Philatelic Tidbits - Stamp Collecting News and Opinions

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With the date for the new rate change looming close (Monday is the first day), now is definitely the time to stock up on Forever stamps, if you are so inclined to do so. For those of us who would buy the new rate stamps (stamp collectors) anyway, the new Journalists stamps are out, though in my humble opinion they aren’t very attractive stamps…

At any rate, I stumbled across this article this morning about the accidental stamp collector, which is one who engages in stamp collecting without even knowing it. It’s a rather humorous article about that collection of outdated stamps that collects in the drawer that everyone has for storing things like stamps, checkbooks, matchbooks, and other useful odds and ends. If for nothing else, it’s worth a visit to that site just to see the graphic at the top of the article, which is one of the more inventive stamp-related graphics I’ve seen in a while.

After reading the article, I decided to take inventory of just what I have in my drawer, and there was some rather interesting things in there. I’ve got everything from 3c commemoratives from the 1950’s to Christmas booklets from last year with just one stamp left in them, to a strip of 10 3c teapot stamps. I thought it might be fun to hear from everyone what they have in their drawer. So, why not leave a comment and let everyone know what you’ve got in that junk drawer… I know it’s not strictly about stamp collecting, but still it’s kind of fun, don’t you think?

forever stamp, philately, postage, stamp collecting

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Wildlife conservation stamps have always been a favorite of mine, though I don’t collect them (too expensive). The artwork on these stamps really stand out, and the contests each state has every year are kind of fun to follow. Yesterday, the winners of the Delaware Duck stamp contests and the Trout Stamp contests were announced. As usual, these are really great stamps and would make a fine addition to any collection. You can read more about the contests and the artists here and here. Maybe regular postal issues should be done the same way?

delaware, duck stamps, stamp collecting, stamp contest, stamps, trout stamps

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In my continuing quest for stories in the mainstream press about stamps and stamp collecting, I ran across this piece in the Houston Chronicle today. Short, sweet, better than nothing I suppose. It would have been nice to see some pictures of the stamps. I suppose it’s possible there were pictures in the print version. I’ll put some pics here.

The article does bring up a good point, though. The rates go up to 42 cents on May 12, which means now is a good time to go and stock up on Forever stamps! I bought some yesterday. It’s too bad they don’t have forever commemoratives…

Though the Breast Cancer stamp comes close to the same concept, and is definitely a worthwhile purchase, even if it does cost more than the first class stamps. It’s my understanding that this stamp has recently been extended to 2011, and will stay the same price until then. With more than $50 million raised since the beginning, you can’t argue that this is highly successful campaign. Okay, enough rambling….

breast cancer stamp, journalist stamps, stamp collecting, stamps

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Last night, as I was putting away my latest acquisitions from Filatelic Fiesta, I realized that I am literally swimming in a sea of duplicates. I’ve got them stashed around the house in every conceivable place, and I find it a bit distressing. So, I’ve been racking my brains on what, exactly, I should do with them.

I could bundle them all together in a big box and sell them at the silent bid sale as a mystery box, but I’m not sure anyone would be pleased with their purchase. I could throw them away, but I really hate to see good stamps go to waste. The problem is, nobody seems to want them… I can’t even give them away.

Then I happened across this letter to the editor over at MailTribune.com this morning. The article is about those non-profits, like Easter Seals, that gathers stamps from incoming mail and sends them off to dealers to soak and resell to collectors. Also mentioned in the article is the fact that some stamps get donated to veterans and other groups to help them get started in collecting.

So, that is exactly what I’m going to do. I’m going to gather all the philatelic items I have laying around that will never get into my collection, and I am going to donate them. Now, the question is, to whom do I donate them? So begins the search…

charity, donation, philately, stamp collecting

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I was browsing around Google News this morning looking for stamp collecting related news items, when I happened across this: The Art of the Stamp. This is a virtual exhibit on the National Postal Museum’s website, and it is without doubt one of the best virtual exhibits I’ve ever seen. I would love to see more like it for a lot of subjects.

The exhibit covers the original artwork that went into the creation of many United States Stamps. There is also a real exhibit, featuring the real artwork, at the Museum in Washington, DC. until June of 2008. The exhibit has been there since November of 2006, so I guess this isn’t actually real news, but it’s news to me and it might be to you too. It’s still well worth your time to have a look around.

art, exhibit, museum, philately, postal, stamp collecting

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