Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
I am committed through 2015 because I want all of the Civil War issues, so my first logical stopping point would be 2015 (inclusive).
The next likely milestones would be:
2016 Int'l Expo
2018 RFK, MLK, WWI ends
2019 50th Anniv Lunar Landing
If I decide I need to include those, I could go to 2021 and it would be 175 years of US stamps (1847-2021).
I definitely don't want to go to 2023 or we get into the 250th Anniv of the Tea Party then the whole 1776 thing (again).
Any thoughts?
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2017 = JFK
I always say to collect things how you want. If you don't want all the fluff that gets issued, just collect the stamps that are relative to your philatelic and non-philatelic interests, such as The Civil War.
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Don't worry. the end is coming near anyway, so just keep collecting until it arrives!
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"2017 = JFK"
Good point, Michael. They are more likely to issue stamps on the anniversary of RFK's and MLK's BIRTHDAYS, not the assassination dates. 1968 was just a very impactful year for me. So that just leaves 1969 and the lunar landing, but there is an dandy Souvenir Sheet from the 25th Anniversary, so I may call it quits 12-31-2016 so I can include the Int'l Expo Souvenir issues.
"If you don't want all the fluff that gets issued, just collect the stamps that are relative to your philatelic and non-philatelic interests, such as The Civil War."
I might collect a few souvenir sheets or a full pane that is of historical interest after 12-31-2016. I just want to start focusing all of the time and money I'm spending on new issues on something more interesting. I had a BLAST creating a BEYOND BOB album that grew to FOUR albums! I'm still missing a few Revenue stamp examples, a few CSA stamps, and a lot of other interesting items. I would also like to spend some time digging into North-South Transfers during the Civil War. There was a major route through Kentucky (Nashville to Louisville - now I-65). So I'm not RETIRING from stamp collecting, but simply redirecting my focus.
I want to use a logical stopping point, and in the middle of the Civil War anniversary isn't a good time. That pushes me to 2015 at least. I suppose I could collect the SS only from 2016 Int'l Expo. We'll see. I plan to continue any definitive series established by the cutoff date and continue Airmail and BOB indefinitely.
"Don't worry. the end is coming near anyway, so just keep collecting until it arrives!"
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I have decided to stop collecting EVERY issue at 2000. As in filling album pages.
I have decided that after 2000, I am only going to collect issues very sparingly, as in ones that I just happen to really like, and to heck with album page filling. Make sense?
Most of the ones that I have from after y2k are sheets anyway, so no need for album pages.
I just mount them in the back of my last album neatly on blank pages.
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Thanks ratio411. I had even toyed with the idea of excluding all self-adhesive issues, which is close to your demarkation. Any advice you care to share given your decision to draw the line at 2K?
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I stopped my USA collection at 2000. After 2000 I just get the stamps I want.
David
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David,
That was a great break point. End of the Great Americans Series and before the start of the Distinguished Americans Series. I would probably finish out the Looney Tunes series, but that is a great break point. I hope 2016 is a good date as well.
Cheers!
Lars
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I think I mentioned earlier that it was tempting to not collect self adhesives. I think 2000 was a good choice, too, but I'm too far past that now. 2016 is looking good so far. I'm certainly not stressed about it. I'm looking forward to it. It will be nice to turn my attention to other areas of collecting that have been long neglected. And, of course, as suggested, I will likely pick up a few items post-break that I deem worthy of including. 2019 50th Anniversary of Lunar Landing comes to mind.
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Larsdog:
I ended my USA collection at 2000 because I liked the Celebrate the Century (CTC) stamps as a great end to the 20th Century. There is still a page or two each year (to the current 2013) of stamps I put in my album.
A good example is the Bob Hope issue. He gets one whole page, as I included a FDC.
Lady Bird Johnson got two pages. One for the souvenir sheet and one for two commemorative postmarks honouring her. I lived in Texas, so I have a soft spot for the stamps honouring Mrs. Johnson.
David
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David,
Did you end 12-31-99 or 12-31-00? Some say the 21st Century didn't start unti 2001. There was even a Seinfeld episode about it.
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As I collect US used, I see no end to my US collection. I still pick up mint stamps from time to time (Civil War) but only rarely now, and only when the modd hits me.
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Larsdog:
I ended my collection with the last issue of the Celebrate the Century stamps; which ended in 2000.
The first item on the 2001 page is an FDC of one of the American Illustrators series.
David
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David,
Very nice. I like that as an end point. I hope 2015 or 2016 works half as well.
You mentioned Lady Bird. You may want to consider getting an imperf pane of her issue as well. Just a thought.
Cheers!
Lars
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I started buying sheets after about 2000. Actually, my wife started buying me some sheets of things she thought I would like. Since I retired I dusted off my simple US collection and started filling holes. Both mint and used. I have a bunch on paper that I will mount in a plain page album and then just stick with the sheets of things that I like. I'm trying to improve on my old stamp quality but they are expensive.
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I'm like Rip Van Winkle. I walked away from my stamp collecting in the late 1970s, and back then collectors were screaming that the USPS was overdoing it, when they came out with the first US flag sheet with 50 different designs. I came back to concentrate on my 1903 Franklin collection when eBay came about and that's been my focus ever since.
When I get mail or come across stamps lately, I'm seeing stamps I've never seen before. And I see that USPS went way into overtime putting out useless stamps since I left!
So for me my collection ends at 1980. Those were the good times for me.
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I don't end anywhere, I have always bought only what I like. So in my mind, my collection is always complete. 
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My WW used collection goes up through the year I was born, which conveniently equals Scott International Parts I through IV.
My US used collection goes through 1988, because the very nice used Scott National album I purchased ended there! I only wanted up through 1977 (high school graduation), so the extra 11 years came as a bonus of sorts.
-Steve
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Lars,
I think you need to start on a new country. Leave the US Collection Date completely open, collect whatever takes your fancy, and start building and Australian collection. 
Regards ...Tim.
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I'll bet a dollar to a donut, Lars never picks a date he'll stick to.......
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"Lars,
I think you need to start on a new country."
Tim, you're close! I have been working on a "One Stamp from Every Country" collection for a while and now I have decided to do a topical. I am just getting started and it is lots of fun! I'll never stop collecting, and I still have some holes in my US collection that need attention, so I'm not giving up on collecting. I'm just not enjoying U.S. moderns any more.
"I'll bet a dollar to a donut, Lars never picks a date he'll stick to......."
Oh, bad bet. Please place an extra dollar in the collection plate at your place of worship or drop one in the Salvation Army kettle next Christmas. I have already decided on 12-31-14. There will be a few exceptions like getting the last Civil War S/S and I had already decided I would keep collecting Global, Priority, Express, Semi-Postal and any other BOB (like if they issue another Official stamp). I will also continue any existing Definitive series, like Distinguished Americans. But I am definitely done collecting most U.S. moderns as of New Years Day this year. It felt like a huge weight was lifted when I finally decided and now my energy has gone into a topical collection. I really can't imagine changing my mind now.
Lars
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"My WW used collection goes up through the year I was born, which conveniently equals Scott International Parts I through IV.
My US used collection goes through 1988, because the very nice used Scott National album I purchased ended there! I only wanted up through 1977 (high school graduation), so the extra 11 years came as a bonus of sorts.
-Steve"
I like that, Steve. At times I wish that I would have ended US not with a date, but just excluded all self-adhesives. In retrospect, that would have been a good plan. However, I now have the privilege of knowing some very special people that I would not have met if I didn't collect the non die-cut issues, so I can't complain.
I'm glad to know there are others that face the same dilemma.
Cheers!
Lars
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As I've said before, Lars' US Collection has been an inspiration to take a second look at US moderns. I understand your re-thinking regarding collecting all of the self-adhesives. I'm debating whether I extend past 2000. I am collecting the odd piece here and there, but do not feel that buying the past 14 years of stickers will make me happy...
In modern US I am mostly interested in the Great Americans series and definitives, in general. The cutoff point of 2000 fits nicely with my interests, although everything past 1990 is just a blur...
Don
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" everything past 1990 is just a blur...
"
it feels that way to me, sometimes, especially about stamps. as my focus narrows further to covers, stamps become blurrier. For some reason, Don, your statement brought that to clarity (no pun, honest) for me.
David
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I used to collect Sweden, Ireland, and Canada with an eye to completing the collections. I soon realized, of course, that there were many stamps that I could never afford. And then, with many dollars going to new issues, many of which I didn't even like, I realized that I had been duped into buying the most expensive commodity in the world. I mean, how much can a single stamp cost to produce? Not much! Fractions of a cent, I suspect. And how much mark-up is there on each stamp? Wow! Clothing retailers are in the Dark Ages when it comes to wringing bucks out of marks like me! In addition, I was buying very expensive annual sets of Lighthouse album pages. It was insane.
In the end, I quit buying almost all new issues, save for a very few whose subjects matched my emerging collecting interests — primarily the stamps and postal history of modern wars and the history of commercial aviation. These days, I buy stamps, covers, and postcards, and collateral items that appeal to me or at least serve as illustrations in my exhibits and web pages.
Bob
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"Oh, bad bet."
I will pay up for now......but I smell a jelly donut in my future...
I will know when to collect Lars, you always go to the Nth degree and then extrapolate out from there. You'll be posting about the latest issue and every variation. Then you'll back fill.... Yup, that day will come when you just can't help yourself.
I stopped with new U.S. postage end of 1989, my last son born Jan 1990, and have never looked back. But, I appreciate all who still collect the new issues and certainly enjoy viewing the postings......
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It will creep up on you! I stopped collecting, aside from my beloved Ben Franklins, in the late 1970s. Since that time, whenever I bought stamps for the house or for a mailing, I'd keep a few. Maybe the plate block. I'd still ask for commemoratives. It's in my blood.
I have stated that my collection will stop at 1980, just because, and half after crying uncle at all the useless labels that have been issued since. Then I start looking at my incoming mail, from stamp folks from my recent eBay purchases of 100 year old post cards, cancels and such. I've been noticing stamps I've never seen before, and I've been either clipping them or saving the entire.
So the first step is, I will collect more recent issues but only used off my mail. And it will go down the slippery slope from there! And you know where that ends...
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Don't give up
Never surrender
Keep on trucking
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I stopped my complete US collection I the 1980s and now only keep those items I like. None the less, I have filled a 2 inch binder with items I like. I tend toward mint stamps but do have some used examples as well.
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"I will pay up for now......but I smell a jelly donut in my future...Winking"
Maybe, but I think I have created a caveat that will keep me enough in the modern game to keep me satisfied:
"I had already decided I would keep collecting Global, Priority, Express, Semi-Postal and any other BOB (like if they issue another Official stamp). I will also continue any existing Definitive series, like Distinguished Americans."
Another point in my favor is that I am REALLY enjoying this topical I am working on. Much more enjoyment and challenge than chugging along with modern US. I don't know if I will do another topical, but I may try a specialty like playing card stamps or something else. Maybe I'll go after a single issue and get every common cachet for the first day issue, common maxicards, as close to EKU as I can with a used stamp, and a plate block from every corner of every plate number. Perhaps a 20th century issue with various varieties and plate flaws. There are just so many other areas of philately and I learn a LOT when I explore a new area and invariably meet some interesting and knowledgeable folks along the way.
Lars
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I have decided to draw a line in the sand and create an end point for my US stamp collection. I'd like to pick a specific year and I'd rather not go back in time unless nothing else makes sense.
I am committed through 2015 because I want all of the Civil War issues, so my first logical stopping point would be 2015 (inclusive).
The next likely milestones would be:
2016 Int'l Expo
2018 RFK, MLK, WWI ends
2019 50th Anniv Lunar Landing
If I decide I need to include those, I could go to 2021 and it would be 175 years of US stamps (1847-2021).
I definitely don't want to go to 2023 or we get into the 250th Anniv of the Tea Party then the whole 1776 thing (again).
Any thoughts?
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re: Ending my collection
2017 = JFK
I always say to collect things how you want. If you don't want all the fluff that gets issued, just collect the stamps that are relative to your philatelic and non-philatelic interests, such as The Civil War.
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09:59:09am
re: Ending my collection
Don't worry. the end is coming near anyway, so just keep collecting until it arrives!
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re: Ending my collection
"2017 = JFK"
Good point, Michael. They are more likely to issue stamps on the anniversary of RFK's and MLK's BIRTHDAYS, not the assassination dates. 1968 was just a very impactful year for me. So that just leaves 1969 and the lunar landing, but there is an dandy Souvenir Sheet from the 25th Anniversary, so I may call it quits 12-31-2016 so I can include the Int'l Expo Souvenir issues.
"If you don't want all the fluff that gets issued, just collect the stamps that are relative to your philatelic and non-philatelic interests, such as The Civil War."
I might collect a few souvenir sheets or a full pane that is of historical interest after 12-31-2016. I just want to start focusing all of the time and money I'm spending on new issues on something more interesting. I had a BLAST creating a BEYOND BOB album that grew to FOUR albums! I'm still missing a few Revenue stamp examples, a few CSA stamps, and a lot of other interesting items. I would also like to spend some time digging into North-South Transfers during the Civil War. There was a major route through Kentucky (Nashville to Louisville - now I-65). So I'm not RETIRING from stamp collecting, but simply redirecting my focus.
I want to use a logical stopping point, and in the middle of the Civil War anniversary isn't a good time. That pushes me to 2015 at least. I suppose I could collect the SS only from 2016 Int'l Expo. We'll see. I plan to continue any definitive series established by the cutoff date and continue Airmail and BOB indefinitely.
"Don't worry. the end is coming near anyway, so just keep collecting until it arrives!"
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re: Ending my collection
I have decided to stop collecting EVERY issue at 2000. As in filling album pages.
I have decided that after 2000, I am only going to collect issues very sparingly, as in ones that I just happen to really like, and to heck with album page filling. Make sense?
Most of the ones that I have from after y2k are sheets anyway, so no need for album pages.
I just mount them in the back of my last album neatly on blank pages.
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re: Ending my collection
Thanks ratio411. I had even toyed with the idea of excluding all self-adhesive issues, which is close to your demarkation. Any advice you care to share given your decision to draw the line at 2K?
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re: Ending my collection
I stopped my USA collection at 2000. After 2000 I just get the stamps I want.
David
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re: Ending my collection
David,
That was a great break point. End of the Great Americans Series and before the start of the Distinguished Americans Series. I would probably finish out the Looney Tunes series, but that is a great break point. I hope 2016 is a good date as well.
Cheers!
Lars
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re: Ending my collection
I think I mentioned earlier that it was tempting to not collect self adhesives. I think 2000 was a good choice, too, but I'm too far past that now. 2016 is looking good so far. I'm certainly not stressed about it. I'm looking forward to it. It will be nice to turn my attention to other areas of collecting that have been long neglected. And, of course, as suggested, I will likely pick up a few items post-break that I deem worthy of including. 2019 50th Anniversary of Lunar Landing comes to mind.
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re: Ending my collection
Larsdog:
I ended my USA collection at 2000 because I liked the Celebrate the Century (CTC) stamps as a great end to the 20th Century. There is still a page or two each year (to the current 2013) of stamps I put in my album.
A good example is the Bob Hope issue. He gets one whole page, as I included a FDC.
Lady Bird Johnson got two pages. One for the souvenir sheet and one for two commemorative postmarks honouring her. I lived in Texas, so I have a soft spot for the stamps honouring Mrs. Johnson.
David
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re: Ending my collection
David,
Did you end 12-31-99 or 12-31-00? Some say the 21st Century didn't start unti 2001. There was even a Seinfeld episode about it.
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re: Ending my collection
As I collect US used, I see no end to my US collection. I still pick up mint stamps from time to time (Civil War) but only rarely now, and only when the modd hits me.
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re: Ending my collection
Larsdog:
I ended my collection with the last issue of the Celebrate the Century stamps; which ended in 2000.
The first item on the 2001 page is an FDC of one of the American Illustrators series.
David
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re: Ending my collection
David,
Very nice. I like that as an end point. I hope 2015 or 2016 works half as well.
You mentioned Lady Bird. You may want to consider getting an imperf pane of her issue as well. Just a thought.
Cheers!
Lars
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09:59:11pm
re: Ending my collection
I started buying sheets after about 2000. Actually, my wife started buying me some sheets of things she thought I would like. Since I retired I dusted off my simple US collection and started filling holes. Both mint and used. I have a bunch on paper that I will mount in a plain page album and then just stick with the sheets of things that I like. I'm trying to improve on my old stamp quality but they are expensive.
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Approvals
re: Ending my collection
I'm like Rip Van Winkle. I walked away from my stamp collecting in the late 1970s, and back then collectors were screaming that the USPS was overdoing it, when they came out with the first US flag sheet with 50 different designs. I came back to concentrate on my 1903 Franklin collection when eBay came about and that's been my focus ever since.
When I get mail or come across stamps lately, I'm seeing stamps I've never seen before. And I see that USPS went way into overtime putting out useless stamps since I left!
So for me my collection ends at 1980. Those were the good times for me.
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re: Ending my collection
I don't end anywhere, I have always bought only what I like. So in my mind, my collection is always complete.
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re: Ending my collection
My WW used collection goes up through the year I was born, which conveniently equals Scott International Parts I through IV.
My US used collection goes through 1988, because the very nice used Scott National album I purchased ended there! I only wanted up through 1977 (high school graduation), so the extra 11 years came as a bonus of sorts.
-Steve
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re: Ending my collection
Lars,
I think you need to start on a new country. Leave the US Collection Date completely open, collect whatever takes your fancy, and start building and Australian collection.
Regards ...Tim.
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re: Ending my collection
I'll bet a dollar to a donut, Lars never picks a date he'll stick to.......
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re: Ending my collection
"Lars,
I think you need to start on a new country."
Tim, you're close! I have been working on a "One Stamp from Every Country" collection for a while and now I have decided to do a topical. I am just getting started and it is lots of fun! I'll never stop collecting, and I still have some holes in my US collection that need attention, so I'm not giving up on collecting. I'm just not enjoying U.S. moderns any more.
"I'll bet a dollar to a donut, Lars never picks a date he'll stick to......."
Oh, bad bet. Please place an extra dollar in the collection plate at your place of worship or drop one in the Salvation Army kettle next Christmas. I have already decided on 12-31-14. There will be a few exceptions like getting the last Civil War S/S and I had already decided I would keep collecting Global, Priority, Express, Semi-Postal and any other BOB (like if they issue another Official stamp). I will also continue any existing Definitive series, like Distinguished Americans. But I am definitely done collecting most U.S. moderns as of New Years Day this year. It felt like a huge weight was lifted when I finally decided and now my energy has gone into a topical collection. I really can't imagine changing my mind now.
Lars
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re: Ending my collection
"My WW used collection goes up through the year I was born, which conveniently equals Scott International Parts I through IV.
My US used collection goes through 1988, because the very nice used Scott National album I purchased ended there! I only wanted up through 1977 (high school graduation), so the extra 11 years came as a bonus of sorts.
-Steve"
I like that, Steve. At times I wish that I would have ended US not with a date, but just excluded all self-adhesives. In retrospect, that would have been a good plan. However, I now have the privilege of knowing some very special people that I would not have met if I didn't collect the non die-cut issues, so I can't complain.
I'm glad to know there are others that face the same dilemma.
Cheers!
Lars
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re: Ending my collection
As I've said before, Lars' US Collection has been an inspiration to take a second look at US moderns. I understand your re-thinking regarding collecting all of the self-adhesives. I'm debating whether I extend past 2000. I am collecting the odd piece here and there, but do not feel that buying the past 14 years of stickers will make me happy...
In modern US I am mostly interested in the Great Americans series and definitives, in general. The cutoff point of 2000 fits nicely with my interests, although everything past 1990 is just a blur...
Don
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re: Ending my collection
" everything past 1990 is just a blur...
"
it feels that way to me, sometimes, especially about stamps. as my focus narrows further to covers, stamps become blurrier. For some reason, Don, your statement brought that to clarity (no pun, honest) for me.
David
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re: Ending my collection
I used to collect Sweden, Ireland, and Canada with an eye to completing the collections. I soon realized, of course, that there were many stamps that I could never afford. And then, with many dollars going to new issues, many of which I didn't even like, I realized that I had been duped into buying the most expensive commodity in the world. I mean, how much can a single stamp cost to produce? Not much! Fractions of a cent, I suspect. And how much mark-up is there on each stamp? Wow! Clothing retailers are in the Dark Ages when it comes to wringing bucks out of marks like me! In addition, I was buying very expensive annual sets of Lighthouse album pages. It was insane.
In the end, I quit buying almost all new issues, save for a very few whose subjects matched my emerging collecting interests — primarily the stamps and postal history of modern wars and the history of commercial aviation. These days, I buy stamps, covers, and postcards, and collateral items that appeal to me or at least serve as illustrations in my exhibits and web pages.
Bob
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re: Ending my collection
"Oh, bad bet."
I will pay up for now......but I smell a jelly donut in my future...
I will know when to collect Lars, you always go to the Nth degree and then extrapolate out from there. You'll be posting about the latest issue and every variation. Then you'll back fill.... Yup, that day will come when you just can't help yourself.
I stopped with new U.S. postage end of 1989, my last son born Jan 1990, and have never looked back. But, I appreciate all who still collect the new issues and certainly enjoy viewing the postings......
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this post
Approvals
re: Ending my collection
It will creep up on you! I stopped collecting, aside from my beloved Ben Franklins, in the late 1970s. Since that time, whenever I bought stamps for the house or for a mailing, I'd keep a few. Maybe the plate block. I'd still ask for commemoratives. It's in my blood.
I have stated that my collection will stop at 1980, just because, and half after crying uncle at all the useless labels that have been issued since. Then I start looking at my incoming mail, from stamp folks from my recent eBay purchases of 100 year old post cards, cancels and such. I've been noticing stamps I've never seen before, and I've been either clipping them or saving the entire.
So the first step is, I will collect more recent issues but only used off my mail. And it will go down the slippery slope from there! And you know where that ends...
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re: Ending my collection
Don't give up
Never surrender
Keep on trucking
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re: Ending my collection
I stopped my complete US collection I the 1980s and now only keep those items I like. None the less, I have filled a 2 inch binder with items I like. I tend toward mint stamps but do have some used examples as well.
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re: Ending my collection
"I will pay up for now......but I smell a jelly donut in my future...Winking"
Maybe, but I think I have created a caveat that will keep me enough in the modern game to keep me satisfied:
"I had already decided I would keep collecting Global, Priority, Express, Semi-Postal and any other BOB (like if they issue another Official stamp). I will also continue any existing Definitive series, like Distinguished Americans."
Another point in my favor is that I am REALLY enjoying this topical I am working on. Much more enjoyment and challenge than chugging along with modern US. I don't know if I will do another topical, but I may try a specialty like playing card stamps or something else. Maybe I'll go after a single issue and get every common cachet for the first day issue, common maxicards, as close to EKU as I can with a used stamp, and a plate block from every corner of every plate number. Perhaps a 20th century issue with various varieties and plate flaws. There are just so many other areas of philately and I learn a LOT when I explore a new area and invariably meet some interesting and knowledgeable folks along the way.
Lars
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