The Final Mail Day
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- It is the final Mail Day and #philately episode! During this video, I explore some beautiful Uruguayan stamps, check out some mail art, and learn about 4 brilliant local posts. I also discuss some news and the final plans for the Exploring Stamps Channel.
Links:
Playlist for Stampex Videos: • Adventures at Stampex
Write to CSAC with your US Stamp suggestions: about.usps.com...
Graham's favorite Philatelic UA-cam channels: wordpress.com/...
Follow me on Instagram! www.instagram....
Links Related to the viewer mail:
Bazinga? www.huffpost.c...
Jose G. Artigas: en.wikipedia.o...
Gabriel's Blog for Uruguay Philately: circulofilatel...
Gabriel's Twitter/X: / gphilatelist
Western Tragopan: en.wikipedia.o...
Ramayana poem: en.wikipedia.o...
Stamps with Sara: / @stampswithsara1
Great Stamp Adventure: / @greatstampadventure
- Video searching for the Girl of Bora Bora: • My second Tauranga Sta...
Richard Philatelist: / @richardphilatelist
The Digital Philatelist full list of YT channels: thedigitalphil...
Universal Mail? www.universalma...
Boston 2026! boston2026.org/
Portland Stamp Company: theportlandsta...
Bermagui Local Post blog: thepigeonblp.s...
Bermagui Local Post in the news: www.abc.net.au...
Rattlesnake Island Local Post: www.rilp.org/
'StampCat Stamps' episode on the BlueNose: • The Bluenose: Canada's...
Please do a new series in the future. I've been collecting for 25 years, starting age 5. It has been so wonderful to see new life breathed into the hobby - and you've been a big part in it!
Thank you so much 😊 I hope that the channel has had an impact on the hobby. Make sure to check out the other channels, there are so many wonderful content creators now, thanks for watching!!
@@ExploringStamps i follow some of other channels but sad many just do some videos and you not see nothing from them anymore but i use to watch them when they doing some new creatives as you do. But your contents are very informative about stamp hobby so you doing all in highest quality i can ask for. I have collect stamps for many years and have big collections from many countries and some more areas too so i know what i talk about so keep in touch
Very impressive concluding video for your #philately series! Proud member of the Philippine Stamp collector Society here!
Thank you so much! 🇵🇭😊
Easily the best philatelic channel I've come across. You've made heroic efforts, Graham. If I had to pick my favourite episodes, they would be the ones where Bill Barrell appeared. That guy is the Stephen Hawking of stamps! All the best with your important new role. 👍
😊 Thank you!! Yeah the viewers seem to really enjoy Bill on the channel, and why wouldnt they?! He knows so much and is super enthusiastic 😊. Thanks so much for watching!
Thank you for your channel, I enjoyed your videos . Also thank you for taking the time to help me a while back with information about stamps I acquired.
A very big thank you Graham for your generosity and your love of philately. A big thank you to your wife Laura for her support and her presence who enhanced many episodes with her charm. I understand your decisions and accept it although I will greatly miss your channel. Your arrival am UA-cam has launched a breath of fresh air which has given me back the flame of my hobby. You two have brought my passions as a collector up to date. Thank you so much for introducing us to and experiencing so many beautiful things during your travels. Bravo Graham, you can be very proud of this accomplishment. Grand merci Graham de ka part du vieux Canadien.
You are very welcome 😊. Thank you for all your support and viewership over the years, it really means a lot to know that viewers like you have enjoyed the content. This community is so awesome. 🫶
Congrats on being given a spot on CSAC. I think they made a very astute selection. Amazing, amazing stuff in what is sadly the last mail day episode... Talk about going out with a bang. I understand completely your decision to step away from the channel, but it is still devasting news for us. I'm sure I'm not alone among your viewers to think that you represent a much needed breath of fresh air, a renewal of sorts of the philatelic community. I rejoiced in the birth of a whole new bunch of fun stamp channels since you started your own. I don't think you should remove any of the old videos from your channel.. Everyone of them is a precious source of philatelic knowledge and joy, and represent the evolution of your hard work on this channel. I certainly like to go back and rewatch some of the older videos while I eargerly wait for a new Exploring Stamps episode. Looks like these older episodes will be more needed than ever with the current situation. Thank you (and let's not forget Laura!) for being an inspiration to many, for all the stamp knowledge always presented with generous enthusiasm and creativity, for your contagious curiosity and genuine excitement in exploring stamps. Good luck with all your new projects and ideas. And, as my favorite cowboy used to say: Happy trails to you (and Laura!), until we meet again...
Thank you!! 😊 Seeing the new channels that have started over the years has been so encouraging. This online community is wonderful, and I look forward to continuing being a part of it, but as an engaged viewer moving forward 😅. So glad that you have enjoyed the content, thank you for all your support over the years - Graham and Laura.
Thank you ,Graham.Wish you all the best in your future endeavours especially in your capacity as member of the CSAC. Will continue following you in the IG😊😊
Much appreciated! I will see you on the Gram 😊
Very sad day for stamp collecting. One of the only youtube channels i fully enjoyed. I understand your reasons but what a void this will leave on the community. I collected when i was younger...fell out of it for decades and you where the reason my passion for stamps was reignited. I cant tell you how much i thoroughly enjoyed every single episode. Opening my eyes to new stamps from around the world i probably would have never known about otherwise. Your fun approach and beautiful editing skills where unmatched in my opinion. Yes there are other great channels out there but.... well thanks for all you have done and im not sure if any other content creator could top this one but ill eagerly wait to see. You will be sorely missed and good luck on whatever goals you have in mind. Thanks again for everything Graham.
Thank you for such a wonderful comment 😊. It means a lot to know that the channel has had an impact on people's collecting journey, and that viewers like you have enjoyed the content over the years. Thank you so much for all your support and viewership, I'm quite optimistic that we will see go far beyond what I could ever achieve in the near future, and I'm looking forward to watching and enjoying their content. 🫶
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for al the wonderful videos 🙂
Thank you, Karen 😊. One of my original viewers that has been there from the early days, thank you so much for all your support!!
It was always an absolute pleasure@@ExploringStamps
OMG 😱.. This notification just popped up as I was walking into town.. Mixed feelings of apprehension and anticipation, as I wait to get back home.. 👀
:) I hope you enjoy it!
Miss ya! Hope you do not delete any of your videoes. Each one has been very important, and i have learned something from each one, and helped get me more interested in the hobby more than you could imagine. Anyhow, as the grandkids are getting older, and my clooection will be slowly passed on to them, and sharing your vids with them makes it so much more fun, and informative. Truly no one out there has even come close to being as fun to watch as you. You are leaving some big shoes to fill. Hopefully someone will be able to step up into them. THANKS TONS!!
Graham I am truly sad to hear that you're stepping away from your channel; but, I understand. You have done more for current generations of Philatelists, including the encouragement of older generations to resurrect our interest. It's also fair to say that Laura has had an equal impact on this hobby with her videography and support she provided with the creation of your content not to mention the support she gave you as a wife, encouraging your interest. I think everyone in this hobby will miss your impact on stamp collecting. I also want to congratulate you on your appointment to the CSAC. I wish you the very best for whatever your pursuit and future brings. I also think everyone will agree that your Exploring Stamps channel is the best of the best philatelic channels; I haven't seen any that compare. Again, thanks for all you have done for all stamp collectors.
Thank you Gary 😊. It is so good to know that the channel has had an impact on people's philatelic journey over the years. Thank you for all your supports, views, comments, encouragement, everything! This community really is wonderful 🫶
Fantastic episode, like always Graham!! Very sad there won’t be another (for a while), and that you are stepping away from the channel. I totally understand why, and don’t blame you, but as someone I look up to, and draw inspiration from, you will be leaving a large void. I’m trying my best with my channel, and it’s steadily getting there. If I get to even half the amount of followers you’ve got I will be a very happy philatelist. Thank you for everything you have done, for me, the hobby and everything else!!
Thank you, John 😊. So glad that you have been a part of my journey, thank you for all your support and encouragement over the years!
Thank you for everything, Graham. :)
Thank you Kelvi 😊
And a big thanks to the £10 challenge contestants!
Absolutely! They were phenomenal and the highlight of the series 😊 🙌
🙏 *Please everyone, submit a letter to CSAC to have them issue a series of stamps focusing on wildlife species worthy of attention for protection.......beginning with the Rhino in honor of our dear Graham* 👍 👍 👍
A very good idea! Graham has really brought our little community together. He has certainly become our famous philatelist!
I like that!!😊
Looking forward to this final Mail Day video!
😊🙌
Excellent video
Thank you very much! 😊
Although I understand, I can’t tell you how much I’m going to miss your episodes. You have a great talent for promoting philately by allowing us to explore along with you. I know I (and I know I’m not alone) have even added things to my collection that are outside my areas of collecting simply because you made the background stories so fascinating. I’ve warched all your episodes several times over, and they never grow old. I hope you will consider returning to us from time to time. Please come visit us in California again - perhaps Westpex? Best wishes to you and Laura.
Thank you Nyle, and thank you for being a part of this journey. 😊 I will still be visiting stamp shows, I'm sure of it....I'm not sure when but I do eventually want to visit Westpex. Thanks for all your support.
Congratulations being on CSAC. Please try and get them to stop doing the sticker stamps - infact as far as I am concerned, all those involved in the issuing of stamps, especially the Post Master General should be a stamp collector. This is the only way they will understand the frustration of trying to remove sticker stamps from envelopes without damaging them. I am going to miss your videos, I show them to the children I work with.
Bring back the licky stickies!! 😊🙌. I can try but no promises. Thank you so much for your support over the years, so glad you enjoyed the channel and vids.
I'm very sorry to see you go Graham, I've loved your videos - only discovering them a year or so ago. I do get it though, your videos are so full of interest and life they must involve huge time and effort. Thanks very much for all you have contributed and best wishes for the future
Re Universal Mail - I think quite a few London tourist shops are not making it clear that these cannot be used domestically. On a wander around London ahead of a Sparks concert, I noticed an open postbox and saw quite a few postcards with the Universal Mail stamps on but the addresses were within the UK.
Oh thats interesting!! so folks are even using them domestically, hmm. Yeah I think they really dont make it clear at all. ThanksMia!
Thank you so much for this channel, It has opened my eyes to so many new aspects of philately. All the best to you in your future endeavours.
You are very welcome 😊, glad you enjoyed the channel, and thank you so much for watching!!
Graham and Laura - you have made philately fun and accessible for so many people. Thank you for your time - you have been an inspiration!
Our pleasure! Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel 😊
I'm Hannah from Oxford! I'm so thrilled my Red Arrows postcard made it to you (just in time!) - and who knows which route it actually took!? Thank you so much for featuring it and reading my message about these strange Universal Mail stamps. Love that you included your own example of the UM stamp you sent to Germany all those years ago, and I'm glad my card answered that mystery for you. Did you notice in your postcard to Germany that black marker pen was used to write over certain areas of the postcard? I've read that Universal Mail do this to any identifiers of where the postcard came from! You can tell the top left probably said London, or wherever you were! Weird, right! Luckily it seems mine escaped the black pen ;) but it would have been fun to have a Philippines sticker on it! Once again, thank you for all your videos, and best wishes Graham!
Hannah!!! 🫶 Thank you sooo much for the postcard, I think there are several folks now realizing why their postcards took 3 months to get to their destination thanks to your explanation. I remember first reading your postcard and going "oohhhhhhhhhh THATS what happened with Jerrit's postcard" 😂. Amazing that the black marker pen is also from UM... it makes this whole operation even more shady in my opinion, like a LOT more shady than it already is. Thank you so much for your support and viewership 😊
Thank you so much for all of your videos, you have helped me so much in my stamp collecting journey, stay safe!
Sorry to see this channel go! :(
😞 Thank you though for watching and supporting the channel over the years.
It’s a shame that you’re stopping, but totally understandable. I think the only way to grow a big following would be if a Logan Paul/Gary V grifter type could hype the heck out of stamps as “investments”, like they’ve done with NFTs and Pokémon Cards.
Congrats on the committee role! Best of luck with it, and thanks for all the videos!
Thats all we need 🙌. I'm actually just waiting for Taylor Swift to mention that she is a philatelist and loves stamps... ANY DAY NOW!! 😂 Thanks to much for watching.
The United States Postal Service did offer in conjunction with private banks ATM stamps from about the early 1990's all the way to 2020. These no longer exist and are becoming collectible.
Oh I didnt know that, very interesting. Thank you Chris!
Sad to see it's the last viewer mail episode. Loved the phonograph postcard and the Exploring Stamps stamps.
Sure you're not leaving to plan a heist on the 1868 1c Franklin Z-grill before it comes up for auction? 😉
Will be there for your last episode.
Stay safe!
Thanks Jim! That postcard is quite something, I hope to find more of them in the future. Hmm maybe I am planning a heist, but I cannot admit to it here 😊. Thanks so much for watching!!
I can understand why.Only one person cannot do what ,you have been doing.Maby it's time just to interview,big collectors.You have been ,top gun ,to Collecting ,that's an impossible ask ,for one person.Stamp collection, needs leadership and unity.My family has collected Stamp,for over one hundred years.Stamps no one,has ever seen,or heard of.I hope to,get to the Stamp fest in London in October,maby I get to see you their.
Thank you Ken. Not sure yet if I will be attending Stampex this year, we will see. But definitely consider going, its an incredible experience for any philatelist 😊. Thanks for watching!!
Universal Mail is the reverse mirror image of Swiss Post International’s (SPI) scheme in the 1990s where SPI sold “Cinderella stamps” via drugstores and tobacco shops in Italy and Spain for mailing postcards back to Switzerland. Mail was deposited by the customer into special SPI post boxes, which Swiss Post contractors collected mail from each day. SPI stamps cost a bit more than the true local Italy or Spain post office stamps but the mail arrived back to Switzerland in a day rather than in the three to four weeks that it took via Italy/Spain post. As you’d imagine the Italy and Spain post offices hated it, and eventually put enough pressure on Swiss Post to stop their SPI service in their respective countries. These Swiss Cinderellas are interesting to collect, especially used on non-philatelic covers.
From a historical perspective, prior to the UPU it wasn’t totally uncommon for foreign post offices to operate in a country as a parallel service to the local post office.
Oh wow that is a reverse mirror image of the UM stamps, how interesting!! I need to look into these Swiss SPI stamps, thank you for bringing them to my attention. 😊
Hi Graham, what a wonderful last mail episode.
We all are going to miss your contributions on youtube, over the years we became stampfriends 😳 oops, new word for the dictionary.
I am sure we will bump into each other again on stamp events, if it is Stampex or Boston in 2026 or any other Stampshow.
The good thing is, you then will actually not be running around the whole day making content for your channel, but you might have time for a coffee or a lunch together.
Although I have instagram, I am not very active there, a bit more on X although I liked that better under the previous owner.
Take some time for yourself and for Laura as well and have a think what you learned making this channel to a succes. What part you really enjoyed and maybe see if this can be a future paid job, if you enjoyed it. How cool would it be to make promotional videos for a stamp auction e.g.?
No clue if they are looking for content creators, but you have a talent you might use again in future.
Looking forward to the last few postings you will do on youtube and see you around.
Erik
Thank you, Erik. 😊 And thank you for being a part of the journey. I'm sure we will see each other again at a show in the future and we can grab a coffee or lunch. I will keep my Twitter presence along with Instagram, although I wont be too active, but we will see. Thanks so much for all your support. - Graham
A bittersweet moment writing this comment. Another great episode but sad to hear it is coming to an end. I understand your decision as I run my local stamp club’s website and annual stamp show. While rewarding, it is a lot of work. I want to thank you for all the things I have learned from your channel, including this episode’s discussion of the universal mail’s sending UK postcards from the Philippines. I had that happen once and just assumed my card from Belfast was miss directed to the US via the Philippines! My favorite episodes are the two you did with your friend when you built the little printing press and he engraved the stamps. As I commented then I feel like I owe you a beer for that one. If you ever come down to DC for NAPEX the first one is on me. Best wishes for your future endeavors!
😊 Thank you Kevin, I'm glad that you enjoyed the episode and the channel. I'm wondering how many other folks are now realizing why their UK Postcard took forever to get to their family/friends... It was a mystery to me for over 6 years until I received Hannah's postcard 😂. Thank you for all your support and viewership!
This one made me so sad….end of an era. And at the same time, your videos have helped to bring me further ahead too! Thank you and Laura for all you’ve done! 🙏
I'm so glad to see that the videos have been a part of your philatelic journey as well. Thanks so much for all your support and for watching the channel 😊
Hi Graham, I am glad you liked the CCLP cover I sent. Always looking forward your next episodes. Your channel is wonderful. Thanks for everything!!
Woohoo 🙌 Thank you so much for sending the special cover. I love it 😊
Great video I am also collecting postage stamps. I'm from Sri Lanka
Very cool! Sri Lanka has some beautiful stamps 🥰🇱🇰 Thanks for watching!
If you love video production and plan on continuing doing something why not just keep doing stamp content? Just an idea. Just hate to see this end. You have a great thing going and how do you know it wouldn't take off at some point? Honestly I think I speak for us all that more simple videos are better than seeing this end. Idk.
Thank you so much for your support. There are a several challenges with continuing the channel, but the value vs effort and time can be very discouraging for any content creator. I have spent a lot of money on the channel, and at some point I had to make the call to end it. BUT I think its time for a fresh approach and someone to take the hobby to new heights, perhaps they can learn from where I have struggled and succeed in creating something incredible. 😊🫶
A wonderful video as always! You are an inspiration to all of us! Your channel has taught me so much about this wonderful hobby and how it can connect people from all over the world. I am grateful for the time, talent, and resources that you have poured into Exploring Stamps, I have enjoyed every episode. Thank you and best wishes for the future.
Thank you sir 😊. Thank you for your support and encouragement. And of course thank YOU for all your efforts to grow our wonderful community, I love your channel 🙌 Please keeping doing what you are doing!
Were any of the uruguayan ones marked "Oriental Republic de Uruguay"?
Edit: Totally think that whole "Universal Mail" thing should be banned, total scam, from the sounds of it.
Yes! some of them are marked Oriental Republic... but I haven't looked into what the significance of it is yet. I agree with your thoughts on the Universal Mail stamps... I'm not a fan of misleading folks with stamps just to make a quick buck.
@@ExploringStamps It's just the full name they used to put on the stamps, it refers to how Columbus believed the Americas to be Asia, just as natives were called indians.
That music postcard is 🔥. I want one!!
I want a whole collection 😆, thanks Markus.
Thanks Graham! I'm a collector since I was 5, but stopped after starting to work. I decided to pick up again during the pandemic when I found my collections while tidying my store room. I started to search online as well as UA-cam to check for interesting articles and video on this hobby, then I found your channel. I've learned a lot from your channel and this keeps my passion on this beautiful hobby. Looking forward to seeing your great work again in the future!
That is awesome! So glad that you found the channel and have enjoyed the videos, it means a lot to know that the channel has helped or had an impact on viewers' collecting journeys. Thank you so much for your support and viewership 😊🫶
Man. Just let you know that I discovered your channel just few weeks ago and I am addicted. I am an old book seller and I was looking for good inspiring channels when I found that one. That of yours has become one of my main references about freshness, innovation of approach, creativity, rythm and production. I wish you all the best. And I will be waiting just in case you rethink that end. You are amazing and your job here will last a lot. Thanks.
😊 Thank you for the kind words, so glad to see that you have enjoyed the style of the videos, it means a lot! Thank you for your support and viewership!!
Hey Graham, yet another great episode!!👌 You've been a great inspiration to many philatelists to create their own UA-cam channel and I am one of them. I'm always impressed by your knowledge and your ability to make the episode so interesting. You always have a fun and engaging way of presenting it and I am sure I am going to miss your videos. Keep up the great work! I wish your future endeavors. Thank you for adding my UA-cam channel to your favorite channel list. Appreciate it!!😊😊
😊 Thank you for your support and viewership. I'm really enjoying your content, so of course I had to add the channel to the favorite list 😊 Please keep it up!!
I am doubtful there was ever a better series on philately on youtube, it is very pity that the story is close to its end. There will be again a philatelic vacuum on youtube.
Thank you for your support and kind words 😊. I am optimistic that we will see many new channels in the future dedicated to the hobby, there is so much more to explore and enjoy, fingers crossed!!
"For everything there is a season." You have left us with good memories, lots of smiles, and a library of philatelic knowledge. Don't purge too much as I, and I am sure many others, watch the older episodes. A rainy night, some hot chocolate and Season 1 Exploring Stamps. Ah, bliss! Best of luck in whatever your next adventure might be.
😊 Thank you, Chai. You have been a supporter of the channel since the early days. Thank you so much!!
thanks for all this years with all your videos about stamps i great passion and how many details it is within stamp collecting, have followed you for a long time🙂
You are very welcome! Thanks so much for watching over the years 😊
Thank you so much for all the content you've produced over the years. I remember getting a small selection of stamps from my grandparents when they moved, and that is when I found your storing stamp collections video. After that, I couldn't stop watching. I've slowly got a growing collection of my own now. Thank you very much.
You are so welcome! I'm so happy to see that you found the channel and have enjoyed the videos ever since. Thank you so much for watching and for your support. 😊
What can I say, I’m sad😢
😞 Dont be! I'm excited for where the future of the online community goes next. Thanks for all your support!
Thanks for all the wonderful content you have produced over the years. Always look forward to your videos and the professionalism you put into them.
You are very welcome!! Thank you for watching the videos over the years, glad you enjoyed them 😊
Thank you, Graham, you're an inspiration. And thanks to Laura for lending you to us for so long! 😊
My pleasure! Thank you so much for your support and for watching the channel 😊
Simply the BEST of all the rest! Your originality, research, and video presentation of diverse philatelic material is unsurpassed. You and Laura have brought great joy and philatelic knowledge to countless thousands around the world! Your Philatelic Legacy is assured and will keep on through each of your amazing Vids! Even so, you and Laura will be missed big time! 😂 Randy from Florida.
Thank you for all your support, Randy. And thank you for being a part of the journey, so glad that you have enjoyed the channel 😊
It was a GREAT, GREAT series. Congratulations, and I hope we see a drop or two from you in the future. Maybe a monthly show? 🤞🤞🤞🙂
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed the series 😊
@@ExploringStamps you're like Seinfeld. You quit at the top of your game. 🙂 GL
👌👌👌
👍👍👍
I was a regular viewer of your channel and a big fan. Until a year back never missed a single video of yours. Unfortunately was busy for a long while. Iam really sad to see that my favourite you tube channel is going to stop just when i decided to catch up with all the videos i missed.
Thank you very much for all the efforts yoj have taken to educate and entertain us. All the very best for your future projects.
Will miss this wonderful channel❤️😢
I'm going to miss these episodes :') Back in 2016 this channel reignited my stamp collecting hobby, and since I've looked forward a a good cup of coffee and watching the next episode as they're release in the mornings. I look forward to anything else you share or post in the future, you might be shutting down the channel for now but we will always be here for when, if ever, you return. Cheers mate
😊 Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel since the early days!! It really is great to see that you have enjoyed the videos, and that they have been a part of your philatelic journey.
Just my luck!! Discovering your great channel today only to realize that this video might be your last one! As a philatelist myself since the age of 10 (46 years ago), your passion is communicative and we need more people like you to inspire curious minds. Very best wishes from Provence.
Hi Graham, I have one prediction: You will miss this in the future a lot. Yes, there are not that many collectors outside and many of them do not use UA-cam or other internet related sources. With this it is limited. It is the same as with my website: I can´t hope to get many clicks on it and I do not expect it. It´s just fun.
May be after a while you may will think of let´s say a channel with less videos, just for fun. Whatever your decision in the future is, I wish you the very best. It was fun to watch your channel and it was the best about stamps I was able to find. Thank you for the great time you gave me. Oliver.
😊 Thank you, Oliver. Who knows what will happen next, but I am excited to see the online community continue to grow and new content creators starting to publish videos. Perhaps several will succeed where I failed, fingers crossed that it will happen soon. Thank you for all your support over the years.
congratulations on the CSAC appointment 👍👍👍
Thank you!! 😊
Sorry to see you taking a step back Graham, you deserve a well earned break - well, I hope it’s just a break…
😊 Its an indefinite break, but thank you so much for your support and for watching the channel!
Thanks for making stamp collecting more accessible and also more relatable for the next generation!
Truly have enjoyed each of your episodes. You will be missed on YT.
See you on X!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for watching and being a part of the journey 😊
Namaste! Graham. Greetings from India 🇮🇳
I have been watching your video from the very beginning and also on Instagram. Thank you so much for all of your informative videos. A big thank you to Laura as well. My warmest greetings to her. Please convey it to her.
Regards,
Souvik
You are very good in fact the best here
Thank you 😊
Hello! I am new to your channel but have been binge watching! Will you be accepting mail in the future? I have some old Atlantic City postcards that you may like for your collection!
All the best going forward, have enjoyed and learned so much from this channel. Will always remember us starting our postcrossing journeys at the same time. :)
Your videos have brought me so much joy and happiness, Graham.
I salute you, my friend, and I wish nothing but the best for you, too.
Sad to see the end of your amazing channel, Graham. It's been a ride! Hope to see more of you somehow in the future. All the best.
Thanks a ton for all your support over the years 😊
I have a 5 cent Washington stamp with 6 wavy lines running across it. Can’t find a date or value any advice. Thanks.
Bro make a video on Indian stamps
🤔🤔🤔
The hobby is dead. This channel gave me hopes but when even this one has to give in, I really wonder on the future of this dwindling hobby.
😞 I'm optimistic that the online community will continue to grow as the hobby shifts into this new way of experiencing philately, fingers crossed that someone can succeed where I failed.
Well done ! Hard work pays off> best wishes for your future plans!
Hi Graham! I do not even know where to start. First of all, thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I am sure from many others as well, for the time, effort, talent, and resources you put into your wonderful and inspiring videos over the years, and thank you also to Laura for her support and excellent energy and videography! I would like to echo what Lia wrote in her letter to you. It is perfectly understandable and we all support your decision to end your channel, but it is going to leave a huge gap in the world of philately! It is sad. Your videos will stay as a legacy, and I am sure will still bring joy, influence and motivation for years to come. You must know that you inspired many to take up philately, love the hobby and not to speak about many UA-cam channels that started due to your channel and videos. I wish you the very best, lots of time to enjoy everything in your life, including philately and even more success in everything you do.
Maybe you should use your videography skills and all other UA-cam skills to start with a channel in something you will still enjoy, but focused on something popular in UA-cam and with strong possibilities for commercialization, so that you can also enjoy some financial rewards and wide fame beyond philately, because you certainly have the skills, talent and personality to do so. However, it will be like a second career as you know.
I want to write much more, but only two more things. This was an excellently great episode. I enjoyed every bit of it, and you got exceptional mail. My mouth hung open when you played that card! How amazing.
Lastly, but not the least, your generosity and kindness is just exceptional. Thank you, thank you, thank you (baie dankie!) for mentioning and giving a shout out and advertisement for my channel. It means such a huge, huge lot to me! I noticed yesterday that I got more new subscribers the last day or so than normally, and now I understand why! I don't know how to express how thankful I am.
I will continue to watch and rewatch your videos for time to come. I hope I may have the opportunity and privilege to cross paths with you and Laura somewhere in the future. Should you ever visit New Zealand in future, you must contact us, and we can be a base for part of your visit, as much as we can contribute. At the moment we live on the North Island.
All my best wishes to you two!
😊 Thank you so much, Charnie! It really means a lot to know that the channel has had an impact on people's collecting journey, and their enjoyment of the hobby over the last several years. I'm excited to see where content creators like you take the hobby next, I really enjoy what you are doing and how you are interacting with the community, please keep it up!! 😊 New Zealand is on our bucket list, and of course you never know when our paths could cross at a stamp show or something else altogether. Thank you for all your support and encouragement 🫶
Thanks again, Graham! You are very kind. My channel is but a speck.🙂I hope we will meet in person somewhere in future. Take care!!!! @@ExploringStamps
The best philately channel will be dearly missed. Congrats on committee, look forward to hearing more.
Thank you so much!! Glad you enjoyed the channel over the years, thank you for watching 😊
Lovely episode. It is still a shame you are going. We all hope to see you again, maybe.
Thank you so much 😊. Glad you enjoyed the episode and the channel, thanks for watching!
Hey Graham, fantastic video... particularly loved seeing the flexicard music postcard in action! Have always enjoyed watching your vids... and please don't remove any of the old ones, there's still loads I've yet to watch! Enjoy your new CSAC experience! please ask their committee, why can't I vote for a topic for their stamps just because I'm not in the US? Although I can't say who the 8th president was, or name the 50 states, I still love US stamps and have a lot in my collection, and there are loads of current topics of international relevance, such as AI, telecommunications and technology, medical advances, environmental issues, even Taylor Swift lol, that international supporters may suggest. I doubt the committee will agree to it [to my disappointment :( ], but it may provide you all with a fun 5mins of discussion lol. :)
Yeah the music postcard really is amazing. I hope to find them in the future, and it would be even more awesome if they could be made again, I would totally buy and send them i the mail. Your topics would definitely provide some interesting conversation, although the US doesnt issue stamps of living people (generally), a Taylor Swift stamp would likely be a MASSIVE hit, can you imagine?! Thanks so much for your support and viewership over the years 😊
There are loads of the music cards to choose from on ebay - search for "flexidisc postcard". There's no Taylor Swift music postcards there though lol... although it would be a fab promo for her if she published them, I'm sure loads of her fans would buy them! Maybe a new project for you in publishing music cards now you have more time on your hands after YT. ;) Thanks again for all your excellent videos and I'm looking forward to the last couple heading our way soon. :)@@ExploringStamps
I really like the Nova Scotia's map cover with stamps at different location of Nova Scotia pasted on it. What's a great idea to have a map cover!
It really is a terrific idea. I can see myself making one, sending it to myself, and then framing it for my wall 😊.
@@ExploringStampsYes. I am now thinking on which stamps from my country Singapore that I can paste on which part of the Singapore map cover if I am to make one for myself :)
@@joyseng 😲 YES!! that would make for an incredible map... and there are no shortage of interesting Singapore stamps to use. DO IT!!
@@ExploringStamps Thanks. Maybe it is easier to do it for a small country like mine. Imagine trying to do that for the entire USA!
Dear Graham Thank you very much for the effort you put on the philately with your great channel. Also thanks to laura for the support given. This is the best channel which i love very much. Graham is such a inspiration to me. Im really greatfull for the support given to me. Im worrying not to watch new videos. Congratulations to your future. 🎉 ❤️ and thank you for mentioning my channel.
😊 Thank you Sara!! Your support and viewership over the years has been wonderful, and of course I LOVE your channel. Looking forward to watching your future vids. ❤️
It's been a wonderful experience following your channel. Very informative and inspirational. Thanks.
You are very welcome, thank you so much for watching 😊
I’m saddened by this announcement Graham. You single-handedly brought the hobby into mainstream social media. A lot us, including myself, have drawn inspiration from your videos and the different perspectives you have shared about stamp collecting… but at the same time, wishing you all the best on your next endeavors. and will look forward to those remaining videos you mentioned. 😭😭😭❤❤❤
😊 Thank you for your support and encouragement, I'm really enjoying your content, please keep it up!!
Dear Graham, it was really shocking to hear that you were stepping down, but I understand your reasons. It is so sad that your wonderful and fundamental job just finishing. The Philatelic World will deeply miss you and your topics. I am proud to be owner of the "inverted Graham" :)), a lifelong lovely memory. Thank you so-so much for everything! And...Happy Collecting! Thanks again for all, Zsolt
Thank you, Zsolt 😊. Your support and viewership has been wonderful over the years, so glad to see that you have enjoyed the channel. Thank you for everything!!
Greetings from the coastal state of Goa, in India. Disappointed, but understanding with the decision taken by you to bring down the curtains on this wondrous channel. It taught me a lot more in philately with you exploratory bent, and your absence will be felt. Your contributions to the philatelic community is appreciated manifold and cherished. Wish you the very best to new beginnings, and keep the faith. - Basil
Thank you, Basil 😊. So glad to see that you have enjoyed and appreciated the channel over the years, thank you for all your support!
I am very sorry to see this channel end slowly. You have been the most interesting channel in our hobby. Hope you will continue with perhaps shorter epis in the future. Those Music postcards are usually from Poland of which i have 3 of them playing 1 track from Connie Francis, they are great but you have to keep them under a weight to straighten them.I have Valentino, Fallin', You're gonna miss me. they play at 45rpm. and they are in limited quantities about 100.Good luck with your new endeavor and we all wish you plenty of luck.Who knows in the future what might pop up in this hobby. Greetings from Greece. Having a P.O BOX is expensive each year too.
Oh amazing to see that you have some music postcards. Ive been looking and cannot even find mention of them, very cool that you a few. 😊 Thanks so much for the kind comments about the channel, and for your support and viewership over the years.
Really excellent channel. Excellent content presented excellently. Memorable episodes: dead countries (first watched), 1786 British revenue "stamp" (totally new information), tin can mail, the really sophisticated sleuthing on Bora Bora girl, and the British Guiana One Cent Magenta (still bizarre they just gave it to you to see up close). But probably the epitome was the £10 challenge, it was a synergy of your work to create excellent relationships within the philatelic world, natural born excitement, massive interest across age and geography, and excellent story telling.
Thank you!!😊. I am totally in agreement with you, the 10 pound challenge was the result of years and years of work. I couldnt have done it 7 years, even 2 years ago, so much had to evolve and come together for it to happen and its one of my proudest achievements of this channel. Thank you so much for all your support, so glad to see that you have enjoyed the videos and my journey over the years. 😊
Graham I want to thank you for all you've done for our great hobby! Shame though, your channel was the one that lead me back into Philately during the pandemic. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS! We know how life goes! Blessings my friend!! ;-{)
Thank you 😊. So glad to know that this channel has been a part of your philatelic journey in recent years, thanks so much for watching and your support.
Have a good time having a rest for both of you mate, you will not be forgotten 👍 it's still the best hobby. PS we are still winning cricket 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. 🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲😎
😊😊 Thank you!! It really is the BEST hobby out there. Yes you are still winning the cricket, but we have 4 Rugby World cups 😊🇿🇦🙌
March 14, 2024 To Laurie and Graham: Firstly, it with a heavy heart that I found out that you both will not be making many more "Exploring Stamps" episodes on youtube. My colleagues at the North Toronto Stamp Club informed me of this sad news. I ,however, understand the reasons for you both doing this. I have fully enjoyed the professionalism and dedication beyond any call of duty you've both brought to the table in your episodes; my personal favorites are the "Girl from Bora Bora" and " the NFT Crypto" episodes I had the good fortune to meet you both briefly at CAPEX22 for your presentation organized by the North Toronto Stamp club and you both signed a hand drawn cover I made for the show and thank you very much both of you for signing it. I really wish that I could mail you one of these covers but it's not possible and I regret not doing it before. Both of you can be happy that you both have, to a large degree, brought many, many, particularly younger people to this amazing hobby. In closing, I'm delighted Graham that you will be on the U.S. stamp advisory committee where you can add a very needed dimension for younger stamp enthusiests. I wish both of you happiness and good health for the future.
😊 Thank you Gordon. It was so nice to meet you and some of the other members of the NTSC at CAPEX, I thoroughly enjoyed giving the presentation. It really means a lot to know that the channel has been enjoyed by collectors around the world, and I'm super happy with how amazing the online philatelic community has grown over the years 🫶. Thank you for your viewership and support over the years - Graham and Laura
Hi Graham, Mont from Ridgedale here. I just want to say thanks for the many hours of great philatelic content. I wish you and Laura nothing but the best in the future. Congratulations also for being named to the stamp selection advisory board. All the best Mont.
Thank you for all your support and encouragement, Mont. So glad that you have been a part of the journey over the years 😊
Graham, thank you for all your hard work and excellent videos. You video on Latvian first stamp was one of the triggers to start my own collection last year (I'm about a third on the way!). If you do ever decide to come back, feel free to do so with YT memberships, I would gladly become a member for a couple of quid per month, as your content is unmatched. All the best! :)
😊 Thank you so much, its wonderful to see that the channel has been part of your collecting journey, well done on getting so far with your Latvian collection!! 🇱🇻
My beloved Graham and Laura, how can I start writing without crying? It was a beautiful journey, thank you for everything, I wish the best things in the world for you both, from your Brazilian friend who will always love you...
Jessica
PS: Delighted with the postcard that turns into vinyl
🫶 Thank you Jessica ❤️. Your support has been so wonderful!
Yes I totally love that vinyl postcard, your job is to now keep a look out for them. I've never seen them before.
I’m not a subscriber (I rarely subscribe) , but I frequently watch your videos and give you a thumbs up. Very sorry it’s come to the end of the road. Thank you for all you’ve done to promote the hobby. I hope that your videos will remain on UA-cam to watch over again.
Thank you, I will definitely be keeping most of the videos up, some of the older stuff can be cleaned up and removed through. Thank you for watching 😊
I’ve been a fan for a while. I understand your sentiments about making videos. Still, good stuff. Maybe I’ll submit to CSAC.
Definitely write in and suggest a topic to CSAC 😊. Thank you so much for watching over the years!
I had never collected a stamp in my life until I stumbled across your channel (and I’m retired) and was immediately captivated by your incredible knowledge, presentation skills and making philately history so fascinating. Your enthusiasm is boundless and I love the whole idea of extreme philately. It would be great if you ever come down to Australia - let us know if you have any plans. Thank you for all the time and effort you and Laura made for the channel and I wish you every success with your future work.
😊 Thank you so much!! Its great to see that you have enjoyed the channel, and that it has been a part of your collecting journey. One day I hope to visit Aus land with Laura, and also see my buddies Gerard (the Punk Philatelist), and James (the Digital Philatelist)... one day!! 😊 Thanks for watching
Hi Graham! Congrats on your appointment to CSAC! Truly a well deserved reward for your contribution to philately. I'm sure I am not the only one proud to see you succeed. Looking forward to your final videos and wishing you all the best in your new endeavors. Should you wish to continue receiving new issues from Bat's Private Post, do drop me a card with an address. It would be my pleasure and not looking for anything in return. You have already freely, literally, given so much through your unrivaled quality philatelic videos.
Scott
Thank you so much, Scott 😊. I have thoroughly enjoyed receiving Bat's Private post letters over the years, I think you were one of the first local/private posts that reached out to me, and yours may have inspired others to start. Thanks so much for your support and viewership.
Thanks for the fun and education over the past few years. You did something that no one else was doing and made it fun and enjoyable. As I've said before, your channel should have over 100,000 subscribers, not just 34,000. I know you've spent lots of your own money, plus countless hours producing these fine videos. May you find joy in all the next explorations of your life. Thank Laura for us as well.
😊 Thank you Mark!! So glad to see that you have enjoyed the journey/channel over the years. Thank you for your support and encouragement - Graham & Laura
I did not find you Tube Channel until recently. Although there are a few other channels, NONE of them are has interesting AND informative. You have brought back my passion for the hobby that i started nearly 35 years ago. I will definitely miss seeing your videos!
😊 So glad to see that you enjoyed the channel and videos. Thank you for your support and viewership.
Time flies really fast! I remember discovering and watching Exploring Stamps for the very first during the lockdown period which made me more interested in exploring philately and other related hobbies. It is amazing to see your journey and progress for the past few years! One of few UA-cam channels that I really appreciate! You really did a great job!
Thank you so much 😊. Its so great to see that you have enjoyed the channel and that it has been a part of your philatelic journey. Thank you for your support and for watching the videos!!
I'm so sorry, I've been a silent fan. You are an inspiration and have renewed my belief that this hobby is alive and well. I wish you would keep going. Your work is fantastic!
😊 Don't be sorry! Thank you so much for watching over the years, every view counts and I'm so grateful to have had a wonderful community. 🙌
Hi Graham, another great video. You made my day when you used the turn table to play the music postcard. 😂😂
Cheers!
Reg
Thank you Reg! I am on the lookout now for more of those music postcards, sooo coool!!
You videos posts have been great and sad to hear your series will be ending. I've always thought having a UA-cam channel on Philately would be fun, but fear no one would watch. I'm not exactly the best presenter on such topics and can go too detailed. Your videos have always been very entertaining and energetic. I'm sure you have gotten many people into collecting.
Do it!! Give it a go and make some videos, I think you will quickly find encouragement and viewers within this community. Thanks so much for your support 😊
Graham, thank you and Laura for all of your time and hard work making stamp collecting much more interesting and exciting for so many people. I wear my #Philately sweatshirt with pride whenever we have a stamp show at the North Toronto Stamp Club. It was great to meet you both at CAPEX 22 in Toronto, and I hope I will see you again at a stamp show somewhere. I looked forward to every episode of Exploring Stamps, and although I know you still have a few more videos, I will miss your presentations a great deal. Thanks again.
Thank you for your support, Les 😊. It was such a pleasure to present to the NTSC in 2022, and of course meet so many of its members. Thank you for watching and being a part of the journey. - Graham
Graham, thanks for all the work that you have done in the past few years. You have helped so many of us understand more about philately, and injected much interest into this hobby. While this is sad news to me, I understand your decision. I hope Laura and you will have a good break, and hopefully you can consider coming back after a few years :)
You are very welcome, thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel over the years. 😊