Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
I'm thinking about getting the American Heirloom stamp albums from Mystic (though I'm a little afraid that will trigger them to start sending me stamp approvals that I will have to return; I've seen people complaining about that -- though I guess it could be fun...). I hope to collect botanical stamps and U.S. stamps.
Anyway, good to meet you all!
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You are probably right that they will try to keep sending you approvals, But..you have to decide where you are going to get your stamps..look at ebay..you could buy a one dollar stamp and the seller will charge you another couple bucks for shipping.
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I hadn't thought about it that way. I'm a pretty experienced eBayer, but I definitely don't know enough about stamps yet to not get overcharged.
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If you are interested in collecting botanicals, you might consider joining the American Topical Association and buying one/more of their many checklists of flowers-on-stamps, to wit:
Botanical Gardens (499 stamps)
Flowers/Plants (5966 stamps)
Roses (1710 stamps)
Primrose (76 stamps)
Poincianas (32)
http://americantopicalassn.org/checklists.shtml
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey (who suggests that you start with one of the shorter lists)
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ikeyPikey, that's really cool! Thanks for the information!
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The owner of Mystic is a member of the American Philatelic Society. APS rules prohibit stamp dealers from sending unsolicited approvals. Be sure to read all the fine print on stamp dealer advertising to make sure that you are not also requesting approvals with your order/request for information.
If you do receive approvals, buy from it or don't. That is your choice. Send the selection back, and if you don't want the dealer to send you any further approvals, enclose a note to that effect. APS rules require the dealer to stop sending approvals from that point on.
If the dealer persists in sending you approvals, contact the APS and file a complaint.
By the way, if you ask Mystic to stop sending you approvals, they will stop.
Look at it this way. Receiving approvals is one way to learn how that process works, and you just might find some stamps that you want. This is not a plug for Mystic, but there are plenty of approval dealers out there. Also, take a look at the Approval Books on this site. That is probably the best bargain in stamp prices that you'll get outside of buying bulk lots.
Welcome to the hobby. The fun is just beginning.
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Welcome to the hobby!
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Welcome to Stamporama.
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Welcome to the hobby.
Mystic's Heirloom albums for the US are a really nice and inexpensive (when compared to other options) way to get started and have a complete album to refer to. I started with it for my US collection and I have only praise for them, in their US album format and quality.
Their sales catalog are also a good supplement of data and information, but their stamp prices are high...so I would suggest you shop elsewhere for the most part for your stamps.
My recommendation is to start in one or a few areas so as not to get overwhelmed. When you have decided on your areas of focus, post a message here. Many of us have a lot of extra stamps we would love to share with a beginner collector, as well as personal advice on dos or don't that will spare you some not so obvious mistakes. You will also find advice here in the bulletin board where you can search the archives on keywords and topics and you will find plenty...and plenty of opinions.
You can also look at the Approval Books platform here where you will be able to shop inexpensively for the bulk of the low valued stamps that will fill the pages of your albums. Finally, it may feel overwhelming at first, but you will gain experience fast and I am sure you will enjoy the process and the friendships.
Also, consider joining a stamp club, if there is one handy to you locally.
Again, enjoy the hobby, and happy new year.
rrr...
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rrraphy, thank you for the advice. I'm checking out the Approval books now.
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Welcome to Stamporama and to stamp collecting!
Regarding Mystic;
I use the American Heirloom albums from them and they are great!
The price is very reasonable, as are the yearly updates.
As far as your concern over them sending unwanted approvals -
all you need to do, if you order anything from them,
is to write "NO APPROVALS PLEASE" in black marker on your order to them.
They will not send any if you do this.
I have been ordering from them for years and have not had any issues
with unsolicited approvals.
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You guys have convinced me to go with the Mystic stamp albums. I think I might let them send me Stamps on Approval for a bit and see if I like it. Is there a way to specify your interests, and if so do they really seem to try to match the stamps they send to your requests?
I believe I've narrowed it down a bit to a few topics:
Columbines
Botanical Gardens (thanks for the suggestion, ikeyPikey -- when I did a search on these they looked cool)
Botanical stamps from Sweden
Foxes
I'm sure I'll also pick up a lot of random flower and mushroom stamps as I go.
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Welcome!
I have a Facebook group called Flora and Fauna on stamps.
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Dorincard, thanks for letting me know. I just joined!
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Briarose, welcome to collecting and to StampoRama!
I can't tell from your info what part of California you're in. Depending on your location, there may well be stamp shows and stamp clubs that could also be of interest to you.
I really enjoy browsing at stamp shows and discovering new areas and material that I had no idea about it. Also, you won't be paying shipping!
Stamp clubs vary a lot. Some are mostly presentations with a little bit of buying and selling. Some are just the opposite. The one I try to get to every now and then is purely buying and selling, and I've picked up some great bargains that way.
If you're in Southern California, I'm reasonably familiar with the shows and clubs here. (In fact, a big one is coming up very soon.)
If you're in the Bay Area, there are many, many resources there, and there are several members here who could no doubt guide you as well.
If you're in another part of the state, there may well be other members who can provide some input as well.
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Thanks, Philatarium! I'm in the farthest north of Northern California. It's about an hour to the southern Oregon border. I might be able to make it to the Bay Area once in a while though.
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Greetings from Florida.
I used to live in the Bay Area -- Sunnyvale and San Jose.
Eric
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07:54:26pm
Hi all, I'm from California and I've just started collecting stamps. I mean I really just started cutting them off Christmas card envelopes I had sitting around waiting to be thrown away, thinking, "Stamp collecting could be fun." This started a couple of days ago. I've been watching videos on YouTube and reading up on the basics. I'm still trying to decide how to begin.
I'm thinking about getting the American Heirloom stamp albums from Mystic (though I'm a little afraid that will trigger them to start sending me stamp approvals that I will have to return; I've seen people complaining about that -- though I guess it could be fun...). I hope to collect botanical stamps and U.S. stamps.
Anyway, good to meet you all!
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Auctions
re: New to Collecting in California!
You are probably right that they will try to keep sending you approvals, But..you have to decide where you are going to get your stamps..look at ebay..you could buy a one dollar stamp and the seller will charge you another couple bucks for shipping.
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11:34:19pm
re: New to Collecting in California!
I hadn't thought about it that way. I'm a pretty experienced eBayer, but I definitely don't know enough about stamps yet to not get overcharged.
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re: New to Collecting in California!
If you are interested in collecting botanicals, you might consider joining the American Topical Association and buying one/more of their many checklists of flowers-on-stamps, to wit:
Botanical Gardens (499 stamps)
Flowers/Plants (5966 stamps)
Roses (1710 stamps)
Primrose (76 stamps)
Poincianas (32)
http://americantopicalassn.org/checklists.shtml
Cheers,
/s/ ikeyPikey (who suggests that you start with one of the shorter lists)
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12:44:56am
re: New to Collecting in California!
ikeyPikey, that's really cool! Thanks for the information!
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re: New to Collecting in California!
The owner of Mystic is a member of the American Philatelic Society. APS rules prohibit stamp dealers from sending unsolicited approvals. Be sure to read all the fine print on stamp dealer advertising to make sure that you are not also requesting approvals with your order/request for information.
If you do receive approvals, buy from it or don't. That is your choice. Send the selection back, and if you don't want the dealer to send you any further approvals, enclose a note to that effect. APS rules require the dealer to stop sending approvals from that point on.
If the dealer persists in sending you approvals, contact the APS and file a complaint.
By the way, if you ask Mystic to stop sending you approvals, they will stop.
Look at it this way. Receiving approvals is one way to learn how that process works, and you just might find some stamps that you want. This is not a plug for Mystic, but there are plenty of approval dealers out there. Also, take a look at the Approval Books on this site. That is probably the best bargain in stamp prices that you'll get outside of buying bulk lots.
Welcome to the hobby. The fun is just beginning.
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re: New to Collecting in California!
Welcome to the hobby!
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Auctions
re: New to Collecting in California!
Welcome to Stamporama.
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Retired Ap. Book Mod, Pres Golden Gate Stamp Club, Hi Tech Consultant
28 Dec 2018
11:36:36am
re: New to Collecting in California!
Welcome to the hobby.
Mystic's Heirloom albums for the US are a really nice and inexpensive (when compared to other options) way to get started and have a complete album to refer to. I started with it for my US collection and I have only praise for them, in their US album format and quality.
Their sales catalog are also a good supplement of data and information, but their stamp prices are high...so I would suggest you shop elsewhere for the most part for your stamps.
My recommendation is to start in one or a few areas so as not to get overwhelmed. When you have decided on your areas of focus, post a message here. Many of us have a lot of extra stamps we would love to share with a beginner collector, as well as personal advice on dos or don't that will spare you some not so obvious mistakes. You will also find advice here in the bulletin board where you can search the archives on keywords and topics and you will find plenty...and plenty of opinions.
You can also look at the Approval Books platform here where you will be able to shop inexpensively for the bulk of the low valued stamps that will fill the pages of your albums. Finally, it may feel overwhelming at first, but you will gain experience fast and I am sure you will enjoy the process and the friendships.
Also, consider joining a stamp club, if there is one handy to you locally.
Again, enjoy the hobby, and happy new year.
rrr...
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12:30:19pm
re: New to Collecting in California!
rrraphy, thank you for the advice. I'm checking out the Approval books now.
Login to Like
this post
re: New to Collecting in California!
Welcome to Stamporama and to stamp collecting!
Regarding Mystic;
I use the American Heirloom albums from them and they are great!
The price is very reasonable, as are the yearly updates.
As far as your concern over them sending unwanted approvals -
all you need to do, if you order anything from them,
is to write "NO APPROVALS PLEASE" in black marker on your order to them.
They will not send any if you do this.
I have been ordering from them for years and have not had any issues
with unsolicited approvals.
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
02:35:38pm
re: New to Collecting in California!
You guys have convinced me to go with the Mystic stamp albums. I think I might let them send me Stamps on Approval for a bit and see if I like it. Is there a way to specify your interests, and if so do they really seem to try to match the stamps they send to your requests?
I believe I've narrowed it down a bit to a few topics:
Columbines
Botanical Gardens (thanks for the suggestion, ikeyPikey -- when I did a search on these they looked cool)
Botanical stamps from Sweden
Foxes
I'm sure I'll also pick up a lot of random flower and mushroom stamps as I go.
Login to Like
this post
re: New to Collecting in California!
Welcome!
I have a Facebook group called Flora and Fauna on stamps.
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
04:53:48pm
re: New to Collecting in California!
Dorincard, thanks for letting me know. I just joined!
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re: New to Collecting in California!
Briarose, welcome to collecting and to StampoRama!
I can't tell from your info what part of California you're in. Depending on your location, there may well be stamp shows and stamp clubs that could also be of interest to you.
I really enjoy browsing at stamp shows and discovering new areas and material that I had no idea about it. Also, you won't be paying shipping!
Stamp clubs vary a lot. Some are mostly presentations with a little bit of buying and selling. Some are just the opposite. The one I try to get to every now and then is purely buying and selling, and I've picked up some great bargains that way.
If you're in Southern California, I'm reasonably familiar with the shows and clubs here. (In fact, a big one is coming up very soon.)
If you're in the Bay Area, there are many, many resources there, and there are several members here who could no doubt guide you as well.
If you're in another part of the state, there may well be other members who can provide some input as well.
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06:23:50pm
re: New to Collecting in California!
Thanks, Philatarium! I'm in the farthest north of Northern California. It's about an hour to the southern Oregon border. I might be able to make it to the Bay Area once in a while though.
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re: New to Collecting in California!
Greetings from Florida.
I used to live in the Bay Area -- Sunnyvale and San Jose.
Eric
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