Reversing The Decline In Stamp Collecting

Much has been written on this forum about the decline in stamp collecting. The APS and others continue to seek remedies. The solution seems so simple.

A press release, saying that a certain resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue hates stamp collecting, would undoubtedly create a tsunami of new young collectors. Instead of collecting Food stamps, they would turn to Postage stamps.

Post offices across the country would be besieged with people clamoring for more stamps. Instead of dealers offering discount postage, unused older issues would instantly sell for a nice premium.

I've got to quit taking a benadryl before I go to bed. My dreams are getting out of hand.

I implore everyone to please do not let this thread deteriorate into a drama filled, emotional flame-fest. At the end of the day our common ground should be our community and collecting.
Thank you,
Don

Well said Don!

FDR did a lot to encourage stamp collecting. In recognition, the APS even gave him a lifetime membership for free! Kelley

Jack Kelley

I agree ! Well said Don.

I apologize for the post.

"Stamp collecting is the hobby of kings."

"WRONG!"

throw politics aside, I do love humor and I found that humorous.

Great cartoon Don!

I went to a stamp show this past weekend and had a hard time finding a place to sit at most dealers' tables. And, just yesterday, I went to the U.S. Postal Museum in Washington D.C. and it was quite crowded, especially for a weekday during the school year.

The opposite is more likely to happen, as the President's trust owns a former Post Office, namely the Trump International Hotel in Washington at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue situated in the "Old Post Office" building with its Romanesque clock tower. I stayed there on January 27-28 and the historic restoration of the building is spectacular. Common area hallways leading to guest rooms include framed displays of classic US stamps. Original postal service windows have been preserved, although they now open into the bar/lounge. A large brass OFFICIAL MAIL letterbox remains in its front lobby location. A cache of hand copied file copies of 1827 Post Office Department correspondence, found during the restoration, is framed in the restaurant entrance. The sky lobby is impressive. All in all, worth a walk-through for anyone who is visiting Washington.

Chris

Thanks Chris. Actually I think that we (the people of the US) own the building and property, we are just leasing it out.
Don

Chris wrote: "and just yesterday, I went to the U.S. Postal Museum in Washington D.C. and it was quite crowded......"

Funny thing. I was in D.C. earlier this week for a little educational lobbying on The Hill. I had a couple hours to blow off yesterday before leaving for Reagan Airport and my flight home. So, I also was at the Postal Museum, and for the first time. Wasn't real crowded, though, yesterday afternoon. Did you happen to see the tourists' 2 year old kids scattering the stamps all over the place at the stamp table, just inside the Gross Gallery? That was happening as I arrived. Was real time evidence why 2 year olds should NOT be allowed around stamps. But I'm guessing, Chris, that you had already gone before I arrived about Noon or so.

The National Stamp Collection was very impressive, although hard to navigate even with help from Tim, one of the docents. There is a real need for a good index so visitors can know what is on each pull out exhibit frame. Same for the on-loan Miller collection. But seeing two upside down Jennies in the national collection, and the block of four on loan from Bill Gross, and the "Z" Grill in the Miller collection, was worth it. Was not that impressed, though, by the British Guiana penny magenta.

I was especially impressed by the National Parks exhibit on history and the posts. Only thing missing is the book on National Park post offices, published by the Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library.

Good to see that the U.S. Postal Museum is providing 2 year olds with (perhaps) their first "hands on" philatelic experience.

In a more serious note:
There's also a need to make the life of a collector more easy.
There are nice number of members here that are members in various postal organisations, maybe even in UPU.
Since it's in the best interest of UPU to have more collectors, even for money reasons (see countries that has large income from stamps and CTO's), it's likely the UPU will lend an ear to these:

1) Fighting the bogus stamps industry - UPU approaching places like ebay can effect stopping those sales.

2) Stamps cancelled by markers - they can either instruct the postal service to cancel only by rubber stamp, or introduce an uncalcelled cancellation which might start a new line of collection.

3) The auto adhesive stamps - seek either a more removable adhesive, or using a more sturdy paper.

I know I'm naiv, and I guess it's too late for me to change.
Still, are the above possible to do?

I do not see the UPU having any influence on ebay.

I am certain that the postal authorities think that a difficult-to-remove adhesive is saving them more money than they will ever make from adding collectors of GPU (Genuinely Postally Used) stamps. They might be wrong.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

"Reagan Airport"???? Blimey.

If UPU contacts ebay and claim they are promoting sell of false items, ebay will not ignore the highest authority in this type of product. UPU can state that ebay sells forgeries. Not good for business.