Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!!

kacyds
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Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 11, 2019 14:25:15 GMT -5 greaden, clif, and 2 more like this

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Post by kacyds on Dec 11, 2019 14:25:15 GMT -5

Definitive - postage stamp intended for routine postal use, issued for an indefinite period of time in indefinite quantities. Also called ordinary stamps. ( Definition from the Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting, by Rodney A. Juelll & Steven J. Rod)

I have heard from here and other sites (esp. 100stampclub) that many people dont like definitive stamps. WHY???

Just wondering if you collect them or not, and if not, why? Personally I love them. There are many variations to collect and fill in many empty spaces in our albums. If you dont like them and dont collect them, please send them my way.

Here are a couple of pages that I have been working on recently...

Last Edit: Dec 11, 2019 14:26:06 GMT -5 by kacyds

guyana1230
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Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 11, 2019 14:36:29 GMT -5 kacyds and angore like this

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Post by guyana1230 on Dec 11, 2019 14:36:29 GMT -5

Dec 11, 2019 14:25:15 GMT -5 kacyds said:

I have heard from here and other sites (esp. 100stampclub) that many people dont like definitive stamps. WHY???

I think you will find the main reason people on "100 stamp club" say No definitives is simply that some will only send definitives if they could get away with it and most will have them already. If like "Terri" you look for every flaw (fly specking) then this may well be fine, but, if you only want one of each for your collection then getting loads of definitives can be very annoying

Last Edit: Dec 11, 2019 14:37:07 GMT -5 by guyana1230

Guyana1230

stampie78
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Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 11, 2019 14:58:47 GMT -5 kacyds and angore like this

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Post by stampie78 on Dec 11, 2019 14:58:47 GMT -5

Dec 11, 2019 14:36:29 GMT -5 guyana1230 said:

Dec 11, 2019 14:25:15 GMT -5 kacyds said:

I have heard from here and other sites (esp. 100stampclub) that many people dont like definitive stamps. WHY???

I think you will find the main reason people on "100 stamp club" say No definitives is simply that some will only send definitives if they could get away with it and most will have them already. If like "Terri" you look for every flaw (fly specking) then this may well be fine, but, if you only want one of each for your collection then getting loads of definitives can be very annoying

You will never hear me complain about defs. About twice a year I go to swan for a couple pounds of US. Still trying to find some of the varieties of the "flag over porch" series and of course the "liberty bell" types. Have at least most of the basic types. Almost enough to make a post or two. Good thing about defs is they are cheap. See my thread - stampie78 How I collect definitives stamps. (or something to that effect.)

JanetC Global Moderator Stamp Bears Supporter Please send heat,,,too darn cold down here. Posts: 3,973 Location (Country): San Angelo, TX USA	Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 11, 2019 15:02:25 GMT -5 kacyds and angore like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by JanetC on Dec 11, 2019 15:02:25 GMT -5 I don't know why people don't like them either. I enjoy filling in the spaces in my albums. Especially foreign ones. There are quite a few that I'm missing.
	WW Collector - Almost anything and everything

Gordon Lee Stamp Bears Posting Guru Stamp Bears Supporter I like stamps for the thrills, chills, screams, and laughs. Posts: 2,656 Location (Country): Roanoke, Texass USA	Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 11, 2019 15:31:13 GMT -5 kacyds and angore like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Gordon Lee on Dec 11, 2019 15:31:13 GMT -5 Greetings Mr. kacyds, . Yes, I collect them. I don't necessarily "love" them. I do like how they fill in empty blank spots in my album pages. . Respectfully, Gordon Lee

zepherusbane
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Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 11, 2019 15:51:54 GMT -5 via Tapatalk kacyds and angore like this

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Post by zepherusbane on Dec 11, 2019 15:51:54 GMT -5

I collect them and I like them most of the time. I like to find all the varieties. I typically only want one of each variety (with a few exceptions for certain early Issues).

What’s not so great is that I can’t seem to get rid of the extras I end up with, I don’t have good enough eyes to flyspeck. I can’t bring myself to just toss them, so they take up lots of space. If only I could find more flyspeckers!

I only know one person who does a lot of flyspecking and she is primarily interested in Irish definatives (terri).

I wish I could turn my other extras into more stamps that I don’t already have.

Worldwide collector of stamps and covers! I gave up on limiting to only certain countries.

terri
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Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 11, 2019 18:18:07 GMT -5 kacyds, Butterfly, and 1 more like this

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Post by terri on Dec 11, 2019 18:18:07 GMT -5

Tell ya what - find a common definitive series to study and enjoy and you’ll never have problems getting folks to trade stamps with you. They are delighted to swap all those duplicates that have been languishing in their stock books since, um, forever, and you can swap out your slightly common duplicates to willing recipients. It is a win/win! BUT I have dibs on Ireland haha!!

One friend just started on the Great Americans series - it has a ton of paper and tagging varieties.

I hear Turkey definitives are wicked complicated, is that true?

Oh - do you ever notice that many wantlists end up with many definitives listed? They get ignored in favor of the showy commemoratives but end up being more elusive.

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Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 11, 2019 19:17:58 GMT -5 kacyds, angore, and 1 more like this

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Post by mourningdoves on Dec 11, 2019 19:17:58 GMT -5

Collecting definitives is a whole different experience from collecting commemoratives or pictorials. I've asked myself which I like better, and I've never been able to answer, because it depends on what mood I'm in, what the day has been like, how well I slept, how much time I have... If I've been doing paperwork or flogging Quicken all day, I'm best off going through a stack of mixture-soaks and looking for pictorials to keep me entertained. If I'm in a lousy mood but otherwise alert & cognitive, I can get absolutely lost in definitive series.

Dec 11, 2019 18:18:07 GMT -5 terri said:

I hear Turkey definitives are wicked complicated, is that true?

I've been working on the Ottoman defs the last few days, and...yeah. That. There's a bunch of series from the 1890s and 1900s that look very similar, but the inscriptions are different, and there's something called a tughra - it's a symbol, or a very elaborate monogram, that represents the sultan - that is unique to each sultan. I'm beginning to get to the point where if I have two stamps in front of me, I can tell if the tughra is the same, but if there's one stamp in front of me, I couldn't identify whose tughra it is to save my life. Many of the stamps only have Arabic script (Turkish written with Arabic lettering). And overprints!! Lots of overprints!!! After a few sessions and several hundred stamps, I'm only just beginning to develop an eye for the fine points.

If you enjoy looking at them, you'll probably have a blast working your way through the thickets. (Did I remember to say anything about overprints?)

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Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 11, 2019 19:53:49 GMT -5 kacyds, crazyquilter, and 2 more like this

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Post by Butterfly on Dec 11, 2019 19:53:49 GMT -5

I like hoarding them and then searching for varieties. This week I went through my Netherlands numerals hoard, which numbered in the hundreds(numerals of 1946 plus) and found a grand total of one variety. 3669160923

Not that I'm done yet; just need to go do some actual flyspecting.
On the plus side though, I was able to find unlisted paper varieties using near UV light.

Now downsizing, really!

zepherusbane
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Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 12, 2019 9:04:46 GMT -5 via Tapatalk kacyds, JanetC, and 2 more like this

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Post by zepherusbane on Dec 12, 2019 9:04:46 GMT -5

Dec 11, 2019 18:18:07 GMT -5 terri said:

Tell ya what - find a common definitive series to study and enjoy and you’ll never have problems getting folks to trade stamps with you. They are delighted to swap all those duplicates that have been languishing in their stock books since, um, forever, and you can swap out your slightly common duplicates to willing recipients. It is a win/win! BUT I have dibs on Ireland haha!!

One friend just started on the Great Americans series - it has a ton of paper and tagging varieties.

I am a big fan of the Americana series, great Americans series, liberty issues, prexies, and transportation issues from the USA. I have lots of extras in all of those.

I have enjoyed many other series from many of the other countries I collect too, I had to create a separate album for my machins as one example. I only search for known varieties though, not new ones.

Worldwide collector of stamps and covers! I gave up on limiting to only certain countries.

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Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 12, 2019 13:59:01 GMT -5 kacyds, JanetC, and 1 more like this

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Post by sforgca on Dec 12, 2019 13:59:01 GMT -5

The definitives, given that many of them extended over long periods of time, do fill general collector pages quite handily, usually with minor expense, and provide a lot for those specialized in such areas as varieties, postmarks or flyspecking.

Some like the US Great Americans in some ways almost straddle what some consider the best of definitives and commemoratives.

Commemoratives tend to provide more regional historical, cultural, scientific and geographical information and are a great learning tool beyond just collecting.

The BOB stamps (as Scott lists them) provide information in even more specialized areas. Revenues, Locals, Cinderellas, Forgeries are all possibilities.

Personally early on, I collected what would be definitives as the first 50 years of stamp issues had little or no "commemoratives"
Unfortunately today these early issues are out of reach of general collectors.
Post 1950 definitives are not my favorites and beyond 1980 - nothing is on my want list.

stampforgeries.blogspot.com/

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Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 12, 2019 14:15:24 GMT -5 kacyds, JanetC, and 1 more like this

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Post by stampie78 on Dec 12, 2019 14:15:24 GMT -5

Dec 12, 2019 13:59:01 GMT -5 sforgca said:

The definitives, given that many of them extended over long periods of time, do fill general collector pages quite handily, usually with minor expense, and provide a lot for those specialized in such areas as varieties, postmarks or flyspecking.

Some like the US Great Americans in some ways almost straddle what some consider the best of definitives and commemoratives.

Commemoratives tend to provide more regional historical, cultural, scientific and geographical information and are a great learning tool beyond just collecting.

The BOB stamps (as Scott lists them) provide information in even more specialized areas. Revenues, Locals, Cinderellas, Forgeries are all possibilities.

Personally early on, I collected what would be definitives as the first 50 years of stamp issues had little or no "commemoratives"
Unfortunately today these early issues are out of reach of general collectors.
Post 1950 definitives are not my favorites and beyond 1980 - nothing is on my want list.

I would love to be able to collect some of the old (pre 1900) issues but they are way above my pay grade. The only specializing I do is with the modern defs such as the US long series. (flag over porch/liberty bell/etc) From one single design I can find several diff types. Printers - microprinting - perf types - peaks and valleys - straight edges (booklets and some sheets) So for quite a few there is at least 9 collectable varieties/types to look for. The "flag over porch" has well over 100 varieties/types. I think I have at least one of just about all the types. The best part is they are cheap. I don't pay high prices for single stamps. I get them all from kiloware. Anybody can buy them from a dealer. Where's the fun in that? I really must get at these and post a few examples and bore everyone to death if I get carried away. I collect in spurts. One day Canada the next day Ajman and the next US bells. Well, you get the picture. Maybe I just have a short attention span for any one topic.

Happy stamping.

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Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 15, 2019 8:06:20 GMT -5 kacyds, JanetC, and 2 more like this

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Post by angore on Dec 15, 2019 8:06:20 GMT -5

I like Machins so that says enough and consider modern series a low cost way to do some kind of specialization if that appeals to you. For older stamps, I typically limit my specialization to Scott minor varieties with some exceptions. SG has way to many color varieties for early stamps.

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Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 15, 2019 9:30:05 GMT -5 kacyds and JanetC like this

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Post by toyempire on Dec 15, 2019 9:30:05 GMT -5

I collect and enjoy them. Always surprises me how the last few of these "common" stamps you need to complete the run are often elusive and hard to find (if like me you prefer to obtain stamps from box lots,accumulations, albums and stock books instead of single purchases).

coastwatcher
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Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 15, 2019 10:44:40 GMT -5 kacyds and JanetC like this

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Post by coastwatcher on Dec 15, 2019 10:44:40 GMT -5

I collect all postage stamps....definitives, commemoratives, airmail, postage due, etc. I much prefer commemoratives, though, but a collection will never be complete without the definitives. One type of stamp that I don’t collect and have no use for are revenue stamps. If a stamp doesn’t have something to do with the transport and delivery of the mail, I don’t want it.

“The President of today is just the postage stamp of tomorrow.” ~ Gracie Allen

“What should I do? I think the best thing is to order a stamp with my face on it.“ - Charles, Emperor of Austria (1882-1922) on learning of his accession to the throne

APS #230539

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Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 15, 2019 11:32:03 GMT -5 kacyds, JanetC, and 2 more like this

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Post by stampie78 on Dec 15, 2019 11:32:03 GMT -5

Dec 15, 2019 10:44:40 GMT -5 coastwatcher said:

One type of stamp that I don’t collect and have no use for are revenue stamps. If a stamp doesn’t have something to do with the transport and delivery of the mail, I don’t want it.

In that case allow me to make your day.

US revenues.

Canadian Revenues.

coastwatcher Gone But Not Forgotten Posts: 1,447 Location (Country): Southeastern Kentucky, USA	Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 15, 2019 11:51:52 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by coastwatcher on Dec 15, 2019 11:51:52 GMT -5 stampie78, Nice stamps...for revenues that is!
	“The President of today is just the postage stamp of tomorrow.” ~ Gracie Allen “What should I do? I think the best thing is to order a stamp with my face on it.“ - Charles, Emperor of Austria (1882-1922) on learning of his accession to the throne APS #230539

zepherusbane Stamp Bears Posting Guru Posts: 2,984 Location (Country): United States	Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 16, 2019 14:37:48 GMT -5 kacyds, JanetC, and 9 more like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by zepherusbane on Dec 16, 2019 14:37:48 GMT -5 Here are some scans of the pages I created for Transportation and great American's definative series.
	Worldwide collector of stamps and covers! I gave up on limiting to only certain countries.

coastwatcher Gone But Not Forgotten Posts: 1,447 Location (Country): Southeastern Kentucky, USA	Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 17, 2019 1:17:59 GMT -5 JanetC likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by coastwatcher on Dec 17, 2019 1:17:59 GMT -5 zepherusbane, Those are some really nice pages!
	“The President of today is just the postage stamp of tomorrow.” ~ Gracie Allen “What should I do? I think the best thing is to order a stamp with my face on it.“ - Charles, Emperor of Austria (1882-1922) on learning of his accession to the throne APS #230539

stampie78
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Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!! Dec 17, 2019 10:15:54 GMT -5 kacyds, JanetC, and 1 more like this

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Post by stampie78 on Dec 17, 2019 10:15:54 GMT -5

zepherusbane, Very nice pages. I am in the process of doing something similar. I am using "Hagner" pocket pages. Sadly, I just don't have the patience to make my own as you have done. Excellent job. I use Steiner pages for most US but for the large sets/series he just puts one of each in a bunch. I want to do as you have done and put all associated stamps together (pre-cancels/regular/etc.) With my Hagner sheets I can move them around as needed. I will be posting a page when I get one finished.

Once again thanks for posting these pages, you have given me some new ideas. Too bad you can't send me some of your patience and expertise. Happy stamping.

Definitive Stamps - To Collect or NOT!!!

Post by kacyds on Dec 11, 2019 14:25:15 GMT -5

Post by guyana1230 on Dec 11, 2019 14:36:29 GMT -5

Post by stampie78 on Dec 11, 2019 14:58:47 GMT -5

Post by JanetC on Dec 11, 2019 15:02:25 GMT -5

Post by Gordon Lee on Dec 11, 2019 15:31:13 GMT -5

Post by zepherusbane on Dec 11, 2019 15:51:54 GMT -5

Post by terri on Dec 11, 2019 18:18:07 GMT -5

Post by mourningdoves on Dec 11, 2019 19:17:58 GMT -5

Post by Butterfly on Dec 11, 2019 19:53:49 GMT -5

Post by zepherusbane on Dec 12, 2019 9:04:46 GMT -5

Post by sforgca on Dec 12, 2019 13:59:01 GMT -5

Post by stampie78 on Dec 12, 2019 14:15:24 GMT -5

Post by angore on Dec 15, 2019 8:06:20 GMT -5

Post by toyempire on Dec 15, 2019 9:30:05 GMT -5

Post by coastwatcher on Dec 15, 2019 10:44:40 GMT -5

Post by stampie78 on Dec 15, 2019 11:32:03 GMT -5

Post by coastwatcher on Dec 15, 2019 11:51:52 GMT -5

Post by zepherusbane on Dec 16, 2019 14:37:48 GMT -5

Post by coastwatcher on Dec 17, 2019 1:17:59 GMT -5

Post by stampie78 on Dec 17, 2019 10:15:54 GMT -5

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