Nyt Op-Ed Piece On Stamp Collecting

Is this not clear?
Don

Very clear Don. Very clear. I asked about a list so as not to offend with other topics that arose. Religion can be a touchy subject. Some folks are offended by Christmas. Oh well.

I wonder if the NYT would be open to allowing a rebuttal op-ed to provide additional context and perspective around the questions raised. It's a moment in time that will soon be forgotten, but why not grab the chance to reeducate a couple of readers? (Not volunteering lol)

There is no list, a list is not needed. The issue is drama, not topics. Obviously some topics tend to get emotional and end up with drama. But stamps cover every topic including religion and politics; so it makes no sense to burn time writing lists when it really comes down to a subjective decision if a poster is simply creating drama. If anyone is offended the best approach is to send the Mods a private message. Then we can handle the issue, if there is one, privately.

The highest priority is consideration for the community.
Don

Thank you Don.

I would be more than happy to take crack at a rebuttall op-ed. I can draft it and share for forum input. Might take a few days.

Go ahead. "anyone" can be you.

I sent them the following "Letter to the Editor" just now. I doubt they would take a rebuttal. They usually do that for stories of national importance--this isn't.

Keep in mind that their guidelines suggest 150 words max for Letters to the Editor.

I don't read the NYT, so if this is printed, please let me know.


Editors:

In "Stamped Out" (Opinion, September 29) Eugene L. Meyer presents a disappointingly myopic view of the stamp collecting hobby. In fact, philately (as serious adherents call it) is dizzyingly active, involving millions worldwide—-just far differently than in Meyer's 1950s childhood.

Though the exact number can't be known, huge numbers of hobbyists are active in internet forums, online timed auction platforms like ebay, and live auctions (many of which allow concurrent online bidding). The photo of Meyer's collection shows stamps that were worth pennies in the 1950s and still are now, which is why a dealer wouldn't touch it. But the market for hundred-dollar and thousand-dollar stamps is active and, in many cases, highly competitive. International exhibiting of rare collections, carefully organized, meticulously researched and with well-written narratives, is so popular that heated controversies have broken out about its governance. Knowledgeable, professional philatelists flock to the meetings of the Collectors Clubs of New York and Chicago, and the Royal Philatelic Society in London for lectures, fellowship and competition.

The death of the hobby has been greatly exaggerated. It's not dead, it's just different.

/sig/

Well done, cjpalermo!

Don, the rules likely should add trolling as not desired which is a practice used by some.

Hi Al,
Understood. My opinion is that the rules provide the basic guidelines for the vast majority of members, they have served the community well for a number of years. They allow Moderators room to make common sense decisions when needed.

I have been Moderator on other forums and some of these had pages of rules; my experience is that changed nothing. People still sought to press the boundaries, it is just what happens on public forums.

If folks feel like the two current Moderators (Kirk and myself) are not doing a good job they can contact Bobby and ask for a change. There is a fine line between trying to limit drama and censorship. Keep in mind that this volunteer job comes with lovely things like deaths threats. I frequent other philatelic forums and my obviously biased opinion is that this one is run pretty well.

This is not rocket science, people know full well when they post something with emotionally charged language. There are times when people post cutesy double entendre and other thinly veiled word play meant to skirt the rules.

Many members recognize this and stop posting in their threads or replying to them.
Don

Well said CJ!

How many folks on this board would consider signing a letter to the editor of the NYT something like this:

We are writing in response to your Op-Ed piece entitled "Stamped Out" By EUGENE L. MEYER published SEPT. 29, 2017. We respect Mr. Meyer's thoughts and views on the subject of dealing with his father's stamp collection. However, we humbly submit he has overlooked the intrinsic value that building a stamp collection and the positive impact that had on his father's life back in those days, only concentrating on his current view of the hobby.

People pursue any hobby for the pleasure that pursuit gives them doing so. All hobbies take time away from other possible activities and cost money. An old friend and mentor told me, "Russ, I do not drink or smoke; but, when I am gone, I will take with me the pleasures enjoyed sharing my stamp collecting interest with others. I will never get out of my collection what I financially put into it over the years. I will get more out of it than I would out of a pile of empty cigarette wrappers and beer cans." I still have fond memories of time spent with him sharing our mutual collecting interests. His family was left with a collection that returned some value.

We live in rapidly changing times. The role of stamps and the postal service has changed. Kids today do not know the excitement of receiving a letter from a friend or relative living out of town.

I respect Mr. Meyer's personal view about his father's stamp collection. Yes, folks today may never see a postage stamp in the same light as we did back in our youth. Yes, stamps like other collectables seen on The Antiques Road Show are in less demand and bringing lower prices. All I ask is that folks respect stamp collecting and all collecting activities for the pleasure they bring folks who enjoy them. Collecting is a pleasurable pastime not an investment.

Count me in.

Something I'd like to point out - I seriously doubt the photo in the op-ed is actually a photo of the opinion writer's collection. The photo was taken by a Russian photographer and contributor to the NYT. Most likely it is part of his "stock portfolio" and served well enough to illustrate the piece. At least for non-stamp-collectors. It doesn't change the fact that mint US & plate blocks from the 50s to the 70s aren't worth much more than postage, and FDCs hardly worth anything. A simple point about supply and demand for common material should be part of a rebuttal.

Based on the gravity of topics covered in the other letters that the NYT has published in the last 7 days, either a rebuttal or a letter on this article appears to have little chance of publication. Anyone interested should send something today or tomorrow, as they usually wait only 5-6 days before picking what to publish and then moving on.