Tuesday, January 28, 2020
In 1971 my mother gave me a United States stamp book for Christmas. It probably came with a batch of stamps and she had some in an older stamp book. I happily licked the little stamp hinges after I found the correct page with the little black and white picture of the stamp.
When new stamps came out at the post office I was allowed to get one. You could also purchase stamps in the mail via approval books sent by stamp companies. I well remember picking stamps out and send back coins in the return envelope. Once I got a letter telling me not to do that. Later I was given a World album.
The US and foreign stamps taught me a lot about history, geography, and other cultures. As a kid the foreign stamp book and National Geographic maps provided hours of entertainment. I wonder whether kids today know what a simple pleasure that is.
Stamp collecting is one of those dying hobbies I suppose. That did not stop me from purchasing a set of very expensive albums to put my collection in. They have plastic holders for the stamps and have a very neat appearance. I spent the last week or so transferring stamps into the album, sorting the stamps I have, finding the correct placement. I went on Ebay and purchased a couple of things. I'd like to complete the affordable stamps (no way can I afford the ones that are hundreds or thousands of dollars each!).
The books have places for stamps from 1847 to 1984.
I know, exciting, right? But it makes me happy and reminds me of my mother, always encouraging me to learn.
When new stamps came out at the post office I was allowed to get one. You could also purchase stamps in the mail via approval books sent by stamp companies. I well remember picking stamps out and send back coins in the return envelope. Once I got a letter telling me not to do that. Later I was given a World album.
The US and foreign stamps taught me a lot about history, geography, and other cultures. As a kid the foreign stamp book and National Geographic maps provided hours of entertainment. I wonder whether kids today know what a simple pleasure that is.
Stamp collecting is one of those dying hobbies I suppose. That did not stop me from purchasing a set of very expensive albums to put my collection in. They have plastic holders for the stamps and have a very neat appearance. I spent the last week or so transferring stamps into the album, sorting the stamps I have, finding the correct placement. I went on Ebay and purchased a couple of things. I'd like to complete the affordable stamps (no way can I afford the ones that are hundreds or thousands of dollars each!).
The books have places for stamps from 1847 to 1984.
I know, exciting, right? But it makes me happy and reminds me of my mother, always encouraging me to learn.
1971 commemoratives. The four at the bottom have always been one of my favorites.
