Collector Interview #001 - Keijo @ The Stamp Collecting Blog

We're launching our new series of collector interviews, by talking to a collector who has amassed a huge collection. Keijo Kortelainen from Finland, runs the impressive http://www.stampcollectingblog.com. The blog allows him to showcase his extensive Stamp Collection, tell the stories behind the stamps and acts as a trading point for other collectors.

What do you collect?

"Lots of things, but I think I'm best know for my interest for collecting worldwide postage stamps from 1840 to date. So far my collection is at about 80,000+ face different stamps (+ 20-30,000 more for varieties), and growing. 

I've also got (smaller) collections of worldwide coins , comic books, and SciFi/Fantasy literature. These are all something I've accumulated when I was younger; these days I mostly just enjoy going through them every once and awhile. I just spend a very enjoyable summer holidays reading back issues of The Incredible Hulk." 

At what age did you start collecting and how long have you been a collector? 

"Likely I've been a collector since birth, haha.  But I think it was around the mid 1980s when I got a 'junior stamp collectors kit' from my parents as a Christmas gift that it really took off.  I think I was 9 or 10 years back then.   So all in all I've been collecting stamps for at least ~30 years with varying interest." 

What attracted you to collecting these particular items?

"I guess a whole lot goes to exotics... The world back in the early 1980's was a much smaller (and much more closed) place than it currently is. Stamps (as well as comics and coins) provided something different." 

Does your collection have any wider significance or uniqueness?

"Nope...It's just something that keeps me occupied (and relaxed). 

It's still in the 'early stages' to be of any real significance. Some might not even consider a collection because it's far from being complete.  I've estimated there are currently over 750,000 face different postage stamps, and over 100,000 new ones are issued each and every year.  So reaching completion is almost impossible (especially considering that I collect only postally used / CTO-used items), but I'm hoping to reach at least 200-300,000 stamps some day.The largest worldwide collections I'm aware are in the scale of 300-500,000 stamps. So I've got a long way before reaching those numbers. But fortunately I'm somewhat young (for a stamp collector), and got (hopefully) plenty of years to build up. 

As I collect on pocket money budget, the collection does not have any great rarities neither. It is a collection of an 'ordinarie worldwide stamp collector' (as the subtitle of my blog goes)." 

Where is your favourite place to pick up items for your collection?

"I Don't have one." 

What is your proudest piece?

"Way too many to pick just one... 

But I'm very proud of any item that go against all the odds. Take for example the Mongolian stamps at http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/mongolia-bird-stamps.jpg

Mongolia is one of those places where most stamp collectors have got CTO or mint stamps only. But the specimen on the left is postally used... The changes of coming up postally used Mongolian stamps are on level of 1:500(based on my experience as western collector. If I was buying stamps from China or Russia, I might have very different statistics).  

Another field that attracts me are EFO (Errors, Freaks, and Oddities)... Here's an US Christmas stamp that appears to lack red color: http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/us-partridge-pear-tree-stamp.jpg Is it real, or just a chemical changeling? I really don't know... 

And fakes / forgeries are also close to my heart... Take for example the Spanish Industrial exhibition stamps here http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/spain-forgery-stamp.jpg The top item is real, the below are 'modern' versions of original. A bit amazingly, the forgeries sometimes are more sought after than the original ones. 

I think I've paid a humble total of 1€ or so for all the above items...  And that's one of the aspects I love with this hobby.  You don't have to be rich (or spend ridiculous sums of money) to find items You value." 

How much money would it take for you to part with your collection or would that be out of the question?

"If I (or my loved ones) were in serious need of money, then of course I'd sell it without a second thought.  

Or if somebody offered me astronomical sums for it, I'd have no problems selling the lot (and starting anew). 

Or...It really depend on the situation.  Like most semi-advanced / advanced stamp collectors I don't see my collection as an financial investment or 'holy item' that can't be sacrificed.  It's just bits and pieces of paper that somebody used to lick. Nothing more, nothing less."  

Do you have any interesting stories about your collection or the lengths you have gone to to acquire it?

"Plenty of them, and I'm sharing some of them at my Stamp Collecting Blog http://www.stampcollectingblog.com"

When do you feel your collection will be complete (if ever)?

"I don't think any collection can reach completion. Never.  There's always something to add up or improve."

Is there another collector who you respect for their collection or dedication and who are they?

"I do have respect for quite many fellow collectors for what they've done...But I'm more than fortunate to be in position where I can share my hobby with my wife. Likely she's the greatest influencer to what I am as a stamp collector. So I guess there's a truth in the phrase 'behind every great/successful man there stands a woman'. haha"


Keijo's Interesting Pieces:

Finland-1866-sotn. 1866 Finland 40p, Coat of arms... Like many worldwide collectors I value specimens with great, clean cancel strikes (aka. socked on the nose, SON/SOTN or bullseye specimens).  

Bavaria 1911...  1911 Bavaria 5pfg, Luitpold Prince Regent of Bavaria.  IMHO one of the best stamp designs ever. Look at the colors and details of this - stamps like this are no longer made (for some bizarre reason)

Austria-1973-efo... 1973 Austria 4S, Beautiful Austria...One of the most common stamps in the world. Except that this specimen has a 'postage due' cancellation.  EFOs (Errors, Freaks, Oddities) such as this are the 'salt' of collecting. 

Why did we create Collecting Collectibles?

Collecting Collectibles was created so that avid collectors and enthusiastic on-lookers can share their passion for collecting. We have a fascination with collections and peoples drive to collect, so over the course of this blog we hope to showcase some of the best collections and collectors that we come across from around the world.

The more extravagant, interesting, unique and amazing the better! 

Our first collector showcase will be uploaded shortly, but whatever it is you collect do not hesitate to get in contact, we are genuinely interested in your collections, stories and pictures.

Why do people become Collectors?

Everyone collects something, the hobby of collecting includes the seeking, locating, acquiring, organizing, cataloguing, displaying, storing, and maintaining of whatever items are of interest to the individual collector. Some collectors are generalists, accumulating all different types of items from all over the world. Others focus on a subtopic within their area of interest, anything from Victorian Postage Stamps to first edition Star Wars toys and many more besides.

But why? What about the human condition compels people to seek out and collect these items.

Psychologist Mark Mckinley who wrote a paper on the Psychology of Collecting states: “It does seem that growing up as “kids,” we all collected something we made into a hobby. It could have begun with baseball cards, marbles, or stamps. Then it moved on: to antique books, Longaberger baskets, state quarters, or Atmos clocks. For others it was collecting the really unusual that worked best for them. Indeed, some collectors even collect collecting guides!”

For many people collecting things allows people to define themselves and their identity, to relive their childhood and in some cases this nostalgia connects them to a happier period in their life.

There are however several reasons why people collect, Dr Mckinley divides collectors into several groups who collect for reasons including:

• Pure enjoyment (Collecting can make them happier)
• Investment (Buying with a view to profit from resale in the future)
• Preservation of the past (Acquiring objects of historic significance)
• Social inclusion (Joining communities and forming friendships)
• Prestige or fame (Acquiring rare, fascinating or unique collections that have a wider interest)
• Self identity fulfilment (Defining part of their personalities by what they collect)

Many collectors will have several of these motivations driving their passion, whether it is the happiness from adding a new find to the collection, the excitement of the hunt, the social camaraderie when sharing their collection with other collectors. Not forgetting that it is often these dedicated people we have to thank, for some of the most spectacular and historic collections of human artefacts.

Researchers cannot agree on whether people who collect things are happier and more balanced, but if you ask any collector their enthusiasm and passion for what they collect nearly always shines through and they undoubtedly see it as a positive in their life.

Collectors take the up most pride in their collections, often displaying them prominently in their houses and if they are particularly spectacular or important, lending them to the worlds greatest galleries, museums and libraries. Understanding the fulfilment and pride people gain from displaying their collections is part of the reason we produce our range of display cases, allowing a collector to showcase their collections beautifully, whilst protecting and safeguarding them from ageing or damage.