Some New Additions To My Collection

One of the problems as one advances through a collection is that the spaces get more difficult to fill and consequently, they get filled less frequently. Here are some of my latest additions. Unfortunately, the images may not load in the correct order, but I'm certain you will figure out which is which: Page 1 - #1A MINT NG; Page 2 - 3 new #1s for my Shade Study. No two shades are identical although many of the red-browns are VERY close. It's amazing if one pursues sub-shades, how many different ones there really are; Page 3 - cool revenues w/ both "Silver Tax" examples being new; Page 4 - #WS-5, VF, MOG and NH! This is an impossible stamp to find in this condition...RARE, RARE, RARE!!!

Really nice stuff.

I recall you are doing covers now as well.
Are you using the same album for them, or do you have a different strategy?

Gorgeous! Bravo

My postal history is in a separate large National album.

Great job! Would love to see separate scans of the 1c Franklin's for study purposes..ie no clue as to Sc# or plate/position.

Here are the close-ups of the 1c Blues:

Scott #5, ex-Wingate

Scott #5a/7 pair

Scott #6

Scott #7

Scott #8

Scott #8a

Each stamp has at least one corresponding PF cert.

Obviously #5 is position 7R1E, and I believe the #5a is position 5R1E. I'm not certain of the others, and I see no notations on the PF certs.

The trio of 1c blues on my first album page are all Scott #8a. I have a PF cert for those also, but once again, I would have to research whether plate positions are noted.

Your Scott #6 is incredible. Great look at bottom ornaments. Maybe I'll try to plate it

Go for it!

Beautiful examples - keep us posted as you add to your collection.

I think the #6 is 94R4
Better scan would help

Love the war savings stamps too! Someday, I'll fill my last 2 spots there too! I may never get a 5, 5A, or 6 though. I have a lot of other spots to fill first.

Wow. Impressed.

As someone who has no interest in US stamps, but is interested in seeing others' collections, may I venture a couple of comments? One common characteristic of printed albums is the tendency of collectors to ignore the layout and add stamps to the margins. The result is a hodge-podge like the first Scott page here, which, in tandem with the black mounts, reduces the attractiveness of the material.

I recognise the problem because some of my own albums are similarly messy - it requires an effort of will to avoid it. Manufacturers used to issue stern imprecations about the desirability of separately mounting additional material, and they were right. Loose-leaf albums make it easy to add further pages, with accompanying information about particular varieties, shades, plate positions etc, allowing the stamps on the initial printed page to stand out as they should.

What is the cert # for the #6? Could you post a better image of the stamp please?

Edit: Never mind. Found it... #366842. Just wanted to make sure you knew that it is actually a used stamp with a removed pen cancellation.

I am well aware of the stamps I own and what they are, Sinclair2010. I am not a collector with endless resources, so I attempt to get examples that face up well and that I can afford. I am sorry that my first U.S. page with it's cluttered appearance offends you, Geoffha, but I happen to like it. The few extras that I included, at least in my mind, fit. Our collections are all personal statements and reflect our passion for the hobby in different ways. Imagine how boring it would be if we all assembled our albums in the exact same manner?

I am going to offer some "friendly advice", since others don't seem to shy away from offering it to me: This hobby needs new collectors, and we should do everything within our power to assure that we encourage them to come onboard. I have a friend who started his collection less than 3 years ago, and probably has spent more than I have in 12. He is enjoying the hell out of the process of assembling his various sub-sets, and the hobby in general. To him, I say kudos! There are no "sour grapes" because his #1 with OG exceeds anything I will ever own. I don't feel compelled to remind him of a fault noted on a cert or inform him that he didn't follow the manufacturer's direction while plugging holes in his album. Those were his choices, and I'm glad he has joined the ranks of our hobby to make them. This hobby will flourish and grow once we share the message of what it has to offer, as well as the passion of how much fun it can be. That is the direction, IMHO, we should all pursue.