British Collectors

coinkat

Just curious- how many of you collect British Stamps as well?

I am curious if stamps have a stronger and wider collector base in England than the US. I think stamps are likely more popular across the pond but I have nothing to really base that on other than perception.

I have to say the stamps for the 1924 Exhibit are well designed as are the George V Seahorses.

SYRACUSIAN

Wrong Forum 'Kat.


Seriously, I'm sick and tired of Spink's super stamp sales, one of which tomorrow, and that I receive because they go hand in hand with the previews of coin auctions, or so they think. I have been to a UK stamp show once, simply to unload some Prestige year books from 1998 to 2005 or something, as well as ~100 FDCs ,all addressed to my name and address on the cover, from the same period that I had a Royal Mail subscription. I left the show with £380 in my pocket grumbling in disgust, because the £50 Prestige year books were much less in demand than the half priced simple year sets. Maybe I should have kept the personalized FDCs for my daughter, they were nice with my name and address typed on them, and because it was a Greek address they were of some interest to some dealers. I've kept a few, but not enough. It's crazy the things that a collector such as myself can get into for a while, and as for Greek stamps, I got rid of them in time, long before the hoarders showed up their stock of so called difficult MNH series of the 40s and 50s, never again.

Coinpictures is (among others) a stamp collector too as far as I know, but he's in hiding.

JPreidisRN

I am a collector of British Coins. I too have been a collector of British Stamps. Both collections were started in my childhood and undergone many revisions through the years, becoming more specialized and specific. After living in England for two years, I began to specialize in both. I agree that there are more stamp collectors in the UK rather than the US. Stamps are a way to view a piece of culture from lands that one will never have a chance to visit, and England has a rich heritage portrayed within their stamps. Stamps are also a more affordable medium. I have also watched the hobby slowly die off in the US over the last decade with the advent of the print your own stamp options, and the poor subject matter that the USPS generates. The engraving beauty and fine detail is long gone, except for the early issues. Coins and Stamps have been hand in hand for as long as I can recall. Because of this, I now focus my attention primarily on the British coinage. Stamps have taken a back seat, but I still have my collection and review it once in a while.

I say, that if you have an interest and enjoy the hobby, pursue it.

wybrit

Not I - gave up stamps when I was about 7. My Dad was into it though until recently.

Gazza

I collected stamps as a kid before I got into coins. I think stamp collecting has passed its hayday here in the UK. The downturn started when the Royal Mail started issueing sets for the collectors, a bit like what the Royal mint is doing now for coins.

SaorAlba

I collected stamps up until I was about 14 or so and they all got stuck to the album pages because of humidity.

pruebas

<< <i>I collected stamps up until I was about 14 or so and they all got stuck to the album pages because of humidity. >>


Same here! I'm now trying to use all those mint stamps that remain.

I do still sometimes visit stamp exhibits though. Last time I was in Washington, I visited the National Postal Museum which has the Queen's Own Collection on display. Fascinating!

coinkat

Thanks for the responses... I suppose I could have asked the same question with respect to any country.

Greig

Not to hijack this topic, but it reminded me that, at the 1979 or 1980 ANA show (either St. Louis or Cincinnati), I had an exhibit of Mexican stamps and coins commemorating the same event. (The obvious example was the 1968 Olympics, with - as I recall - the one 25 peso Olympic coin and a tremendous number of stamps and souvenir sheets.) I had originally thought about doing the same using US coins and stamps, until I realized how expensive the 1892 Columbian stamps were going to be ('way beyond my budget - then and now). I didn't win anything (got an "Award of Merit" bronze medal that everybody who didn't win received - still have it), but it was a lot of fun putting the exhibit together. Being a pack rat, I still have the coin (which is still very inexpensive) and all of the stamps!