Kiloware

Recently I asked what is kiloware and if these are worth buying?

Kiloware is a term for packages of postage stamps sold to stamp collectors by weight rather than by quantity, often in kilograms, hence the name. Kiloware usually consists of used stamps on paper from mail clippings, although off paper stamps may also be sold as kiloware.

Their worth depends on many factors. You should expect to get a number of duplicates. Good for the trader, cancel collector, individual flyspecker. Some sources are better than others. Sometimes it can be a good way to get recent used stamps.

Overall it sounds like a lot of hard work and a bit of a lottery. But then, that's the fun of stamp collecting, of digging in to find hidden treasures.

Stamp Magazines and Bulletins

Found these interesting magazines, books and stamp bulletins in in my old collection.

I remember going to Kabbadi/Raddi wala shops (paper scrap dealers) and buying the stamp magazines when I was a kid. These scrap dealers would buy old magazines and books from people by the kilo and one could visit their small shops and buy individual magazines at a fraction of the price. The magazines sold were usually old issues but if you were lucky you could find recent issues. I believe I would have bought these sometime in the 1985-88 time frame. I have a few issues from 1983 of these magazines. I wonder if such magazines are still published.

One of my earliest books about stamp collecting. Unfortunately this booklet doesn't have a published date but the stamps shown in the booklet are up to 1972-73, so I would guess it would have been published around then (maybe around 1975).

Sometime in 1983 I managed to get on the mailing list of Australian post and got their Stamp Bulletins for about 5 years. These bimonthly Bulletins provided information about stamps, postmarks and other philatelic activities in that period by Australia and Agency Countries (like Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands etc.).

These were free at that time. They are still free and list upcoming Australian stamps, FDC's and coins and other items for sale in Australia which you can also buy online, through them as well.

Value of Stamps

"What is the value of these stamps?" I have asked this question on many forums and I see many people asking this question. When I was a kid, I didn't bother about the "value" of the stamps, I just collected the ones I liked. Of course, as I grew older and (ahem!) wiser (worldy wiser perhaps) and restarted the hobby, I started to look for value, as though I would earn a fortune out of it. As I bought some stamps recently on eBay, from a dealer and then from the post office, it suddenly hit me: the "Value" of these stamps is really dependent on how badly I want them or how much I can afford to spend on them. Irrespective of what the catalogues might say about the value, I might still pay whatever if I want some specific stamps in my collection. And some stamps and albums have their own sentimental value. A completely torn and worn out stamp album that I still retain is of immense value to me because that is one of the first albums I bought from a philatelic exhibition way back in 1981. It is scrap paper for all practical purposes but I hold it dear to my heart. So unless I am going to become a stamp dealer, let me not worry about the value and collect stamps for the hobby that I hold close to my heart..... (till the next catalogue comes along and I try to find how much it is worth... LOL!!!)

Visit to Philatelic Museum

After many years I visited the Philatelic section of the Head Post Office in New Delhi on Sansad Marg. The Philatelic Bureau has been relegated to a corner room towards the back of the large post office. Thankfully they do have a large room. And thankfully philatelic stamps are still sold in a room in the main area, which was heartening to see. I ended up buying one copy of all the miniature sheets they had at the time, which unfortunately weren't too many. But the good part was I managed to open a Philatelic Deposit Account. This means I will get all new issues now at home. I am very kicked about this and am waiting eagerly for the next issue of new commemorative stamp.

My next stop was the Philatelic Museum located in the same building. I was the first visitor for the day. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was a fairly large museum. In addition to the stamps they have some interesting artefacts of things used by postmen in different times. Indian stamps were organized by the year and by themes too. Not too many items were for sale there but it was worthwhile spending some time there. I do wish they would turn on more lights in the museum. No photography was allowed in the museum but I found a pic on the Internet that I am sharing with you here.

Revisiting Daryaganj Sunday Book Market

I finally managed to visit the Daryaganj Sunday Book market in New Delhi after more than three decades. Things have changed over the years as expected. Books aren't the only things being sold there, infact they have been relegated to the background by other wares including cheap clothes and sports goods.

Even after more than three decades I found the stamp seller in the same place (towards Chandi Chowk end of Daryaganj). I wasn't sure if he was the same one so I asked him how long has he been coming here. He said he had been coming here for almost 40 years. Wow, I probably had found the same stamp seller from whom I used to buy stamps when I was a kid. I told him I used to probably buy stamps from him and we exchanged notes on how times have changed. There were a few other old timers who were rummaging through the stamps looking for what might be new this week. He gave me his card and I will probably visit him at his shop instead of the Sunday market. I missed the opportunity to click a pic of him or his little space in the market.

Despite commonsense, I didn't bargain with him. He said he was giving the best price as I was an old customer. I don't know if it was the best price, and I didn't really care. It was just a great feeling to be reliving the moment.

Tip -- The weather is too hot and sunny right now. The heat is just too much so be prepared and take caution. If you guys in Delhi are planning to visit, I would advice that you don't do it for another three-four months till weather cools down a bit.

Buying Stamps Online

Bought stamps after many many years, my first from eBay. I remember going to the Sunday flee market at Daryaganj New Delhi and rummaging through sacks trying to find something I liked. Now I rummaged through eBay listings. I actually participated in an auction for these stamps and won it. Not sure if I actually ended up paying a higher than expected price but it was a worthwhile first experience on online auction on eBay.

Thrill of Receiving Stamps on Envelops

As I re-initiated my hobby, I bought stamps on eBay. So far the best part about buying stamps from eBay has been the wonderful commemorative stamps the sellers have used to ship the items. Just loving these bonus stamps. I was lucky that both sellers used lovely commemorative stamps to ship their products. Now if only ePost would do the same. Unfortunately they send the stamps using franked Speed Post delivery.

Stamp Catalogues

Having lamented about catalogues, I still went ahead and bought one. Figured they are more useful for the info they provide than actual pricing. I got a good deal for the Philcent India 2014-15 edition on eBay. Compiled by Prem Chand Jaiswal and published by Philcent Publications, this catalogue provides useful information about Indian stamps, service/revenue stamps, stamps of Indian states, and other postal stationery.

Color Variations

I had diligently collected what seemed like color variations in stamps. The 1983 stamp on 86th Session of IOC held in India seemed to have many color variations on used stamps. I thought I had hit a jackpot with these 'error stamps'. However a noted philatelist informed me that colour variation in used stamp is not acceptable. Better luck next time, I told myself.