Philately (pronounced: fuh-LAH-tuh-lee) actually runs in my family, but not rampantly. I inherited it directly through my paternal Gran and her mother before her. I've even heard that my Cousin Dave is also afflicted, but have yet to confirm this as certain. Obviously I am curious to see whether the condition will be inherited by my unborn child, but only time will tell. It wasn't until I was in my late 20's that I even realized I had indeed inherited the characteristic tendencies. What are the symptoms you may well ask? Hm. It's difficult to say, as they can be both acute or of a more latent and/or casual strain, but here are some of mine:
- Squinting
- Peeling
- Hording
- Acute Attention to Details
- Occasional Licking
- Incessant Searching
- Strong Instincts Toward Preservation
Bottom line? I'm a stamp collector, guys. That's right! Ha ha! I am constantly on the outlook for a good stamp whether at home or at work. And my office position allows me access to occasional international stamps, too, which I am always swift to acquire. Pretty great stuff.
As I mentioned before, I inherited my stamp collecting tendencies from my Gran Haeberle who got me started a few years ago. She has since sent me magazines and even a book to help my symptoms sink in as deep as possible. I treasure this hobby as a link to my Gran and her mother, my Nana Templin.
In my pursuits of acquisition I have had to keep my eyes open in the most unlikely of places. A keen example is the time I went to the annual insect fair at the LA County Museum of Natural History. Obviously I was there to buy copious amounts of dead and pinned insects for my other well-known hobby and collection. But, Lo! Suddenly looming before me was a gentleman selling collections of insect stamps!! Hell-o?! How could I resist? Well, I couldn't, so now I've got a lovely and rather exotic little display of insect stamps from the following countries: Spain, Mongolia, Germany, Mali, (former) Czechoslovakia, Congo, Belgium, and a few that appear to be in an Asian language and also a few in Russian. Pretty great right? I keep them displayed on my bedroom bookshelf, and I always smile when I stop to think of the randomness that aligned to help me purchase them.
Another fun time for Philately and me came a couple of years ago when the U.S. Postal Service introduced the Forever stamp. No doubt you've heard all about it, but just in case this is your introduction into the subject as a whole, here's the 411 on what makes these stamps so COOL. Forever stamps will always (ALWAYS-- as in "forever", eh?!) match the value of whatever 1st class stamp is in existence. Isn't that awesome?! So let's say that I want to mail a letter in 25 years and all I have is a Forever stamp. Ding! Ding! Ding! I am good to go! Even if my future grandchildren want to use them, they will also be good to go. LOVE IT. So I've got a booklet of them stashed away as a part of my ever-growing collection, of course. And while it is true that most often a post marked stamp is the more valuable, in this instance I feel great about just leaving them blank and intact in their original little book. Click here to see what it looks like. I bet you've seen it! And you thought you were immune to Philately! Ha!
Alright, so now you not only know what Philately is, but also that I suffer from it off my own free will. *grin* And actually, I can't help but acknowledge my other Haeberle relatives, specifically my Dad, as well in the line up of those who gave me this "tendency". My Dad is an AWESOME Historian, and has ever instilled the love of past peoples and items within me. I grew up in an environment filled to the max with learners and collectors who were always enthusiastic to share their thoughts, collections and experiences with me. I treasure my family! (But that is a whole 'nuther post!)
So let me know what you think! Are you horrified? Do you want to learn more? Was this the most non sequitur posting of all time? Are you bored stiff? Do you have lots of stamps to send my wee little way? Let me know! 'Cus I'm in a constant state of Philately and ready to go!
Love,
Autumn
