Stamp collecting in particular is a very good hobby. Where "good" is defined as "time consuming, pleasurable and cheap".
Well cheap to most of us. You can spend a lot if you want to, but you don't need to. But finding, and importantly organizing, makes for many restful hours.
My father was an avid collector and spent many hours cataloging his collection.
I will say though that as a whole, a collection (and indeed any collection, not just stamps) has almost zero net value. The cost of selling the collection dwarfs the collection value.
My advice to collectors is to have as much fun -selling- the bits in the collection (-especially- the valuable bits) before you pass. Do Not expect your heirs to sell it; they'll basically take pennies for it just to make it go away.
My father sold (or separated out) everything of value so we could dispose of the rest (basically donated to a dealer) with a clear conscience.
It's a hobby which has had a sharp decline. I know a guy who sells old postcards and various stuff, he told me people try to sell him stamp collections they've inherited, and he won't take them - even for free - simply because he can't find buyers for them. Unlike the postcards.
Of course that's great for everyone who collects them without expectation of profit.
I participated in USPO’s 1800STAMPFUN as a kid and I loved it. The collectable cards and the unique stamps (looney tunes, monster movies, US Revolutionary and US Civil War heroes), all secured in my USPO stamp collecting binder. I still have it and look at it once every 5 years.
Stamp collecting in particular is a very good hobby. Where "good" is defined as "time consuming, pleasurable and cheap".
Well cheap to most of us. You can spend a lot if you want to, but you don't need to. But finding, and importantly organizing, makes for many restful hours.
My father was an avid collector and spent many hours cataloging his collection.
I will say though that as a whole, a collection (and indeed any collection, not just stamps) has almost zero net value. The cost of selling the collection dwarfs the collection value.
My advice to collectors is to have as much fun -selling- the bits in the collection (-especially- the valuable bits) before you pass. Do Not expect your heirs to sell it; they'll basically take pennies for it just to make it go away.
My father sold (or separated out) everything of value so we could dispose of the rest (basically donated to a dealer) with a clear conscience.
It's a hobby which has had a sharp decline. I know a guy who sells old postcards and various stuff, he told me people try to sell him stamp collections they've inherited, and he won't take them - even for free - simply because he can't find buyers for them. Unlike the postcards.
Of course that's great for everyone who collects them without expectation of profit.
I participated in USPO’s 1800STAMPFUN as a kid and I loved it. The collectable cards and the unique stamps (looney tunes, monster movies, US Revolutionary and US Civil War heroes), all secured in my USPO stamp collecting binder. I still have it and look at it once every 5 years.
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