4 ms·

Stamp collection is one of those things that belongs to an particular period of change where things lined up to make it accessible and exiting at the same time,

Stamp collection is one of those things that belongs to an particular period of change where things lined up to make it accessible and exiting at the same time, as the post war economy saw an book in people flying of to exotic destinations and sending postcards back to family and friends as Instagram and Facebook had yet to be invented. That faded as the exotic abroad became less exotic. Today you don't even need a actual stamp to sent an letter using the actual mail(see https://www.postnord.se/en/sending/letters-and-postcards/portokoder https://www.postnord.se/en/sending/letters-and-postcards/por... for example) so the hobby is bound to become more expensive and lets be honest what was the last time you got an postcard or for that matter an letter not sent by an bulk mailing operation containing boring bills or official documents.

saiya-jin 5y ago
Whoa, not sure what kind of folks you have around you and relationships with them, but when we travel (or on christmas, easter, etc) we send postcards to our closest friend and family. So do they. Its personal, I always draw little figures of me and my wife on the picture side, climbing mountains, swimming from sharks, paragliding etc. depending on situation. My parents have them all on the wall, so do some friends (well not all of them). Its a small gift, showing we think about them not only by bombarding them with photos/videos all the time. Its a nice tradition, the best kind of mail you can get, and I see no reason stopping it.
- distances 5y ago
  I agree! It's nowadays even a more special occasion to receive a postcard than it used to be. I make sure to send one from all my holidays for my grandparents and godchildren (which itself is a nice tradition, no need to be part of a church or make it religious -- kids love having their own uncle/aunt).
- lotsofpulp 5y ago
  It does sounds like a nice tradition, but as a mid 30s American living on the coasts, I have never sent or received a postcard, nor seen one of my friends do it when we go on trips.
  - ghaff 5y ago
    It's certainly far less common than it used to be. Ditto for Christmas cards; I think maybe I get them from three people who aren't businesses that get money from me and often don't get around to sending any myself.
- jmuguy 5y ago
  I agree, I always love sending postcards when I travel. Its a shame that 99% of the physical mail any of us receive is trash. Particularly traveling internationally there will always be something awesome about being able to mail a postcard and give the recipient a little piece of the place where you're visiting.
zokier 5y ago
I find the trajectory between model railways and stamps sort of similar, in both cases they are linked to a phenomenon that has diminished from the popular view quite significantly and as such they as hobbies have waned also. Trains are not really the icon they were 50-100 years ago, nor are people interacting with stamped mail anymore. Ham radio is sort of another hobby that kinda falls into the same category, although maybe for slightly different reason? But there too, just talking to random/local people kinda lost its luster; people barely even make phone calls these days anymore.

saiya-jin 5y ago

Whoa, not sure what kind of folks you have around you and relationships with them, but when we travel (or on christmas, easter, etc) we send postcards to our closest friend and family. So do they. Its personal, I always draw little figures of me and my wife on the picture side, climbing mountains, swimming from sharks, paragliding etc. depending on situation. My parents have them all on the wall, so do some friends (well not all of them). Its a small gift, showing we think about them not only by bombarding them with photos/videos all the time. Its a nice tradition, the best kind of mail you can get, and I see no reason stopping it.

distances 5y ago
I agree! It's nowadays even a more special occasion to receive a postcard than it used to be. I make sure to send one from all my holidays for my grandparents and godchildren (which itself is a nice tradition, no need to be part of a church or make it religious -- kids love having their own uncle/aunt).
lotsofpulp 5y ago
It does sounds like a nice tradition, but as a mid 30s American living on the coasts, I have never sent or received a postcard, nor seen one of my friends do it when we go on trips.
- ghaff 5y ago
  It's certainly far less common than it used to be. Ditto for Christmas cards; I think maybe I get them from three people who aren't businesses that get money from me and often don't get around to sending any myself.
jmuguy 5y ago
I agree, I always love sending postcards when I travel. Its a shame that 99% of the physical mail any of us receive is trash. Particularly traveling internationally there will always be something awesome about being able to mail a postcard and give the recipient a little piece of the place where you're visiting.

zokier 5y ago

I find the trajectory between model railways and stamps sort of similar, in both cases they are linked to a phenomenon that has diminished from the popular view quite significantly and as such they as hobbies have waned also. Trains are not really the icon they were 50-100 years ago, nor are people interacting with stamped mail anymore. Ham radio is sort of another hobby that kinda falls into the same category, although maybe for slightly different reason? But there too, just talking to random/local people kinda lost its luster; people barely even make phone calls these days anymore.