Carpe Philatelicum

"That's right: seize the stamp! Or the cover. Or whatever philatelic item you see that you have thought about buying but haven't for one reason or another," writes John Finch on the About.com stamps page.

John comments, "Never assume that you're going to see another copy of the scarce stamp you lust after; the one now right in front of you being offered at a stamp show, in a shop or online. While this rule doesn't apply to common items that you can always get, a stamp with just the right cancel, or a cover with all the right postal markings or traveled to a rare destination -- the better to make postal history collectors drool -- presents an opportunity that may well never come around again."

"Don't tell yourself  'Oh I can get one of those (or one like it) later.' Because at least nine times out of ten you'll get no second chance," John concludes.

Good advice, John!

To visit John's excellent About.com, click here.