Canasia Sports

New discussion... Since there are some people here who think that some of us aren't into philately / stamp collecting - but would rather get on-line and cause nothing but trouble, so let's see what a philatelist / stamp collector truly is and then move on with our collecting interests. ***** Well, what is a stamp collector / philatelist? Funk & Wagnalls dictionary states: The study and collection of postage stamps, stamped envelopes, etc.; stamp collecting. ***** Personally, I collect stamps.  I study my colonial issues as much as I can, which includes researching perforations, paper, color, (flyspeck varieties) and so forth.  Well, then that passes me beyond the general accumulator, in that sense and only that sense.  I must be a philatelist. Does schooling play a part in it?  Does financial resources play into it?  Does our Internet Provider play into it?  Does our opinions?  I doubt it on all counts. Does the size of our collection?  Does the collector who studies only 1 set or stamp?  Does our longevity in the field of stamp collecting?  Does it matter that we collect colonials or U.S. or East Timbukto?  I doubt it gives us any status here or anywhere else. People may listen if you've done more work in an area than anyone else, to be sure, but your affiliation with the field is no different than anyone else. Does membership in philatelic organizations make us better than anyone else?  Because we have a study circle or are the president of a stamp club?  Doubt it... Membership does have its privileges and usually results in discounts / level of trust / obtainable documentation to our specialty.  I'm a member of APS (184242), France and Colonies Philtelic Society (3148), and the International Society of Portuguese Philately (943).  So what, when it comes to collecting in general... Anyway, let's hear what someone else has to say on what a philatelist is... Thanks and keep on collecting! Tracy Barber