Complete Collection
The pleasure of collecting
History
The practice of collecting takes its root deep in history. Antique Egyptians were already collecting books in the great library of Alexandria. French King Louis XIV, the king sun enjoyed the French Royal Coin Collection so much that he visited it every day, remarking that he could always find something new to learn.
The Medici family, in Renaissance time, made the first effort to collect art.
Collecting as a hobby
The hobby of collecting consists of acquiring specific object related to a particular interest of the collector. The hobbyist can also acquire those objects as an investment. Collections are often highly organized, very well cataloged, and attractively displayed when displayed to the public of for the interest of the owner. Since collecting depends on the interests of the individual collector, it may deal with almost any subject. The depth and extent of the collection may also vary. Some collectors choose to focus on a specific subtopic within their area of general interest. There are also individuals, who take up collection of coins as their hobby. In both the cases people try to hold on to the identities. Some collections are capable of being completed, at least to the extent of owning one sample of each possible item in the collection. Collectors who specifically try to assemble complete collections in this way are sometimes called “completists”. Upon completing, they may stop collecting, expand the collection to include related items, or begin an entirely new collection.
Collecting postage stamps
Well in fact, you can collect almost everything! It’s up to you to decide. But keep in mind that everything has its own price. If you want to collect Fabergé eggs or vases from the Ming dynasty (why not?) then you better have the wallet that comes with the hobby. Not everybody has the money to collect antiques. In the other hand, there are rather inexpensive things that you can collect with very little money. Additionally, you can also collect immaterial things like for instance, collect countries you have visited, or towns you have been.
Among material collections, stamps are probably one of the most rewarding activities. By collecting stamps, you collect not only printed pieces of paper, but you also collect a part of history. The symbolism of the stamp reveals itself through history, for what it represents and for what it was issued for, but it also represents a piece of local history involving the sender and the receiver of the letter it marked. If the stamp is glued to a letter with great historical value, then it should not be removed from it. Both together probably have a much greater value than the two separated.
By collecting stamps, you are not only collecting antiques but you might also want to collect new issues from your local postage administration. You can also decide to collect stamps from all over the world, within a certain category, like animals, vehicles, personalities, etc… The themes are as vast as it is possible to imagine.
When you decide collecting antique stamps, you will expect to come across the one stamp that very few have. A stamp can be unique by its design, by the low number of copies issued, making its number decrease with the passing of time, but also by the unique flaws some stamps might have got when they were printed. The lack of some elements (in the drawing, unperforated stamps) or the error of printing (wrong colors, wrong distances between elements) in a stamp might completely change its value. It was in 1840, in England, that the first postage stamp was issued. In France the first stamp appeared in 1849. At that time, having printing flaws was much more common than it is today.
Where to get stamps?
There was a time, it was much easier: the only way to write something to someone was by sending a letter, with a stamp on it. So you just had to send letters and hope for an answer just to begin your collection! So many people were collecting that it was easy to trade. Still it is estimated that 2 million people in France are collecting stamps. With the venue of internet, habits have changed and people prefer now to send email rather than sending letters by standard mail. There are less postal stamps issued and even though postal services are editing more and more stamps for collection purposes only, I believe it’s not the same thing. What was before a genuine object that you could obtained with dedication and patience by exchanging with others or by asking friends to keep the envelops they received, is now a commercial object accessible with the power of money. Internet has also changed favored the access to stamps from many other countries. If you check buying sites like for instance Ebay, you will find a vast range of stamps from all over the world. But be very careful, some are not what they look like and buying through internet can sometimes quite a disappointment.
About the Author
David Domingues is a stamp collector since childhood. He developped a software to catalog, display, and publish his collections. You can have download a free version of this software at http://www.softcollecting.com/.
Raving Rabbids (The Mostly Complete Collection)
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The Sopranos – The Complete First Season (DVD, 2000, 4-Disc Set, DVD Collection) $8.24 |
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Planet Earth – The Complete Collection (Blu-ray Disc… $42.00 |
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HARRY POTTER: Complete 8-Film Collection NEW MINT SEALED BLU-RAYS!! $99.95 |
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The Wallflower: The Complete Collection DVD New $40.99 |
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Studio Ghibli Hayao Miyazaki 18 Movies Collection Complete $29.90 |
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7 SEALED DCC Audiophile CDs – The COMPLETE Omni Collection – Unmarked Cases! $14.99 |
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COMPLETE TRAPPER GUIDE BOOKS COLLECTION 40+ ON CD DISK $11.99 |
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COOKBOOKS COMPLETE COLLECTION 1000+ RARE VINTAGE BOOKS $24.99 |
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Vintage Complete Set of 8 “Woodland Serenade” Bird Plates Hamilton Collection $40.00 |
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Sonics Ultimate Genesis Collection COMPLETE MINT $10.00 |
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Popeye the Sailor Complete Collection (Seasons 1-3) Brand New!!!!! $29.99 |
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Dark Shadows Complete Original Series DVD Collection – Jonathan Frid $515.25 |
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★NEW PS2 NEOGEO ONLINE COLLECTION COMPLETE BOX 1 SNK Import from JAPAN@USA★ $319.99 |
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Ebbro Yellow Acura NSX Die Cast Collectible, 1/43 scale, Complete, MIB, XLNT $19.95 |
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Harry Potter: Complete 8-Film Collection (DVD, 2011, 8-Disc Set) $22.50 |
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Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales: The Complete Collection (DVD, 2012, 6-Disc Set) $10.50 |
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Sonic Mega Collection Plus Complete PlayStation 2 PS2 Game $7.99 |
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Silent Hill Collection (Xbox 360, 2012) *COMPLETE!* Konami Horror Survival $29.99 |
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Planet Earth – The Complete Collection (DVD, 2007, 5-Disc Set) $20.50 |
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Harry Potter: Complete 8-Film Collection (DVD, 2011, 8-Disc Set) $15.50 |
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Gilligan’s Island: The Complete Series Collection Season 1,2,3 (9-Disc Set) New $49.99 |
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Complete Working 1991 National Rennoc Christmas Collectible Village Mint $199.99 |
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HUNTING BOOKS COMPLETE COLLECTION 200+ ON DVD DISK $9.99 |
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Bandai GODZILLA 2000 complete collection toy action figure big monster full set $42.49 |
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Area 88 Complete Book Animation Material Collection OOP $46.79 |
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MINT condition Lost – The Complete Collection / Series in 36 Blu-ray discs $149.99 |
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1ST & TEN COMPLETE COLLECTION HBO First And 10 DVD NEW! $2.99 |
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Mutant X Season 2 – Complete collection DVD Box Set – Looks Great! – ADV Films $28.99 |
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AVRIL LAVIGNE – The Complete Music Video Collection * DVD * $9.99 |
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CIARA – Complete Music Video Collection * DVD * $9.99 |
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GWEN STEFANI – Complete Music Video Collection * DVD * $9.99 |
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JUSTIN BIEBER – Complete Music Video Collection * DVD * $9.99 |
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Muscat complete collection including Service $29.00 |
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KATY PERRY – The Complete Music Video Collection (DVD) $9.99 |
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KESHA KE$HA – Complete Music Video Collection DVD $9.99 |
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LADY GAGA – The Complete Music Video Collection * DVD * $9.99 |
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RIHANNA – The Complete Music Video Collection * DVD * $9.99 |
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Whitney Houston – The Complete Music Video Collection * DVD * $9.99 |
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The Beatles Remastered stereo complete collection $209.99 |
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111.00ct REAL COLLECTION GREEN EPIDOT WITH SPHENE COMPLETE CRYSTAL SPECIMEN $9.99 |
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1st & Ten – The Complete Collection (DVD, 2006, 6-Disc Set) $7.00 |
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Sally Hansen Glam Collection Set of 3 Nail Polish Complete Salon Manicure $19.99 |
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Chance Pop Session – Complete Anime DVD Collection – NEW in Shrinkwrap $15.09 |
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LUKE ENDOR CAPTIVE STAR WARS VINTAGE COLLECTION vc 23 COMPLETE ALL ACCESSORIES $7.00 |
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Nauru – Collection 5 complete sets Sc#182-94,198-200 MLH#C40 $1.69 |
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Barbados – Collection 8 complete sets MLH#C35 $2.95 |
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Solomon Islands – Collection 8 complete sets Sc#360-7,373-6,381-92,413-20 #C44 $4.85 |
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St.Vincent-Collection 9 complete sets Sc#180-2,532-44,515-6,568,587-92,B1-4 #C42 $2.75 |
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Niue – Collection 4 complete sets Sc#232-40,258-61 MLH#C41 $1.89 |
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Cayman Islands – Collection4 complete sets Sc#366-7,376-7,396-9,463-6 MLH#C39 $1.98 |
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Wilton 2104-7778 Master Tip Set $26.15 Decorate sheet cakes, petit fours, muffins, cookies and more using this master tip set. The decorating tips you’ll need are housed in this plastic storage case. The master tip set includes these tips: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 22, 24, 27, 30, 31, 32, 42, 45, 46, 47, 48, 54, 59, 61, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 73, 74, 78, 96, 97, 98, 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 108, 109, 123, 124, 129, 134, 13… |
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Cuisinart SS-700 Single Serve Brewing System, Silver – Powered by Keurig $365.00 Perfect for both personal use and entertaining%2C this single%2Dserve home%2Dbrewing system offers consumers fresh gourmet coffee%2C tea%2C hot cocoa%2C and more in under one minute%2E Choose either 4%2C 6%2C 8%2C or 10 ounce from the icon on brewing size options%2E Using Keurig K%2DCups%97featuring over two hundred varieties of pre%2Dmeasured%2C premium brand coffee and tea%2D%2Dthis brewer%92s i… |
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Wilton 2304-1050 101-Piece Cookie Cutter Set $11.15 Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Valentine’s Day…cookie cutters for every season, and more! With a complete set of letters and numbers, designs for cowboys, stars, cars and animals, you’ll be ready for any occasion. Durable plastic cutters come in a convenient storage container. Hand wash. (2-1/2 to 6-1/4)… |
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The Ultimate Bee Gees (2 CD) $9.37 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
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The Definitive Collection $7.00 Includes the Commodores classics \Three Times a Lady… |
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Complete Collection of America’s New Nickel Designs (BU Condition) $17.49 This fabulous collection presents twelve genuine U. S. Mint coins in all their gleaming uncirculated beauty. Open the handsomely decorated soft vinyl case to find fascinating historical data along with the front and back of six collectible coins. |
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Gold Layered Statehood Quarter Collection (1999-2008) $119.99 This set includes the complete collection of all 50 Statehood Quarters in brilliant uncirculated condition. These coins have been layered in pure 24-karat gold. |
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American Coin Treasures Complete Statehood Quarter Coin Collection $72.99 Coin set includes the complete collection of all 50 Statehood quarters Collection of quarters are in brilliant uncirculated conditionIncludes full-color album that’s sure to please any numismatist |
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American Coin Treasures Complete Susan B. Anthony Dollar Collection $70.99 Complete collection of Susan B. Anthony dollar coins makes perfect gift for the coin collector in your lifeSusan B. Anthony coin collection is presented in a handsome display caseAll eleven coins are in brilliant, uncirculated condition |
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Summer Soiree by Loreth Stretched Canvas Art Set I $128.99 Inspired by graphic shapes, Lanie Loreth breathes mood and emotion into her workCollection includes the first two of the Summer Soiree series (I & II)Can be combined with Summer Soiree Set II for a complete collection (not included) |
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Hannah Montana Sticker Cards Fun Pack $19.99 Celebrate a phenomenon with Disney’s Hannah Montana sticker card fun pack This collectible celebrates Miley Cyrus, one of America’s most popular entertainersThe gift set includes complete collection of all 90 stickers + 10 Mega stickers |
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Encyclopedia Prehistorica: The Complete Collection $77.49 The NEW YORK TIMES best-selling series — now in a dazzling collectible boxed setFor the first time, the mastery of Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda is presented in a deluxe boxed set along with three exclusive "stand-ups.&qu… |
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Hellspawn Complete Collection (Hardcover) $25.98 255 characters or less! |
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Ultimatum: The Complete Collection (Hardcover) $22.86 Widespread environmental and natural disasters are ransacking the Ultimate Universe. Nations are being buried by snow; cities are being destroyed by tidal waves; and vast expanses of countryside are being smothered by hot volcanic lava. As these insane… |
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Barry Manilow – The Complete Collection: And Then Some… [Long Box] [Remaster] $33.74 Disc 1:DISC 1: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION…:Best of Me, The (Introduction)Sweet Life – (previously unreleased)I Am Your Child – (previously unreleased)Could It Be MagicCould It Be MagicBrandyMandy – … |
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Roots – The Complete Collection (DVD) $56.47 Various installments in Alex Haley`s ROOTS series are featured on this collection. Both ROOTS and ROOTS: THE NEXT GENERATION are included alongside ROOTS: THE GIFT and a selection of new programs about the ROOTS phenomenon. |
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Sam & Twitch the Complete Collection Vol. 1 (Hardcover) $25.61 Description not available. |
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Girl Friends: the Complete Collection 1 (Paperback) $12.93 Description not available. |
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Girl Friends: the Complete Collection 2 (Paperback) $12.93 Description not available. |
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Sam and Twitch Complete Collection Vol. 2 (Hardcover) $25.61 Description not available. |
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The Greatest Miracles on Earth – The Complete Collection (DVD) $14.15 Viewers seeking answers are invited to examine issues of spirituality, faith, and healing with these stories of remarkable experiences, stories, and encounters. This complete collection gathers all three volumes of the series. Programs include “Miracle… |
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I-quest Complete Collection – Single (CD-ROM) $987.08 Using the latest technology and the most up-to-date Codes, the I-Quest Complete Collection is a new and exciting way to learn and navigate the International Fire Code?, the International Building Code?, and the International Residential Code?. I-Quest`… |
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Poldark: The Complete Collection (DVD) $47.16 The two-season English program POLDARK originally aired on the BBC between October 1975 and December 1977. Adapted from the bestselling novels by Winston Graham – all works of historical fiction – the saga has commonly earned a reputation as Britain`s … |
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The Mysterious Benedict Society Complete Collection (Hardcover) $47.59 Catch up on the adventures of the Mysterious Benedict Society with The Mysterious Benedict Society Complete Collection. This hardcover boxed set includes all five books in the New York Times bestselling series: The Mysterious Benedict… |
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Clannad: Complete Collection (DVD) $44.88 This fantastical release from the whimsical anime series CLANNAD includes all 24 episodes of the series, following the story of a troubled guy named Tomeya, whose life is turned around when he meets a delicate, lovely girl named Nagisa |