Question: What Is The Main Reason That You Collect Stamps?

As long as I can remember, I've always enjoyed history and ... Jack said it best ..."I'm reliving my childhood. Its a nice place to be."

Lou

What got me started was finding a small stockbook of stamps my dad had stashed away. Stamps from Germany and Britain and China...

I've always had a very active imagination and these little pieces of paper fired that right up.

I was 8 at the time, and I've been at it now for 55 years.

I have the collecting and organizing gene. It is a nice leisure activity that does not have dangerous power tools. I had collections when young and stayed in touch with hobby (a member of APS since early 70's) and subscribed to Linn's during many periods before I got back into in earnest. The hobby comprises some favorites: paper and binders, fonts, office supplies, computers, Internet, software, etc.

When I discovered Steiner pages I was liberated from the shackles of the pre-printed album prison - design and print your own.

for almost all of the previously posted reasons.

Interesting replies, women/girls seems to be the main driver LOL. ;-)
As I stated before, seems like everyone have their own reason, which might even change over time.

This is a much friendlier forum than "stampboards" where I got banned after I told the owner of the forum (the bearded guy) to F*** off since he was being very rude to me, for no apparent reason.


Best regards, Dan from Sweden.

'
Transcendence: to another place, at another time.

Though, lately, I find covers doing a much better job than single stamps.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey (who can't stop acquiring long enough to see that he's hoarding)

i collect because I want to get rich

Main reason is - find it enjoyable & absorbing. Scratches many of the right itches - my collecting & organizing bent, love of geography & history and miniature art (antique maps and 16th Persian miniature art are other big passions). Not to mention resuming a childhood interest, supported by the family inheritance from my father, and 2 grandfathers.

I started when my grandma would clip and save them and give the to me from envelopes she got from work. Once I saw the art work I was impressed! Then I saw some could be worth money then I was hooked. I now enjoy the hunt and challenge. I have bought all kinds of stuff but in the last 20 years,I only buy things I find unique or at such a great price I can resell quickly. I have done very well since the internet made stamps and the knowledge of stamps so available. I do my research and then buy many items for a few dollars online and resell online in the $12-40 range. Fun hobby!

In the early 1920s, the famous British mountaineer, George Mallory, was asked about Everest: "Why do you want to climb it?" Answer: " Because it's there."

I feel the same way about stamps. Been doing it since spring, 1960, at age 10 1/2 and have never taken a break, except an occasional month or two to re-charge the philatelic batteries (yes, I know the exact day I started collecting....Palm Sunday. After we got home from church, my father introduced me).

I collect because it's my only hobby, passion, addiction, and creative outlet. I love every aspect of collecting stamps. I started in 1974 with a worldwide collection and have refined my interests throughout the years. I now collect mint U.S. and plate number coils although I have several worldwide collections I've picked up through the years.

And for the chicks...

History? Interest in the world? Of course, today, it reconnects me with things from the past that I enjoyed, or gives me insights and views into things I might not otherwise have.

Plus, I just find it incredibly relaxing.

I started as a young lad of around 6 or 7 years of age. I grew up in a very rural part of the American Midwest, a very homogeneous community. I was absolutely fascinated by stamps from long ago and/or what I considered to be exotic locales, or picturing exotic subjects. In short, it was a way for me to visit the world and meet different people, past and present, without leaving home. Today, as an adult a couple weeks shy of turning 50, I still collect for mostly the same reasons.

I like the thrill of the hunt, the history of country's as tied to my other hobby, genealogy. Been doing it since 9 years old (now 80) with numerous breaks. I can still remember the first order of stamps on approval, trouble was I did not quite understand the meaning of the word approval. My parents quickly informed me after a letter came from the dealer looking for his $$$. Two lessons learned as a young fella, read the fine print and do not use scotch tape on stamps........sigh....

Armchair traveler.