Time and devotion
I think nearly all passioned collectors give plenty of time and devotion to their beloved hobby. I confess that I spend about 2-3 hours daily for stamps. A large part of it goes doing stamp exchanges or browsing online stamp discussion/articles; the weekends I usually spend mostly offline (and sort my stamps) …I know, 2-3 hours a day sounds lot, but as I don’t do much TV (besides random movies) or reading (besides random active periods) in late nights, I can afford the luxury.
2005, Finland - Golf...Some people spend a lot of time playing golf or doing other sports. I prefer sticking with tiny pieces of paper that somebody, in a galaxy far and away has licked and sticked. LOL
The reason I’m writing about this topic, is couple of interesting discussions/discoveries I’ve been involved lately.
First, I emailed one of my US trading partners the other day, just to say I’ve got plenty of new items to look at on my private exchange page. He said he could not do them, as he was in the middle of the process of working his way trough my previous sending. And it would take still plenty of time as he checks and mounts every stamps properly to self-printed stamp album pages. I admire this kind of devotion.
Secondly, yesterday I got involved to StampBoards.com discussion about sources of stamp album pages . Interestingly, a fellow collector came up with a link to most stunning album pages I’ve ever seen (sold on eBay as DVD). And I’m talking pages that look far superior compared to Steiner’s stampalbumsweb-pages (but that’s just my humble opinion)… Based on eBay description, the seller has used over 12 years to build and design over 16,000 highly detailed album pages. It means about 4 pages for every day, time and again for 12 years. That is admirable devotion too, I think.
And finally, as I woke at about 5AM this morning, my head magically summed up one of the truths of stamps collecting…. This hobby is not abound being the fastest gun of the west. Or about owning the most complete collection. Or being the most knowledgeable of all. Or competing with others…. It’s about spending time and devotion to something that feels good. And sharing the experiences and gained knowledge with other like minded people.And coming back time and again to do so… That’s the reason I like stamp collecting so much.
Just my 2 cents of worth.
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Another great write up. Ive to agree that as a philatelist, alot of time and effort has be put into our beloved hobby.
U have to be grateful that u are not living in a tropical country where humidity is a major problem. I will need to store my materials in air tight box with silica gel, using mounts and acid free plastics and moreover i dont work with my stamps during monsoon seasons as the humidity is just to high. Please take note that im doing this because im yet to afford a 24/7 air cond room with gadgets to reduce humidity. Hopefully, i can afford that kinda facilities one day. LOL… Toning is just a nightmare.
I have to agree that there are so many philatelist who put so much efforts to their collection and are actively involved in philatelic activities. Im amazed and at times envy them. LOL… I definitely feel you dont have to put them as your benchmark as you are doing wonderful things through your blog. Ive learned so much from reading your posts.
ooops.. sorry for the long comment. just wanna say Im glad to have known u.
regards,
ronny
@Ronny… I fear climate change may pose serious challenges to European collectors too. This summer was a frightening example how quickly things may change in large scale. The abnormal weather (=heat records day after day, with somewhat high air moisture) lasted over a month. Meteorologists compared the conditions to Thailand in January…. Way too much heat/moisture for stamps, and for me too :LOL: And it all ended up with gigantic storms, that caused a lot of havoc.
But money, or lack of it, is an issue for most stamp collectors I fear… I confess that things like “air controlled stamp room” would be out of my budget too, LOL… But … C’est la vie…Fortunately putting time and devotion to stamps doesn’t have to cost a penny.
Keijo,
wow, thats definitely a new thing. I definitely understand the havoc if the conditions are similar to Thailand.
yes, have to agree that money is not everything in philately. Its more of PASSION and the willingness to share knowledge with others. What i love and cherish most about my hobby is the friends i make from all over the world.
I agree- this kind of extreme weathers are new thing up north. I just hope more people will finally begin to understand what kind of major changes might be ahead with global warming; It’s definitely not going to be sunshine and nicer weather all the time…. Here’s a Youtube clip (taken by some guy) not too far from my home; it was taken morning following the first major storm (there were few more later). Some areas survived better, some were wiped out almost completely… Never seen a storm like that; and hopefully never will again.
I believe you are getting close to Pirsig’s ‘Zen and the Art of Stamp Collecting’ with this post. You could be the George Sheehan of philately. True insight at 5 a.m.!
@William… I’ll confess I’ve never heard of Pirsig or Sheehan
But I assume it’s an honor to be placed on same line with them.
Personally I’d like to learn to live a whole lot more like Forrest Gump or Pa Larkin (in Darling Buds of May). Take life as it is, enjoy what I have, and not to worry too much about the future. There’s a real challenge for pedant person like me
Happiness is…a stamp in the precise moment you wish for it…sorrow is the very moment you loose it…