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The philosophy of philately....

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 The offending stamps were quickly withdrawn and a correctly titled version appeared.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......


FOCUS ON FRENCH COLONIES

Published
28/01/24 01:59:00 AM


Most childhood albums had a good smattering of French Colonies in their single volume of world stamps.
A prowling leopard could be purchased for a penny, alongside native huts, tropical produce, exotic flowers.
But how were the French Colonies organised? Read more by clicking below :

ENHANCE YOUR COLLECTION

Published
19/10/23 10:10:00 AM

Here are some thoughts on how to enhance a collection.
A printed album is great, well laid out and systematically organised. You can see at a glance which stamps are still needed, and a pleasure when the album is complete. The only thing is, some-one else has organised it all, and there is no room for freedom and creativity. Added extras in the margins look out of place, untidy.
How to advance? Click below and read the article.

TRANSITION TIME?

Published
02/09/23 05:04:00 AM

As a collection of regular stamps nears completion, the last few gaps appear to be increasingly hard to complete. A few cheap but elusive stamps seem impossible to find (so why are they cheaply catalogued?); rarities available in Swiss auctions are beyond the normal budget.
Be patient, wait for an opportune moment, but what to do meanwhile?
Many collectors look for an interesting way to move sideways.
Here are some suggestions (Read more by clicking below):

FOCUS ON FINLAND

Read More - FOCUS ON FINLAND
Published
25/06/23 08:14:00 AM

A vast flat land of forests and lakes, book-ended by Sweden and Russia,Finland has throughout history been dominated by it neighbours. Originally Finnish stamps showed a strong Russian influence, but from 1917 and new-found independence, Finnish stamps showed a strong national character. See below for more....

FOCUS ON NORTH BORNEO

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Published
15/03/23 04:31:00 AM

FOCUS ON NORTH BORNEO
The race for colonies in distant tropical lands grew in the later 1800s. One adventurer, Alfred Dent, purchased leases in North Borneo in the 1870s from the Sultan of Brunei & Sulu and set up the North Borneo Chartered Company with a royal charter to develop the territory. Many collectors today may remember childhood days of being entranced by exotic scenes on stamps from North Borneo, which encouraged their hobby. For the story, click on "read more" below.

FOCUS ON AUSTRIA

Published
14/02/23 01:21:00 AM

In 1850 Austria issued her first stamps, which became classics. At that time her Empire stretched over half of Europe, but over next century, so much was to change. All is recorded on stamps and postal history. (Read more, see below)

SPECIMENS

Read More - SPECIMENS
Published
21/11/22 10:48:00 AM

The purpose of SPECIMEN overprints is to remove postal validity from a stamp, but to retain it as an example in official records.
Some were kept by the printer as a record of true intended colour, to ensure future printings were colour accurate. Eventually archives were "leaked", or sold off when a major printer (e.g. De La Rue, or American Bank Note Co) ceased trading. Once neglected, these are now highly collectable, for various reasons - see the article below.

COLLECTION OR EXPLORATION?

Published
05/09/22 10:00:00 AM

Livingstone and Stanley were explorers in a general sense, but single-minded in their efforts to find a source of the Nile. Collectors too can be single-minded in a quest for completion, or allow a philatelic project to offer diversions and tributaries, bringing extra pleasures and experience. For an example involving collectors of Belgium, read on below....

PASTURES NEW

Read More - PASTURES NEW
Published
23/07/22 04:48:00 AM

Pastures new are always tempting. The grass is greener on the other side, even in chilly Iceland. There comes a moment when every collector considers starting a new collection.

THE FRENCH CONNECTION

Published
23/07/22 03:53:00 AM

Since 1066, the Brits have always had a connection with France.

French food, wine, Brigitte Bardot, all well loved aspects of our nearest neighbour. As for De Gaulle, maybe more problematic.

INFINITY

Read More - 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

Read More - 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!

Read More - 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

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?

Read More - 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?

Read More - 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?

COMPLETION?

Read More - 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

Read More - ARMCHAIR TRAVEL VERSUS TOURISM
Published
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

Read More - SHADES
Published
17/06/20 12:07:00 PM

When is a shade not a shade, and what is a changeling?