Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
I am a brand new collector. I am starting with Canada (I have purchased an album for this) and dogs and would like to collect disney and police themed as well. Does anyone have suggestions for topics that are cheap to collect yet beautiful in design? I would like to collect that as well as the other topics that sometimes aren't cost effective.
Suggestions would be very helpful. There is just so much out there, I don't know where to start.
Thanks very much!
Shannon
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If I was a topical collector I would collect butterflies. There are alot of inexpensive butterflies.
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You will be able to find "cheap" stamps in most any topic you could think of. Rummage through the approval books here. You'll find many different topicals at very nice prices.
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I think it is less an issue of what to collect (whatever tickles your fancy really!) than how in depth you want to get. Some of these can be expensive; there are high value bird stamps from Ireland, for example, and butterflies and flowers from some countries.
The great thing about this hobby is the variety of ways you can collect too. Tired of mint single stamps? Collect blocks, souvenir sheets, used with interesting cancels, covers, first day cancels and covers, commercially used mail, whole sheets and panes, ...
I haven't checked the approvals in a while but check that section for topicals (we don't list by topic here, so it makes it a bit more challenging as there is just one topical category).
Enjoy and remember, you can always expand, contract, focus, generalize ... whatever. Great times ahead!
Peter
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My topical interests are butterflies and dinosaurs.
I also am mainly interested in used stamps so collecting them tends to stay fairly cost effective.
I agree that the topical section of the approval books is a good place to look but I also look through the various country ones for stamps in my topical interests. Usually I do this when I am already purchasing some items from a seller.
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As others have noted, stamp collecting/philately is an open-ended pursuit. There was a time when I thought I was breaking the bank if I spent more than $10 on a single item. In fact, I could hardly bring myself to spend that much! That was then, this is now. Now, almost all of my personal disposable income goes to my collections. (I do buy clothes now and then, every few years, if I actually need new clothes! Anyway…
Within my spending limits, I buy what I like, and nothing that I don't like. I gave up "album stuffing" years ago, when I was faced with a blank album page that required those godawful red Canadian postage due stamps…. Now, if I buy a stamp or set of stamps or cover that destroys my bank account for the month, I just do without more purchases and enjoy what I have bought.
My only philatelic goals these days, as far as purchases go, is to fill in "blanks" in actual or potential web pages and exhibits. I keep my stamps in covers in stock books — my only album is a Lighthouse U.S. album for the first hundred years of U.S. issues, but I don't pay a lot of attention to it.
Bob
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Shannon, it looks as if you DO KNOW where to start: Canada and dogs. You may stay with that the rest of your life, or you may add to/and subtract from that starting point.
doesn't really matter. what matters is that what finds its way to your desk is what tickles your fancy.
Like Bob, was collecting approach is a great road map, I started with broad habits and narrowed down. What I collect now is fairly specialized, but I only got there by stumbling on stuff and opting to add to this and toss that.
Lots of Canada here, and if you ask, I'm sure you'll be deluged with dogs. I even think i saw one guy who liked real dogs here once.
David
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Dear Shannon,
You are an empty canvas. Paint upon it all that you imagine, think is you, suspect once was you-in short, the stamps and topics and counties and designs are all you. Select that which tickles your fancy, and elicits smiles and a feeling of satisfaction. There is no rhyme or reason to follow anything other than your heart.
Eventually the patterns will emerge, and the colors come together and lo & behold, you will be involved in a particular direction.Right now all directions are grand and pleasing to your eye-indulge yourself and sample it all.
I remember starting out as a Worldwide collector, eventually narrowed down to a few countries and then to a particular country. I have been in contact with those who have narrowed their collecting to a single stamp! Imagine that-a collection of but a single stamp issue. Very tough to trade with one like that-but very interesting.
This is a hobby that can last a lifetime, ever changing/narrowing/expanding and can cost a few dollars or literally a fortune. Something that can be an heirloom or just a hobby that pleases you no end. All yours to determine and to shape as you desire.
I know I have been of absolutely no help in your quest to determine what to do-and that is as it needs to be. It is all you-and only you can make the necessary decisions as to what to do and how to do it. As others have pointed out-there is no 'right/wrong' choice.
Welcome to our hobby- we are all nuts one way or another-from the dreamers to the business focused collectors. Everyone correct in what they are pursuing and the way in which they seek to do that. Share with us as you follow your path, and we will share back.
Welcome, new Stamp Collector.
Best,
Dan C.
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Thanks everyone for all the helpful replies. I have already started trading with another member as well as utilize the auction and approval sections. There is sooooo much out there. It is just so fun to look.
Tonight I am off to my first stamp club meeting. I am dragging my husband along too so he'll know what I'm rambling on about when I get home. I'm so excited.
Shannon
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Maybe he'll get hooked too, and you'll both become stamp addicts!
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Hi shantige;
I think that butterflies, make a great topic and there are lots of them to collect. I have three prints in my living room of butterflies. My favorite depicts small blue butterflies on wild rose blossoms. I think that butterflies pictured on flowers are the best of all.
Have fun collecting
Ken Tall Pines
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Hi everyone,
I am a brand new collector. I am starting with Canada (I have purchased an album for this) and dogs and would like to collect disney and police themed as well. Does anyone have suggestions for topics that are cheap to collect yet beautiful in design? I would like to collect that as well as the other topics that sometimes aren't cost effective.
Suggestions would be very helpful. There is just so much out there, I don't know where to start.
Thanks very much!
Shannon
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this post
re: Suggestions for a newbie!
If I was a topical collector I would collect butterflies. There are alot of inexpensive butterflies.
Login to Like
this post
re: Suggestions for a newbie!
You will be able to find "cheap" stamps in most any topic you could think of. Rummage through the approval books here. You'll find many different topicals at very nice prices.
Login to Like
this post
12:40:04pm
re: Suggestions for a newbie!
I think it is less an issue of what to collect (whatever tickles your fancy really!) than how in depth you want to get. Some of these can be expensive; there are high value bird stamps from Ireland, for example, and butterflies and flowers from some countries.
The great thing about this hobby is the variety of ways you can collect too. Tired of mint single stamps? Collect blocks, souvenir sheets, used with interesting cancels, covers, first day cancels and covers, commercially used mail, whole sheets and panes, ...
I haven't checked the approvals in a while but check that section for topicals (we don't list by topic here, so it makes it a bit more challenging as there is just one topical category).
Enjoy and remember, you can always expand, contract, focus, generalize ... whatever. Great times ahead!
Peter
Login to Like
this post
re: Suggestions for a newbie!
My topical interests are butterflies and dinosaurs.
I also am mainly interested in used stamps so collecting them tends to stay fairly cost effective.
I agree that the topical section of the approval books is a good place to look but I also look through the various country ones for stamps in my topical interests. Usually I do this when I am already purchasing some items from a seller.
Login to Like
this post
re: Suggestions for a newbie!
As others have noted, stamp collecting/philately is an open-ended pursuit. There was a time when I thought I was breaking the bank if I spent more than $10 on a single item. In fact, I could hardly bring myself to spend that much! That was then, this is now. Now, almost all of my personal disposable income goes to my collections. (I do buy clothes now and then, every few years, if I actually need new clothes! Anyway…
Within my spending limits, I buy what I like, and nothing that I don't like. I gave up "album stuffing" years ago, when I was faced with a blank album page that required those godawful red Canadian postage due stamps…. Now, if I buy a stamp or set of stamps or cover that destroys my bank account for the month, I just do without more purchases and enjoy what I have bought.
My only philatelic goals these days, as far as purchases go, is to fill in "blanks" in actual or potential web pages and exhibits. I keep my stamps in covers in stock books — my only album is a Lighthouse U.S. album for the first hundred years of U.S. issues, but I don't pay a lot of attention to it.
Bob
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this post
Auctions
re: Suggestions for a newbie!
Shannon, it looks as if you DO KNOW where to start: Canada and dogs. You may stay with that the rest of your life, or you may add to/and subtract from that starting point.
doesn't really matter. what matters is that what finds its way to your desk is what tickles your fancy.
Like Bob, was collecting approach is a great road map, I started with broad habits and narrowed down. What I collect now is fairly specialized, but I only got there by stumbling on stuff and opting to add to this and toss that.
Lots of Canada here, and if you ask, I'm sure you'll be deluged with dogs. I even think i saw one guy who liked real dogs here once.
David
Login to Like
this post
re: Suggestions for a newbie!
Dear Shannon,
You are an empty canvas. Paint upon it all that you imagine, think is you, suspect once was you-in short, the stamps and topics and counties and designs are all you. Select that which tickles your fancy, and elicits smiles and a feeling of satisfaction. There is no rhyme or reason to follow anything other than your heart.
Eventually the patterns will emerge, and the colors come together and lo & behold, you will be involved in a particular direction.Right now all directions are grand and pleasing to your eye-indulge yourself and sample it all.
I remember starting out as a Worldwide collector, eventually narrowed down to a few countries and then to a particular country. I have been in contact with those who have narrowed their collecting to a single stamp! Imagine that-a collection of but a single stamp issue. Very tough to trade with one like that-but very interesting.
This is a hobby that can last a lifetime, ever changing/narrowing/expanding and can cost a few dollars or literally a fortune. Something that can be an heirloom or just a hobby that pleases you no end. All yours to determine and to shape as you desire.
I know I have been of absolutely no help in your quest to determine what to do-and that is as it needs to be. It is all you-and only you can make the necessary decisions as to what to do and how to do it. As others have pointed out-there is no 'right/wrong' choice.
Welcome to our hobby- we are all nuts one way or another-from the dreamers to the business focused collectors. Everyone correct in what they are pursuing and the way in which they seek to do that. Share with us as you follow your path, and we will share back.
Welcome, new Stamp Collector.
Best,
Dan C.
Login to Like
this post
re: Suggestions for a newbie!
Thanks everyone for all the helpful replies. I have already started trading with another member as well as utilize the auction and approval sections. There is sooooo much out there. It is just so fun to look.
Tonight I am off to my first stamp club meeting. I am dragging my husband along too so he'll know what I'm rambling on about when I get home. I'm so excited.
Shannon
Login to Like
this post
re: Suggestions for a newbie!
Maybe he'll get hooked too, and you'll both become stamp addicts!
Login to Like
this post
re: Suggestions for a newbie!
Hi shantige;
I think that butterflies, make a great topic and there are lots of them to collect. I have three prints in my living room of butterflies. My favorite depicts small blue butterflies on wild rose blossoms. I think that butterflies pictured on flowers are the best of all.
Have fun collecting
Ken Tall Pines
Login to Like
this post