Why has stamp collecting faded as a popular hobby?

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   Eric Calderwoodposted 13 years ago

   Why has stamp collecting faded as a popular hobby?
   
   When I was a child in the seventies, stamp collecting was a big hobby.  You could find stamp albums and stamp collecting materials in most department stores.  Not just a few items either, stamp collecting used to take up a good portion of an aisle.  Today, you don't see much about stamp collecting in stores.  Even hobby stores have a poor selection of supplies.  Why is this?

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2. 40

   unknown spyposted 13 years ago

   My aunt used to collect stamps too.. She had this big photo album with so many different stamps.. I havent seen one person on our place collect stamps and as a kid, i think its weird

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3. 59

   MickSposted 13 years ago

   There are probably several reasons, including - deterioration of the world's postal services, so that the stamps appear and feel like little plastic advertising labels; The market being flooded by mulltiple issues by small countries that have made philately a major part of their ecconomy; deterioration of artwork quality, we now no longer have the beautiful artwork from of early 20c, many stamps seem to be computer enhanced photographs; modern issues reflect the modern increase in costs and it is financialy prohibitive to try and keep up with, even just a single countries issue  In England, at least, there are very few days when commemorative stamps are available from the post office counter, and then each PO getts onlly a stupid amountt to sell (often as low as 5) most issues that are seen postally used are definitives.  There are probably many more, but they are some of the reasons I have given up collecting modern stamps.

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      MickSposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, I forgot one that does't affect me, kids these days prefer to sit on their backsides staring at the telly or games consul whilst twiddling their joysticks, much easier than learning something about the world.

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4. 58

   rcfieldsposted 13 years ago

   Back in the eighties, I remember other classmates coming to school with stamps from foreign countries they collected and how the stores/post office used to have so many different stamp collecting items.  It is sad that people have gotten away from hobbies like this.  I would have to say it is probably due to the technological advancement of computers, video games, etc...

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5. 71

   brianlokkerposted 13 years ago

   One factor, I think, is that stamp collecting is considered to be a "nerdy" hobby (if it's considered at all) and has no "cool" factor. It requires time, patience, and attention to detail, and it can't compete with the immediacy of video games and other electronic entertainment devices and channels.
   
   If a kid has a choice between (1) shooting some video with friends, mixing it with some music, uploading it to Facebook, and having an online conversation about it, and (2) buying some tiny rectangles, doing some research about them, and organizing them in books to look at quietly by himself or herself, which will win? For most kids, it's not a close call.
   
   I can't argue with the appeal of the new hobbies and entertainment options -- they appeal to me, too -- but it is disappointing to me that the appeal of stamp collecting has declined. it has so much to offer! Maybe more Hubs and online articles (or videos?) about stamp collecting will turn it around.

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      author009posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      In this digital age " Shooting a Video Games" may be seen interesting, But compared to organizing a stamp according to country or a particular theme, , provide a educational value. Every Stamp have some history beyond it.

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6. 0

   Larry Wallposted 13 years ago

   In the past, people collected things, stamps, coins, baseball cards, etc for the sheer joy of collecting.
   
   Today people collect in the hope of making some major money, i.e. Beanie Babies, team sports clothing, etc.

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7. 58

   husinulzposted 13 years ago

   today's childrens stucked with video games and other,no time to study and collect these items,honestly says even though i did'nt care about this until this age,
   i am turned to 18 ,i dont know what was the reason,but i have suggestion if schools and teachers promote kids to do these hobbies might be alive some more years

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8. 74

   DzyMsLizzyposted 12 years ago

   I tried stamp collecting when I was a young mother...I "sort of" got into it for a short time, but in the end, it bored me.  I prefer more active outdoorsy activities, such as camping, swimming, skating, etc.

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