Musing on What to Collect...

I have only just started collecting Slania's material so my research is still in its infancy. I have already discovered that the body of work the master engraver left us is staggering, to say the least! I was a little overwhelmed after first starting to look into Slania to discover that he is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most engraved stamps. After reading this that little voice in my head started shouting at me: "Just what the heck have you gotten yourself into this time?!"

There are - if my research is correct - just over 1,000 unique stamp designs to collect. Okay, this seems manageable. But then my head starts to spin when I discover that a Slania collection can encompass far more than this. We have essays, black prints, die proofs, not to mention the vast number of definitive re-issues and colour differences. And this is just talking about stamps!! One could easily get lost amid a tangled jungle mired with "relevant" additions to a collection. Just off the top of my head these are some of the fields (and I'm sure there are plenty more):

1. Stamps
1. Revenues
2. Cancels
2. Banknotes
3. Private Works
4. Signature Items

So whether it is wise, or even practical for that matter, I have decided that I should probably decide upon a few things before I get too muddled. Firstly, I need to work out how I am going to tackle the immense challenge of collecting the material. My budget these days is tight to non-existent so that is a big factor. But where do I start?

1. Take an ad hoc approach and just grab what I see?
2. Take a systematic approach, ie choose a country & collect it?
3. A blend of both?

I am the kind of guy who likes to work systematically so the ad hoc approach would probably frustrate me. But having said that, a rigid systematic approach could lend itself to boredom, as it would prevent doing the occasional random search. It stands to reason then, that the best approach for me personally is a blend but leaning more towards systematic. That part seems sorted!

Now to the juicy - and thorny - question of what parameters, if any, should I set for my collection? This is the part where budget plays a big part. Since I am a stamp collector, I'd like to collect the full set of Slania's unique designs. And I would very much like the collection to be all mint. Beyond that I am still pondering... I will also add to my collection as many Slania designed banknotes as my budget will allow.

Finally, to the budget. How in blazes do I buy all this stuff?  Slowly is the first word that pops into my head! I've been thinking about this problem for a few days now and I think the only way to go about such a large task is constantly chipping away at it. This gives one a sense of at least getting somewhere. I have decided that I will buy something - anything - Slania every fortnight. It doesn't need to be expensive, just a $2 stamp if that's all I can manage is fine. As long as the ball continues to roll.

I think that's more than enough rambling for now. As my collection progresses I'll keep you updated on my thoughts and the trials of the collecting process - if you are interested :)

Stay Slania Crazy!