Hello from Netherlands / France & colonies collector

[hendriks]

Hello everyone. I'm Hendriks and I have been collecting stamps for over 10 years (after of course I did it as a kid before that).

Although I'm Dutch (and I have a collection of Dutch stamps), my main interest is in France, French overseas departments and offices, former colonies, and countries formed after independence from France. I only collect high quality mint never hinged, and (in addition) used with readable cancels showing real usage (time and place).

My most complete areas are France (starting from 1900), AOF, AEF, Niger, Dahomey, and Algeria. As you can imagine I have about 30 other collections from all over the map in various stages of completeness. It's not easy to find early stamps in MNH condition, and I frequent all the dealers in Paris and buy at auctions or through mail correspondence from others. Needless to say that I've gathered some expertise in detecting regummed stamps and fake "France Libre" overprints from WWII. I'm hoping to learn more and share my passion for the French stamps.

I also have a busy job and a lovely wife and two very young kids. All these come before my hobby of course (most of the time, my wife is reading this while I type ). Cheers, Hendriks.

[Admin Bear]

Welcome hendriks as you can see we are in the midst of a rebuild but we are super glad you joined us here at Stamp Bears.

if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to ask them and some one will help you out pretty quick.. we have a great group of members and staff here ready to get you going.

[kacyds]

Welcome to Stamp Bears!!!

Glad that you have joined our great family. Please jump right in, posting pictures, asking questions and any other concerns you might have. We are here to help.

[crazyquilter]

Hello and Welcome to our den at Stamp Bears.

[JanetC]

welcome hendricks, I'm sure you will enjoy your stay in our little den

[RossTO]

Hello there and welcome to our little philatelic den on the web.

[MikeC99]

Hendriks, welcome to Stamp Bears. We look forward to your participation in our threads and seeing some scans of your collection.
Mike

[hendriks]

Thanks all, if you're interested I do have some of my collection up on the web already. I hope it's not against the rules to post them like this.

Algeria: imgur.com/a/ViSQe
AOF: imgur.com/a/SbkyT
Fezzan: imgur.com/a/y50fQ
French India: imgur.com/a/FsYsf#m6QChXg

[MikeC99]

Hendriks, welcome to Stamp Bears II. I look forward to your participation in our threads and seeing some scans of your collection.
Mike

[Perfs14]

Hi hendriks!It's excellent that you could join us. Your collecting interests will fill-up an important hole in our membership. I look forward to learning more about France and her colonial stamps!

[john6625]

Welcome aboard hendriks, can't wait to check out some of your collection.
awesome-smiley-emoticon

[tomd]

hendriks, Welcome to our family here at Stamp Bear

[darkormex]

Welcome, hendriks! It sounds like we have a few collecting interests in common. Looking forward to looking at some of your links and hope you will post some scans of your collections.

[theindestore]

Welcome to Stamp Bears Hendriks,

can't wait to check out your collections !

[Perfs14]

Aug 12, 2013 2:27:12 GMT -5 Perfs14 said:

Hi hendriks!It's excellent that you could join us. Your collecting interests will fill-up an important hole in our membership. I look forward to learning more about France and her colonial stamps!

Although I do not collect France, I know that they have a live and kicking (unlike most other countries) engraver's association headed by that master Engraver: Pierre Albuisson. Also, the French territories have been on of the most prolific issuers of engraved stamps.

So, hit us with as many engraved images as you like!

3920004554

[alyn]

Hello and welcome hendriks.

Alyn

[ChickasawStampMan]

Welcome to Stampbears. I am sure you will enjoy this site as much as I do!

[stampdays]

Welcome to Stamp Bears!

Was really smitten with the Netherlands back in the late 60's. Spent most of my Army leave time in Amsterdam.

I had a girlfriend whose dad owned a small hotel there, and I was very tempted to stay after my military tour was over.

Anyway, glad to see the this site taking on a more international flavor!

[ten1951]

Welcome hendriks to Stamp Bears forum. Greeting from Greece

[hendriks]

Thanks everyone, as soon as I have 25 posts I will put up part of my collection for everyone to see.