Bueller, Bueller , Bueller, Bueller

Smittys

Overdate

Smittys

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I LIKE IT !!!!!!

Overdate

Thanks! Where is everybody??

Smittys

IDK, is the stamp crowd that small here?

Overdate

<< <i>IDK, is the stamp crowd that small here? >>


Hard to believe, but I've heard rumors that stamp collecting is less popular than coin collecting!

WoodenJefferson

We are dinosaurs, extinct

Smittys

Originally posted by: WoodenJefferson
We are dinosaurs, extinct

Not Extinct just in hiding

Overdate

I have a book published in 1947 touting commemorative stamps as a great investment. Who would have guessed that stamps from that era would wind up being used for discount postage in 2015?

WoodenJefferson

A few years ago I was still buying from an East Coast dealer, when you received a large envelope, it was covered in old 3 cent postage stamps. There was just enough room for return address and send to address. I still have some envelopes he sent that were all hand stamped (cancelled). Crazy.

Overdate

From time to time I use stamps from the Columbian and Trans-Mississippi souvenir sheets for postage.

zep33

AUandAG

I hate to come along and raise the post count too high.....but,



Some years ago, about ten, my wife's Mother passed and my wife and her two sisters inherited Moms stamp collection.

Mom started collecting used stamps from envelopes as a child, in the 1930's. Upon getting married about 1940 she started buying sheets and blocks of stamps as the PO got them in stock. She said that the PO was touting collecting as an investment and Mom decided if she worked real hard at it and was diligent about getting all the stamps that came out, she could maybe put all three girls through college....hmmmm

She absolutely believed in what she was doing...kind of like a job and a savings plan all wrapped into one.

She did realize that the stamps never appreciated, as she was told they would or even as she hoped they would...She stopped collecting about 1990 as I recall.

Well, the three girls decided that I would be the one to get it valued and sold...glory be! Lucky me!

Now, being absolutely ignorant with anything to do with stamps (other than licking and posting them) I had the collection valued by two experts at some expense that I did not want to spend

The result: split them up and lick them...99% of them were actually worth less than the face value to a collector. Face value to the PO if licked.

A couple of first day covers actually had value (yes, she collected them too) but not even enough to pay the appraisal fees....ugh.

She did save Dad's duck stamps and those were sold at good values and even though the were signed everyone had a nice toast with champagne bought with the proceeds!

Way to go Gov't....kind of like today's coin programs with mint and proof coins being sold directly from the Mint.....oh well,



The one thing she did wrong, as a collector, is that she collecting the common denominations typically used for postage on envelopes, etc. What she should have done is collect large denoms above $1 each...that is where the stamps actually have values...the ones most people never knew existed....



bob



PS: I have bought and dispersed several large collections since then and thanks to Mom in Law, I made a few bucks...

LochNESS

Went to a new pub last night, and they had a FRAMED! display of the Batman sheet (USPS) issued earlier this year - or was it last Winter? I can't recall. Anyway, I thought it strange since the stamps are brand new and mass produced. Not exactly collectible stamps by a collector's standards, unless you're just a huge Batman fan like yours truly. But my sheet isn't framed. I think that frame probably cost more than the sheet will be worth fifty years from now.

Overdate

If stamps from the 1930s on up keep being used for discount postage, eventually they will become scarce in unused condition. The question is whether there will be any stamp collectors left to buy them.

I remember growing up when uncirculated Morgan and Peace dollars were worth a buck each. Stamps from the mid-20th century are somewhat in that position now.

delistamps

Overdate, I agree with you. I buy a lot of discount postage and use them on my mail. People love getting them and eventually they will become scarcer. If and when that happens, I won't regret the small contribution I made to the cause!!!

luckybucks

Good to know. I like the WWII and back stamps, but don't seriously pursue them.



I haven't seen the National Parks stamps in a very long time.