I've returned to collecting in my old age, older I get the more interested I am in the hobby. And I love buying the stamps I could not afford earlier in life.
I have 3 nice Elbe albums. I can't seem to find Elbe blank pages
I have some questions for the discussion group:
1. Is stamp collecting a Jewish hobby? I seems the really great collectors are mostly Jewish. Yes, I know about Roosevelt. My city has few stamp clubs (if any) and a very small Jewish population
2. Any tricks to identifying the light hinge mark? Often I am not sure if it has been hinged.
3. One dealer I have in mind will describe a stamp as "gorgeous" or some other grand word in describing an at best barely VF stamp. This is misleading, are their guide lines here?
4. I recall buying a stamps in the early 80s...nice stamps now seem less expensive or have not increased in value since. Stamp markets flat?
re: The on and off collector for 75 years. New here to the board
John,
I am no expert, and a recent returnee to stamps, but I believe the stamp market has been overall flat for some time.
As for stamp collecting being a Jewish hobby, that seems an odd argument to make even if some of the top collectors are Jewish. I cannot imagine a more inclusive hobby in the world. My wife is Jewish and I am not, and she thinks I am somewhat dotty for collecting stamps.
If I hear the word "gorgeous" being used to describe anything, I am immediately looking to uncover the truth. Too much hyperbole is never a good thing.
re: The on and off collector for 75 years. New here to the board
Hi John,
Firstly, welcome to Stamporama. It is good to have you with us. Secondly, my goodness, you open up enough questions for half a dozen threads. I look forward to the discussion.
re: The on and off collector for 75 years. New here to the board
We do have stamp auctions and approval sales here on Stamporama. Using hyperbolic words and phrases to describe stamps is against the rules. I have not seen any sellers in my experience provide a grade for their stamps. You will just measure up the stamp/cover/etc you want to buy based on the description of condition of the stamp by the seller and the enclosed photo.
re: The on and off collector for 75 years. New here to the board
John,
I think in Israel, most collectors are likely Jewish; elsewhere, meh, but we do tend to be old and male.
Eric is correct that the market has been essentially flat IF you start from the 80s, which was a highwater point, sales wise (at least in the US). Our own Michael Generali has run yearly comparisons of the new Scott vs previous Scott, looking at pricing. It's a narrow window, but shows short-term trends. Other countries, as they grow in disposable income, push values up, but generally for their own stamps. I'm thinking of China, HK, Singapore, Russia, etc.
Gorgeous is an aesthetic term, without philatelic value. Terms like VF or sound have meaning (although you'll read arguments on both in these pages), gorgeous is more about Slania's designs than the stamp's quality marketwise.
Welcome back.
David
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"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"
re: The on and off collector for 75 years. New here to the board
Welcome, John, to Stamporama! You'll find some great stamps to fill holes in your collection at very reasonable cost, and an entertaining cast of characters as well!
