Lost In Florida (But It's Okay)

Hello everyone. I have read many threads and found many answers here on SCF. This is a great community and I'm happy to finally join it.

My experience with stamps was at an early age. My father was a customs inspector and he and his coworkers would cut the stamps off the envelops for me. They were from all over the world! They would accumulate and then I would soak them in the bathtub. No soap and scrubby needed

I have come back to collecting after retirement last year. I collect Worldwide of course but only up to 1938 (stick and lick into an old Scott International Junior I got off of an auction).

Also I collect US to 1980 using Hawid mounts. Also, I like Solomon Islands stamps since my father was there during the Korean War and I heard many stories growing up.

Looking forward to learning and sharing my questions with the group.

Thanks!
TalkingBear

Welcome.
Don

Welcome to the forum!

- Lance

Thank you Don and Lance!

Brian

Welcome TalkingBear!!

Scott

Welcome!

Welcome!

Dale

Thank you Scott, angore, and Dale!

Brian

where in FL?

Welcome Brian!

When you get "unlost" in Florida - if it turns out you are anywhere near Tampa Bay, The Clearwater and St. Petersburg Stamp Clubs are having a show on the 25th. Free Admission too!

I will post the flyer and other info in a separate thread.

Al

TalkingBear,

Enjoy having fun with stamps! That is the name of this game.

Collecting for the enjoyment of collecting, whatever that might be, is the name of the game. Don't hesitate to ask questions especially if you need basic information and especially more advanced sources of information for any possible topic. You should be able to find folks on this board a little further along on their collecting journey glad to share experiences.

My personal bias is a used stamp loses the story of its journey in the postal service when it is removed from the cover it transported to its destination. Collecting postal history adds a whole new aspect to your journey in our hobby.

Wishing you many enjoyable future days in our hobby. Russ

Hi and thanks for the kind welcome!

Max_Power,

I live on Merritt Island (east coast) near Cape Canaveral/KSC.

Al,

Unfortunately I live on the wrong side of Florida (although it is only a few hours to cross). They have a Coin and Stamp show in Melbourne (30 mins away) every month which I have attended a few times. There are usually only a few Stamp dealers there but I have always managed to find a thing or two. Funny thing is I don't know why they segregate them in a separate room. It is like they are on time-out or something (too rowdy, too crazy, )...

Russ,

I appreciate the info. I recently retired back in April and I'm really enjoying my return to the hobby. I understand what you mean by the "history" of the covers. I don't have many except for some sales postcards (like 5 bushels of corn for 15 cents, snake-oil stuff - that sort of thing). I love that stuff .

I do have a few stamps on the back burner that I'm having trouble figuring out. I can't find one of them in my 1999 Scotts catalog. It looks to be Japanese (Sen) but I just can't find it. Will have to try and post to the correct thread.

Thanks everyone for the nice welcome . Looking forward to learning from you!

Brian

Welcome from a fellow Floridian - Port Saint Lucie. I've been meaning to go to the Melbourne Bourse, so thanks for the reminder.

Hey neighbor! Enjoy! That is a bit of a drive for you. There were only 3 dealers last time I went (~6 mos ago) but they were good ones. I bought from each of them. It was convenient for me since I inherited a small coin collection. I sold the coins in the main area and then took the money and spent it on stamps!