Do Youngsters Collect Stamps Today ?

Renden: I apologize up front if I misinterpret you thoughts. No one I am reading on this thread, and certainly not me, is suggesting that a parent "push" anything on a child or anyone else for that matter. But there is a huge difference between push something on someone and permitting them to see an aspect of your life that interests you and might interest them. Collecting can be such a private pursuit. Life is replete with stories of stiff, private, indeed cold parents, who were incapable of sharing themselves with their children.

I think the best part of collecting, no matter what is collected, is the stories behind the object, how you obtained and what it means to you and sharing that enthusiasm with like collectors or even people collecting something entirely different. The thrill of the hunt and the satisfaction of the "find" and the acquired knowledge gained during the chase is universal for all collectors.

You did not well interpret my thoughts, since I was writing in "English" but thinking in "French"

To give a summary, I have never felt a feeling of "stress" for stamps when I was younger. Dad paid for the stamps bought on approval and got me what I needed to have "fun", the most important thing. Even bought me 6 Vol. of Scott International Albums and he went on to be a great collector, buying multiple collections and surpassing me as I went to University many years.

Cheers !

René

There is a huge amount of buyers on ebay but who knows what age they are,

Looking on youtube there are quite a few " stamp collection " videos uploaded
by kids, although I don't know of any "good" youtube channels showing nice quality collections.

Apology well accepted - I agree with your post
Rene (Renden)

Stamps73

I hope kids are not buying on ebay, by the way !!

Even if you get the kids interested, not having an online, subscription based catalog is a deal breaker. You're not going to convince a kid, young adult, etc. who grew up with technology to use a big stack of paper catalogs that cost nearly $1000.

One of the biggest reasons I enjoy collecting is it provides a non-technolgy hobby that I can use technology tools to organize. A spreadsheet to track my collection, a scanner to make high resolution images, online photo storage so I can view my collection anywhere. The big missing piece is an online catalog.

Every time my 14 year old looks at my big stack of Scott catalogues, he just shakes his head and walks away.

Being a 52-year-old with Luddite tendencies, I have no problem with paper catalogues per se. But since I've never been particularly well-to-do, my catalogues at home have always been second-hand, out-of-date ones that I've picked up super-cheap at library sales and the like. Most of the time, that's sufficient for my needs. If I need to consult a current Scott catalogue for more recent issues and up-to-date values, my local public library has it in the reference section.

Just slightly younger than you. I've been in the process of upgrading my catalogs from the 2000 edition to the 2014 edition. Upgrading to color photos in the catalog is amazing! Fortunately my library has the current set for reference use and the previous year's set for circulation.

While this works well for me, if Scott came out with an online subscription model, that worked well on the computer as well as tablets and phones, for <$50 a month, I'd sign up without hesitation.

'times they are a changing!...'

"Experts Are Warning That Children Can't Properly Hold Pens Anymore"

https://www.sciencealert.com/are-yo...y-dysgraphia

Don

I am sure APS (American Pen Society) has a plan.

I'm 87 and I also want an on-line catalog. I collect US, and the current Scott US is big, heavy, and way too clumsy to use; especially on a crowded table.
Besides, and on-line catalog would provide instant updates each year (or possibly more frequently) . This last is really important.

If you want a close equivalent, try Stamp Manage.

It has Scott number, descriptions, images (not 100% illustrated in worldwide like missing Bermuda), etc. It may have a browse view where you can see more than one image at a time but you can quickly move down stamp by stamp to view image.

We had 15 kids today plus NY1, a local TV news station. They are doing a piece on the Collectors Club of NY, and wanted the kids group as a part of it. It should air next month.

When I was a kid, just starting out, I could go to a local 5&10 (anyone remember them?) and browse in their stamp department, choosing used singles and buying supplies.
Today a kid has to have a credit card and buy online. Big difference !!

Not our kids. They all get lots of free stamps.