Stamp collecting has come a long way

New Mexico's Rio Rancho Observer reports stamp collecting has come a long way since Albuquerque collector Mickey Smith was a kid.

"Back then, stamp collecting was a cheap hobby for a kid. Mom and dad would hand you an envelope, you could soak it in water to free the stamp from the envelope, then use a hinge that could be licked to hold the stamp on the appropriate page in an album. The whole world could be yours for the collecting, " writes Gary Herron, Observer staff writer.

The article goes on to say, "Nowadays, stamp collecting can become quite costly, especially with all the commemorative stamps the U.S. government is cranking out. What hurts young hobbyists even more, though, is the fact that people just don't mail letters as they once did."

Smith was commissioned to produce some special first-day covers for NewMexPex 2007, which takes place next weekend. Three of his covers have an alien theme; the fourth depicts Gov. Bill Richardson and his spaceport project.

Shown above, Smith with his collection of stamps and cachets. Smith, a former graphic designer and editor for the University of Michigan, has been designing first-day cachets since the mid-90s.


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