Birds Perched, Birds Flying, Birds Aground

Hey, gnstamps80, how have you been? How is the collection going?

I know that set, it's a big one. I don't have it, however, if you look on Delcampe (just search "Netherlands 2011" for example) there ARE photos. Because the set is so large, they tend to overlap the stamps in the pictures. There are a lot of singles for sale, though, if you have the patience to sort through them for illustrations.... I didn't go through all the auctions, so you might find something. Here is an example of a 'lot' with all the overlapping that I pulled as an example. Again, not my picture, something I pulled off of Delcampe:

Hello Nils, long time no talk! This pic actually helps me out, thanks! I forgot about Delcampe, actually. I'll check shortly. For buying, do you know if that is a good website to use? As for my collection, its going well! I have 33 more sets waiting to arrive in the mail. Almost ready to start my 4th 64 Page stockbook. Good to hear from you! Have you picked up any nice material lately? From your previous posts, it looks like nice stuff! Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you, as well!

Delcampe used to be my "go to" auction site, but they don't serve all the U.S. states anymore because of the Wayfair tax laws. You'll have to check based on what state you live in. I'm in NJ so they cut me off unceremoniously a few years back. Fortunately, some of the dealers that know me still sell to me one-to-one, but I do miss the site sometimes.

Like ebay, it all depends on the individual sellers. Delcampe never provided the kind of recourse to buyers like ebay does (when there's a problem), so, there was some risk. Like anything else in life, there are some chowder heads on there. But they were few.

My collection has been doing really well lately, and I've have acquired a number of new proofs and first day covers that I needed. Just this week I got in the mail some nice 1950's Madagascar die proofs that I hadn't seen before. I'll try to share one or two soon (I don't always know if anyone looks at them, but it's fun to post 'em anyway).

Interesting. I am in PA, so I'll check into it, and see what they offer. Yes, sellers can be a headache at times, especially depending on the platform. I use Hip Stamp often. Have you tried them out? The APS also now sells through them. As you your collection, it sounds like things are going well! I'd really like to see some of the stuff, as you have posted some very interesting material!

I get a very few things off of HipStamp. For that matter, not much off of ebay these days, either. Too much of what I'm looking for is scarce and I depend on specialist dealers out of Europe for the most part.

Oh, ok. I see... yeah, I guess for specialty material, its harder to find. Just today, I received a nice order of mostly bird topical stamps, in sets. One of my regular dealers sold them to me on Hip Stamp. Its a great website for topical material. Recently, I've been pondering collecting older material, British Empire in partricular.

Lots of beautiful early British Empire stuff out there! I've always been partial to the stamps of North Borneo.

I'll look up North Borneo.... interesting. Yes, there is much material to collect with British Empire stamps. Question - at this time, are you still buying mostly proofs, or do you still buy more regular material? When I see your posts, it is very nice stuff!

Netherlands
Experience Nature - Birds of Saba
January 5, 2026
The stamp set features Red-billed tropicbird, Bananaquit, Smooth-billed ani, Black-necked stilt, Brown pelican, Blue grosbeak, Belted kingfisher, Osprey, Black-and-white warbler, Antillean crested hummingbird.

Australia
Raptors - Birds of Prey
April 8, 2025
The stamp set features Grey Falcon, Black-Breasted Buzzard, Little Eagle.

gnstamps80, thank you again! These days, I'm mostly looking for proofs and various covers (especially FDC's) of the specific issues I collect. There isn't much in the way of regular issues I still need.

Have you got one specialty that you think might be your 'main' collection?

KuoLC5310, great stuff... I'm curious if you (or anyone else on this particular thread) is a birder/birdwatcher? Birding is my "outdoor" hobby and philately is my "indoor" hobby. I was looking at that 2026 Netherlands sheet that you posted, and I have all but one of those species on my Life List without ever having birdwatched outside of the U.S. The only one I haven't seen in the wild is the Antillean Crested Hummingbird, which is only found on the islands between Puerto Rico and Grenada.

Nils - Ah, ok. I was curious about the scope of your collection. The proofs are always nice to see. I never really got into covers or FDC's, but I do have some. Maybe down the road? My collection, on the flip-side, is pretty new. I collect mint topical sets only, including blocks and multiples. After all of my present material on order arrives, I'll have 873 different sets. So I'm still very new, and find the hobby fascinating. You may recall, as I believe I mentioned it, that my primary hobby was comic books. I had a VERY extensive collection. As a kid, I collected cheap CTO stamps, and when I left comics, decided to try stamps again, but much better material this time. I am NOT disappointed!

I do not bird-watch, but that sounds cool! Is your viewed birds list extensive?

KuoLC5310 - yes, very nice birds material! Thanks for posting! The two sheets are really interesting!

Greg, you talk about your comic book collection in the past tense... did you get rid of it? Even with all the stamps, most of my house is full of my book collection... mostly early adventure and science fiction (Verne, Wells, Edgar Rice Burroughs, etc). I reached a point where shelf space was maxed out and I kind of had everything I really wanted, so I don't pursue it actively anymore.

No, I no longer collect comic books. They are very valuble right now, with the movies and all, so I struck while the iron was hot and sold everything a few years ago. I lost interest over time anyway. As for your collections, they sound very nice! With the comics, I know all about running out of room! Also, very nice piece you posted! Attactive art!

Keep me up to date on how your collection progresses! I won't be surprised if you soon find a specialty that you want to pursue.

That maximum card is for Afars and Issas Scott #311 featuring the Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), designed by Pierre Gandon and engraved by Claude Hertenberger. I recently got a nice assortment of proofs for this series. Haven't scanned them all yet, but here's an artist's die proof of the same stamp, signed by Hertenberger, as an example.