Discussion about “Stamp exchange 2013”

1. Yurij Danilov wrote:
   

   I offer mint stamps on Ukraine and Russia.
   I want Finland mint stamps.

2. Keijo wrote:
   

   @Yurij… Please read the rules of exchange. Sigh

3. Jacques wrote:
   

   I’m sorting as I type, but I’m sure I’ll just get them all back with “must try harder” written on it, I’ll try to post next week.

4. Keijo wrote:
   

   @Jacques…
   I’m sure you’ll do more than fine…. And even on worst possible scenario, you’ll always get a nice cover with some nice recent Finnish stamps on top of it. So it’s a win-win in every occasion.

5. BrewDog wrote:
   

   Oh, I see the new season of stamp exchange has just started. I’m sure I’ll make some succesfull trades with you this season as well. (:

   BrewDog

6. J wrote:
   

   Keijo,

   I see a list of percentage of stamps you have per country. But do you have a list of catalogue numbers? So that I can search for stamp you don’t have yet. That way we can get the maximum out of the exchange .
   Kind regards

7. Keijo wrote:
   

   @J… Nope… But if you have some specific country /era in your mind, just ask and I’ll give you a ‘general report’ on what I have / don’t need.

8. Geo-log wrote:
   

   Hi!

   I am new here, great website by the way- loads of useful and interesting information.
   So i have decided to make an exchange. I sent the mail today. I hope on good cooperation

9. Keijo wrote:
   

   @Geo-log… Thanks for letting me know. As usual, I’ll update this page every time I receive or sent out some exchange related mail. So please keep a close eye on this page, and you’ll know when I receive and sent out your exchange.

10. Keijo wrote:
    

    And we have a lift-off… The seasons first exchange cover arrived today from Austria. My compliments to Markus – found some good stuff in there, including something that will likely be my first stamp from Thracie Response letter will be mailed out today.

    As a reminder (from last years exchange), I’ve still got VERY LIMITED SUPPLY OF MINIATURE SHEETS & BOOKLET PANES for exchange. So if sending more than just one or two such items for exchange, please ask before mailing what’s my current situation. There’s no point to sent out such large items for exchange if I don’t have anything to offer. Right now my duplicates box for sheets has:

    * mint sheets/panes: roughly 30 different
    * CTO sheets/panes: few
    * postally used: zero (!!!)
    * bogus (ie. Eynhallow, State of Oman etc): too many to count…

11. Jacques wrote:
    

    2 packets of 200 (ish) on their way to you (09/02) from Suffolk. A third will be winging its way to you next week. I hope you find at least one thing you need

12. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Jacques… Sounds very good Will update this page once they arrive…

13. Coolteddy wrote:
    

    Which era of stamps are you missing for your Singapore collection? I have some special issues and definitive series in good conditions for the exchange.

14. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Coolteddy… I’m missing pretty much everything from Singapore. Not much of a surprise considering that my collection of Singapore is just 10% complete… About half of the items I have are various definitives – but even of these I don’t have complete sets.

15. Keijo wrote:
    

    Update to exchanges list… Received batch #2 from Klemen, Slovenia yesterday. Not so surprisingly it was full of Slovenian stamps. Excellent mixture

    Response will be mailed out today.

16. Keijo wrote:
    

    And another update to exchanges list… Todays mail brought a cover #3 from Henrik, Sweden. A nice mixture of misc worldwide – thanks

    Response letter will be mailed later today.

17. Keijo wrote:
    

    And to end this week, two lots (#4 & 5) from Jacques, UK… Like I told You Jacques, Your worries were vain. I managed to pick about quarter from both lots

    Response will be mailed later today (I’ll try to fit both lots inside single padded response letter).

18. Henrik wrote:
    

    Happy that you liked the stamps, Keijo! Looking forward to get your response!

19. al mahbub wrote:
    

    I enjoy reading your mails/conversations and I hope I shall join your team very soon. I have a lot of things to collect and must utilize this opportunity…
    Regards
    Mahbub
    Dhaka, Bangladesh

20. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Mahbub… Thanks

21. Keijo wrote:
    

    Update on exchange list… Two lots arrived on todays mail: #6 from Anthony C, US and #7 from anonymous sender (but I suspect it’s ‘coolteddy’) from Singapore . Some nice stuff from both – thanks

    @Anthony C- Response will be mailed later today

    @Coolteddy – Will mail the response once I have received your full return address. Please check your inbox for my email.

22. Kathey Czischke wrote:
    

    Keijo,
    I would love to participate in your exchange. So, I am sending you some stamps that I hope you can use. They are coming from Wisconsin. Look forward to your response.
    I love your blog!
    Kathey

23. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Kathey… Thanks I’m looking forward to receiving your batch. Just follow the instructions and I’m sure we’ll do some nice swaps

    @Coolteddy… Received your address. Will mail response to #7 this afternoon

    And finally update on the exchange list… Exchange lot #8 arrived today from Austria. My thanks to Markus – as usual, some nice stuff
    Response will be mailed this afternoon.

24. Jacques wrote:
    

    Hi,
    Stamps received, excellent!! a new bunch will be on it’s way this week.

25. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Jacques… Excellent

26. William wrote:
    

    Hi Keijo, I have a question . Do you have any Russian stamps from the 1970’s and 1980’s you are trying to get rid of or trade? I have started to delve into this area and am looking for CTO copies. Let me know as I have a packet of New Zealand for you. Hope you and your family are well! Take care, william

27. Keijo wrote:
    

    @William…

    Do you have any Russian stamps from the 1970’s and 1980’s you are trying to get rid of or trade?

    Yep, mostly CTOs… But like stated on exchange rules, I’m not willing to take wantlists or pick any specific countries / topics. It’s simply too time consuming (because I don’t store my duplicates by country; they’re all simply stored mixed inside a bunch of boxes/containers).

28. Kathey wrote:
    

    Hi Keijo,
    I see that you “only” have about half of the US stamps available. I will be going through my US duplicates soon. Do you have any particular years, eras, denominations, colors that you could use? I may as well send stamps that you might need for your collection.
    Kathey

29. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Kathey… Here’s a more detailed overview of my US collection:

    1840-1940: 266 / 721 (completion 36.89%)
    1941-2000: 1720 / 2954 (completion 58.23%)
    2001-10: 388 / 1263 (completion 30.72%)

    For the classic era (1840-1940) I’m missing lots of stuff especially from the pre-1930s. For example with Washington-Franklins I’m missing a majority of varieties.

    I have got years from 1940 to 1975 almost complete (missing about 30 major numbers). I’ve seen just about all the stamps required to complete years 1940/75, but they’ve always been damaged one way or another

    But from 1976 onwards I’ve got lots and lots of gaps. For example the series with flags/birds/animals for each state I’m missing almost completely.

    I may as well send stamps that you might need for your collection.

    Thank You, I value this.

30. Keijo wrote:
    

    Update to exchange list… Received lot #9 from Cecil. Some great stuff in it And fabulous cover Response will be mailed later this evening.

31. Keijo wrote:
    

    Update to exchange list…

    Received lots #10 & 11 today.

    William – superb lot of Japan. Thanks
    Maurizio – what a lovely lot of Italy & North Korea. Wonderful job

    Responses to both will be mailed this afternoon.

32. Keijo wrote:
    

    And this weeks final update to exchange list…

    #12 from arrived from Kathey, US… Nice mixture of worldwide defins and some commems, but sadly I got most of them already. But definitely a very good first try

    #13 from Chrisa, Greece… I’m returning this lot back untouched. Apparently Chrisa had not read the rules of exchange and wanted back same number of Finnish stamps only. As regulars know, that’s not the way this exchange goes… Well, at least there was a nice Greek stamp on top of letter.

    Responses to both will be mailed in hours time.

33. coolteddy wrote:
    

    Do you accept revenue stamps for your stamp exchange?

34. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Coolteddy… They’re ok if included in very limited numbers. The problem with them is the fact that I ve got very limited supply of revenues to give back in return.

35. Kathey wrote:
    

    I will try much harder. I’m sorry that you already have these & spent your time checking. I look forward to your exchanges.
    Also, I’ve been working on my US dups & will be sending you some soon. I hope that these will fill some holes rather than disappoint!

36. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Kathey… It was a very good first swap. So just keep up with the same line, and you’ll do just fine

37. coolteddy wrote:
    

    Is it all right to send you in the form of registered mail? I have intention to send you with the latest stamp issue affixed and only registered mail could justify the full use of all the new stamp issue.

38. Keijo wrote:
    

    @coolteddy… No problems if you want to do so. I can say that it will take me 2-3 days longer than usual to handle it, as I’ll have to pick it up separately from my nearest post office. If you do send it registered, please would you ask for hand cancellation on stamps (most of my mail from Singapore arrives with no cancels at all on stamps).

    Just for the fun of it, I checked how much it would cost to send a registered letter from Finland to Singapore… 9.40€ (about 15 SG$)

39. Urska wrote:
    

    Hello Keijo,
    I and my sister are also collecting stamps. Just a quick question: Do you also exchange stamps in the way that you select them from pictures/scans of stamps for exchange? Our Blog with stamps for exchange: http://exchanging-stamps.blogspot.com/.
    Do you see any that you are interested in?
    Regards, Urska

40. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Urska… Only with exchangers I’m familiar with. The trouble with pictures / scans is that they don’t necessarily tell entire truth. A stamp may look nice on pic, but it can still have more or less hidden faults (thins, folds etc). .. In the end of day, nothing is better than seeing the real thing in front of You.

    As for is there anything interesting… Slovenian stamps contain stuff I don’t have. But the rest I should have on most parts.

41. Keijo wrote:
    

    Update to exchange list… Received lot #14 from Romania. My compliments to Andrei – some nice stuff in it

    Response will be placed on mail later this evening / tomorrow morning.

42. Alp wrote:
    

    Hi Keijo,
    Just a heads up, I sent you a letter today

43. Keijo wrote:
    

    And another update to exchange list… Received lots

    #15 from Switzerland…. Nice selection of classic worldwide stamps. Thanks Roberto

    #16 from UK… A bit of this and that. Sadly I had most of the lots content already in my albums. But better luck next time…

44. Kathey wrote:
    

    Keijo, I got your exchanges yesterday & they are great! I sent you some US stamps today. I hope they fill some spaces for you.
    Question about the stamps you used to mail: is the little hot air balloon with the hearts part of the polar bear stamp? Or is this just a cute little sticker?
    Kathey

45. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Kathey… It’s part of the miniature sheets stamps came from. You can use them either as a seal, or stick them with the stamp to build unique designs.

46. Coolteddy wrote:
    

    I have sent you the exchange mail a few days ago. I hope you like the stamps with hand cancellation although one stamp is slightly creased due to the licking of the gum in order to affix it. Stamps here in Singapore is still at the moment adhering to licking based gum or soak-able self-adhesive, which you have received in the first exchange letter with the inscription “1st Local”.

47. Jacques wrote:
    

    Hi Keijo,
    Third lot on its way from damp Suffolk today, this is my last lot so I hope there is stuff you need. It’s all GB with as many different Machins I could find. There are two special’s for you. 1st a common stamp with Winston Churchill and the Queen, but it has been cancelled in such a way to give her a black eye. 2nd a stamp from some 1960’s shares (sorry I don’t know what they are called) which is beautifully engraved, both yours if you want them. Hope you enjoy the bundle.

48. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Jacques & coolteddy… Thanks for the notice. I’m looking forward into receiving your mails.

49. Reidar wrote:
    

    Just a quick question regarding the new rule regarding the custom policy. Will these changes affect Norway, who is not a member of EU but a member the European Economic Area (EEA)?

50. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Reidar… Just checked Finnish post website, and yes. Norway is on the list of countries where CN22 is expected if envelope contains goods.

51. Keijo wrote:
    

    Update to exchange list… Received lot #17 from Singapore. Very quick delivery (must be benefits of registered mail), and nice stamps on top

    Will mail response letter tomorrow morning…

52. Coolteddy wrote:
    

    Hi Keijo,
    That’s quite of a surprised. I thought that it may be around the next week as registered mail should be slightly slower as the postal administration needs more time to account for such mail.

    That reminds me of another thing, is there collection of mail in Saturday in Finland? Sometimes it is rather difficult to gauge the speed of air-mail given some countries has a weekday only mail collection policy.

53. Keijo wrote:
    

    @coolteddy… Nope. Just Monday-Friday collection & delivery. And there’s been lots of talk/plans about making it less frequent (1-3 times a week).

54. JohnC wrote:
    

    Hi Keijo,

    I have sent an exchange last year and was very happy. I would like to send another lot again. I collect mostly Ireland and that is what I will send.

    Can you send me a more detailed breakdown of your Ireland collection so that I dont send stamps you may already have. Even if you give me an idea of ones in particualr you have big spaces.

    If it’s too much time to do this, don’t worry and I will send as many as I have.

    Always great reading this blog.

    John

55. Keijo wrote:
    

    @JohnC… With Ireland the biggest gaps are with:

    * early overprints (I’ve got just 2 of them)
    * commemoratives of late 1980s, 1990s & 2000s (I’ve got anywhere from nothing up to maybe 20% completion per year)
    * perf varieties (booklet stamps) of Architechture and Heritage definitives
    * bird and flower definitives (still missing about half of basic stamps + most perforation varieties)
    * postage dues (I’ve got nothing)

56. John Collins wrote:
    

    Right. I can get some together that should fill a nice few gaps. Hopefully I will mail these over the weekend.

    John

57. Coolteddy wrote:
    

    Hi Keijo,

    I have just received your exchange mail. Nice and interesting stamps used. But I have two questions. Firstly, in the 0,30€ stamp, there is a cut-out. Is it a security feature to prevent reuse if uncancelled or an aesthetic purpose. The second question is that is all the stamps soakable self-adhesive stamps.

58. Keijo wrote:
    

    @coolteddy… All should soak off somewhat nicely (I try to avoid using stamps I know unsoakable).

    Re, the die cut… Actually that’s the actual stamp. Everything else surrounding the stamp is just ‘extra’ and most people don’t use/include it when attaching the stamp. The actual sheets are build like this.

59. Coolteddy wrote:
    

    Thanks for the explaination. I thought the die-cut stamp is like the latest British Machin stamps where there is 2 oval shape on either side to prevent reuse.

    Below is the link to the image in question:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PostallyUsedMachins.jpg

60. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Coolteddy… Yep. I’m familiar with those too…. Fortunately Finnish Post hasn’t issued many unsoakables (there are few issues that are unsoakable because the printer used wrong type of paper/gum. But they are exceptions.).

61. Peg V wrote:
    

    Hey there!
    Wondering if you would be interested in postally used United Nations stamps from the NY office?
    I will try my hand at trading with you but I fear that my collection is to weak.
    Also can I count on you matching Christmas for Christmas stamps? Usually people are thrilled to get rid of Christmas stamps

62. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Peg… Used UN/NY sounds very lovely, as I’ve got just few of those..

    Re, Christmas stamps… I know precisely what you mean I’ve got a big pouch of British 2½p Angels (from the 1970s) that I’m planning to use to decorate a flower pot. That said, I would not do the same with those few Aland Islands Christmas stamps I’ve managed to accumulate

63. Keijo wrote:
    

    Just a quick note that todays (15th March) mail brought six fat covers (#18-23). Yes, our mailbox literally blew up from incoming stamps

    A bit exceptionally I will process these over over the weekend, as I’ve got other plans for this evening. Responses to all will be mailed on Monday 18th March.

64. Coolteddy wrote:
    

    I have just send you an exchange mail yesterday. It will be arriving in a few days.

65. Roberto wrote:
    

    Hi keijo, thanks for your stamps (your answer to no.15), some very nice ones. Have a good werkend, regards from switzerland.

66. Keijo wrote:
    

    @coolteddy… Thanks for the tip. Will be looking forward to that

    @Roberto… Nice to know you liked the mix

67. Daniele wrote:
    

    Hello!
    What a great idea you had, Keijo.

    I send today a package for you. I hope you’ll find inside some useful stamps!

    PS: I have a lot of DDR stamps with gum and courtesy cancelling. Are they CTO?

68. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Daniele… Thanks for letting me know. Likely it will arrive in week or two (though part of US mail seems to take up to 3 weeks for some reason).

    Re, DDR with gum and fancy cancels… Yep. Those are CTOs. DDR as well as some other countries used also first day postmarks to make CTOs.

69. Jacques wrote:
    

    Wow!! you took 50! I really hope that you managed to fill in a few spaces. Thats the lot for now, I know 150 stamps is a drop in the ocean but I’m glad I managed to help you on your way. I’ll get rid of the ones you don’t want and I don’t want via ebay or something and start getting new ones in. Hopefully by next exchange date I’ll have a load more for you.
    I know it’s a huge task but after this exchange is over I hope you update your stamp collection page with new stats such as percentage increase due to exchange etc. (I’m an auditor (and OCD) and breaking facts and figures down in all sorts of ways is my secret vice:)). Keep up the good work and enjoy the spring.

70. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Jacques… That was a good swap despite of somewhat low swap ratio. I found somewhat many modern British issues I didn’t have… The issue with lots concentrating on UK (or US , West Germany, Switzerland etc. popular countries) is that my collection on those is already somewhat large, and coming up with items I need becomes harder and harder all the time. Like you wrote, 100 stamps (or even 1,000 stamps) is just a drop in the ocean, and I sometimes I seriously wonder where all those stamps I still need to complete are actually coming from. But one stamp at a time, I’m getting closer and closer

71. Jacques wrote:
    

    It’s a bold venture sir and I can only salute you. perhaps when you hit 70% for a country you could produce a wish list for us. Although that feels a bit like cheating.

72. Steven Reed wrote:
    

    Keijo,
    Just a quick note to let you know that there is another non-trade envelope coming your way. Filling out the CN-22 is a real pain in the behind, as I have to go to the Post Office and explain every time that yes, it does need to be on there as the EU requires it. I am only travelling home every 2 weeks now, so I get more time to sort and catalog between shifts and it allows me to get more stamps to you. I like my average to be above 75%. I am breaking down a large collection of Irish FDC’s, and a kilo of Ireland of the same era (1990-2000). Hope you will be able to use some of them.

73. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Jacques…

    perhaps when you hit 70% for a country you could produce a wish list for us.

    I’ve tought of this several times, and yes – very likely I’ll start pushing more detailed (country specific) details of what I have/don’t have on some point.

    But I can say

    a) it’s not going to happen soon (as I’ve got way too much work with in reworking my current inventory page),

    b) and likely the figure will be much higher than 70% (as even 1% means 30-50 stamps for country such us UK, US etc).

    @Steven

    Filling out the CN-22 is a real pain in the behind, as I have to go to the Post Office and explain every time that yes, it does need to be on there as the EU requires it.

    Jeesh… It’s amazing how hard they can make it.

    Just checked what USPS manual says, and I found something you might like:

    “Upon request, mailers may receive a reasonable supply for mail preparation.”

    So just ask for several copies (for example I received a roll of 350 CN22 stickers when I explained that otherwise I’ll visit them daily )

    Re Ireland… Looking forward to it.

74. Steven Reed wrote:
    

    Thanks for the advice. I just wish that it was the stickers, but the US copy of the CN-22 is a 3 page carbonless form, with one copy for the Post Office where its mailed to be retained for 30 days, a scanned copy that is kept forever on computer at the Post Office Headquarters, and finally the sticker and a receipt that has to be stamped that has the mailer address and mailee address. That’s the PIA factor. Hope your having a good week.

75. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Steven… Holy bureaucracy That is absolutely insane.

76. Kathey wrote:
    

    Do you collect/need US Air Mail or other Back of the Book stamps? I’m still working on my US & hope to send you some stamps that you might be able to use.

77. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Kathey… Yep. I do collect them the same way as any other stamp Below is a quick and dirty list of what I don’t have of US BOBs (using Scott numbers):

    For semi-postals I should have all except 2003 Stop family violence and the somewhat recent Save Vanishing Species stamp.

    For airmails I’m missing most of the expensive stuff (not a surprise to anyone I think ). For cheaper issues, I’m short of following: C29,C44,C48,C89,C94,C95-96,C100,C101-103,C109-112,C117,C127 + most of the perforation varieties (from booklets) from all the values.

    For special delivery stamps, I’m short of SD9

    For certified mail stamps, I’m missing all (which is essentially just one stamp)

    For Official stamps I’m missing just about everything.

    For postage dues and Parcel post stamps I’ve got maybe half of them.

78. Keijo wrote:
    

    Update on the exchange list… Received lots #24 and #25 and #26 in todays mail. My thanks to all senders

    Responses will be placed on mail later today.

79. Matmex wrote:
    

    Dear Keijo,

    I have sent to you 200 different stamps for exchange, hopefully you will find out something useful for your colletion.
    I know that could be difficult for you -due to your rules for exchange- but I try: I would prefer receiving stamps on the thematics Butterflies, Christmas and Space.

    With best regards from Vienna, Austria

    Marco Ramirez

80. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Marco… Thanks for the tip.

    Re wishes for topics/countries to include/exclude… like said on the exchange rules, I don’t do them. They are way too much work when you have as many as duplicates as I have (I’m still counting them in kilograms). But I’ll see if I can come up with something nice for the cover.

81. Keijo wrote:
    

    Update on the exchange list… Lots #27 and #28 arrived in todays mail. My thanks to Joergen and John. Some good stuff from both

    Responses will be placed on mail tomorrow morning (unfortunately I’m all out of commemoratives, so I have to pay postage using a mix of recent definitives).

82. Keijo wrote:
    

    Update on the exchange list… Fetched 3 registered covers from the mail earlier today: #29 from Aivars (Latvia), #30 from Mitoiu (Romania), and #31 from Marco (Austria). My humblest thanks to all

    I will mail the responses tomorrow morning, so they get going before everything stops for easter holidays.

83. Matmex wrote:
    

    Dear Keijo,
    What a wonderful surprise that more than half of the stamps sent, are useful for your collection.
    Happy Easter and best regards from Austria,
    Marco

84. MITOIU wrote:
    

    Hello Keijo,

    I am glad that you are receiving the stamps.
    Best regards from Romania.
    A little rectification about my name: MITOIU

85. Keijo wrote:
    

    @MITOIU… Sorry for the typo with your name. That’s now fixed.

    Actually, out of the 3 letters arriving the same date, Yours delivered fastest. It was postmarked 21/3, whereas Marco’s cover from Austria was postmarked 13/3, and Aivar’s cover from Latvia was canceled 15/3. It’s amazing how much these delivery times can vary.

86. Ian Campbell wrote:
    

    Hi Keijo
    I have many stamps from KTU, Union of South Africa, Lesotho, Venda, Transkei, Rhodesia and other African countries.

    Would you be willing to accept these?

    Thanks
    Ian

87. Luca wrote:
    

    Hi Keijo,
    one question about the stamp exchange. Do you accept stamps that have been postally used, but have no sign of cancel(they look like mint but they aren’t). I received a few letters from the States and I know for sure these stamps have been used…..Aside from that I’m preparing some stamps for exchange for you and I’ ve found some interesting ones(well, hope so….)

88. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Ian Campbell

    Would you be willing to accept these?

    Any country is fine as long as it qualifies my criteria (mostly about condition, condition & condition… See slide #4 in presentation on top of this page).

    @Luca

    Do you accept stamps that have been postally used, but have no sign of cancel(they look like mint but they aren’t).

    Sorry, but no.

89. hadashi wrote:
    

    Hi Keijo-san
    I just arrived back from a month in New Zealand to find your very welcome exchange letter waiting. Thanks once again for a very interesting selection of stamps for the final lot of Japanese stamps that I prepared for you. How interesting that the envelope I sent you was not cancelled. I shall return it, as you ask, by popping it through the mail again. Do you mind if I pop in a few stamps for you again? May as well make use of the postage, I reckon. I managed to bring along about a dozen stock books with me to keep my hobby going. My wife requests that in the future we travel with less luggage (we were skating close to the weight limit).

90. Keijo wrote:
    

    @hadashi…

    How interesting that the envelope I sent you was not cancelled. I shall return it, as you ask, by popping it through the mail again. Do you mind if I pop in a few stamps for you again? May as well make use of the postage, I reckon

    Excellent idea

    My wife requests that in the future we travel with less luggage

    Lucky You… I have a feeling that usually it’s the vice versa

91. Andrei wrote:
    

    Hi Keijo,

    I received your letter today. It traveled “only” 25 days.
    Thanks for the stamps.

92. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Andrei… Thanks for letting me know.

93. Matmex wrote:
    

    Dear Keijo,

    I have received your letter yesterday. Thank you very much for the stamps, including those used for the cover.

    Regards from snowy Vienna

94. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Matmex… Excellent

95. Keijo wrote:
    

    Update on the exchange list… Received lot #32 from Paul yesterday. As usual, found some nice items

    Will mail the batch this morning when going to work.

96. Ken wrote:
    

    Keijo: I finally got my act together and mailed off a selection of 100 duplicates today. Hopefully there will be some to your liking. I filled out the customs form, but the post office would not to put it on the envelope because they said it a form only required for parcels, not envelopes. I hope you don’t have problems when it reaches Finnish customs.

    I don’t know if it is possible, but, if you have another batch in and don’t take many from mine, you are welcome to simply swap it with another lot. That way both people get all new stamps in return. As a newer collector, that would be very helpful to me. I certainly understand if you don’t want to. You obviously have a good system in place already. Thanks for maintaining a great website, and happy hunting!

    Ken

97. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Ken…

    I filled out the customs form, but the post office would not to put it on the envelope because they said it a form only required for parcels, not envelopes. I hope you don’t have problems when it reaches Finnish customs.

    I’m thinking some not so nice thoughts about USPS, because that is absolute B.S! Here’s something you can reference in future. USPS International Mail Manual (PSN 7610-02-000-9904, dated April 1st 2013) , pages 413-415 define mailing practices to Finland, and for every type of sending it clearly states “PS Form 2976 as required”.

    I don’t know if it is possible, but, if you have another batch in and don’t take many from mine, you are welcome to simply swap it with another lot. That way both people get all new stamps in return. As a newer collector, that would be very helpful to me. I certainly understand if you don’t want to. You obviously have a good system in place already.

    It’s a nice idea, but sadly it falls down to fact that each lot is so different. Some send definitives only, some commemoratives only. Some are interested of classic stamps, some are into modern stuff. Some people obey the rules of exchange perfectly, whereas others try their luck and include everything (even their dead cat if possible ) in the mix.

98. Ken wrote:
    

    On the USPS: I find that, like any large organization, it is as good as the person standing in front of you. The woman who “helped” me yesterday simply wasn’t very helpful, or knowledgeable. Starting an argument with a postal worker is never a good idea, unless you never plan to return to that office. I already suspect I’m on some list because I appear to be the only customer who actually wants stamps, and not meters when posting parcels, which seems to be some great imposition on them.

    On the exchange rules, I totally understand. I left the dead cat out of mine. First time, and all. I just hope you find something you can use. Ken

99. Keijo wrote:
    

    @Ken

    Starting an argument with a postal worker is never a good idea, unless you never plan to return to that office.

    LOL…. For some reason I imagine this as an episode of The Simpsons.

    @Everyone… Next update on the exchange list will be on Friday 12th April (I’m heading on work related trip early Monday morning, and won’t be home before Friday).

100. Alp wrote:
     

     Thanks Keijo, your letter arrived today! There were some I could use.

101. srenivasan wrote:
     

     hi friend,
     I like to exchange with you, I can send you mint and used stamps from India, I am intrested in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and other countries used stamps. Can you kindly contact me in my mail id.
     sreni.

102. Keijo wrote:
     

     @srenivasan… Sorry, but that’s not how this exchange goes. Please familiarize yourself with the SlideShare presentation found on top of this page.

103. Luca wrote:
     

     Hi Keijo,
     sent you an envelope from Canada with stamps today. asked for hand cancelling and beautiful stamps on cover. Unfortunately the lady at the post office told me she couldn’t give me a CN22 form for a normal envelope. it had to be a parcel that would have costed me a lot of money. so i put the value and the contents by hand outside as info by pen. she said she was going to check the new regulations and in case she found that i could put the CN22 on a normal airmail cover she s going to put it before sending it….ridiculous bureaucracy and lack of knowledge/information….

104. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Luca… Canada? So the stupidity of postal workers is spreading? N-o-o-o…..

     Here’s straight from CanadaPost website http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGletpost-e.asp

     Mail preparation requirements for Letter-post (U.S.A. and International) items are:…
     all items containing paper documents valued at less than $500 require a completed green CN22 Customs sticker label (43-074-076)

     and on another page of CanadaPost:

     …mailers can print a copy of the CN22 label on envelopes. The label must be the same size and use the same wording as CN22 (43-074-076). All CN22 labels must be placed on the address side of the item and if possible, under the return address.

     Sigh… And these are even not new regulations, but they’ve been there for years / decades…

105. Luca wrote:
     

     I guess the lady at the post office had no clue then .. she usually seems very professional and knows things and she s very precise( a bit too much sometimes… So probably she will double check and put the right sticker… Hope so…otherwise let’s hope for the ” clemency” of finnish customs…kiitos

106. Axel wrote:
     

     Hi, just found your excellent blog, will try to sort out a lot of 50 stamps, i have a lot of belgian and dutch stamps, hope it suits you. Probably will send it end of the week.

107. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Axel… Sound nice Looking forward to receiving the batch…

108. Axel wrote:
     

     Hi Keijo, the stamps went out today. I Hope they arrive soon and you find something in it.
     All The best
     Axel

109. coolteddy wrote:
     

     I have just sent a new set of exchange letter to you. Hope you enjoy it.

110. Keijo wrote:
     

     Update on the exchange list…. Three lots (#33-35) had arrived while I was out of home. I’ll go through these during the weekend & update the stats once I’m done with the lots.

     Responses to all will be placed on mail Monday morning.

111. Afina wrote:
     

     Hello Keijo, been on your blog and I realize you dont have stamps from Indonesia yet Maybe sometime I can donate Indonesian stamps for you.

112. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Afina… Actually I do got some Indonesian stamps, or more specifically slightly over ~250 different ones. Mostly stuff from the 1980s (when one of my uncles was working there). They are just listed under a wrong section at ‘My stamp collection’ page. I know, it’s something I should fix., and I promise do take care of it on some point…

     That said, I’m always interested of having even more Indonesian stamps in my collection

113. Keijo wrote:
     

     Update on the exchange list… Received lots #36 & 37. As usual, found some nice items from both lots (but also quite many damaged stamps in both mixes:evil: ). Anyway, nice first trades from Axel & Luca

     Responses will be placed on mail Tuesday morning.

114. Daniel Bakken wrote:
     

     Hello

     I be interesting in exchange stamp with you. I have lot of stamps from Norway from 1940-2000. I can take finnish stamps in return.

     Best regards
     Daniel Bakken
     Norway

115. Axel wrote:
     

     Hi Keijo,
     thanks for the exchange, I may not have paid as much attention as needed when I made the small package but I’m curious which stamps you consider “damaged”? It’s just a beginners question, not an attack on your appreciation of stamps of course, always willing to learn something. Could you mail me about it ?
     Thanks Axel

116. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Axel… No worries. There’s no such thing as dump question, especially when it comes to grade/quality of stamps. It is something EVERYONE (me included) should put even more focus. As I still have these stamps on my table, I’ll show everyone what I’m talking.

     First, your mixture… All in all there were 8 stamps I considered damaged. Additionally there was 1 mint stamp + 1 uncanceled. So all in all that makes 20% of the entire lot. Here’s a a link to scan of damaged stamps.

     As for Lucas mixture… There were 40 stamps I consider damaged. So it means 25% of the mixture was something I excluded straight off from the exchange. As everyone can see, there’s creases/folds, thins, missing perfs, foxing etc.

     As for what I consider damaged / undesirable stamp? Simply check slide #4 from the Slideshare presentation on top of this page.

     My point is very simple, and it applies to EVERYONE… Please put focus on the quality of stamps sent for exchange. As said on the terms of exchange, I will not take damaged stamps (and I do my best not to send them out either). They are simply dead weight that adds to unnecessary postage costs.

     @Daniel Bakken… Sorry, but wishes for specific country / topic are not part of this exchange. Please spend more time reading the Slideshare presentation on top of this page

117. Luca wrote:
     

     thanks for the appreciation. Maybe my damaged stamps were very old ones? I even had put one of 1870-90 i think….maybe i didn’t pay full attention to condition in some, sorry…
     ….aside from the low swap percentage i’m happy you found some that you need

118. Luca wrote:
     

     ok, now i saw the scans, sorry….

119. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Luca…

     ..aside from the low swap percentage i’m happy you found some that you need

     My point precisely. It’s not so much about reaching specific count/percentage, but more about the fact that every new stamp is a step in right direction. As long as there’s at least one or two stamps I can use, I’m more than happy with the swap results. But of course, the higher the number of swapped stamps, the more cost efficient the exchange is.

120. Daniele wrote:
     

     Hi, Keijo!
     I’ve just received your envelope and I want to thank you for the nice swap!

     I’d like to send you a lot of italian stamps, but I have a question for you.
     In recent years, Italy is emitting a lot of self-adhesive stamps. What should I do with this type of stamps before sending them?

     Thanks a lot.

121. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Daniele…

     In recent years, Italy is emitting a lot of self-adhesive stamps. What should I do with this type of stamps before sending them?

     If they are unsoakable, then leave them on paper (just cut around the stamp, leaving roughly 0.5-1cm spacing on each side).

122. Daniele wrote:
     

     Thank you, Keijo. I’ll do so.

123. Jacques wrote:
     

     Whoops sorry, I have a feeling that I inadvertantly sent you a lot of damaged stamps with my exchange and for that I appologise. To be honest I hadn’t paid much attention to the types of damage that you have highlighted, I just look at the pictures. But I will certainly pay more attention for future exchanges. Maybe a blog entry at some point with images of the minimum quality that you would be prepared to include in your collection. As I think we exchanged around 130-140 stamps in total I think we did alright.

124. Axel wrote:
     

     Thanks Keijo for explaining with pictures what you meant. I might send you another lot AND will pay more attention to the quality of the stamps.

125. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Jacques…

     To be honest I hadn’t paid much attention to the types of damage that you have highlighted, I just look at the pictures.

     I know… I was like that long, long time ago. And that too is part of what makes this common hobby of ours so versatile. Each collector looks & sees different things on stamps. IMHO there is no ‘right or wrong way’ to collect, there’s just personal preferences. One mans junk is another’s treasure, and (above all) vice versa.

     But like you said, there were plenty of good grade stamps as well, and I feel more than happy with the swap

     @Axel… Thanks. I’m definitely looking forward to another batch.

126. Akshay Seth wrote:
     

     Hi Keijo,
     Putting together stamps for you. They will leave India in a day or two. Hope you take most. Had an enjoyable exchange last time.
     Akshay

127. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Akshay… Looking forward to that

128. Akshay wrote:
     

     Keijo, Can you guide me on the CN22 form. What to fill, etc. There is a downloadable form on the India post website. Will it work ? Or should I take it from the Post office ? Dunno whether the postal authorities here will be educated in this respect. Not a good outlook from USA and Canada..lolz

129. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Akshay… Well, I can say that the printable form is really big (A4/letter?). The ones you get on the post office are about 7×10cm (or at least I haven’t seen any larger ones from any country). And as the official forms are usually self-adhesives, they are really easy to affix on letter, parcel etc.

     The options… Select ‘Gift’. For Quantity & Description write ‘Used postage stamps for exchange’ set weight to ‘0.1kg’ and value to ‘US$5′ (or whatever feels fair for you).
     Then just add date, signature, and it’s ready to be mailed.

130. Benjamin Leifeld wrote:
     

     hello,

     i need roundcancelled stamps from denmark and the netherlands after 1990, used stamps from gb after 1990, used stamps from the faroer islands and greenland. i can offer used (roundcancelled to) from germany.
     please reply if you are interested. please send me the sheet for writing how much i send per e-mail. do you need scans from my stamps? please reply if you are interested.

     regards

     Benjamin Leifeld

131. Keijo wrote:
     

     Hallo Benjamin,

     like I’ve written many times on these comments, please (re-)read the rules of this exchange (slideshare presentation on top of this page). These rules state very explicitly how the exchange goes step by step, as well as the fact that wish lists for countries / topics to include/exclude are not allowed. I accept any country/topic sent for exchange, and I except the others to do the same.

     Grüße
     -keijo-

132. MITOIU wrote:
     

     Hello Keijo,

     Yesterday I’ve received your stamps.
     Thanks, very nice stamps.
     I want to try another exchange but I don’t know if is enough time for this because 15 may is nearby. Do you think is possible?

     Best regards!

133. Keijo wrote:
     

     Update on the exchange list… Received lot #38 from Singapore. My compliments to CoolTeddy. Sadly the cover was pretty beaten up (as there was nothing to stiffen it up).

     Will mail response later this evening.

     @MITOIU… May 15th is the last day to mail stuff to me. So there’s still plenty of time to send stuff for swap.

134. coolteddy wrote:
     

     I do apologise for the beaten up cover. I only had a few stock card which was on its way to my address at the time of posting and had to use a zip-lock bag instead which not what I would use.

     And the funny thing is that both lot #17 & #24 arrives on my mail at the very same day. Something to wonder why the earlier lot reaches to my place at the same time as the later lot.

135. Keijo wrote:
     

     @coolteddy… Placing a postcard (or anything) inside the cover will help in keeping it fit.

     Re, delivery times… I’m already used to fact that they vary a lot. For example letters from/to Canada can take anything from just few days up to 2-3 weeks (and sometimes even beyond), even when mailed on same date and on the same office

136. Luca wrote:
     

     i think i may have sent you something of “value” with my last batch, don’t know if it was damaged or you kept it or returned it. it’s 2 d orange yellow new zealand 1916 george V scott n. 147. i found 2 of those in a cheap batch i had bought on ebay. i assumed it had no value so i didn’t check and i think i had sent you one of the two.
     Luca

137. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Luca… I have to say that I have no specific recollection for that specific stamp. If it was faulty/damaged, then it came back to you. If not, then it’s very possible that it’s somewhere in here:
     

     This is one of my “incoming boxes” where all new stamps end up before being sorted by country, and checked more closely…. Right now I’ve got roughly 4 months worth of backlog of rough sorting (and at least years worth of checking) to do. I hope to prcess most of these during my summer holidays in June/July.

     Like said on terms of exchange, I don’t check stamps values in any way… So if I took it, and you identified it correctly, then I humbly thank thee for generous contribution to my collection

138. Akshay Seth wrote:
     

     Hey Keijo,
     Just posted your stamps. Hope they reach you as quickly as last time. Just one thing..guy-in charge of commemoratives at the nearest post office ’sick’ for 3 days continously..in a burst of anger I pasted definitives and slamed it on the counter . Will send a franked cover later and make it up..

139. Luca wrote:
     

     You’ re welcome Keijo

140. Keijo wrote:
     

     Update on the exchange list… Received lot #39 from Kathey yesterday. Nice batch Sadly the *idiots* at mail had affixed $0.00 label on top of Rosa Parks stamp

     Will drop the response on the mail in half hours time.

141. Kathey wrote:
     

     I’m so sorry about Rosa, but I’ll see if I can get you another!
     I’m also very glad you found some stamps you wanted in my little package. I continue to work through my bunch of piles and hope to send you some more.

142. Keijo wrote:
     

     Update on the exchange list… Received lot #40 from Anthony C yesterday. Some nice stuff – thanks

     Response will be placed on mail Monday morning.

143. Axel wrote:
     

     Keijo, just received the stamps today.

     Thanks a lot for the replacements, much appreciated.

     I prepare a new package the coming days / weekend.

     All the best

     Axel

144. Luca wrote:
     

     Thanks a lot Keijo, received stamps today, very nice ones
     Luca

145. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Akshay Seth …. I’ve got some bad news for you.

     Your exchange lot arrived in todays mail. But without stamps

     The cover had been torn open (not accidentally I can tell), and contents removed. Apparently some nice postal worker added a paper clip + rubber band around to keep the envelope together:

     

     All in all the cover was in pretty bad shape, as if somebody had put it on the ground, and walked over it several times

     

     I feel so sorry for You…Sadly the Indian Post seems (still) very unreliable.

146. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Everyone… Just a quick reminder, that this exchange season closes on May 15th.

     There’s still 11 days time to prepare and sent Your stamps for exchange.

147. Akshay wrote:
     

     Oh my god !!
     150+ very high quality stamps down the drain.
     What the hell ?!!

148. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Akshay… Sad but true. Indian Post (or customs) is extremely unreliable, or as one magazine article called it’s more like “Indian Pilferage Service”.

     You could always file an official complaint / report, but very likely it would get you nowhere. The stamps are likely already sold on eBay or somewhere else.

     I know, this hurts (I’ve lost way more than one sending over the years)… But life goes on.

149. Akshay wrote:
     

     Hmm..Keijo..
     I am copying these images. Also can you give a close shot of the Postmarks ?
     All I can say that it’ll take time to gain enough trust to start sending again..Unless I change countries.

150. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Akshay…. I’m sending original photos + close up scans to your email in few minutes time.

151. Kathey wrote:
     

     Keijo,
     I received your exchange today and the stamps are great! Thank you…
     I will send you a new packet this week and I hope that you find some treasures in it.
     Kathey

152. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Kathey… Excellent

153. Alp wrote:
     

     Hi Keijo,
     Mailed a letter to you today – hope you get it safe and sound

154. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Alp… Thanks for letting me know.

155. Axel wrote:
     

     Hello Keijo,

     Just sent today a package, hope you’ll find something in it.

     Till soon.

     Axel

156. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Axel… Excellent.

     @Everyone… Today is the last day to mail exchange lots. After that the exchange goes to summer break…

157. Keijo wrote:
     

     Update on the exchange list… Received thick pile of mail today: letters from US (x2), Sri Lanka, Ireland & France. Woo-hoo!

     I will process these during the weekend (likely on Sunday, as we’re having my youngest kids birthday party tomorrow). Responses to all will be mailed on Monday morning.

     And then… This exchange season is now officially closed! I’m sure there are few more covers on their way to me, and I’ll treat them accordingly. But right now I’d like to give my sincerest thanks to all who took part. Hope you’ve enjoyed the exchanges as much as I have.

     I will organize another round of exchanges later this year. More of this after the summer.

     And finally, I’m happy to announce that Ill be throwing a bunch of special exchanges during the summer. So watch out the blog for these.

158. Kathey wrote:
     

     Keijo,
     Enjoy your current exchanges! Looks like you hit the jackpot…
     During the summer, we can all get more exchanges ready for later this year. So, not to worry…
     I’m looking forward to the special exchanges this summer, too.
     Kathey

159. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Kathey …. Thanks

160. Keijo wrote:
     

     Update on the exchange list… Received lot #47 from Chua, Singapore. As usual, found some nice stuff Response will be placed on mail tomorrow morning.

161. Axel wrote:
     

     Keijo, i received your package today, thanks for the replacement stamps.

     Much appreciated.

     Take care and hope to be in contact again soon.

162. Keijo wrote:
     

     @Axel… Excellent. Looking forward to future swaps later this year

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