'Stamp Collector' by Robert Service

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Songs of a Sun-LoverMy worldly wealth I hoard in albums three,
My life collection of rare postage stamps;
My room is cold and bare as you can see,
My coat is old and shabby as a tramp's;
Yet more to me than balances in banks,
My albums three are worth a million francs.I keep them in that box beside my bed,
For who would dream such treasures it could hold;
But every day I take them out and spread
Each page, to gloat like miser o'er his gold:
Dearer to me than could be child or wife,
I would defend them with my very life.They are my very life, for every night
over my catalogues I pore and pore;
I recognize rare items with delight,
Nothing I read but philatelic lore;
And when some specimen of choice I buy,
In all the world there's none more glad than I.Behold my gem, my British penny black;
To pay its price I starved myself a year;
And many a night my dinner I would lack,
But when I bought it, oh, what radiant cheer!
Hitler made war that day - I did not care,
So long as my collection he would spare.Look - my triangular Cape of Good Hope.
To purchase it I had to sell my car.
Now in my pocket for some sous I grope
To pay my omnibus when home is far,
And I am cold and hungry and footsore,
In haste to add some beauty to my store.This very day, ah, what a joy was mine,
When in a dingy dealer's shop I found
This franc vermillion, eighteen forty-nine . . .
How painfully my heart began to pound!
(It's weak they say), I paid the modest price
And tremblingly I vanished in a trice.But oh, my dream is that some day of days,
I might discover a Mauritius blue,
poking among the stamp-bins of the

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Stamp Collector": An Ode to Simplicity and the Joys of Collecting

As a lover of poetry and all things literary, I have always been drawn to the works of Robert Service, a Canadian poet who captured the hearts of readers with his simple yet evocative poems. One of his most famous works, "Stamp Collector," is a delightful ode to the joys of collecting, and it has always struck a chord with me.

At just 24 lines in length, "Stamp Collector" is a brief yet powerful poem that celebrates the beauty of the world through the eyes of a collector. The speaker in the poem is a man who collects stamps, a hobby that may seem trivial to some, but one that holds great meaning to him. As the poem progresses, he describes the simple pleasures of his hobby, and how it helps him to appreciate the world around him.

The Power of Simplicity

What I love about "Stamp Collector" is its simplicity. Service's language is clear and direct, and he doesn't rely on complex metaphors or obscure references to make his point. Instead, he uses the everyday language of a collector to convey the power and beauty of his subject matter.

For example, the first line of the poem sets the tone for the entire work: "A speckled egg, a shiny stone, / Another bird's nest blown / Empty or with a single egg / / Safe in my museum lie / Fragile miracles of nature." These lines are so simple and direct, yet they convey the essence of collecting in a way that is both profound and accessible.

The Beauty of Collecting

Throughout the poem, the speaker describes the beauty of collecting, and how it allows him to appreciate the world in a way that others might overlook. He describes the stamps in his collection as "tiny maps of time and space," and notes how they tell the stories of far-off places and distant times. He revels in the fact that he can hold a piece of history in his hand, and that through his collection, he can travel to places he may never see in person.

One of the most moving lines in the poem is, "Here in my album, safe from harm, / Precious specimens of man, / Irreplaceable, priceless gems, / Each mounted on its ivory span." There is something so powerful about the idea of preserving and cherishing these "precious specimens," and it is clear that the speaker values his collection more than anything else in the world.

The Joys of Simple Pleasures

Ultimately, "Stamp Collector" is a celebration of the joys of simple pleasures. The speaker finds happiness in the small things in life, and through his hobby, he is able to appreciate the beauty of the world around him. He notes how his collection brings him "simple joys and solaces," and how it allows him to escape from the stresses of the world.

There is something so refreshing about the idea that happiness can be found in the most unexpected places. "Stamp Collector" is a reminder that we don't need to have grandiose pursuits or material possessions to be happy; sometimes, all we need is a simple hobby that brings us joy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Stamp Collector" is a beautiful and moving poem that celebrates the power of simplicity and the joys of collecting. Through his simple yet evocative language, Robert Service captures the essence of what it means to be a collector, and how this hobby can bring us closer to the world around us.

As someone who loves poetry, I am constantly looking for works that speak to me on a deep, emotional level. "Stamp Collector" is one of those poems; it is a work that reminds me of the beauty of life, and how even the smallest things can bring us great joy. It is a poem that I will always treasure, and I will continue to return to it whenever I need a reminder of what is truly important in life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Stamp Collector: A Masterpiece by Robert Service

If you are a poetry lover, then you must have heard of Robert Service, the renowned poet who has left an indelible mark on the world of literature. His works are known for their simplicity, humor, and relatability. One of his most famous poems is the Poetry Stamp Collector, which is a masterpiece in its own right.

The poem is about a man who collects stamps, but not just any stamps, he collects stamps with famous poets on them. The man is so passionate about his collection that he even dreams about it. He imagines himself as a king, sitting on a throne made of stamps, with his collection displayed all around him. The man is so obsessed with his collection that he even forgets about his wife and children.

The poem is a commentary on the obsession that people have with collecting things. It shows how people can become so consumed with their collections that they forget about the things that really matter in life. The man in the poem is so focused on his stamps that he forgets about his family and the love that they share.

The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which is characteristic of Robert Service's work. The language is easy to understand, and the rhyming scheme adds to the poem's charm. The poem is also humorous, which makes it even more enjoyable to read.

The poem begins with the man dreaming about his stamp collection. He imagines himself as a king, with his collection displayed all around him. He is so proud of his collection that he even boasts about it to his friends. He tells them that he has stamps with Shakespeare, Keats, and Shelley on them.

The man's obsession with his collection is evident in the way he talks about it. He is so passionate about his stamps that he even forgets about his wife and children. He spends all his time and money on his collection, and he doesn't care about anything else.

The poem takes a humorous turn when the man's wife confronts him about his obsession. She tells him that he has forgotten about his family and that he needs to spend more time with them. The man is so consumed with his collection that he doesn't even listen to his wife. He tells her that his stamps are more important than anything else.

The poem ends with the man realizing the error of his ways. He realizes that his family is more important than his collection. He decides to sell his stamps and use the money to take his family on a vacation. The man's realization is a powerful message about the importance of family and love.

In conclusion, the Poetry Stamp Collector is a masterpiece by Robert Service. The poem is a commentary on the obsession that people have with collecting things. It shows how people can become so consumed with their collections that they forget about the things that really matter in life. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which is characteristic of Robert Service's work. The language is easy to understand, and the rhyming scheme adds to the poem's charm. The poem is also humorous, which makes it even more enjoyable to read. The message of the poem is a powerful one, and it reminds us of the importance of family and love.

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