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#1
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Stamp Collecting future?
I just returned from a local stamp bourse. To be honest it looked
more like a gathering of the AARP (Assoc. of Retired People). I feel safe to believe that the only person there under the age of 40 was a young girl who was obviously with her stamp dealer dad (wether she collects... only dad can know for sure). It seems to me to be a sad view of our hobby, but there it is. It becomes more and more obvious as time goes on that the young generations are not the least bit interested in spite of all the gimmics, childish stamp subjects and advertising. I've written it before that new collectors are probably more likely to be recruited from the older generations (about 40 years old and up). We are getting at that age to be more sedate and a hobby that fits into that is good. We have more money to spend on hobbies since we find the fads, fashions, & such less appealing. Lots of reasons really... older people are more interested in learning, using their minds, etc. They are quite likely looking for things that don't demand any more time than they are willing to give, relaxing, doesn't take up room, can be shared with spouse, as cheap or expensive as you want, can easily tie in topically with other interests, is a quiet pasttime and many other things. Change the slogan to "Introduce a senior citizen to stamp collecting". Young people just aren't interested. Dave (just an opinion & I have many of them too) |
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#2
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On Sun, 02 Nov 2003 17:10:52 GMT, "Dave"
wrote: I just returned from a local stamp bourse. To be honest it looked more like a gathering of the AARP (Assoc. of Retired People). I feel safe to believe that the only person there under the age of 40 was a young girl who was obviously with her stamp dealer dad (wether she collects... only dad can know for sure). It seems to me to be a sad view of our hobby, but there it is. It becomes more and more obvious as time goes on that the young generations are not the least bit interested in spite of all the gimmics, childish stamp subjects and advertising. I've written it before that new collectors are probably more likely to be recruited from the older generations (about 40 years old and up). We are getting at that age to be more sedate and a hobby that fits into that is good. We have more money to spend on hobbies since we find the fads, fashions, & such less appealing. Lots of reasons really... older people are more interested in learning, using their minds, etc. They are quite likely looking for things that don't demand any more time than they are willing to give, relaxing, doesn't take up room, can be shared with spouse, as cheap or expensive as you want, can easily tie in topically with other interests, is a quiet pasttime and many other things. Change the slogan to "Introduce a senior citizen to stamp collecting". Young people just aren't interested. Dave (just an opinion & I have many of them too) Just one stamp bourse does not a hobby make... :^) Overall, the "control" of the hobby comes from the 40-somethings and on up. I still do not believe the hobby is dead. Sooner or later, those 40+ somethings will pass the biz on to their heirs. They too may be 40+ somethings. Many kids today still apsire to the same dreams as we did as kids back then. We didn't have the play toys they have now. (I would've loved to have had a 2 GHz PC when I was 5.) The world is also changing at a breakneck speed. There are still many people out there who have been taking detours on the Information Superhighway, to stop into rest areas where there are other stamp collectors. Further, even despite nasty drops of younger clientele to xBox and other fancy games, they also use the 'Net to surf for stamp related goodies - something I never had a chance to do when I was a kid. I dunno... until the Big, Fat Lady (sorry ladies!) sings her last opera, I'm one to believe the hobby is still alive and kicking. Tracy Barber |
#3
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"Dave" wrote in message ... snippage Change the slogan to "Introduce a senior citizen to stamp collecting". Young people just aren't interested. Dave, I still have quite a ways to go before I am a senior citizen. You know I do take my daughter (3.5) to stamp shows and stuff, and I think the future of our hobby really depends on a focus on the youth. The problem is that there is a age range where the demands of life are just to great to get into or maintain a hobby like collecting. Heck I wish I had more time to work at it, but life is demanding. Regardless, the ones that collect in their older years likely also collected when they were younger. It is a rare bird that doesn't take a break when girls or boys start to look better than a perforated edge. Heck if this were not true we might have died out as a species leaving only our collections for the next emerging sapients to find. Also the structures we enjoy as older collectors might be intimidating for younger people. I have been surprised as to how many of my younger parishoners (I pastor a church) actually collected at some point in their lives. Those are the guys that once they get settled into married life will pull out their collections (like I did) and find a hobby that will relax their minds and spirits. But without people like me to get them to the clubs, they just are not aware of what is out there. They assume that the hobby died off. They look for stores to buy supplies and find, like I did, that the supplies are now relegated to a small corner of the store dominated by coins and other collectables. Now later on I did find an honest to goodness stamp store, but not really close to my house. At our club there is one guy younger than me. There is a gap to the next guy as well. But our club has resisted setting up a website - the primary means that anyone my age or younger would find the club. If anything I think there is not enough marketing aimed at younger audiences. my 2 cents, Frank |
#4
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On Sun, 2 Nov 2003 13:20:03 -0500, "Frank Emanuel"
wrote: "Dave" wrote in message .. . snippage Change the slogan to "Introduce a senior citizen to stamp collecting". Young people just aren't interested. Dave, I still have quite a ways to go before I am a senior citizen. You know I do take my daughter (3.5) to stamp shows and stuff, and I think the future of our hobby really depends on a focus on the youth. The problem is that there is a age range where the demands of life are just to great to get into or maintain a hobby like collecting. Heck I wish I had more time to work at it, but life is demanding. Regardless, the ones that collect in their older years likely also collected when they were younger. It is a rare bird that doesn't take a break when girls or boys start to look better than a perforated edge. Heck if this were not true we might have died out as a species leaving only our collections for the next emerging sapients to find. Also the structures we enjoy as older collectors might be intimidating for younger people. I have been surprised as to how many of my younger parishoners (I pastor a church) actually collected at some point in their lives. Those are the guys that once they get settled into married life will pull out their collections (like I did) and find a hobby that will relax their minds and spirits. But without people like me to get them to the clubs, they just are not aware of what is out there. They assume that the hobby died off. They look for stores to buy supplies and find, like I did, that the supplies are now relegated to a small corner of the store dominated by coins and other collectables. Now later on I did find an honest to goodness stamp store, but not really close to my house. At our club there is one guy younger than me. There is a gap to the next guy as well. But our club has resisted setting up a website - the primary means that anyone my age or younger would find the club. If anything I think there is not enough marketing aimed at younger audiences. That was one of the primary purposes of my "Freebie Stamp Project". Internet only, specific web sites only for any type of promotion. Promote, it has! We tend to think of the 'Net as something to take away from those hobbies, but in fact, it does support them quite well. Moreso than when I first started collecting. Computers? Comshmuters! I have been focusing my attentions via the 'Net and collecting. I suppose, though, soon enough - I'll join a local stamp club. :^) Tracy Barber |
#5
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Tracy Barber wrote in message
... On Sun, 02 Nov 2003 17:10:52 GMT, "Dave" wrote: I just returned from a local stamp bourse. To be honest it looked more like a gathering of the AARP (Assoc. of Retired People). I feel safe to believe that the only person there under the age of 40 was a young girl who was obviously with her stamp dealer dad (wether she collects... only dad can know for sure). It seems to me to be a sad view of our hobby, but there it is. It becomes more and more obvious as time goes on that the young generations are not the least bit interested in spite of all the gimmics, childish stamp subjects and advertising. I've written it before that new collectors are probably more likely to be recruited from the older generations (about 40 years old and up). We are getting at that age to be more sedate and a hobby that fits into that is good. We have more money to spend on hobbies since we find the fads, fashions, & such less appealing. Lots of reasons really... older people are more interested in learning, using their minds, etc. They are quite likely looking for things that don't demand any more time than they are willing to give, relaxing, doesn't take up room, can be shared with spouse, as cheap or expensive as you want, can easily tie in topically with other interests, is a quiet pasttime and many other things. Change the slogan to "Introduce a senior citizen to stamp collecting". Young people just aren't interested. Dave (just an opinion & I have many of them too) Just one stamp bourse does not a hobby make... :^) Overall, the "control" of the hobby comes from the 40-somethings and on up. I still do not believe the hobby is dead. Sooner or later, those 40+ somethings will pass the biz on to their heirs. They too may be 40+ somethings. Many kids today still apsire to the same dreams as we did as kids back then. We didn't have the play toys they have now. (I would've loved to have had a 2 GHz PC when I was 5.) The world is also changing at a breakneck speed. There are still many people out there who have been taking detours on the Information Superhighway, to stop into rest areas where there are other stamp collectors. Further, even despite nasty drops of younger clientele to xBox and other fancy games, they also use the 'Net to surf for stamp related goodies - something I never had a chance to do when I was a kid. I dunno... until the Big, Fat Lady (sorry ladies!) sings her last opera, I'm one to believe the hobby is still alive and kicking. Well, Tracy, here's the lady singing, and it's not opera, and I'm not fat either :^P I can only say that Dave's experience is not mine. Here in Denmark kids are mighty interested, and more and more young collectors join the clubs, both the general clubs and the more specialized. In my own Slania-club of some 60 people there are 3 Danes, all below 25. In my art-club with 100+ members there are about 15 below 25. I believe that in the end it is a question of inspiring the young generations and sort of doing things (also) their way, not only what we elders are used to, or the way we find it right. The young ones are eager to learn, and often connect stamp collecting with their other hobbies -- it's not just a question of a nice passtime; very often they see a wider perspective in their way of collecting. Mette |
#6
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"Tracy Barber" wrote in message ... I have been focusing my attentions via the 'Net and collecting. I suppose, though, soon enough - I'll join a local stamp club. :^) The local stamp club is one of those things that has a amazing potential and takes the hobby from a solitary pursuit to a brilliant social masterpiece. This NG is somewhat of a surrogate local stamp club. It does lack some of the features, but the collective knowledge in this NG is astounding. But astounding too is the amount of knowledge in the local club. Where else can philatelic generations meet without the deliberate agenda of trading stamps? At the club one is able to really mine the depth of knowledge and build deep relationships around common interests. The club is a funny place too. The cliques form and are evidenced by who sits where. You will find me at the end with the nickle a stamp guys looking for bargains, pouring over books. Across the way the Brits (those who are Brits and those who collect British Stamps exclusively) sit around talking about their areas of expertise while maybe thumbing through a box of covers. These groups represent the two ends of our horseshoe setup, there are several other special cliques respresented all around the room. I have tried to jump into several of these groups but always end up back at the nickle end buying for the many holes in my colletion and joking around with my friends. I hope that everyone in the hobby at least gets to try out a club. I had an older gentleman (my father in law) introduce me to my club in Ottawa, when I was in Truro I also made it to a few club meetings as a youth. There is no place like it (good as this NG is) and it really completes the hobby - if I might be so bold in saying. Frank |
#7
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On Sun, 2 Nov 2003 14:45:14 -0500, "Frank Emanuel"
wrote: "Tracy Barber" wrote in message ... I have been focusing my attentions via the 'Net and collecting. I suppose, though, soon enough - I'll join a local stamp club. :^) The local stamp club is one of those things that has a amazing potential and takes the hobby from a solitary pursuit to a brilliant social masterpiece. Not from some people we've heard from here. :^) What makes an on-line club much different, if everyone can chat at the same time? Other than seeing everyone and physically touching the "goods", not much. This NG is somewhat of a surrogate local stamp club. It does lack some of the features, but the collective knowledge in this NG is astounding. Yes, it is. Toss in a few mailing lists that I'm on and that doubles and triples the amount of knowledge. But astounding too is the amount of knowledge in the local club. Where else can philatelic generations meet without the deliberate agenda of trading stamps? At the club one is able to really mine the depth of knowledge and build deep relationships around common interests. Can be done here on the 'Net as well. I have made some seriously honest friendships with people all over the world. That is something one cannot do in a local meeting. I'm sure that if one of them showed up on my doorstep today, I'd do what I could to accomodate them and I'm sure that they'd do the same for me. All because of our interests in the hobby. The club is a funny place too. The cliques form and are evidenced by who sits where. You will find me at the end with the nickle a stamp guys looking for bargains, pouring over books. Across the way the Brits (those who are Brits and those who collect British Stamps exclusively) sit around talking about their areas of expertise while maybe thumbing through a box of covers. These groups represent the two ends of our horseshoe setup, there are several other special cliques respresented all around the room. I have tried to jump into several of these groups but always end up back at the nickle end buying for the many holes in my colletion and joking around with my friends. Cliques form on the 'Net also. I've seen that happen over the years. It's not as quickly identified, but it it seen over time. I've been to some stamp club meetings, I'm not a total novice. :^) But, I haven't had the goods ready for a stamp club yet. I think this will change over time, when I'm much more organized. I've been working on this for the past 2 - 3 years now. I hope that everyone in the hobby at least gets to try out a club. I had an older gentleman (my father in law) introduce me to my club in Ottawa, when I was in Truro I also made it to a few club meetings as a youth. There is no place like it (good as this NG is) and it really completes the hobby - if I might be so bold in saying. It's like many other groups. They have a focus, a purpose and that's why people join them, attend meetings and get involved. This ng is a wee bit different than anything in "real life". It's a mix between e-mail and a chat board. I've seen days where some of us would be on-line here and the response was that of a pseudo-chat board! I haven't seen that in a while though... Everything has its place. The 'Net has just started to open the door to many new ways of expanding the local club scene to an international club scene. I can envision several clubs, all over the world, doing a NetMeeting conference with audio & video support through the 'Net. Other than distance, this would be an extension of the "club". People could display their wares in real time to other clubs. I like the closeness of face-to-face as well as the long distance friendships I have worked on... Tracy Barber |
#8
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Tracy Barber wrote in message
... On Sun, 2 Nov 2003 20:03:50 +0100, "Mette" wrote: Tracy Barber wrote in message ... - snip - Well, Tracy, here's the lady singing, and it's not opera, and I'm not fat either :^P Well, well, well... ok. So, why are you singing then? :^) Why shouldn't I be singing :-) Seen from my little corner of the world our hobby is well, alive, and still going strong :-) I can only say that Dave's experience is not mine. Here in Denmark kids are mighty interested, and more and more young collectors join the clubs, both the general clubs and the more specialized. In my own Slania-club of some 60 people there are 3 Danes, all below 25. In my art-club with 100+ members there are about 15 below 25. I believe that in the end it is a question of inspiring the young generations and sort of doing things (also) their way, not only what we elders are used to, or the way we find it right. The young ones are eager to learn, and often connect stamp collecting with their other hobbies -- it's not just a question of a nice passtime; very often they see a wider perspective in their way of collecting. Further, the OLD ways of counting / categorizing people is no longer relevent as the driving force(s) in the hobby. No, thank God for that! Newer ways of hooking up those numbers are through the intangible internet, where everyone can stay at home and do pretty much the same thing as if in person. Exactly, and that's one of their ways of combining. When they get tired of pc-games, they turn to collecting stamps with all what it takes ;-) Mette |
#9
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I'm with Dave on this one. When I was a kid here in the U.S.A., some of the
big department stores had stamp departments. Not any more. In fact, brick-and-mortar stamp stores have all but disappeared. Also, the American stamp publications all have declining readership. Here in Texas, the number of, and attendance at, stamp shows is on a quick decline. For example, I attended a recent bourse in San Antonio, a city of one million inhabitants, and there were, maybe, ten other collectors there during the entire day (not counting the dealers). Young people here have zero interest in stamps. The same is true for 99.99 percent of adults, too. I hope the situation is different in other states and countries. Bill "Dave" wrote in message ... I just returned from a local stamp bourse. To be honest it looked more like a gathering of the AARP (Assoc. of Retired People). I feel safe to believe that the only person there under the age of 40 was a young girl who was obviously with her stamp dealer dad (wether she collects... only dad can know for sure). It seems to me to be a sad view of our hobby, but there it is. It becomes more and more obvious as time goes on that the young generations are not the least bit interested in spite of all the gimmics, childish stamp subjects and advertising. I've written it before that new collectors are probably more likely to be recruited from the older generations (about 40 years old and up). We are getting at that age to be more sedate and a hobby that fits into that is good. We have more money to spend on hobbies since we find the fads, fashions, & such less appealing. Lots of reasons really... older people are more interested in learning, using their minds, etc. They are quite likely looking for things that don't demand any more time than they are willing to give, relaxing, doesn't take up room, can be shared with spouse, as cheap or expensive as you want, can easily tie in topically with other interests, is a quiet pasttime and many other things. Change the slogan to "Introduce a senior citizen to stamp collecting". Young people just aren't interested. Dave (just an opinion & I have many of them too) |
#10
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Looking amongst the myriad of early stamp magazines from 60's 70's,
children were always involved, and there were many contests for them to adjust to their focus level. I do not see this in modern magazines very much. My son is bewildered by my interest in the little pieces of paper and shows no interest at all. I feel I have sowed the seed though, and when the right time comes along I am sure he will discover a need to investigate too. I seem to notice most serious collectors, had a dibble in their youth and then came back for a re visit later. Victors page on Ayn Rand is a classic example, and for me, her description of the motives behind the hobby describes my journey to a tee. -- (Remove gum to reply) |
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