How Much Do You Participate In "Flyspeck" Philately?

I'm just returning to the hobby after a long absence and don't pay much attention to color varieties, waterwmarks, perf differences, etc. Right now I'm concentrating on expanding my collection through face different stamps.

How much effort do you put into the different variations of a single issue or set of issues? I realize that someone with a specialized collection of a single issue or set (the Rhodesian double heads for example) will probably pay more attention to slight variations than someone who is trying to complete a country for example. Do you only collect variations noted in and given separate numbers in catalogs such as Scott, Gibbons, Michel, etc. or do you look for plate differences and other so-called "flyspeck" variations. I have read on this and other forums that there are collectors who have hundreds of copies of the same stamp with very minor differences. Just wondering.

I do to some degree but not on a regular basis. Every now and then, I will check through a group of stamps and if I notice something odd, I will add it to my collection. I think I am more in to the constant varieties, but, will add any oddballs that I find interesting as well.

Chimo

Bujutsu

I collect WW through 1930 by catalogue, and US the same way to 1978, but I also have an interest in US # 720 & 721, which I have numerous varieties, cancels, shades, etc., and find that to be as enjoyable a pursuit as collecting for my other album filling efforts.

I find it interesting when the flyspeck variations are written up with a description of what took place to cause the variation.

I constantly look for variations in my own stamps and in on-line in forums such as this.

If mine,I post it and ask if others have seen the same variety.

If others have posted any, I examine my own to see if I have the same variety.

No. Life is too short and stamps are too numerous.

An obsession.
Australia King George 5, sideface
Australian Kangaroos.

Driven by the support of huge in-depth (and expensive) catalogues.

My collecting interests usually are close to mostly what Scott lists but will add SG varieties if obvious. I do pay attention to watermarks, perfs, tagging, dies, etc and do not care for shades unless obvious. Plate variation is outside my interest.

I disagree with your definition of Flyspecking , your mixing in a lot of stuff that is regular catalog listings like perfs,watermarks ,color shades due to various printings.

My main collecting interests are Canada and New Zealand and I have acquired most of the affordable major varieties from both countries. I am now "dressing up" my collections with interesting covers, blocks and other multiples. In both Canada and NZ, I am working on particular issues and adding varieties - perf, watermark, shade, plate variations and flaws. In Canada, for example, am working on the Admirals and Arch issues and, in NZ, the Edward VII and George V issues. Both of these latter issues have plenty of varieties, including mixed perf pairs. The Canadian Admirals are a challenge to get F-VF mint copies of some of the minor varieties.

I collect Used US. At some point I have everything that costs less than $100. So when a plate crack, misperf,color shift, etc,catches my eye, I add it to the collection. Then I start adding small panes, booklet panes, plate number coils, etc. next thing I know I have 15 volumes of stamps in my collection.

I love flyspecking IF I have specialized catalogs, or other literature, to help guide me. I'll flyspeck anything I have in quantities. If I don't have good references I will set stuff aside until I do. Plate varieties really add some spice to a collection in my opinion.

I flyspeck the early postal cards of Nicaragua and the Seebeck cards of Nicaragua.

Doing this requires having quantities of the postal cards, and I have many of the 1878 2-centavo card and many of the 1891 2-centavo card and the new 1891 2c card (modified design) manufactured for collectors.

There is no guide to doing this for Nicaragua. I am self taught.

Why do this? To get an idea of how large the printing base (lithographic stone) was and perhaps figure out how many stones were used. There are no documented company printing records.

Never

Count me in

Occasionally on an issue or series I specialize in, where the printing mistakes (varieties) are constant and plate-able, as in the U.S. 1943-44 Overrun Countries Issue - http://www.stampsmarter.com/learnin...un_home.html or the 3¢ 1851-57 Plating Initiative - http://www.stampsmarter.com/feature...Plating.html

However, my first love is covers (not first day) and postal stationary--specializing in Rates and Usages, which are what older (pre-1970) issued stamps were designed to pay. Yep, at one time stamps had a real purpose...to convey a letter or package from Point A to Point B for a paid fee during a set period of time. I find that more challenging and a lot more fun.