New Collector From Switzerland (And Asking For Guidance)

Hello everyone,

I am Francisco, a Chilean/French currently living in Geneva, Switzerland.
I am completely new to this hobby and I already began to understand how vast it is and that I should limit my future collection to certain themes or countries.
I was thinking to focus my search on current historical milestones or milestones that our generation has experienced, from the space race to Covid and the war in Ukraine, for example, but it seems to be a huge topic.
I also like GDR Germany, both historically and aesthetically.
But of course I'm also interested in my host country and I really like the first issues of old Swiss stamps, but I see that the demand are a little high for a beginner (I don't even understand ebay).

As you can see, I am quite lost between so many interests.
What would you recommend to a total newbie like me?

Best,
Fran.

My suggestion would be to start simply; it can be overwhelming to start collecting a country with hundreds or thousands of issues (DDR is a little over 3000 stamps. Switzerland not far behind that). Since you like GDR/DDR, start with them: there are definite start and end dates, issues are plentiful, readily available, and budget-friendly. You can also pick up an older (read: cheaper) catalog (i.e., from Michel) to give you details. I'd suggest using a stock book for the time being to house your stamps. As you explore the hobby, you'll figure out what sort of album works for you: Schaubek, Leuchtturm, Davo, Lindner, make your own, etc. You'll also quickly figure out whether you only want unused, or used, or that you don't care either way. If you start with Switzerland, I'd suggest picking a specific decade like the '40s or '50s, then moving back or forward in time as you see fit.
Michel publishes a number of catalogs based on themes, a Cold War space-race collection could be quite interesting.

Welcome. The first and foremost limiting factor in collecting will be the stamp price. Take a look at this free catalog to have an estimate on hobby costs:
https://www.stampworld.com/en/maps/Europe/?
You also have here in stamp-community threads about topics, you can use them.
I collect worldwide, and I don't have any illusions that I'll get all the stamps of one country or even period.
"current historical milestones or milestones that our generation has experienced" is for me a great goal, even if I don't get full series of stamps, each stamp tells a story.

Hello.
DDR and Switzerland are very good to start, surely in a couple of years you will expand your collections to another country or several.
The Italian Republic is another fairly easy collection.
In general, the European countries are easy to complete from 1951 to the fall of the wall.
Living in Switzerland must be easier for you than me making the collection.
I made my sheets for Switzerland in Spanish until 2015, if you want I can send them to you by e-mail so you can print them at home. They are made with word and are fully modifiable.
Regards.

Welcome!

Switzerland is one of my "focus" countries. My collection currently sits at a little over 1700 different stamps (using Scott's WW catalogue). Primarily 20th century issues. I'll get to DDR eventually.

I'll second the recommendation for the Stamp World site. It would be a very good way to browse the issues for both Switzerland and DDR. You could get a feel for the designs for both countries over time, before spending a single Euro.

Dale

Well, Swiss franc, anyway.

I'm taking notes, because this is a mine of good tips!
I think I will start with DDR and keeping an eye on Swiss stamps for the moment.

Thank very much guys for all your tips!

Fran,


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

And to really start you off - here is just a tidbit of a source of info for DDR -

https://www.stamp-collecting-world...._FYPDEF.html

Welcome to the forum! My favorite advice I was given upon starting is that there are no rules! Do what makes you enjoy the hobby. Whatever I do, I try not to get rid of anything unless it's damaged in case I decide I want to do something different with it.

For me, I've been focusing on collecting a mint and a canceled version of each Scott number with the best centering. If I find any cancellations I think are cool or pique my interest, I keep them in a different binder. I'm sure my methods will look different in a couple of years :)

I still don't know how to quote here, but thanks again for the great help.
The stamp collecting world website is amazing.

I was thinking to go for DDR commemoratives, to have a not specific target.
But then I cross EFO's on ebay, I gotta stop!

Above the "Quick Reply" box are five links, click "Reply to Topic", when that opens you'll see four lines above the reply text box:
Screensize:
Format Mode
Format:
Media:

On the Format line, choose 2nd to last box.

If you would like a nice DDR album, you will find a free one to download here with German text: https://www.thestampweb.com/albums/free-downloads

Clive

DDR has many sets.
You will have to decide whether to do just the set, the isolated stamps or both.
In my DDR collection I don't have isolated set stamps, I do not want them.
In general, they all make the set and the isolated stamps.

I think the English term you're looking for is "souvenir sheet."

Thanks Littleriverphil!




For the moment I have a Vario binder and a small A5 stockbook, but this link is amazing to have a specific set to collect.

So thanks again for your warm welcome and tons of great tips!