Why do people collect stamps?

[Mackaydon]

What follows was written by Chris McFetridge, a stamp collector for 42 years; it also expresses my sentiment, a collector for 75 (no typo) years.
"Why do people collect postage stamps?
For several reasons--here are some:

1. Collecting and studying stamps is a tremendous stress release, like reading a good book. When you lose yourself in the beauty of the designs and colours as well as the subject matter your anxieties disappear. Why? Because with very few exceptions everything on stamps represent the best of humanity: the things we felt were worth preserving, honouring and fighting for. In other words, all positive stuff. This is especially therapeutic in the current world we live in, which is full of negativity. It stands in direct contrast to consuming online content on platforms like Facebook and Instagram which generally tends to increase your anxiety level rather than lower it.
2. It can be done very cheaply, or you can pick a topic, country, period or issue that is rare and challenging.
3. It represents a giant puzzle — one in which you don't know exactly how many pieces there are or what the puzzle will look like when finished.
4. The designs can be quite beautiful and interesting, and the colours are a real visual treat.
5. They can be quite valuable, but this should not be the main focus, because if you really enjoy collecting you will very likely not want to sell your stamps.
6. You can learn so much about the world. 90% of what I know either came from my stamps, or I was inspired to go research a topic because of something I saw on a stamp." Don in SoCal

 

[ToddsPoint]

My great aunt was a stamp collector. She started collecting in the 30s. When she passed my brother ended up with her collection. Plate blocks of every commemorative out there. First day covers. I’m not a stamp collector but I’m a gun engraver and I’ve always enjoyed looking at the art work on older stamps. Amazing engravers back in the day.👍🏻

 

[Chilli]

I collected them from when I was about 6 till maybe 15. I have no idea what happened to my albums. I think my sneaky niece who lived with us took them.

 

[tamrock]

My older brother collected stamps in the later 1960s. Seems it was somewhat popular hobby in those days. The local coin shops also included vintage stamps back then I recall. Not sure when the us postal service picked up on the idea and started offering commertive stamps as collectibles, but I'll bet a lot of those were purchased and never used.

 

[BennyV]

Never collected stamps. My grandfather was an engraver though. He engraved first plate cover plates free hand. I have a few of the plates he made for one of the Apollo Missions. No one can give me a value on them.

I also have 1 of each cover he printed from the plates he made.

 

[Carl-NC]

I collected US stamps until my 20s, still have them packed away. Maybe when I retire I'll pull 'em back out. Besides the artistic side, I always enjoyed learning who/what the commemoratives were commemorating. Today, I get a lot of crossword answers because I remember obscure things from stamps.

 

[tamrock]

Seems we collect everything from bottle caps to coins back in the 1960s. Wish I could go back and gather all the silver that was still in circulation like it was back then.

 

[newnan man]

I never collected stamps and they don't interest me but they are enjoyed by many. There is room for everyone to collect what they like.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

What follows was written by Chris McFetridge, a stamp collector for 42 years; it also expresses my sentiment, a collector for 75 (no typo) years.
"Why do people collect postage stamps?
For several reasons--here are some:

1. Collecting and studying stamps is a tremendous stress release, like reading a good book. When you lose yourself in the beauty of the designs and colours as well as the subject matter your anxieties disappear. Why? Because with very few exceptions everything on stamps represent the best of humanity: the things we felt were worth preserving, honouring and fighting for. In other words, all positive stuff. This is especially therapeutic in the current world we live in, which is full of negativity. It stands in direct contrast to consuming online content on platforms like Facebook and Instagram which generally tends to increase your anxiety level rather than lower it.
2. It can be done very cheaply, or you can pick a topic, country, period or issue that is rare and challenging.
3. It represents a giant puzzle — one in which you don't know exactly how many pieces there are or what the puzzle will look like when finished.
4. The designs can be quite beautiful and interesting, and the colours are a real visual treat.
5. They can be quite valuable, but this should not be the main focus, because if you really enjoy collecting you will very likely not want to sell your stamps.
6. You can learn so much about the world. 90% of what I know either came from my stamps, or I was inspired to go research a topic because of something I saw on a stamp." Don in SoCal

Don, respect. I know of a postal stamp that was engraved to honor the longest serving postal delivery worker ? in a very rural and mountainous area. He snowshoe’d over high mountain passes and never defaulted on his contract over his incredible career. The stamp was shelved supposedly to be issued later. The man died and it has never been issued. I’d like to know what we have to do to get it issued. The story is incredible if you know the terrain. I believe he worked unil his late 80’s or early 90’s delivering mail with the assistance of his daughter. Charlie Snap was his name. I’d be interested in buying the stamp just because we stopped many times crossing the summit to say hello to him when I was young,

 

[Louie D]

I've collected stamps since the 60's. it's a great hobby that teaches many disciplines.

 

[Mine Shaft]

I collected stamps after my Aunt gave my Mom a stamp book and thousands of loose stamps. I bought a Scotts value guide book and after looking up some of the early stamps i thought they were worth a lot of money only to find out not so much but I put a lot of time searching that stamp collection and enjoyed it very much. Fast forward I started buying the early stamps from 1845 - 1940s but many years later I sold off most of those stamps but I have all the stamps my Aunt gave my Mom.

 

[Crow]

Don, respect. I know of a postal stamp that was engraved to honor the longest serving postal delivery worker ? in a very rural and mountainous area. He snowshoe’d over high mountain passes and never defaulted on his contract over his incredible career. The stamp was shelved supposedly to be issued later. The man died and it has never been issued. I’d like to know what we have to do to get it issued. The story is incredible if you know the terrain. I believe he worked unil his late 80’s or early 90’s delivering mail with the assistance of his daughter. Charlie Snap was his name. I’d be interested in buying the stamp just because we stopped many times crossing the summit to say hello to him when I was young,

You know politicians make monuments to themselves in a self entitled acts of self pomposity. Yet its sad that there is no such recognition for the dedication of a quiet achiever doing his duty, with dignity and dedication. That is what made America great.

It is of these stories we should hear of that are truly inspirational. More of these unsung heros lives are needed to be told again to the younger generation as reminder what dedication really looks like.

Crow

 

[ConceptualizedNetherlandr]

I only collected them when they got stuck to my tongue I wouldn't let go!

 

[Tesorodeoro]

You know politicians make monuments to themselves in a self entitled acts of self pomposity. Yet its sad that there is no such recognition for the dedication of a quiet achiever doing his duty, with dignity and dedication. That is what made America great.

It is of these stories we should hear of that are truly inspirational. More of these unsung heros lives are needed to be told again to the younger generation as reminder what dedication really looks like.

Crow

Agreed. You will only get so far shaking your head and yelling to get off the lawn.

Public recognition is better. Our government has a very powerful propaganda machine if it were used for good.

 

[Crow]

It is rapidly becoming an end of era letter delivery service. Stamps are becoming obsolete. I still send Christmas cards to elderly family members well up in their 80s that have no idea of internet or smart phones. Its a reminder how isolated you can become in old age as technology surpasses you. I collected stamps as kid for awhile and coins. These hobbies of regardless of what is collected has a important role in preserving our social history. I still have a telegram of the passing of my grandmother in 70's. back then living on the other side of the world that was fastest means of communication for the everyday person. kids do not understand that concept today with the world at the touch of your finger tips.

in answer to the original question why does people collect stamps? Well its reflection of social history of how people communicated back then and large array of stamps produced in many countries and various limited edition collector stamps produced. And serious money can be made from finding rare stamps.

And the desire to stumble on penny black stamp. It was first issued in the United Kingdom on 1 May 1840 but was not valid for use until 6 May. The stamp features a profile of Queen Victoria. The first-ever Penny Black from the first sheet was estimated at £4-6 million (around $5.5-$8.25 million USD)

Or perhaps the holey grail of stamp collecting.

The British Guiana 1c magenta is regarded by many philatelists as the world's most famous rare stamp. It was issued in limited numbers in British Guiana (now Guyana) in 1856, and only one specimen is now known to exist. It is the only major postage stamp ever issued in the United Kingdom or British Commonwealth that is not represented in Britain's Royal Philatelic Collection.

emergency run added a small boat to the stamp, which can be seen faintly on the face of the stamp underneath the signature of postal clerk E.D Wright, distinguishing it from the official stamp run. Only one copy of this emergency print run is known to exist.

The sole surviving copy was first discovered by a young boy in 1873 who sold what would become known as the rarest stamp in the world for six shillings! The stamp quickly rose in value as collectors realized the rarity of the little octagon the boy had stumbled upon. It has since traded hands across the world many times, with shoe designer and collector Stuart Weitzman currently possessing it. The final price of $9.48M made it the most expensive single stamp sale in the world—the fourth time the British Guiana 1c Magenta has broken that record.

Or the one belong worth about 10000 dollars USD

Or a inverted Jenny.
The Inverted Jenny, 1918

Price: $1.35 Million

Perhaps the most famous rare US Stamp, the Inverted Jenny, with its small print run and fanciful error, has been a golden goose for philatelists for over a century. Unlike other stamps on this list, there are 100 Inverted Jennys in circulation, but the wider availability makes the stamps even more sought after. The Inverted Jenny is a misprint of a 1918 stamp featuring one of the Jenny biplanes first used by the US Post Office to carry mail. The plane on the face of the stamp was accidentally printed upside down.

Just to name few.

British Guiana 1c Magenta 1856 $9.48 Million
Treskilling Yellow 1855 $2.6 Million
The Sicilian Error of Color 1859 $2.6 Million
Baden 9 Kreuzer Error 1851 €1.31 Million
The Inverted Jenny 1918 $1.35 Million
1c Benjamin Franklin Z Grill 1868 $935,000
3c George Washington w/ B Grill 1867 $900,000
Tiflis Stamp 1857 $700,000
24c Declaration of Independence 1869 $625,000
Hawaiian Missionaries 1851 $600,000


Crow

 

[Mackaydon]

My brother (in his 80s) just 'gifted' me with about 150 plate blocks he collected from the 50s and 60s. It may be easier to use them now on envelops than find a buyer--but how often do I mail a letter today? And how many 3 and 4 cent stamps can I put on an envelop to cover today's cost to mail a letter (78 cents)?
Maybe my local Boy Scout Stamp Collecting merit badge counselor will have an interest.
Don in SoCal

 

[Tesorodeoro]

The late 1960’s was the height of collecting I think. People in the US collected EVERYTHING!

 

[leslie(nova scotia)]

What follows was written by Chris McFetridge, a stamp collector for 42 years; it also expresses my sentiment, a collector for 75 (no typo) years.
"Why do people collect postage stamps?
For several reasons--here are some:

1. Collecting and studying stamps is a tremendous stress release, like reading a good book. When you lose yourself in the beauty of the designs and colours as well as the subject matter your anxieties disappear. Why? Because with very few exceptions everything on stamps represent the best of humanity: the things we felt were worth preserving, honouring and fighting for. In other words, all positive stuff. This is especially therapeutic in the current world we live in, which is full of negativity. It stands in direct contrast to consuming online content on platforms like Facebook and Instagram which generally tends to increase your anxiety level rather than lower it.
2. It can be done very cheaply, or you can pick a topic, country, period or issue that is rare and challenging.
3. It represents a giant puzzle — one in which you don't know exactly how many pieces there are or what the puzzle will look like when finished.
4. The designs can be quite beautiful and interesting, and the colours are a real visual treat.
5. They can be quite valuable, but this should not be the main focus, because if you really enjoy collecting you will very likely not want to sell your stamps.
6. You can learn so much about the world. 90% of what I know either came from my stamps, or I was inspired to go research a topic because of something I saw on a stamp." Don in SoCal

Been collector for over 60 years. recall the father of a playmate was Hungarian(as is I) and gave me a few stamps....a lifetime collector was born!

 

[Mackaydon]

Tesorodeoro, you asked about the process to get a stamp issued. Here's an AI response:
To propose a new postage stamp subject to the United States Postal Service (USPS), you must submit a written request via U.S. Mail at least three years in advance of the proposed issuance. Proposals are reviewed by the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC), which makes recommendations to the Postmaster General for final approval.

USPS +3

Submission Process

• Method: Send a written proposal via U.S. Mail. Emails, phone calls, and in-person appeals are not accepted.
• Content: Include historical information and important dates related to the subject.
• Limits: One topic per letter.
• Address:
  Stamp Development
  Attn: Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee
  475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3300
  Washington, DC 20260-3501
• Don in So Cal

 

[jewelerguy]

I collected stamps briefly when I was in my early teens and still have them. Although I took in any and all I could get my hands on, my favorites were the ones from the 1930's. I kinda gave up on collecting them when trying to learn the different varieties of certain issues and how different perforation scales determined a big difference in values became too confusing for me.