The future of Stamps ????.

[bronxsk]

Around $2.00 here in Central MD, 10 miles from Baltimore and 20 from Wash D.C.

Bx

[kellysboytoy]

afraid that once this election is over gasoline "and all" will bounce back where they were...

It's happening already?!

[dianealthea]

Michael, they'll drill the Gulf and then we'll have a "bridge" between us!

[cocollectibles]

A bridge between Texas and Florida? Another bridge to nowhere? <JK>

[dianealthea]

Sometimes when I drive the length of Florida, it seems to take as long to drive the width of Texas. You might have something there, Peter... but at least when I get out of Florida I end up in Georgia!

[sdearth69]

Right on and when you get here you don't need to go anywhere else

Sandy

[cocollectibles]

Sometimes when I drive the length of Florida, it seems to take as long to drive the width of Texas. You might have something there, Peter... but at least when I get out of Florida I end up in Georgia!

And that's a plus ... how?

Sandy, you sniped me!

[dianealthea]

This might get missed on the other thread, but since you guys are awake tell me does Macao get listed as Macao or Macau and does it get listed as the category Asia-other or Asia China?

[cocollectibles]

This might get missed on the other thread, but since you guys are awake tell me does Macao get listed as Macao or Macau and does it get listed as the category Asia-other or Asia China?

I answered on the other thread. Macau (preferred local use, and older Portuguese use), listed under China. See the other post for distinctions I make for colonial Macau.

(my ancestors homeland, BTW!)

[zinspect0r]

The future of stamp collecting is going to be what we make it. If we have negative views on our hobby, how can we expect outsiders to view it otherwise.

I usually attend the Plymouth, Michigan show in April. And, last time I attended, I saw several sub-teens in attendance. Did mommy or daddy bribe them to attend? I don't know but they were happily digging through the "junk box".

Maybe all is not lost. With our down turn in the economy, maybe something as simple as sticking used stamps into a cheap album will become popular, again. I got one of my four daughters interested in stamp collecting and now I am working on my one and only grandson.

Time to close. Good night and God Bless you all!

zinspect0r

[kellysboytoy]

That's funny, I have my one and only daughter being hooked.....seemingly......and beginning in August I will begin being able to train my first grandchild!!!

Hope to see you in Plymouth in April!!!

[dianealthea]

Yes, kbt, they can be trained! My grandson came to live with us with us when he was one, and by the time he left at age 3, he had quite a knowledge built up on stamps. We all were amazed at how gentle he was when he picked one up off the floor and handed it to me; or how excited he got over the one with the plane on it ~ I let him have it and it kinda' got rumpled a little but that's okay, he's only a kid. How much did he absorb? Who knows, but now that he doesn't live here anymore he's out from under the influence, but I always make stamp time when he comes back for a visit... he's not as interested now, almost 4 as when he was at 2... but there's always hope! My bird afficiando granddaughter of 7 will receive a bird collection that I'm putting together for her when she turns the big one-0... not sure how it'll be received... but try we must!!! Brooke lives afar, so she's not under the influence like Noah is... I've two more grandkids... I've made collections for each...

I've had quite a few customers tell grandparent stories of sharing their hobby. Yes, it does fall on our shoulders to pass it all down.

[kellysboytoy]

Just like all of our other habits.....good and bad...Mackenzie at 4, her interest has waned somewhat but Carter at 2 is there taking her place...he's still trying to master the tongs....and BOTH inow that is the way to handle stamps...

I plan on spending some time (after the grandchild is born in August) with my son and daughter in law but don't know how much knowledge I can bestow in those early days......

[arnonl]

Did you notice prices of better stamps and covers on auctions lately? They are higher aren't they - and lesser expensive lots are left unsold.

Maybe because the economic crisis caused a shift in the interest of investment syndicates and individuals towards collectible stamp portfolios. Stamps are regarded as a safe haven, just like gold, art and antiques and the investor does not seem to worry much about possible lack of demand in say 10 years.

Among the best performers are classic series of definitives, commemorative issues before 1930, varieties and errors in printing and lately revenue stamps, the types used for liquor, tobacco and other commodities and excise customs documents. Quality, certificates, signed, flawless, unique seem to be key words for high sales prices.

Varieties of certain issues are particularly doing well. They don't tend to grow in value at rapid rates, but they might provide the best overall chance at windfall profits.

I bet the demand for safes and safety deposit boxes is booming too. Stamps are subject to all sorts of damage from environmental changes and a stable atmosphere especially such as that in a bank vault will provide protection.

[CowboySpirit]

This thread was started back in August '07. My little store sells mostly post 1939 US stamps, so I am at an advantage to watch where the sales are for modern stamps. They are all over that spectrum. It's a shame you can go to many sites and purchase nearly complet collections but based on my sales there are many who are starting from scratch. That to me is more interesting than plucking a collection nearly complete, the fun part is finding that place for each stamp and learning about it as you go along. I get so many varied sales from the most modern, mid 1980's and 1990's, right down to the three cent stamps. Oh I don't make the money in a month of sales some make on a single rare stamp sale, and it is a lot of work. You can go in my store spend $100.00 and come out with two or three hundred stamps, which means I have to lot up that many all over again. I don't do it for profit because I just turn it all over again in new purchases. I don't know the age of my clients but they are from all over the United States. The number of buyers many are new to using this site because they have very few feedbacks. Most who buy from me, stick with me or come back. But the point I am trying to make, the collectors are out there, all at variest levels of collecting. Many may have laid down their collection from time to time, I have, just to get in again, starting right off where they stopped, maybe a little older, maybe a newbie but they are out there. Once the stamp bug bites you and the excitement rushs you, sooner or late, whether you just quit for a while or out of personal reasons you sell or lose your beginner collection, you will return. But regarless how long I was away, every trip to the Post Office I found myself walking away with more than just postage for my mailing. The youth of today will pick it up later or some other collectable. It is just a hobby that is too forfilling and enjoyable to simply die away.

http://www.stampwants.com/stores/TheStampBug