Traditional collections are collections that explore in depth all aspects of one or more sets of stamps or comprehensively cover all philatelic items released by a postal service during a certain period of time. Collections present research on these items' paper, print colors, perforations, cancellations, number of times issued, and so forth.
For example, the first printing of “Lighthouse Postage Stamps” includes 15 stamps. These were released five times from 1989 to 1991. The second printing of these stamps features the same designs but with different colors and denominations. What's more, two booklets were released with the second printing. If a collection were to feature complete sets of both printings as well as postally used postcards, covers, or letter sheets, comparing and contrasting in depth the printings' paper, print colors, marginal inscriptions and plate numbers, it would be categorized as “traditional.”

“Lighthouse Postage Stamps” Collection