Stamps -- Explain the craze?

GoldCoinLover

I'm surprised, I thought there would be alot more posts about stamps here. I guess not many people collect stamps. I am a serious coin collector, and on the coin forum theres tons, and tons, of posts. Too many. Is stamps a big craze like coins? Do more people collect coins than stamps?

Thanks

100proof1957

came over here from the coin boards !
i have a rather large hoard that my father left (doesnt everybody ?)
mostly US and some UN
problem is most of it is just worthless.
most dealers will pay 75-80 % of face value.
use em for postage you say ?
if i lived to be 500 yrs old i would still have stamps !
im cherry picking now,taking the cash and buying coins !

Proof

Coiniac

I think that there are many more stamp collectors in the world than we know. For the most part they are an introverted lot that collect in private without fanfare, which is a shame because I believe there is a large base of knowledge out there, wating to be tapped. Also, stamps are no longer given the exposure thay used to enjoy in the mainstream press. Back in the 30's & 40's, just about every major newspaper in the country ran a regular Philatelic column which described new stamp issues and the stories behind them. Nowadays, its rare to even see a press release about new U.S. issues. Also, back in the day, one could visit the local 5 & dime department store and find stamp packets, albums, and supplies. Even the larger outlets like JC Penney used to carry stamp collecting stuff. Try finding that now! The only place that I have seen stamps and supplies outside of an actual Coin/Stamp shop is the Hobby Lobby chain.
Speaking for myself, I avidly collect stamps and coins, but I am not presently a member of any hobby organizations or clubs, do not subscribe to any periodicals, and rarely show my collections to other persons, but I enjoy what I do immensely. To be quite honest, I really don't discuss these hobbies with too many folks outside of these forums. I have a few friends that possess a passing interest in coins and stamps, and to these I will show some of my better finds and purchases on occasion.
I really suspect there are many more out there like me that are extremely dedicated and knowledgable collectors. They just don't make a big deal out of it. My hope is that I will leave a very cool collection to my kids and grand kids, in the hopes that that it will be added to and passed on to future generations as a family heirloom. With my stamps, I am fond of designing and printing out my own album pages which are packed with geographical and historical information which I hope will be of benefit to future generations. I look at it as a large encyclopedia illustrated with actual stamps! But...enough rambling....thanks for bringing up the subject!

ty

A lot of people collect stamps.

Many I know just got feed up with the childish attitude of some members of this forum.

I am also about to abandon this forum - I used to visit it daily, now only once in a week if so.

laceupboots

Hope you change your mind ty, I always save the technical stuff for you.

lordmarcovan

What craze?

laceupboots

Smoe peeps take this way too seriously, IMO.