Stamp collecting

[OwlHoot]

I was talking to a friend aged 68 who is a fanatical stamp collector and, perhaps slightly tactlessly, I mentioned to him my impression that stamp collecting is now mostly an old person's hobby.

Although this old geezer claims to have made tens of thousands of pounds over the years buying and selling stamps, and says he now has some fantastically valuable ones in his collection, if it is indeed a dying hobby, the implication is that stamps might not be a good long term investment. After all, they're only worth what someone is willing to pay for them.

What do the congregation think? Is stamp collecting still flourishing, and are young people still seriously getting into it? How about your kids, for example?

Any relevant facts, opinions, or uninformed guesswork and prejudice welcome

[FatLazyContractor]

I always stamp my imprints on AndyW's mum's butt cheeks

[mudskipper]

I connected to an old colleague on linkedin, who is now at Stanley Gibbons.

He'd posted this video on his profile page - made me want to rush out and buy stamps

[MicrosoftBob]

Considering Stanley Gibbons makes money through selling stamps as an investment vehicle, and as old codgers make up the minority it looks like a dying hobby

[SimonMac]

I have a loft full of first day covers from the 70's and 80's that my granddad bought for me as an investment, feck knows what to do with them all

[mudskipper]

I have a loft full of first day covers from the 70's and 80's that my granddad bought for me as an investment, feck knows what to do with them all

Indeedy. Found a wodge of them in mother's flat.

[MicrosoftBob]

Ebay them, if go to somewhere repuatable and they will go all Arthur Daley on you and try and rip you off if they suss you don't know their value

[AtW]

Use them as intended in the first place - post some nice Xmas cards.

[rl4engc]

If you buy wisely I can see it being a good investment, and it's not like they take up tons of room like wine vintage computers or classic cars etc. But like others say it depends on long term demand.

[OwlHoot]

Use them as intended in the first place - post some nice Xmas cards.

Not sure if the GPO's franking machines would recognise an upside down penny black from 1850 or something.

So ironically, you'd be using a stamp worth a million quid, and the recipient would still have to pay excess postage.