Is Stamp Collecting Dead

Many people think it is dying and if you look at the search trend data, it does indicate a decline since 2006 but there is a reason for this.

When the internet became more widely available in 2004, stamp collectors and philatelists all over the world rejoiced and started sharing all of their information on websites and forums because finally they could easily connect with people all around the world and discuss their hobby.

This enthusiasm eventually died down and the search volumes fell off a cliff. Here is the graph from Google Trends which shows this since 2004.

If you look more closely at the data though, you will see a cumulative search volume including a variety of stamp related searches, the result is around 25,000 searches a month. If you can attract 10% of those searches and convert them into sales of around $50 a month, you have your $100K a year right there being earned selling stamps.

Everything old is new again and this is the same for postage and stamp collecting. There are many movements online which are reviving interest in this area. One is https://www.postcrossing.com/ which is a group of snail mail enthusiasts who send postcards to each other all over the world. This is increasing interest in both postcards and stamps and leading to the next and younger generation forming attachments to stamps and beginning their own collections.

There are also businesses that offer post packs each month who send out a pack filled with different stamps, stationary, pens etc. Everything needed to create artistic snail mail. This movement is growing momentum every day and leading to a surge in interest and sales in stamps in many of the areas I talk about below.

Stamps themselves continue to increase in value so it is still seen as an endeavour to collect and hold valuable stamps to increase value and sell in a number of years – just like stocks. There are also new Youtube channels coming up talking about stamps and reaching a completely new audience who are developing their interest in stamps and stamp collecting.