Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
10:17:45pm
This got me thinking. Our whole hobby depends on our ability to see to experience the joy of our collections. With so much technology available for people with vision problems, how can we help others to continue enjoying our hobby when they are losing or have lost their sight? With screen magnifiers, people with low vision can still enjoy their stamps by scanning or having someone scan their collections so they can still view them & even continue to collect using the same method.
Even though it's not the same as being able to visually experience their stamps, perhaps an auditory description of the stamps in one's collection can allow a person who can no longer see them to still enjoy their collection?
This issue is important to me, even though my disability is different. For example, I have no feeling in my hands & cannot tell the difference between an engraved stamp & those that are not. For the most part this does not affect my ability to collect, however when two types of production are used & one needs to be able to confirm engraving by touch, I must rely on the hands of others to know which stamp I am holding in my hand.
How can we, as a collective community assist others with disabilities that either prevent them from enjoying our hobby or continue to enjoy their collections?
Kelly
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Dear Kelly,
An important question, and the answer may lie in being able to develop a set of trusted friends who can assist in those areas that one is deficient in. This came to my attention when trying to sort out minute color differences in some of the U.S.Classics- I found that my wife, her girlfriend and artist types were able to do the sorting very easily- and I just couldn't get it right no matter how hard I tried.
If someone is isolated and without close friends, then establishing the needed support group can come from our club, once the proper friendships and trust has been established.
All the best,
Dan C.
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I must say I find it difficult to imagine being in this situation. But, at the end of the day, if I were to completely lose my sight, I don't think I'd enjoy this primarily visual hobby any more. I think I'd accept that the joy of stamps would be gone for me and focus more on the things I could do through my sense of hearing, such as listening to music, reading books, and enjoying conversation. With supporting software, I might even be able to continue in my job. Any amount of remaining vision, however little, and there'd always be the possibility of some enjoyment of my collection and the hope that technology could help. But a complete and permanent loss of vision would, I think, be the end of stamps for me....g
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10:11:24am
If I lose my sight I'll just have to concentrate on my collection of Matchbox cars.
As for your star-crossed friend, Kelly, a nice topical collection of stamps bearing lettering in Braille could be formed, although that thought is so depressing it might be taken as a morbid joke.
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10:58:28am
Charlie -
There was actually a Canadian stamp issued (I believe) last year that celebrated dog guides and has braille writing on it.
I was thinking more in terms of the fact that stamp collecting is a form of appreciating art. In most schools for blind children, they have programs that teach the children how to appreciate art by touch (not only sculptures but actual paintings). I think it would be awesome to be able to do that for kids especially with engraved stamps because you can feel the engraving and the artwork (ships or whatever) can be described to the kids. As far as adults who have lost their sight, one of the most important things is to be able to have something familiar to them. In this way I think it would be such a beautiful comfort for them to have stamps that are engraved that have been a part of their collection so the stamp is fresh in their memory and they can enjoy the stamp in a "visual" way through tracing the engraving. Ok, for those who are particular about the "don't touch a stamp without tongs", this would not sit comfortably but I think in terms of a therapeutic connection, something like that would be a way for the familiar to still be a part of their lives.
I know my friend who lost her sight was just devastated as would be anyone with such a major change. But in her mind, her memory of her stamps is clear. Especially those which were favourites. One of the best things I suggested to her was actually for her to make an auditory recording of stamps - to remember what they looked like and in her mind she can still envision the beauty of the stamp. Even if it means having a collection in one's mind of a few dozen stamps and having the engraved stamps to feel and bring back to life a love that has been so much a part of her life, it is a beautiful link to the world she once knew and the world in which she is now faced to adapt to.
Kelly
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02:22:56pm
Kelly,
Yes, I know about that Canada stamp and am sure I have seen similar from either Denmark and/or Germany. Plus the very attractive £10 Britainnia issue of a few years ago has Braille indica as a part of its security features.
Also, thinking about it further, there are three large size Machins, one black litho, which of course is smooth, one black and engraved and the third is white and embossed s that a copy has no other printing, and to someone unfamiliar with the Machin Mania looks like a perforated blank stamplike object.
One that I have that was actually used got flattened in the mail process so that even to me it almost looks like a printing skip of some kind.
I bet that there are collectors who have neat topical collections of Braille letterred stamps.
BTW:
For your "Every dark cloud has a Silver lining" department.
I find that because of the diabetic neuropathy that affect the finger tips, I can peel boiled eggs quickly while they are still hot so that almost the entire shell is in one piece. It's great when we fix deviled eggs. My wife insists on cooling the eggs and than struggles with the shell pieces.
I'm just sayin'.
LOL LAMOJ
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02:41:01pm
Lol Charlie - Your "Every dark cloud has a Silver lining" is exactly me. I'm a firm believer that no matter how rotten a hand you are dealt, somewhere there is a sliver of light, no matter how small it may be or how insignificant it may be to others, it is there.
That's just my way of thinking.
Re: the braille lettering on stamps - not only that, but I'm sure with the various engraved stamps, the numbering is quite clear for someone who is touch sensitive due to the loss of sight. I'm just thinking of some of the early German and Bavarian stamps and the embossed design of them.
Kelly
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this post
02:21:56pm
Hey Kelly,
I had a thought that may or may not work. You said your friend had a small group of her favorite stamps. I assume she has them, so if you or someone can draw well you can try this:
Use tracing paper to trace as much detail on the stamp as possible.
Turn the tracing paper over so the images are backwards.
Use a piece of album paper or any heavy paper and trace the backwards images into it pressing as hard as possible.
When you turn the paper over, you should have a relief type drawing with no ink or pencil marks that can smudge. She can then feel her favorite stamps as she describes them.
What do you think?
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this post
One of the interesting ideas that I have read about is the use of foil to identify the engraved Washington Franklins. I have never tried it but apparently you can place the stamp under foil and by rubbing capture the engraved ridges. Creating a "braille" copy of the stamp. And what about the commercial marketing of the metallic replicas of the classics. All of these might help someone who has lost their vision to continue to enjoy the hobby.
Login to Like
this post
A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
24 Jul 2012
10:17:45pm
I have a friend who was a stamp collector for many years. Then her greatest fear occurred. She lost her sight.
This got me thinking. Our whole hobby depends on our ability to see to experience the joy of our collections. With so much technology available for people with vision problems, how can we help others to continue enjoying our hobby when they are losing or have lost their sight? With screen magnifiers, people with low vision can still enjoy their stamps by scanning or having someone scan their collections so they can still view them & even continue to collect using the same method.
Even though it's not the same as being able to visually experience their stamps, perhaps an auditory description of the stamps in one's collection can allow a person who can no longer see them to still enjoy their collection?
This issue is important to me, even though my disability is different. For example, I have no feeling in my hands & cannot tell the difference between an engraved stamp & those that are not. For the most part this does not affect my ability to collect, however when two types of production are used & one needs to be able to confirm engraving by touch, I must rely on the hands of others to know which stamp I am holding in my hand.
How can we, as a collective community assist others with disabilities that either prevent them from enjoying our hobby or continue to enjoy their collections?
Kelly
Login to Like
this post
re: A Stamp Collector Who Lost Her Sight
Dear Kelly,
An important question, and the answer may lie in being able to develop a set of trusted friends who can assist in those areas that one is deficient in. This came to my attention when trying to sort out minute color differences in some of the U.S.Classics- I found that my wife, her girlfriend and artist types were able to do the sorting very easily- and I just couldn't get it right no matter how hard I tried.
If someone is isolated and without close friends, then establishing the needed support group can come from our club, once the proper friendships and trust has been established.
All the best,
Dan C.
Login to Like
this post
01:36:58am
re: A Stamp Collector Who Lost Her Sight
I must say I find it difficult to imagine being in this situation. But, at the end of the day, if I were to completely lose my sight, I don't think I'd enjoy this primarily visual hobby any more. I think I'd accept that the joy of stamps would be gone for me and focus more on the things I could do through my sense of hearing, such as listening to music, reading books, and enjoying conversation. With supporting software, I might even be able to continue in my job. Any amount of remaining vision, however little, and there'd always be the possibility of some enjoyment of my collection and the hope that technology could help. But a complete and permanent loss of vision would, I think, be the end of stamps for me....g
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this post
Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
25 Jul 2012
10:11:24am
re: A Stamp Collector Who Lost Her Sight
If I lose my sight I'll just have to concentrate on my collection of Matchbox cars.
As for your star-crossed friend, Kelly, a nice topical collection of stamps bearing lettering in Braille could be formed, although that thought is so depressing it might be taken as a morbid joke.
Login to Like
this post
A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
25 Jul 2012
10:58:28am
re: A Stamp Collector Who Lost Her Sight
Charlie -
There was actually a Canadian stamp issued (I believe) last year that celebrated dog guides and has braille writing on it.
I was thinking more in terms of the fact that stamp collecting is a form of appreciating art. In most schools for blind children, they have programs that teach the children how to appreciate art by touch (not only sculptures but actual paintings). I think it would be awesome to be able to do that for kids especially with engraved stamps because you can feel the engraving and the artwork (ships or whatever) can be described to the kids. As far as adults who have lost their sight, one of the most important things is to be able to have something familiar to them. In this way I think it would be such a beautiful comfort for them to have stamps that are engraved that have been a part of their collection so the stamp is fresh in their memory and they can enjoy the stamp in a "visual" way through tracing the engraving. Ok, for those who are particular about the "don't touch a stamp without tongs", this would not sit comfortably but I think in terms of a therapeutic connection, something like that would be a way for the familiar to still be a part of their lives.
I know my friend who lost her sight was just devastated as would be anyone with such a major change. But in her mind, her memory of her stamps is clear. Especially those which were favourites. One of the best things I suggested to her was actually for her to make an auditory recording of stamps - to remember what they looked like and in her mind she can still envision the beauty of the stamp. Even if it means having a collection in one's mind of a few dozen stamps and having the engraved stamps to feel and bring back to life a love that has been so much a part of her life, it is a beautiful link to the world she once knew and the world in which she is now faced to adapt to.
Kelly
Login to Like
this post
Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
25 Jul 2012
02:22:56pm
re: A Stamp Collector Who Lost Her Sight
Kelly,
Yes, I know about that Canada stamp and am sure I have seen similar from either Denmark and/or Germany. Plus the very attractive £10 Britainnia issue of a few years ago has Braille indica as a part of its security features.
Also, thinking about it further, there are three large size Machins, one black litho, which of course is smooth, one black and engraved and the third is white and embossed s that a copy has no other printing, and to someone unfamiliar with the Machin Mania looks like a perforated blank stamplike object.
One that I have that was actually used got flattened in the mail process so that even to me it almost looks like a printing skip of some kind.
I bet that there are collectors who have neat topical collections of Braille letterred stamps.
BTW:
For your "Every dark cloud has a Silver lining" department.
I find that because of the diabetic neuropathy that affect the finger tips, I can peel boiled eggs quickly while they are still hot so that almost the entire shell is in one piece. It's great when we fix deviled eggs. My wife insists on cooling the eggs and than struggles with the shell pieces.
I'm just sayin'.
LOL LAMOJ
Login to Like
this post
A Service Dog gives a person with a disability independence. Never approach, distract or pet a working dog, especially when (s)he is in harness. Never be afraid to ask questions to the handler (parent).
25 Jul 2012
02:41:01pm
re: A Stamp Collector Who Lost Her Sight
Lol Charlie - Your "Every dark cloud has a Silver lining" is exactly me. I'm a firm believer that no matter how rotten a hand you are dealt, somewhere there is a sliver of light, no matter how small it may be or how insignificant it may be to others, it is there.
That's just my way of thinking.
Re: the braille lettering on stamps - not only that, but I'm sure with the various engraved stamps, the numbering is quite clear for someone who is touch sensitive due to the loss of sight. I'm just thinking of some of the early German and Bavarian stamps and the embossed design of them.
Kelly
Login to Like
this post
It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. - Aristotle Onassis
31 Jul 2012
02:21:56pm
re: A Stamp Collector Who Lost Her Sight
Hey Kelly,
I had a thought that may or may not work. You said your friend had a small group of her favorite stamps. I assume she has them, so if you or someone can draw well you can try this:
Use tracing paper to trace as much detail on the stamp as possible.
Turn the tracing paper over so the images are backwards.
Use a piece of album paper or any heavy paper and trace the backwards images into it pressing as hard as possible.
When you turn the paper over, you should have a relief type drawing with no ink or pencil marks that can smudge. She can then feel her favorite stamps as she describes them.
What do you think?
Login to Like
this post
re: A Stamp Collector Who Lost Her Sight
One of the interesting ideas that I have read about is the use of foil to identify the engraved Washington Franklins. I have never tried it but apparently you can place the stamp under foil and by rubbing capture the engraved ridges. Creating a "braille" copy of the stamp. And what about the commercial marketing of the metallic replicas of the classics. All of these might help someone who has lost their vision to continue to enjoy the hobby.
Login to Like
this post