For broadcast on CBS Radio Network stations 
January 29-30, 2000:


The first rule is....there ARE no rules.


The Stamp Collecting Report, I'm Lloyd de Vries.


In a recent report, I said sending an envelope back to yourself 
just to get some canceled stamps was cheating.  Boy, did that 
provoke a response!


So....let me clarify: It's cheating if you're trying to assemble 
a collection of postally-used stamps -- stamps that really 
carried some mail.


However, it's hard to "cheat" in a hobby where you can "do your 
own thing." Yes, there are accepted standards of collecting: 
You'll raise a few eyebrows if you nail your stamps into the 
album, or use crazy glue. Do that, and it's possible no one will 
want to buy your collection. But rest assured the Philatelic 
Police will not come knocking on your door.


Some collectors like used stamps....some like mint or unused ones. 
Some collectors like envelopes that have gone through the mail, 
others, envelopes that have NOT gone through mail. Some collect 
by subject, others by country, still others by purpose or date 
or...color.


It's a big hobby. There's room under the tent for everyone.


And that's stamp collecting this week. 

I'm Lloyd de Vries, CBS News.

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