Collecting Blocks (Not Plate)

A lot has been said and written about the philatelic merits of collecting plate blocks. But what about "standard" blocks (of 4 or 6)?

We all have a few blocks of four lying around, that perhaps we picked up as part of a lot, or "just 'cause," or whatever. Is there anyone here who deliberately collects 4's or 6's in addition to singles? Or collects only blocks (again, not plate blocks)?

Got thinking about it a few days ago. I'm just curious, I don't have an opinion about it one way or the other, besides it being perhaps an interesting (read: expensive ) challenge for early issues.

I suspect it's one of those areas that flourished when there was less readily available material to collect, before the deluge of modern issues. I'll generally keep blocks from the early-middle period if they come my way, but only things like coin daté blocks from post-WWII.

I collect multiples, including used or mint from U.S. 1900 and before. This includes pairs, blocks, strips, etc...Post 1900 are mostly mint, mostly "plate no" blocks, with some exceptions. This is quite challenging, and seemingly impossible for one to complete.

A couple times I've run across old Scott National albums that were designed for the collection of blocks of 4 of US stamps. My guess is that these albums were printed in the 1930s or early 40s.

There was something called "progressive" where they collected both singles and blocks of 4 in the same album.

Once one gets before about 1925, used blocks of four with contemporary commercial cancels can start becoming a bit more difficult to obtain then many cat values might indicate. Unless one lucks into a collection, finding them can involve a lot of looking.

Ok, I will admit it, I am a true "blockhead." I have a worldwide block collection, and I deliberately look for blocks. I collect blocks of 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,...etc., however you find them. I collect mint, used, CTO, revenue, airmail, dues, with plate number, without plate number, any country, any year, any block, doesn't matter. I will never be complete, but I will never be bored with my stamp collection. I will always enjoy the hunt for, and the thrill of finding, just one more block.

classic_paper - I suggest you find some used Vario or Hagner pages and insert those blocks you have lying around, perhaps make some labels for them, and enjoy them in a new WW block collection. You will find that many stamp collectors actually enjoy blocks, even without plate numbers.

From another stamp forum, I quote my friend ikeyPikey, who passed away earlier this year:

"Somehow, blocks of four make stamps more, uh, real. Don't understand it any better than I can describe it.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey (who gets a thrill from multiples)"


I understand you perfectly, ikeyP, and I could not have said it any better myself.

Linus

Hello all,
I collected (stopped around 2018-19) Bocks of 4,6,8,10 without Plate numbers and with Plate blocks. Half sheet and full sheets. Countries include India, USA, Canada and UNO. also some Wild life categories.
though I am planning to upload whole collection on Stampsboards.com

cheers
Ahmed khalak
(tikithindi)

A few blocks from my WW block collection, nothing valuable, but for the visual beauty of this hobby...

Linus

I've started collecting non-plate blocks for the Canada period I like the most (around 1900-1946). Like the look of blocks, find them very appealing aesthetically. Pretty much got everything in the period MNH singles, so now looking for MNH or lightly hinged blocks too for those issues (as well as varieties). For coils, looking for strips of 4. Haven't quite decided how best to display them within my Lighthouse Canada albums.

Now that's what I'm talking about. It takes awhile, but some of us eventually figure that out. I encourage other collectors, bored with their collections and in a rut, to start a block collection.

Linus