The philosophy of philately....
Talking of philosophers : "Je collecte, donc je suis" said Descartes, but which was the REAL title of his book? (Spot the difference between the two stamps.) A clue, most French philosophers were LEFT-wing, weren't they? French intellectuals quickly spotted the error - a national crisis, one of the many in the 1930s, the Post Office had "tombé dans la merde". The offending stamps were quickly withdrawn and a correctly titled version appeared. All was not lost, the publicity did quite a lot to encourage collecting, and philatelists rushed to get both versions. Philately was enriched.
Indeed, there are many versions of philately in the world. Here are a few thoughts about them......
INFINITY
- Published
- 06/04/22 11:45:00 AM
Infinity is a strange concept. Without end, boundless, larger than any number.
How does this relate to stamp collecting?
STATUES
- Published
- 22/02/22 01:09:00 AM
After the American Revolution, those who remained loyal to the British Crown were encouraged to resettle in Canada. "The Loyalists....were the very cream of the population of the Thirteen Colonies. They represented in very large measure the learning, the piety, the gentle birth, the wealth and good citizenship of the British race in America, as well as its devotion to law and order, British institutions, and the unity of the Empire." (Henry Coyne, writing in 1904).
RUSSIA IS HOT!
- Published
- 23/01/22 10:00:00 AM
Siberia in January can be very cold, it is true. A temperature of minus 153 degrees F was recorded in Oymyakon in 1933, not a good holiday destination then (Stalin's purges) or even now. However, Russia is definitely HOT in terms of demand for their stamps. Why? (see main article in "READ MORE")
EXPANDING A COLLECTION
- Published
- 22/01/22 06:59:00 AM
It's not just about the increasing number of pages, a new binder in matching make or style can accommodate that problem. Easy!
It's more about what happens when the collection of basic stamps is approaching completion. Source of supply and affordability become more important problems for the last few gaps. This is actually an exciting time, because new possibilities emerge.....
COLLECTING ALONE?
- Published
- 10/12/21 08:39:00 AM
In the old days, some collectors kept dealers at arm's length.
Well, times have changed. "No Man is an Island" (wrote John Donne).
Your best friend is a dealer. You are reading his web page. Consider this as an opening door. Step inside.....
PRINTED ALBUM PAGES OR PENNY PLAIN?
- Published
- 18/10/21 08:28:00 AM
Some collectors choose printed one-country albums, others develop personal layouts on plain pages. Does what they collect influence their choice of album type?
DUPLICATES
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- 27/09/21 12:48:00 PM
Duplicates are not just duplicates....
THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER
- Published
- 23/08/21 10:23:00 AM
How many collections do you have? And why?
COMPLETION?
- Published
- 07/01/21 07:56:00 AM
The urge to complete is hard-wired into the brains of men.
ARMCHAIR TRAVEL VERSUS TOURISM
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- 28/08/20 06:38:00 AM
Covid has decimated tourism and travel. But, philately offers an alternative voyage, not only across continents, but back through the time of our parents and grandparents.
SHADES
- Published
- 17/06/20 12:07:00 PM
When is a shade not a shade, and what is a changeling?