Stamp Column Archives

Glassine Surfer August 2003

Apostles for Stamps

Now's the time to think about how you can help spread stamp collecting by word of mouth over the Web. After Labor Day, web usage surges because everyone is back to school and work, and your word of mouth philatelic recommendation creates an impression that advertising can't buy.

And in the meantime, you can help some casually interested beginner discover your hobby simply by being available and helpful.

The first step is simply to let the Web know you're a stamp collector. I'm not talking about spending money or making a website. Creating philatelic awareness can be done easily by creating a simple signature that you can include at the end of your e-mails.

The signature could be a message like "Ask me about stamp collecting" or "Have stamps? I collect US. Let's swap." Or, include a clickable link to the American Philatelic Society and your local club's site.

Over time (assuming you send out e-mail), the Web people you're in touch with will know you're the one to ask about stamp-things, and then all you need to do is help out your friends.

Another easy way to help create a stamp collecting awareness and presence on the Web is to use a stamp signature when you post messages on Web bulletin boards, especially if you're involved in usenet newsgroups.

In the case of these bulletin boards, you probably don't want to put in your home e-mail addy, but a message with a APS link, or to your free hotmail/yahoo.com e-mail addy would be good.

We don't need to preach to the choir. They're already philatelists, but spreading the word about stamps in non-philatelic venues can open the doors for those who, though inclined, weren't actually thinking about picking up on stamp collecting.

As we all know, topical stamp collecting is huge, so if your signature message is skewed toward a certain topical, it'll be of more value to those already interested in that subject. Posting with a cat/dog stamp topical signature on a pet-orientated bulletin board will create some interest in stamps, though it might be of interest anywhere because millions of us have pets.

If you're lucky enough to have a local stamp club near you and they have a website, promote your club and contribute some stories to the website. A local club website or your personal site could have stories of general interest that highlight a local relationship to stamps.

"Philadelphia on Stamps" would display all the US stamps showing the city, sights, people, history, and events that occurred in and around the city of brotherly love. Each stamp could have its own page and a helpful three or four paragraph explanation alongside a scan of a stamp. Just keep it simple and well-linked.

Club members could volunteer to contribute one or two pages of text, and when the kids in school start surfing for information on Brandywine, the Liberty Bell, or William Penn, that stamp collecting website will be their best source. And, your club's best way to reach out to new collectors.

(Of course, the club ought to let teachers know about the site. Teachers appreciate help.)

If you'd like to spread the word about a stamp website, visit the Glassine Surfer or post me the details. I'm always looking for the next best thing on the Web and stamp collecting sites that can help APS members find the stamps they're looking for.

Submit news to GS
http://www.glassinesurfer.com

Stamp Sites

The "Collecting Kashmir" webmaster says the site is always being refined to reflect expert opinions, but it already is philately's best source for the fascinating story of the Kasmiri region and its varied philatelic history.  

There are hundreds of webpages pages detailing maps and mail routes, stamp issues of the different philatelic periods, cancelling devices, printing plates, checklists, detailed color information, a researchers bibliographic section, as well as two older reference books transcribed and hosted on the website for all and sundry.

A site like "Collecting Kashmir" covers their philately like no other, but it also helps increase understanding of the region and history by linking our stamps to the people and culture.