I started a different thread in the "buy/sell" section inviting people to PM amongst ourselves where we are buying our stuff and who the reliable sellers are when we don't buy directly from USPS. It's also an opportunity to share stuff needed or for sale, so please don't put stuff like that here. Go to the "buy/sell" section for that discussion.

This thread is ONLY for strategy of WHAT to collect.

I decided on the following collecting strategy for Commemoratives:

For single design issues (all of the stamps are the same design)

a) If the stamps are in booklet form, collect a complete booklet without die-cuts
(even though I only collect a single of the die-cut version).

b) If the stamps are in sheet form, collect a horizonal imperf. pair (typically with left margin)
and a vertical gutter imperf. pair (typically with left margin).

For multiple designs (there are two or more different design on the pane)

a) If the stamps are in booklet form, collect a complete booklet without die-cuts.

b) If the stamps are in sheet form:

i) If all of the stamp designs are different, collect a complete pane without die-cuts.

ii) If there are multiple repeating designs, obtain the smallest intact SNO (Scott Number order) imperf. block or strip and an SNO gutter imperf. block or strip.

For definitives, I will simply collect a horizontal pair of single issues.

That was my strategy until USPS released the Priority Express stamp imperf! For that one, and any other high value issues, I will simply collect a margin single.

How are other folks collecting these? Does anyone else have a strategy for what to put in the album for 2013?

Lars


www.larsdog.com/stamps