Back To The Hobby And Loving It

I started collecting back in the 70s as a kid with a "Traveler" album and some monthly sends from Kenmore and others where you could get them cheap.

I kept all that stuff and have hauled it around since then, and I restarted a couple of years ago. I have a couple of things I like 1960 and earlier US stamps. I take it slowly, going for as many F-VF MNH that my pocketbook will allow. I'll never fill every slot, but that's ok.

I also am expanding: USSR and Warsaw pact nations - cancelled, uncancelled. Just like the art.

Also, a new one is Ottoman Empire, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt. . . again. I just like the look of them. Exotic!

I have a chance to buy some inventory from a Coin store going out of business, but they bought somebody else out a few years ago and HAD to take the old store's stamp inventory. Its a 6' conference table full UNDER the table and about 2' high piled on top. Don't know what all is there and neither does the owner, but he's getting out and never was a stamp guy.

So, not looking for advice. Just sharing who I am and what's going on.

NEED TO FIND THE LOCAL CLUB. Are there links on here? Thanks.

Have you checked the APS website? www,stamps.org They have a listing of all the stamp clubs in your area.
And by the way, welcome!


Peter

Ha! I think you responded to my post :-} Geez, you're right, we're in the same situation! I just turned 55 this summer, and I'm on the SAME trajectory as you are, stamp-wise :-}

I started in the 70s and my first album was a Traveler Stamp Album as well. Seems I left my original Traveler lying somewhere in the sands of time, and though I really don't mind what happens now and then, I did locate another one at a yard sale maybe 10-15 years ago, so the Traveler will be my friend in the end (if I might paraphrase Three Doors Down a li'l bit here!).

I think my loss of interest in collecting when I hit my 20s was less about collecting itself and more my disillusionment with the crappy output from the US Post Office Department. Those 22c and 25c issues were, to me at least, incredibly ugly and uninspired; I finally decided to just set it aside by the time "F"lower nonsense started up--I'd just about had it with stupid stamp designs :-P And that ridiculous "This postage stamp, together with 25c of additional.." Geez!

I never really stopped collecting. In fact, in 2008 when I decided to get back into it, I had a big box full of clippings from envelops over the years. The stamps in the US and around the world have improved, in my opinion. I like the look of the glossy self-adhesives, removed from the paper and mounted on the pages. I love the old stamps too, don't get me wrong :-}

What turned me around was one day, I thought about the possibility of getting info about stamps from the Internet. Sure enough, in 2008, there was a TON of info there. I resumed my US collection, but by late 2009 or early 2010, I'd decided to expand to worldwide.

I have ADHD, and only stamps can hold my attention so I can sit quietly for HOURS on end. This was the case when I was a kid, and it still holds true now.

Now, 15 years after resuming active collecting, I have lots more stamps, but still looking for even common ones to complete album pages. So--I think this will be something I do for the rest of my life.

I'd love to be an Internet friend of yours.

I also started with a Traveler's stamp album given to me as a Hannukah gift either in 1968 or 1969. I loved Kenmore stuff as they placed a strong emphasis on British Colonials, which I collected exclusively until perhaps 15 years ago. Big world, small hobby!

Checked the APS site, and there are 3 clubs in 50 mile radius. Now, the question will be, "are they still active?" Time to reach out to them and find out.

WabashandErie,

Started collecting when I was eight and never looked back, Now 75. Inactive a few years for college and marriage and etc. Have any postal history covers in your table hoard? Are you in Indiana by chance?

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

Hoosierboy,

I am in Indiana. How could you tell? The name I'm using? HA!

Yep. I'm in Jasper. I'm hoping I can find one of the clubs listed on APS being still active.

Thanks

YeeHaw! Welcome to the future!
But seriously ... Here in Atlanta one of our monthly meetings is on Zoom and people join us from all over. There was a learning curve but the pandemic made us all put on our thinking caps and at least act like we are savvy. And Kudos to our Web host Lloyd!

I hope all ya'll that are still active in clubs are using online Zoom meetings. It's a great way to get together with people who enjoy people who enjoy stamps ... a phila-philatelist?

Welcome!

I have learned that your trajectory is very common. I, too, started collecting when I was a kid. I got to be a teenager then a young adult where girls, sports, college, then starting a career and a family took up a lot of time. Over those years, I picked up my stamps a few times on a rainy day. About fifteen years ago, I made philately a more regular part of my life. Happy collecting to you!