Specializing In Semi-Postals?

I think semi-postal stamps are some of the more attractive stamps, especially the classic ones (pre-1940s or 50s). I'm thinking about separating out my worldwide semi-postals into a separate "collection" Just wondering if anyone else does that or specifically specializes in semi-postals? Or do folks just keep them with the rest of their regular stamps or is there anyone who only collects B.O.B.?

Why not? There are those who have a worldwide collection of just "Airmails" and just "Officials."

Ok, now that I have my pre-1940 semi-postals (which I also included postal tax and war tax stamps) separated out...and I already had my pre-1940 airmail separated out...now I'm starting to think maybe I should just combine them along with all the other "strange" B.O.B. stamps and focus on all pre-1940 back of the book stamps?

Anyone else collect only classic back of the book?

Thanks!

Chris - if you collect all the BOB categories,you would be finding yourself with "offices" and "postage due" categories- two of the harder and more expensive areas.

Personally, I would go with air mail and semi-postals to focus on - I think they are more interesting overall, and still provide a stiff challenge for the WW collector. Then with energy, or money left over, I would look at "offices" and "postage dues".

My opinion.

Jim,

That's a good point! Been looking for a way to limit my WW collecting, but still have a global collection. I've always thought that the classic airmail and semi-postals were the most attractive in general...most officials and many postage dues seems pretty boring and I could just as soon leave them out. But there are some "odd-balls" like some franchise, parcel post, special delivery stamps that seem interesting and look nice too (not familiar with how expensive or not they are, however).

I'm separated out all the airmail and semi-postals (and postal tax and war tax) pages from my Vintage Scott Brown and they fit into just 4 binders (2 binders for airmail and 2 binders for the semi-postals).

So, now I'm thinking about combining them together by country and then just adding in any other B.O.B.'s that I find interesting and can afford. Fortunately, I 3-hole punched my pages and am using 3-ring binders so it is easy to simply move things around.

My stamp collection is always an evolving process
Chris

You may consider buying Mr. William Steiner's CD Rom, of Album Pages.

Air and Semi Postals Album Pages of just about every conceivable issuing entity.

I'd guess ending with about 20 albums,if you have deep pockets.

$40
http://www.stampalbums.com/

Thanks Rod,

For now anyway, I am only interested in the classic (pre-1940) stamps. I have the full set of the Vintage Reproduction Scott Brown pages (from Subway), which I really like. I have pulled out all the airmail, semi-postal, and postal tax stamp pages for 1840-1940, and they fit nicely into 4 3-ring binders (see below). My plan for now is to focus on these areas and maybe add in some select other BOB stamps that I find interesting and affordable.

Very neat binders - where are they from,chris ?
As for the separation, I rather keep my stamps together except the BOB.

They are called "We Are Memory Keepers" binders. They come in 8.5 x 11 and 12 x 12 inch sizes and they come in a wide range of colors.

I got mine from a store called JoAnn's, but check Amazon or Scrapbook.com

They are scrapbooking binders, but they work well for stamp albums

Indeed. Very nice.
Alas failing in one regard, it seems the US has a penchant for 3 ring.
I like 4 ring to support my pages.

Here's a start...

Nice pages, Chris. The Georgia famine relief stamps were certainly supposed to generate funds but I don't think the money ever made it to the places it was needed. There was a lot of history happening in Russia at that time, and the Bolsheviks definitely had their eye on taking control of Georgia.

Correction: Eastern Island to Easter Island?

Thanks for the correction.

The more I think about it, the more I like Jim's idea of focusing my WW collection on semi-postals and airmails. Is there anything wrong with that? I also include postal tax stamps in with my semi-postal collection because they are generally more affordable, they serve a similar purpose and they were issued by many of the countries that did not issue semi-postals.

So, right now my collection consist of two binders of WW semi-postal/postal tax stamps and two binders of WW airmail (as shown above). These are using the appropriate sections of the Brown Vintage Reproduction pages,so all <1940, but a few of the airmails go up to 1950 with added blank pages. This collection is (almost) all unused stamps in clear Hawid mounts.

Then, I have a separate Turkey collection going up thru 1960 on modified Steiner pages in page protectors placed in a single Vario G binder.

Lastly, I have my general WW (1840-1940) collection in 3 volumes of Scott International pages and binders.