Are stamps now being printed purely to be collected?

I also prefer used stamps but the reality that few now are being used aside from some stamps are really made to be collectibles in mint.

 

I think that with the internet and email, nobdy actually uses the normal mail service anymore. I get so excited when I receive something in the mail because it is very rare for that to happen. The stamps I have collected in the past are so different to the ones that they use now and it is interesting to notice the changes in the country with the stamps.

 

I don't know. I would think that the printers want their stamps to be used, and they can be used, but they can be saved also. I know that in the stamps that my mom left me, she has sheets of stamps.
So, these days if I want to save a certain stamp that I see for sale in the post office, I can buy some to use, and buy a sheet to save, as it's always been I suppose.

 

I collect examples of modern used US stamps on cover. In the process I see a lot of commemorative stamps used as postage. I just can't throw them away so I will keep them until I have about 20 copies of each. I feel they are still in regular use and easy to find. The ones that are blatant profit makers are the unnecessary high dollar stamps that are rarely used since postage machine dole out the $5 or more postal fees. Here is an example of the new stamps I have found in use recently.

 

Nice used modern stamps. I do have some of those bird stamps.

 

I like those bird stamps they are so colourful and what a cheerful way to receive post, with a colourful bird on it. Nice collection!

 

Hello , after reading all replies in this post I decided to analyze the Thailand stamp issues for 2014.
Summary: 30 stamp issues, 54 stamp designs, 16.4 million sheets printed, 885.6 million stamps issued.
The vast majority issued were 3 Baht national letter rate for 20-100 gram weight.
Issues ranged from 100,000 to 1,000,000 stamps per design.
Images of the King are very popular and often collected by the locals.
When I visit the Post Office there are often 30+ people in the queue to 7 desks. (Number call system) The post office opens 7 days per week minus national holidays. Often If you are not there on the day of issue they are sold out. I have an arrangement with the postmaster to reserve a couple of sheets for me. He usually has four envelopes in his safe so I assume there are four collectors.
Regards, James.

 

Spain does a nice job on labels. I have a nice collection of them. Listed in Michels as well

 

Thailand also has nice selection of printed labels. I have a number in my collection.

 

It will be great to see some of those Thailand stamps in here if possible.

 

This is the first Issue. 2014.01.01

I did not get a copy of this set, I think it was not pre-announced.


50th Anniversary of Chiang Mai University also issued 2014.01.01


National Children's Day 2014.01.11 ten stamps 5 designs.


And finally for January 2014.01.15
80th Anniversary of Thammasat University Commemorative Stamp



Regards, James

 

Hello all, some stamps issued February 2014.

2014.02.07 Symbol of Love issue. 5 Baht. Shown on two colour backgrounds to emphasize the cutouts. Thai symbol of love, hand with two middle fingers folded down and the heart.


2014.02.15 60th anniversary of the Zoological Association. 3 Baht


2014.02.22 125th anniversary of the Thai Postal School. 3 Baht.

That completes February's stamps issues. No issues for March.

If anyone wants to see more? April is next.
Regards, James.

 

I think the honest answer is Yes....and No.
Certainly in Ireland, the only certain way of getting a new set of commemorative stamps is to visit the Philatelic Bureau in the General Post Office in Dublin (I will be there tomorrow to catch up on February issues). Most major post offices will have commemoratives. Most small offices wont....although I have been pleasantly surprised that some do.
Some postmasters and clerks are very tolerant of collectors and some think we are obsessive nuisances.
Most post offices in Ireland have computer stamps...a series of eight wild-life stamps, which are changed every year. The currency on them depends on the weight of the mail and the destination.
Commemorative stamps are really two different types. One is really about a genuine reason for issue...history, culture, sport etc but the other type is aimed at the Collector.
For example, a set of four stamps issued last year....Games Icons (including Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog) its hard to justify accept that itis aimed at collectors around the world.
Likewise a set of four Irish rock stars in 2002 (and including U2 and Van Morrison) and with FOUR miniature sheets was unecessary.
The Post Office in Ireland tolerates collectors but makes us pay for our hobby.
I think Stamp Collecting is always driven by Collectors.
From the Post Office point of view in 1840, stamps were entirely functional ...a receipt for a service (delivering mail). It was the collectors who noticed different shades, errors, perforations etc over the next twenty years who "invented" Stamp Collecting.
With all postal facilities being controlled by governments, its inevitable that stamps were issued to show-case the good things about their country.
In a way, an album of USA stamps is a "Greatest Hits" album. And I think Collectors buy into that "feel good" factor and it suits Post Office and Collector alike.
But in 1840, the postage stamp was cutting edge technology and very functional. In 2015, this is not the case. In their own view, they are doing us a favour in producing stamps. But certainly in the 1990s the Irish Post Office abused collectors by issuing too many stamps. And I gave up in 2000 and did not re-start collecting until 2012.

Stamp Collecting involves three groups....the Post Offices, the Collectors and Dealers....and it works best when we respect each other.

 

Hello, for those label collectors amongst us here are some recent 'Post and Go' offerings from the UK. regards, James

 

James, all stamps you have posted here were really nice.
My favorite will be the sheet for the National Children's Day.

 

Thank you Zee.
Here are the April 2014 issues

Regards, James

 

The Khong Masks represent the Demons, Thotsakan, Kumpakan, Pipek, Pyatoot, PyaKhorn, Treesian, Samanakkha and Intharachit (a son of Thotsakan and Nang Montho),