Sunday, November 28, 2010

Do you know someone who......

As a stamp collector, I often get asked if I know someone who could estimate the value of a collection.  This is usually asked by someone who has inherited someone's collection.  When asked this question, what is your first response?  Do you ask the individual a little bit about the collection so you have a better idea of how to respond?  Perhaps the first question we ask should be, "Have you ever thought of being a collector yourself?"  I realize that this is a long shot, because the individuals just want to sell the items and be done with it.  I think this is an ideal opportunity to enthusiastically talk about the hobby with someone.  A personal invitation to attend a club meeting could mean the difference between that person becoming a collector at some point or not.  So, why not go for broke?  What have you got to lose?

Sunday, November 7, 2010

The Fun Continues...

Yes, it really is possible to have fun as a stamp collector.  Yesterday we (hubby and I) planned on attending the Ann Arbor Stamp Club's show, formerly known as AAPEX and head downtown for dinner.  I think this is the second best stamp show in the entire state (second only to The Plymouth Show, of course).  AAPEX is a well done show, from the venue, to the dealers, to the exhibits, to the friendly people that greet you at the door.  I decided I was going to go to this show without a checklist (a list of needed stamps or covers for a particular collecting interest).  Instead, I was going to tail hubby to see what he likes to look at lately.  This worked for a while, and it enabled me to chat with some of the dealers.  I try to be considerate of dealers that have customers at their tables, and don't like my chit-chatting to take away from their sales.  However, it was inevitable that hubby and I would eventually get separated.  Hubby (whose name is Tim, by the way) was looking through Mark Vervake's table.  Mark runs Sterling Stamps in Brighton, Michigan, and usually has something that Tim or I can use.  While Tim was there, I was summoned over to John Leszak's booth (he runs The Cover Connection in Buffalo, New York).  John knows that one of the things that I like to collect are British slogan cancels (envelopes mailed from England with cancellations that contain various slogans or social messages).  He told me that he had quite a lot of material for me to look through.  So, I sat and looked through two large tubs of covers, and managed to find a few cancels that I did not already have plus a really cute postcard.  The reason I bring this up is that I love it when dealers know what you collect and they bring stuff for you.  That's when it gets good folks.  Our final stop was when I caught up with Tim at Telah W. Smith's table.  Telah has an associate, Steve Klein, that works with him.  These two guys are really nice, and their material is well organized and fairly priced.  

So, did we make it to downtown Ann Arbor for dinner?  Nope.  Turns out there was a University of Michigan home game, and it was suggested to me that we steer clear of the downtown area.  So, we hightailed it home with our goodies in hand.  On the way home, I reflected on what a FUN time I had.  If you are in Ann Arbor on the first weekend of November next year, stop by.

Until next time.....

Saturday, November 6, 2010

The Reluctant Philatelist begins....

What is a reluctant philatelist?  I believe it is a stamp collector that is in it for fun, not to be bound by the stuffiness of the hobby.  More serious philatelists zero in on a particular area of the hobby, which enables them to put together high quality exhibits.  These exhibits are put on display at various stamp shows and are judged by a panel of experts.  This is all good and well, but I believe this is not for the faint of heart (or the broke of wallet).  Exhibitors are usually very serious, spend lots of money acquiring material for their exhibits, and spend tons of time of research.

Let me share with you a less serious side of the hobby.  Before I do, I need to share my story about how I got started in the hobby.  My husband dabbled in philately in his youth, mostly because well meaning adults had first day covers sent to him.  Well into adulthood, his mother found his material and insisted he take it home.  I think all empty nest mothers begin a mission to clear out their children's "stuff" as soon as they can.  Years later, hubby saw an advertisement in a local paper for a stamp show in the area.  He grabbed our youngest son and off they went to the show, mostly to see what it was all about.  While there, they both joined the local club that sponsored the show. After a while, I was curious about what this was all about, so I began attending meetings with them.  The rest, as they say, is history.  I was completely hooked.  However, I was hooked in a different way than the serious collectors.  I was having fun!

Instead of exhibiting, I enjoy looking at the beautiful and interesting exhibits.  I believe in being active in any group that I'm involved in, so I give back to my club, the West Suburban Stamp Club.  I am currently the secretary and newsletter editor.  I also serve on the committee that puts together our annual show, The Plymouth Show.  My husband and I have taken several vacations attending stamp shows in various parts of the country.  I probably spend more time talking with other collectors at stamps shows than I do searching for stamps and covers.  I enjoy attending our local club meetings and the presentations by members and guests.  These presentations have allowed me to learn about the hobby.  I have also learned a lot about art, history and culture along the way.

I know that I will probably never pull an exhibit together, but if you want to have fun, learn about history and culture, and meet some pretty nice people, come along with me.

Thanks for reading.