Passion and Profit
The World of Amateur Traders in Philately
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2390806 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Paul Van Der Grijp (Université de Provence Aix-Marseille I, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2002 |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 23-47 |
| Publication date | 2002-03-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Material Culture (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1359-1835 • E-ISSN: 1460-3586 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1177/1359183502007001304 |
| OpenAlex | W2168804606 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 15 |
Within the specific subset of collecting-in-general which is called philately, the twilight zone between exchange for one's hobby (swapping) and professional trade is occupied by enthusiastic collectors who also act as dealers. This article seeks to describe and understand the informal economy of philatelic amateur trade via an economic anthropological perspective by studying particular cases of adult collectors in the Netherlands. It shows how the market can be critical in economically reproducing an endeavour without diluting its cultural 'spirit'. A major question is: what distinguishes amateur trade in philately from the trading practices of professionals? The representations and praxis of philatelic amateur dealers gain relevance within the present-day context of many western societies: people now live longer, there are increasing instances of early retirement, and also a high proportion of unemployed people. Within this context - a conjunction between a cultural phenomenon which has long existed and the specific socio-economic conditions of today - amateur dealers create their own jobs and, in so doing, construct their own social identity
Amateur · Archaeology · Context (archaeology · Economics · Economy · Hobby · Logos Bible Software · Passion · Political science · Relevance (law · Sociology · Art History and Market Analysis · History · Law
Economic anthropology
International encyclopedia of the social sciences.
Amateurs
Traditional exchange and modern markets
Collecting: An Unruly Passion
New Directions in Economic Anthropology
Introduction
Collecting in a Consumer Society
A Job You Can't Lose
Economies and Cultures
A Most Ingenious Paradox
The Socialist Construction of Philately in the Early Soviet Era
Free Market Metaphor
| Highly cited | No |
|---|