Hello,
I also subscribe Jerry's opinion. Very wise point of view.

Pedro

wrote in message
...
Hi Jim,

Welcome to the group,

An accepted definition of philatelist is 'a collector and student of
postage stamps '. According to the definition we are all
philatelists. As once described to me a philatelist is one who
studies, or specializes, in one particular area such as a single
issue, postal history of an area, etc. A stamp collector is one who
collects stamps to place in an album without studying the details of
the stamp, production, paper, watermarks, etc..

Personally, I don't lose sleep over the issue. I collect because it is
enjoyable. If I learn something then I consider it an added plus.
Bottomline: Collect to enjoy the hobby.

Jerry B