countries that produce a LOT of stamps

daveg28
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countries that produce a LOT of stamps Jul 27, 2018 17:36:01 GMT -5 crazyquilter, khj, and 1 more like this

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Post by daveg28 on Jul 27, 2018 17:36:01 GMT -5

I'd like to start a discussion about countries that seem to have a stamp-producing industry. This came to my attention today when I decided to scroll through the stampworld.com website to try to look up a few sheets of stamps I've had for some time. The country I was searching through is Grenada. I always knew they issued a lot of stamps, but holy cow. Over the years, they have produced a LOT of stamps, with topics that really have nothing to do with Grenada. A mini sheet featuring the late Queen Mother, and claiming to commemorate the first moon landing, gave me a good chuckle.

So, what do you all think of countries that produce stamps like this? Are they a popular collecting sideline? Are they even used postally very much? Are they considered the equivalent of CTOs? Are they given no respect by serious collectors? Back when I started collecting as a kid, these kinds of stamps were fascinating. Lots of interesting topics. Now I look at them, and I laugh at the bad artwork. I can't say I'd disrespect someone who does collect them. They just aren't really my thing. Middle East countries seem to be especially "guilty" of this.

So I'll be interested to hear other people's thoughts on stamp producing countries of this type.

khj
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countries that produce a LOT of stamps Jul 27, 2018 22:41:16 GMT -5 kacyds, crazyquilter, and 2 more like this

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Post by khj on Jul 27, 2018 22:41:16 GMT -5

As a world-wide collector, as far as I'm concerned, the more the merrier -- that is, both more stamps and more collectors.

When it comes to stamps, the process/chase is more enjoyable to me than the "completion". When I complete a "specialty area", I find there is a very short-lived "joy of accomplishment", and the completed collection gets stuffed on a shelf or in a box, not to be opened for years.

This is why I returned to worldwide collecting. I like having an "active" collection.

If completion was that important to me, then I'd specialize in all stamps that show people with 6 fingers on one hand... I can't imagine spending the rest of my stamp collecting time staring at that album page for decades.

angore Master Stamp Bear Posts: 1,561	countries that produce a LOT of stamps Jul 28, 2018 5:30:29 GMT -5 crazyquilter and khj like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by angore on Jul 28, 2018 5:30:29 GMT -5 I limit my worldwide collecting to between 1970 and 1980. This was the start of the souvenir sheet craze, Disney, and Princess Diana.

darkormex
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countries that produce a LOT of stamps Jul 28, 2018 8:22:09 GMT -5 khj likes this

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Post by darkormex on Jul 28, 2018 8:22:09 GMT -5

This used to matter to me when I was younger and I was fairly judgmental of these stamp issuing countries and the collectors who bought these stamps but I really don't think it is important any longer. It is just another aspect of philately and people can collect whatever they want.

I find myself attracted to the former soviet bloc countries like Czechoslovakia, Romania and others that seem to have been the first wave of cheap, CTO stamp issuing entities...some of the artwork is very attractive like the engraved designs of Czechoslovakia and some of it is kitschy and uneven like Hungary and Romania. But in the end it is all collectible and attractive to someone, if not myself.

I am like khj, in that I enjoy the hunt/the process and I also collect worldwide but I focus on one country or one topic for a short period of time and move onto another...later I come back to what I had worked on before. Right now, with my work and family schedule, spending time with my stamps has been a pretty off and on thing with more off than on. Which is also why I haven't spent a lot of time on Stamp Bears lately.

When I do work on stamps though, and I start sorting through some sort of collection or envelope of stamps I bought on the internet, the stamps from over-producing countries are just as welcome as those obscure and rare varieties from other countries.

Darrin Lettinga

Korea Stamp Society Member #1245
No longer in denial! I collect all of it...the whole world! Just printing and mounting as I go! Call me crazy.

stampie78
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countries that produce a LOT of stamps Jul 28, 2018 9:35:56 GMT -5

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Post by stampie78 on Jul 28, 2018 9:35:56 GMT -5

Jul 27, 2018 22:41:16 GMT -5 khj said:

As a world-wide collector, as far as I'm concerned, the more the merrier -- that is, both more stamps and more collectors.

When it comes to stamps, the process/chase is more enjoyable to me than the "completion". When I complete a "specialty area", I find there is a very short-lived "joy of accomplishment", and the completed collection gets stuffed on a shelf or in a box, not to be opened for years.

This is why I returned to worldwide collecting. I like having an "active" collection.

If completion was that important to me, then I'd specialize in all stamps that show people with 6 fingers on one hand... I can't imagine spending the rest of my stamp collecting time staring at that album page for decades.

With the "6 fingers on one hand" reference, I assume you are talking about the FDR issue from Monaco. That would be a rather boring collection but at least you wouldn't have to spend years searching for examples.

stampie78
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countries that produce a LOT of stamps Jul 28, 2018 9:48:04 GMT -5

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Post by stampie78 on Jul 28, 2018 9:48:04 GMT -5

Jul 27, 2018 17:36:01 GMT -5 daveg28 said:

I'd like to start a discussion about countries that seem to have a stamp-producing industry. This came to my attention today when I decided to scroll through the stampworld.com website to try to look up a few sheets of stamps I've had for some time. The country I was searching through is Grenada. I always knew they issued a lot of stamps, but holy cow. Over the years, they have produced a LOT of stamps, with topics that really have nothing to do with Grenada. A mini sheet featuring the late Queen Mother, and claiming to commemorate the first moon landing, gave me a good chuckle.

So, what do you all think of countries that produce stamps like this? Are they a popular collecting sideline? Are they even used postally very much? Are they considered the equivalent of CTOs? Are they given no respect by serious collectors? Back when I started collecting as a kid, these kinds of stamps were fascinating. Lots of interesting topics. Now I look at them, and I laugh at the bad artwork. I can't say I'd disrespect someone who does collect them. They just aren't really my thing. Middle East countries seem to be especially "guilty" of this.

So I'll be interested to hear other people's thoughts on stamp producing countries of this type.

Sometimes I wonder if a lot of these stamps ever get to the country they represent. I think the printers send just a token amount to the respective country just to make them legitimate. I have stamps from just about all of these small countries (the odd one will be actually used) who seem to issue a stamp or set of stamps (plus the obligatory souvenir sheet) on a weekly basis. I only have them because they came in a box lot or part of another auction lot. I will try to get stamps up to 1960 which I consider legitimate issues for most. After that they went crazy with their new printing machines. As you mentioned some are very well done and some look like they were done by a kid in kindergarten art class. The so called "Sand Dune" countries of the middle east are good examples of overkill, even for the most prolific stamp collector. Happy stamping.

stampie78
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countries that produce a LOT of stamps Jul 28, 2018 9:53:36 GMT -5 khj likes this

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Post by stampie78 on Jul 28, 2018 9:53:36 GMT -5

Jul 28, 2018 5:30:29 GMT -5 angore said:

I limit my worldwide collecting to between 1970 and 1980. This was the start of the souvenir sheet craze, Disney, and Princess Diana.

I limit my collecting field from 1840 (penny black) to yesterday. Selected countries and items of course. If I tried for completion I would be homeless and on the street. It's impossible. One has to pick their areas, countries or topics and stick to that. Never let anyone else tell you what you should collect. It's your hobby so you should enjoy it the way you want to. Happy stamping.

stampie78
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countries that produce a LOT of stamps Jul 28, 2018 10:03:56 GMT -5 khj likes this

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Post by stampie78 on Jul 28, 2018 10:03:56 GMT -5

Jul 28, 2018 8:22:09 GMT -5 darkormex said:

This used to matter to me when I was younger and I was fairly judgmental of these stamp issuing countries and the collectors who bought these stamps but I really don't think it is important any longer. It is just another aspect of philately and people can collect whatever they want.

I find myself attracted to the former soviet bloc countries like Czechoslovakia, Romania and others that seem to have been the first wave of cheap, CTO stamp issuing entities...some of the artwork is very attractive like the engraved designs of Czechoslovakia and some of it is kitschy and uneven like Hungary and Romania. But in the end it is all collectible and attractive to someone, if not myself.

I am like khj , in that I enjoy the hunt/the process and I also collect worldwide but I focus on one country or one topic for a short period of time and move onto another...later I come back to what I had worked on before. Right now, with my work and family schedule, spending time with my stamps has been a pretty off and on thing with more off than on. Which is also why I haven't spent a lot of time on Stamp Bears lately.

When I do work on stamps though, and I start sorting through some sort of collection or envelope of stamps I bought on the internet, the stamps from over-producing countries are just as welcome as those obscure and rare varieties from other countries.

You and khj seem to have the same collecting habits as I do. I bounce from subject to subject, country to country on a whim. I find US difinitives are a great pastime. There are so many issues of recent years from "flag over porch" to current issues that only have one design but have many collectable varieties. I pick up a few from a mix sort them and put away till I get next mix. Still working on sets from 20 years ago.

youpiao
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countries that produce a LOT of stamps Jul 28, 2018 22:31:57 GMT -5 jonesy likes this

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Post by youpiao on Jul 28, 2018 22:31:57 GMT -5

Jul 27, 2018 22:41:16 GMT -5 khj said:

When it comes to stamps, the process/chase is more enjoyable to me than the "completion". When I complete a "specialty area", I find there is a very short-lived "joy of accomplishment", and the completed collection gets stuffed on a shelf or in a box, not to be opened for years.

Stamps - the bear necessities of life.

ignacio New Member Posts: 7	countries that produce a LOT of stamps Aug 16, 2018 11:34:43 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by ignacio on Aug 16, 2018 11:34:43 GMT -5 Japan and France are issuing 500 stamps every year...

jonesy Super Stamp Bear Stamp Bears Supporter Posts: 570	countries that produce a LOT of stamps Aug 14, 2019 11:36:02 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by jonesy on Aug 14, 2019 11:36:02 GMT -5 Aug 16, 2018 11:34:43 GMT -5 ignacio said: Japan and France are issuing 500 stamps every year... That is for the 500 people that were able to leave.

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countries that produce a LOT of stamps Aug 14, 2019 11:48:44 GMT -5 angore and youpiao like this

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Post by jonesy on Aug 14, 2019 11:48:44 GMT -5

In all seriousness though... I am still going through my great grandfathers collection. Sorting it all out as it were and taking inventory. I am selling off some of the items so that the collection is the only thing I "have" to do today

Though, in all truth, I think... no, I know, I am spending more than I am making on adding new bits and pieces. I have purchased several kiloware lots lately for my kids to go through and sort by country. I am then going through those one by one and filling in blank spots in the collection. Too many ways to consider how or what to collect. I love the chase of the stamps in the collection and my wife likes to go through with all of the persnickety stuff in "absolute" identification and placement. She will work for several hours on just one stamp. She goes through all of the literature on the stamp and the background of it, number printed, and postmarked where and when, then catalogue it in the new book we are putting together now. I am still trying to decide what system or catalogue pages I would like and keep thinking I might create my own. I did like the Steiner pages Zepherusbne and guyana1230 hooked me up with. Those work really nicely for the GB collection. I am able to fill most all of the pages, especially the pre 1970s or pre-decimal. Working a lot on Canada too but Hungary Romania and a few of the other mega producers are still entertained and collected. its just some envelopes are thicker than others and some have their own boxes as there are so bloody many

Then again, I have never met a stamp I did not like. I do like the Souvie sheets and have recently started picking up a bunch of FDCs. It madness I know, but I have the bug...

I remember posting on the Shoutbox a month or so ago about a photo I saw that I thought was a watermark... turned out to be a bloody carpet...

Yup... thats when you know you've got a problem

Enjoy.

Jonesy

countries that produce a LOT of stamps

Post by daveg28 on Jul 27, 2018 17:36:01 GMT -5

Post by khj on Jul 27, 2018 22:41:16 GMT -5

Post by angore on Jul 28, 2018 5:30:29 GMT -5

Post by darkormex on Jul 28, 2018 8:22:09 GMT -5

Post by stampie78 on Jul 28, 2018 9:35:56 GMT -5

Post by stampie78 on Jul 28, 2018 9:48:04 GMT -5

Post by stampie78 on Jul 28, 2018 9:53:36 GMT -5

Post by stampie78 on Jul 28, 2018 10:03:56 GMT -5

Post by youpiao on Jul 28, 2018 22:31:57 GMT -5

Post by ignacio on Aug 16, 2018 11:34:43 GMT -5

Post by jonesy on Aug 14, 2019 11:36:02 GMT -5

Post by jonesy on Aug 14, 2019 11:48:44 GMT -5

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