Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Give the theme a rest! face the facts! all you need is a sharp scissors and steady hand and you have the stamp w/o any wrinkles.
I followed some of the "hints" given by many "experts", soapy-cold-water, benzine, CocaCola, Pepsi, nail color remover, and on and on to NO success.
Sometimes we have to accept, and like the tons of new issues w/o any historical value but the clear purpose of draining the pockets of "I have to have it! collectors" and solid history background (Mickey Mouse doesn't have it) is a total waste of time and a source of frustration for us and a sense of "well being" by the ever greeder USPS at collector's expense.
Peace,
Avi
APS# 104143
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Luis,
I believe that you are right in the sense that we are not going to force a change at USPS; although there's occasional lip service, the evidence is overwhelming that they do not care about collectors even though many of their products are aimed solely at collectors.
I believe that you are wrong in attempting to quiet those who would have it their way. They point to collecting principles being violated by the USPS (paper technology that results in unsoakable stamps; meaningless PNCs; encroachment on FDC cachet makers; stamps with limited distribution; and philatelic windows nearing extinction) all of which have negative impacts on current collectors and none of which is likely to draw new ones. There may be short-term gain from some efforts, but most will drive people away from some, or all, collecting areas and either into others (say pre-soviet era Latvia; cover collecting) or out of stamp collecting entirely.
I reiterate what you would have remain quiet because we collectors are often trying to think of new ways to bring in new collectors; now our attentions seemed focused inward, toward the diminishment of several elements, simultaneously, of the hobby we love.
Yes, people COULD collect stamps on piece or cover, but why should they be forced to do so in spite of 165 year tradition.
David
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David: I agree with you but "lip service" never worked, does not work and will not work with a "monster" called "The Officials of USPS"; the real meaning behind my comment was is no USE to complain, thigs will never change.
Last week I received ONE only ONE commemorative stamp, from another philatelist! So "John every day" buys booklets and it's become 99% of the regular non-philatelic mail I receive.
Hugs my friend, nice talking with you!
Avi (LuisM)
Hoboken NJ
p/d Maybe the ONLY thing we can do is NOT TO BUY THE NEW UNWASHABLE COMMEMORATIVES, so they get back their load of millions of stamps, also you and I know THAT will never happen!
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We must face a truth: USPS and Canada Post as well are corporations with the primary goal of making a lot of money. Stamp collectors represent a minuscule percentage of overall sales of postage and services. Both corporations would continue to thrive even if every collector stopped purchasing stamps, and would not significantly change their stamp-production practices if every collector started using only commemorative stamps. People like self-adhesive stamps and will continue to prefer them over stamps with water-activated gum. I use them myself on club mailings simply because I don't wish to spend an extra half hour applying postage. Often, there aren't even any "regular" stamps available.
As far as the quality of contemporary stamps goes: Are we surprised? How many commodities of any sort are actually better than their counterparts were in our youth? Precious few. I suspect that the poor printing quality and poor paper are the end results of using "hi-tech" equipment as cheaply as possible. Gone are the days when craftsmen -- artists, engravers, journeymen printers, and papermakers -- took pride in their products. Stamps are now produced by the lowest bidder, and we all know what that too often leads to.
I think that this is one situation in which one just has to roll with the punches. It's not that there aren't lots of stamps to collect. One could just go ahead and develop a great exhibit/collection illustrating the decline and fall of postage stamp production.
Bob
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Luis, Bob,
I believe that your collective point is that "we can't win." And I agree. That doesn't mean that we ought not to be heard. USPS marketing ought to know why we stop buying mint stamps for our collections or why no longer bother using USPS priority mail when UPS cost about the same, picks up, and insures at no extra charge.
I rail at the inconsistency of it: saying nonsolluable stamps are produced to cut costs then printing prestige booklets and stamps that will never see the light of day (the 2 varieties of the 25c eagle presort WAG stamps), never mind the huge salary increases they just awarded themselves. I rail at stamps issued for collectors but produced and distributed in ways that collectors don't want. I actually think it would be better if they simply ignore us altogether and simply made stamps and delivered the mail and never said a single kind word as if they cared.
I just don't like companies that talk out of more than one side of a mouth.
And I do think they should hear from us.
David
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David and Bob:
I really had a laugh, you took the words out of my mouth (sometimes foul but clear and to the point)I went to the General PO of Hoboken, they have a "door opener" for people with disabilities,mothers with strollers, elderly people because the door weight 2 tons!
Well to make a long story short, I went and the door opener wasn't working so I went and spoke with the whoever is his name assistant PostMaster, "Oh" he said "I'll look into that!", passed 1 week, 2 weeks and finally I wrote a letter to the Post Master of Hoboken's GPO. Got a few words explaining he had nothing to do with that problem, "you are dealing with a Federal Orgazanization contact your politicos or write to the Post Master General" NO signature.
So, just to bust chops I wrote the guy as "Mr.No name PM" After repeating all of above I recommended he took some classes in letter writing etiquette, a signature is the representation of the individual behind the "title".
Oh well 3 months later I have the door opener operating, for how long? Who knows!
Hugs,
LuisM
APS#104143
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I do agree with the difficulties of washing off the self-adhesives stamps.
On the other hand, I am not willing to put "stamps on paper" in my collection. So let me tell you what I do. That may be of help to someone...
First I soak the stamps in water with a little detergent (shampoo, or dish washer) for a couple off hours. If you are lucky some will come off directly. For the others, I try to peel them off the paper pushing gently. If some paper still sticks on the back, I don't care, but I try to clear the perforations. If occasional pieces of paper that don't come off remain in the middle of the stamps I use them this way, as what matters to me is the front of the stamps and not the back.
One other point to care is about drying the stamps. The best thing is to put them on a towel paper face-down. Don't cover them with other paper as some glue adhesive may remain! When dry, if still sticky, use talc to neutralize it.
It's a bit of a job for each stamp! So, just wash those you want for your collection (no point washing all the duplicates!) Never use benzine or similar solvents: they may damage the stamps by disolving the colours, and your health as most are cancerigec!
I always remember that collecting stamps is just for fun, and the longer you need to have your fun, the better.
Cheers to all, Miguel
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10:25:30am
CONCLUSION REGARDING WASHING THE NEW STAMPS. DON'T DO IT! ACCEPT THAT FACT OF LIFE. LYNN'S WASTED ANOTHER PAGE ON THE "SAME THEME REGARDING WASHING THE 'NEW' STAMPS".
Give the theme a rest! face the facts! all you need is a sharp scissors and steady hand and you have the stamp w/o any wrinkles.
I followed some of the "hints" given by many "experts", soapy-cold-water, benzine, CocaCola, Pepsi, nail color remover, and on and on to NO success.
Sometimes we have to accept, and like the tons of new issues w/o any historical value but the clear purpose of draining the pockets of "I have to have it! collectors" and solid history background (Mickey Mouse doesn't have it) is a total waste of time and a source of frustration for us and a sense of "well being" by the ever greeder USPS at collector's expense.
Peace,
Avi
APS# 104143
Login to Like
this post
02:54:21pm
re: Aren't you sick and tired of beating the same dead horse!
Luis,
I believe that you are right in the sense that we are not going to force a change at USPS; although there's occasional lip service, the evidence is overwhelming that they do not care about collectors even though many of their products are aimed solely at collectors.
I believe that you are wrong in attempting to quiet those who would have it their way. They point to collecting principles being violated by the USPS (paper technology that results in unsoakable stamps; meaningless PNCs; encroachment on FDC cachet makers; stamps with limited distribution; and philatelic windows nearing extinction) all of which have negative impacts on current collectors and none of which is likely to draw new ones. There may be short-term gain from some efforts, but most will drive people away from some, or all, collecting areas and either into others (say pre-soviet era Latvia; cover collecting) or out of stamp collecting entirely.
I reiterate what you would have remain quiet because we collectors are often trying to think of new ways to bring in new collectors; now our attentions seemed focused inward, toward the diminishment of several elements, simultaneously, of the hobby we love.
Yes, people COULD collect stamps on piece or cover, but why should they be forced to do so in spite of 165 year tradition.
David
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this post
11:30:26am
re: Aren't you sick and tired of beating the same dead horse!
David: I agree with you but "lip service" never worked, does not work and will not work with a "monster" called "The Officials of USPS"; the real meaning behind my comment was is no USE to complain, thigs will never change.
Last week I received ONE only ONE commemorative stamp, from another philatelist! So "John every day" buys booklets and it's become 99% of the regular non-philatelic mail I receive.
Hugs my friend, nice talking with you!
Avi (LuisM)
Hoboken NJ
p/d Maybe the ONLY thing we can do is NOT TO BUY THE NEW UNWASHABLE COMMEMORATIVES, so they get back their load of millions of stamps, also you and I know THAT will never happen!
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01:01:48pm
re: Aren't you sick and tired of beating the same dead horse!
We must face a truth: USPS and Canada Post as well are corporations with the primary goal of making a lot of money. Stamp collectors represent a minuscule percentage of overall sales of postage and services. Both corporations would continue to thrive even if every collector stopped purchasing stamps, and would not significantly change their stamp-production practices if every collector started using only commemorative stamps. People like self-adhesive stamps and will continue to prefer them over stamps with water-activated gum. I use them myself on club mailings simply because I don't wish to spend an extra half hour applying postage. Often, there aren't even any "regular" stamps available.
As far as the quality of contemporary stamps goes: Are we surprised? How many commodities of any sort are actually better than their counterparts were in our youth? Precious few. I suspect that the poor printing quality and poor paper are the end results of using "hi-tech" equipment as cheaply as possible. Gone are the days when craftsmen -- artists, engravers, journeymen printers, and papermakers -- took pride in their products. Stamps are now produced by the lowest bidder, and we all know what that too often leads to.
I think that this is one situation in which one just has to roll with the punches. It's not that there aren't lots of stamps to collect. One could just go ahead and develop a great exhibit/collection illustrating the decline and fall of postage stamp production.
Bob
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this post
01:30:01pm
re: Aren't you sick and tired of beating the same dead horse!
Luis, Bob,
I believe that your collective point is that "we can't win." And I agree. That doesn't mean that we ought not to be heard. USPS marketing ought to know why we stop buying mint stamps for our collections or why no longer bother using USPS priority mail when UPS cost about the same, picks up, and insures at no extra charge.
I rail at the inconsistency of it: saying nonsolluable stamps are produced to cut costs then printing prestige booklets and stamps that will never see the light of day (the 2 varieties of the 25c eagle presort WAG stamps), never mind the huge salary increases they just awarded themselves. I rail at stamps issued for collectors but produced and distributed in ways that collectors don't want. I actually think it would be better if they simply ignore us altogether and simply made stamps and delivered the mail and never said a single kind word as if they cared.
I just don't like companies that talk out of more than one side of a mouth.
And I do think they should hear from us.
David
Login to Like
this post
11:31:00pm
re: Aren't you sick and tired of beating the same dead horse!
David and Bob:
I really had a laugh, you took the words out of my mouth (sometimes foul but clear and to the point)I went to the General PO of Hoboken, they have a "door opener" for people with disabilities,mothers with strollers, elderly people because the door weight 2 tons!
Well to make a long story short, I went and the door opener wasn't working so I went and spoke with the whoever is his name assistant PostMaster, "Oh" he said "I'll look into that!", passed 1 week, 2 weeks and finally I wrote a letter to the Post Master of Hoboken's GPO. Got a few words explaining he had nothing to do with that problem, "you are dealing with a Federal Orgazanization contact your politicos or write to the Post Master General" NO signature.
So, just to bust chops I wrote the guy as "Mr.No name PM" After repeating all of above I recommended he took some classes in letter writing etiquette, a signature is the representation of the individual behind the "title".
Oh well 3 months later I have the door opener operating, for how long? Who knows!
Hugs,
LuisM
APS#104143
Login to Like
this post
09:15:23am
re: Aren't you sick and tired of beating the same dead horse!
I do agree with the difficulties of washing off the self-adhesives stamps.
On the other hand, I am not willing to put "stamps on paper" in my collection. So let me tell you what I do. That may be of help to someone...
First I soak the stamps in water with a little detergent (shampoo, or dish washer) for a couple off hours. If you are lucky some will come off directly. For the others, I try to peel them off the paper pushing gently. If some paper still sticks on the back, I don't care, but I try to clear the perforations. If occasional pieces of paper that don't come off remain in the middle of the stamps I use them this way, as what matters to me is the front of the stamps and not the back.
One other point to care is about drying the stamps. The best thing is to put them on a towel paper face-down. Don't cover them with other paper as some glue adhesive may remain! When dry, if still sticky, use talc to neutralize it.
It's a bit of a job for each stamp! So, just wash those you want for your collection (no point washing all the duplicates!) Never use benzine or similar solvents: they may damage the stamps by disolving the colours, and your health as most are cancerigec!
I always remember that collecting stamps is just for fun, and the longer you need to have your fun, the better.
Cheers to all, Miguel
Login to Like
this post