The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-21
SOLD HIS STAMPS
AND BOUGHT HOUSE
Philatelist's Collection Was Valuable
and Both Parties Were Satisfied.
A Hobby That Pays.

only recently n man in a Western
city exchanged collection of postage
stamps, used and unused, for a fine
residence into which he rnoved and is
now living. The resldel re is worth
S4,V0O- The collection CT stamps cost
the new owner Of the house only frae-
ton of the value of the zeal estate.
Tho foregoing transaction, which is
only one OF many similar deals. answers
the question often asked: What good
is there in collecting old postage
stamps?' This illustrates only the com
mercial side, however The average
philatelist does not collect stamps be
case he expects to exchange them for
a house or other property. but because
he finds delight and education and rec
reation IN making the collection. He
gathers the stamps for the pleasure in
getting them and in the satisfaction
Of accunulating as nearly as he may
be able 70 a comp!ete collection OF
stamps OF certain countries.
Obviously person cannot enter the
ranks Of collectors and IN the course
of year pick Up a collection of stamps
without expense. and turn around and
sell them for house. The man who
traded his collection for a $4,000 resi-
dence had been ten years in making
his collection lie began IN a small way,
with few OF the commonest foreign
and United States stamps, costing prob
ably not 70 exceed 81.
OF course the collector spent some
money from time TO time in buying new
Issues as they came out. but in the
main this collection, which has netted
him $4,000 home, was gotten together
by vigilance and watching Opportuni-
ties He ransacked garrets OF neighbors
overhauled old trunks and boxes filed
with ancient letters and unearthed
many stamps which he was able 10 ey-
change TO good advantage. After eight
or ten years. during which time he got
enjoyment out OF the making Of his col
lection that paid him for his trouble.
ne found his collection numbered near
ly 1890 varieties
Not long since he noted an advertise
ment offering to exchange a fine resi-
oence property for a valuable collec-
tlon or stamps. He answered the adver-
tlsement; some correspondence follow
ed; the collection was sent By express
TO the bank with permission for the
owner OF the house TO examine. and the
latter in turn sent a photograph and
description OF the residence. The deal
was closed and each party was pleased
with his bargain.
Surprising as il may seem there
are more persons who desire 10 trade
property foE stamps than collectors who
desire to swap stamps for property Re-
Gently a man owning a good farm In &
" estern State offered to trade It fer a
collection OF stamps, but was una bic TO
md philateiist who would part with
his stamps. At present a collector in
Washington, ID. C. Il negotiating for
the exchange Of $50 acres OF land in
Minnesota for 5000 worth OF stamps,
with collector In England Il is not
an uncommon thing for stamp cOllec-
tons 10 be traded for printing Offices, |
automobiles and other per-
sOnal effects A man with q fine coll
lection Of stamps can borrow as close
10 its value in money as he could on
diamonds. Stamp collections were never
so easily made as at the present time
and there are still as good opportuni-
ties for making finds" OF rare stamps
IN garTets and old trunks and boxes %
letters. as there ever were.