Stamps

I don't know why I started collecting stamps, maybe because tea cards were on the way out? Who knows. But I did and I bought them at Boots, yes back in the day, Boots the chemist sold more than just medicines.

I remember buying sets of stamps from Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah because they were pretty stamps and interesting sets. I've had a browse around the 'net but the stamps I have seen don't ring any bells so I can't really show you what it was that helped plant the seed. I didn't have a clue where these places were apart from probably somewhere in the Middle East. I collected them until I was about 18 when I had the collection well and truly nicked along with my entire book collection. This sort of knocked the collecting bug on the head for quite a bit.

I have come back to it though.

Maybe I am a bit of a snob. I don't mean better than anyone else, I mean I have firm ideas on what should and shouldn't be on a stamp - I think stamps should reflect a country's history and people. I don't think that GB should release stamps celebrating Disney, for example.

What should be on a stamp though? Now that is not an easy question to answer.

Take our (GB that is) Machins - you know the Queen's head only stamps. Some would say that is enough and we don't need anything else. But, she won't live forever and I can guarantee (probably) that the Royal mail are already considering the replacement. Who will be on it is anyone's guess just now but again (I guarantee) not everyone will like it or be happy with it.

I know I'll be happy with it as there will only be a small number to collect. Not like the pile of 1st class stamps that have been released this year already, none of which I've yet to see on a piece of post. I'll fix this later and surprise you all with the number but for now I'll leave you guessing. And I'll bet you're not even close.

So what pleases me?

I'm glad you asked.

I don't collect thematics although I have looked on-line to find U-boat stamps, I do have some Winter Olympic themed stamps but in general, I don't collect them.

I do like Germany be it German States, Reich, Berlin, DDR or West Germany. I also have a soft spot for GB, although I am somewhat hyper-critical of the tripe that is sometimes put out by RM. I also have a liking for Austria, a very strong liking. I have considered a yodel theme but, sadly, I have never seen or heard of a yodel stamp. Time will tell - I've seen cloth stamps, 3D stamps, stamps impregnated with wood, stone, jewels, stamps that change colour, so maybe a stamp that yodels when you rub it might be on the cards.

Anyway, that's the why's and what's, I'll post the things I like and then some of the things you'll be unlikely to see. I'll have a think about posting the crap.

Finally, whether you agree with me or not or just want to say, "Ah, what braw", feel free to leave a comment.