The Joy of Stamp Collecting

Stamp collecting is a social hobby. It provides pleasure to the collector and brings people of like interests together. Collectors who meet online, at a stamp show or through a local club often form lifelong friendships. The world of stamps is a common denominator that brings together the old and the young, the experienced collector and the novice hobbyist, the boardroom CEO and the long-haul trucker. Stamp collecting cuts across socio-economic, racial and cultural boundaries. The joy of collecting, the sharing of knowledge and technique, the opportunity to learn may make for some strange bedfellows, but it forms the common bond that binds collectors.

There is room in stamp collecting for the collector of rare historic specialty stamps and the child who likes cats and dogs. There is no one way to collect stamps. There's a sign at my local library that advises: Don't apologize for your taste in books. That's good advice for stamp collectors too. All that is required of the stamp collector is that he find pleasure in collecting the particular type or category of stamp he chooses. You can collect stamps of a certain country, continent or region; historic figures; trains, planes or automobiles; endangered species; sports or Olympics; Americana, pop culture and Disney; rock stars, athletes or cartoon characters; world events or Hollywood fantasy; everything from tiny insects to gargantuan dinosaurs; shaped stamps; unusual rarities; new stamps, old stamps and everything in between! There are no requirements. Collect what moves you, what you are passionate about. Stamp collecting is an exercise in love.

Stamp collecting can be an expensive hobby but it doesn't have to be. You can get started with a minimum of inexpensive supplies. You can collect expensive stamps or this week's offering at the post office. You can collect new stamps in mint condition or used stamps friends save from their letters. As a hobby, stamp collecting is what you make it and will be different for every collector. Next week we're going to talk about getting started in stamp collecting. If you're an experienced collector, please feel free to add your comments to our posts. That's part of the joy of collecting, sharing experiences and tips with those just starting out. Together let's welcome a new generation into the community of stamp collectors.