Classic Coins in the US forum showing great results. These four stamps had been wanting me to give them a bath for some time. The top "before" picture is a phone photo. The "after" below is a scan. But you can see the dramatic improvement. I had tried once before with some Peroxide we had in the house. Didn't work. I understand that it goes bad over time. So finally bought some and got some nice results.

It seems like a long time since I did anything "philatellically".
It was actually early March and going to Dublin for a new issue.
Since Lockdown, I have rarely been outside a radius of 8 klometres from my home.
Nothing much has been happening but a couple of weeks ago, the Irish Post Office gave details of stamps issued since Lockdown.
SOAR "(Stamps on a Roll)...12.
Europa ...2
Centenary of Birth of Liam Cosgrave...1
So I ordered three sets of each. They arrived today.
As always I have to post at least one set to myself. Travel to Dublin is still unrealistic. But we live about 40 minutes from post offices in the Republic so I guess we will travel to a few this week.
Prior to LockDown, I was very used to free travel on public transport across the island but I have not been on a bus or train since early March.
LockDown is strange. After a while.....ie five months, there are times when I feel institutionalised. Yes I have my morning and evening walk but a car journey to the shopping mall last week felt scary.
A second wave is coming. I have no doubt. But there is a "window" to get out for just responsible travel.

Corresponded by email with two older collectors who are pretty much isolating in place in UK (England) and New Jersey during current pandemic conditions.
I'd bought particular items from their collections some months ago and asked a few questions at the time to tap into their substantial knowledge and experience. They were receptive and helpful and so I drop them a line now and then to say hello or to ask a little philatelic question if I have one.

Apart from that fussing with some French album pages in AlbumEasy.

For the first time in forever I am spending time with my stamps again. Right now I am looking through my collection deciding what I will keep and what I will sell as I am downsizing my collecting scope from worldwide (everything that took my fancy really) to something a bit more manageable. Been great fun though, looking through old boxes and albums. Right now I am elbow-deep in some kiloware I bought ages ago.

I am creating a new album for my German Third Reich Collection.
Contains all varieties listed in Michel Specialised, all special postmarks used, names of all engravers (if applicable), as well as a historical context.

I do 1-2 pages per day. Immensely enjoyable process.

A few examples:

Working through a pile of US Plate number singles.

I have started scanning my Steiner pages. I have around 153 entities with at least a few stamps and 117 done. The next task is organizing them by creating useful file names, etc.

Started working on France.

I just finished sorting by country a large collection of birds-on-stamps that the previous owner had arranged by genus and species. He had done a terrific job and included detailed typewritten notes on each species. Almost all of the stamps are unused and never hinged but many of them have a shiny spot on the gum due to those awful Crystal Mounts.

Spent a few hours sorting a recent GB mixture I acquired. My son showed interest so we got to spend some quality time together.

Placed online bids for three lots in the UPA postal auction 79. After double checking I had not got the stamps already!

I like that UPA has no buyers premium

Spent part of the day trying to settle on an area or subject or specialty to collect. It is driving me nuts. I just cannot decide. Lots of things interest me but I want to pick something that has tons of depth and really dig in. At the same time I am not looking for something that takes lots of cash because I am tired of that type of thing. Something that keeps me interested and provokes much thought. Something with lots of readily available material. Not really into the prolonged hunt. I just do not know. Frustrating. Leaning towards Latin American material or Farley's. Sigh