One of my friends won a high ribbon for his exhibit of "Canadian P.O.W mail of WW1,so we were invited to attend the awards ceremony. I thought it was kind of amusing to be sitting at a round table with people who had spent $2500 for a cover to complete an exhibit !
Only $2,500? Cheapskates! Actually, I've never spent that much either, although I've come a long way a — VERY long way — from the time that I couldn't imagine spending $10 for a stamp or a cover.
I have to admit that the most I've ever spent was on a US #1 in only F condition. Never near that much for a cover--but I'd wanted a #1 for years. Cost a lot more than my Penny Black.... But I'm getting to that level for covers in certain areas, and I have so far stayed away, but I might do that for the right item.
I'm afraid that the $50 cover is way behind me! But if I add up scores of "small" purchases of individual stamp, stamp sets, inexpensive covers, and inexpensive postcards, the total is far greater than my most expensive cover.
It's worth considering that the pleasure enjoyed and the knowledge gained from some of my most expensive items can't be evaluated. And, as David notes, the collectibles we collect do have market value, and much of their value can be recovered when you sell. Of course, since you'll have to pry my best covers and stamps out of my cold, dead hands, I'll have to be content with the pleasure and knowledge they have afforded.
Of course, I have to admit that I take pleasure in spending money on things that most other people see as old bits of paper. We collectors must have a gene that lights up in the presence of old paper.
So true. i will spend when i must..but i get a lot of pleasure out of going through packet material of Dutch Indies checking for postmarks..the monetary value of the stamps is minimal !
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