Stamp Collecting - a pastime for those who enjoy researching the subtle differences

[FirstGreenIsGold]

Today I was looking at a stamp from the US.

At first I thought it was a certain type (CV $3). Next, I checked for watermark and my new conclusion was that it was a different type (CV $8). Finally, I checked the perf and came to the conclusion that it was another type altogether (CV 65c).

The bottom line, I found a very common stamp ... but fun for me to ferret out.

Since I'm new to this, I learn something new every day.

Are you finding anything interesting in your stamp research today?

[TheStampCellar]

Hi,

I agree it is always exciting to find something a little different or slightly rarer than usual. I always check for watermark varieties and after many years finally found a GB 1858 1d Red with inverted watermark. I also had a gap in my own collection for a GB Edward VII 1/2d perf 15x14. It was such a thrill when I finally found one in a job lot. Patience and persistence pay off!

Best wishes to all,
James

[gbsbks2010]

Marie, you've obviously caught the stamp bug - welcome to the world of collecting stamps!

You'll be amazed about the amount of knowledge you will learn just through stamps. You'll meet all sorts of people sharing the same collecting interests and they will always, always, have the stamp or stamps missing from your collection.

Be prepared to watch your collection and interest grow.

[billsstamps]

I think I most enjoy learning social history and languages from working with stamps

[Cancelcollector]

More years ago than I care to remember, my dad's intent in getting me interested in stamps as a wee child was so i could learn about the geography, history and culture of other places... growing up in tiny Denmark, he was all about "seeing the world."

Like Marie's story, I love the "treasure hunt" aspects of stamp collecting. It's especially fun when sifting through older issues where watermark, perf and printing varieties abound. Most of my "great treasures" (including a couple of 19th century "only known example" postmarks) have been discovered in messy accumulations of old remaindered album pages.

~Peter

[JDStamps]

Those subtle differences in perf, watermark and shade etc can turn a relatively plain collection into an exhibition piece; I have had a few nice 'finds' in supposedly low grade kiloware mixes myself. If you are prepared and able to take your time, a good collection can become a great one without breaking the bank.
Stamp collections can reflect passages of Social History like no other hobby, IMHO. And it's a great way to learn changes in Geography - My son will often find stamps from 'dead' countries and trace them to their modern equivalents.
I also have stamp contacts on every continent now- it's a great way to make new friends, and can be a 'common language' when my English, French and German let me down!

Enjoy your collecting!

John

[madelaine]

I collected Australia for many years - the result was winning a quiz at a party. No-one else knew what a Bunyip was. (I also knew what a dag is but I didn't learn that from a stamp - in fact, I've no idea how I knew it but a General turned to me and said "How the **** did you know that?")

[FirstGreenIsGold]

Thanks everyone. I'm learning all kinds of things. My Dad was a stamp collector. He wasn't very well and, in his retirement, his stamps kept him occupied. Since I have three siblings, his collection went to a dealer and funds into the estate, so I didn't take the opportunity to snoop through. Sometimes I think about how Dad would have enjoyed the internet while he was working on his stamps to research the countries etc. (like I am). If he had been around for eBay, he would have had a great time.

[kentallpines]

Hi everyone;

To JDStamps; many years ago I purchased a "low grade kiloware" with a ton of British QEII Machins. They sat around for years as just some duplicates. Then when I purchased a newer Scott catalog (2009), I noticed all the subtle different Type Is - Type IIs etc.

I finally decided it was time to tackle the task of sorting thru them all. As I was looking at four copies of MH16 1sh6p Indigo & Greenish Blue, I noticed that one had white numerals of value, instead of blue. As I checked the Scott catalog, I realized I had a "color missing error" MH16a, listed as $110 in mint condition, but with no price of a used copy. A quick check on eBay confirmed that a used one had sold for $260.00!!! Altho I considered selling on here, I decided that it was the cheapest color missing error, I could ever afford.

To everyone; hang in there and you'll find a gem also. I have been checking Great Britain #89s for decades, for 14 dots instead of 16. When I first started checking then, they were only worth a couple bucks each. A few years ago I finally found one for my Great Britain Specialized Scott album. They now list for over $30.

I also like to list Town cancels, for those collectors that enjoy them. I now have several hundred British stamps, with town cancels, that I intend to list over the next year or so. I like to add to my listing description, some interesting facts or history about the town, obtained from articles, on wikipedia. I feel I have learned about British geography & history this way.

Ken Tall Pines