posted 07-10-2016 05:01 PM               

In the opinion of most Aero and Astrophilatelists, the proposed change would have damaged Aerophilately and essentially destroyed Astrophilately. As the U.S. Delegate to the FIP Section on Astrophilately, I am proud of the response by Space Unit (ATA), the American Philatelic Society (APS), and the American Air Mail Society (AAMS) in their very vocal opposition to the proposed change.

posted 07-12-2016 12:28 PM               

From several years ago, astrophilatelic exhibits are constantly decreasing and this is a great problem to be solved. If not astro exhibits, not astro jury and probably not astro competitive class in FIP exhibits.

It is really necessary working together in promoting Astrophilately (and astro exhibits too) through attracting new collectors and keeping the already existing ones. Maybe a new and deep review of Astro Guidelines can help to reach this goal.

As Spanish FIP Astro Delegate I think we cannot wait and sit back to reverse this situation without active plans to change something. Any help, any idea or any proposal can be considered.

Golden rule for Astrophilately must not be changed: covers with exact date and near place, but space history through properly cancelled space covers should open to new possibilities.

posted 07-18-2016 09:23 AM               

Having said that, I think that recent World Stamp show did a pretty good job of highlighting space topical collecting, what with the planets/New Horizons-Pluto first day of issue, several space philately lectures and the excellent framed exhibits on show. I was surprised that the ATA/APS Space Unit did not have a booth.

posted 08-01-2016 06:04 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Antoni RIGO:
Promote, promote and promote Astrophilately.

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Later, when I was Editor of the SU "Astrophile," there was no publicity. We got a few new members each month, but not like the old days.

posted 08-01-2016 07:42 PM               

Just been looking through the forums for the last year or so, and what I see, there is a degradation in the enthusiasm even in this year period, some forums become sleepy, some enter the coma. Even if there are some updates from moderators, there is almost no life. I went over many collector sites – it looks the 90s were the best age for the flowering (probably enjoying the internet as a new medium), but almost all of them are inactive for some years. I am glad to mention that there are still some very nice live sites and this encourage me to continue mine.

Going through the forums, I don't see many new collectors joining, mostly there are old, experienced guys that dive into the astrophilately depth and chatting with each other while all the newbies have nothing to say and are mostly interested in colored wrappers of exotic countries (at least this is what I see in the Russian-speaking community). I have several reasons in mind, but not sure they are relevant for the discussion. So back to my point, I don't see any excitement in the astrophilately or in the philately in general among young people.

Needless to say that space exploration itself become a common activity that deserves no "WOW" (with rare exception). Sometimes the rookies become frustrated after several unsuccessful post or fear that they have noting interesting in their collections – I had several such observations.

Many times, showing items from my collection on different forums, I got the responses that "it is not the real philately," it is "topical garbage," it is "not according to the FIP," etc. But personally, I don't care what is upon FIP and what is not. This is my collection and I am really glad that here I am getting a great support from a great collectors!

In many cases people perceive collecting as an investment thus focusing on the rarities, but not a "topical" hobby. Getting to the issue of a rare stuff, it is not simple to get and not cheap (meaning "rarity"), thus pushing off the thought of value-based astrophilately, especially on the background of huge amount of common and cheap things that do not develop any interest. So, after all this, how to attract new collectors? I don't know what should be the cure — I just point at the painful spot.

posted 08-02-2016 07:34 AM               

This was due to the efforts of Dr. Ben Ramkissoon (now in his 90s), a devoted space philately collector, exhibitor and international FIP delegate, who I am proud to say that I met once for a long meeting about the future of the hobby. Ben was responsible for working with the FIP to get space philately exhibits qualified for international and US competitions. He was very successful at this.