Collectors share stamp passion

Thousands of stamps give showgoers an insight into the past, present and future.

STAMP FAIR: Sunshine Coast Stamp Club Vice president Mike Lean was excited for the upcoming Caloundra Stamp Fair.

HUNDREDS of stamp collectors from around southeast Queensland will next month shed light on the past, present and future.

The Sunshine Coast Stamp Club’s Stamp Fair will give enthusiasts the opportunity to fill a gap in their collection and give others an insight into history.

Sunshine Coast Stamp Club vice president Mike Lean’s started collecting as a little boy, but truly fell in love with the hobby after retiring.

“I love the thrill of the chase, you never know what you are going to find,” he said.

If I find something that I’ve been looking for, for a long time or something that completes a set I get pretty excited.

“There is always a thrill of discovery, it’s fun.”

After living and teaching in Papua New Guinea throughout the 1970s Mr Lean became interested in collecting the very early stamps and postal history of; New Guinea, Papua and New Guinea, Dutch New Guinea and Indonesian New Guinea.

Mr Lean whose collection spans several albums said he feels as if he is now a historical custodian.

“You can learn a lot about the history of a country from the stamps you collect, it really is a window to the past present and future,” he said.

“Stamps are a part of our history, so it’s preserving history and gaining information.”

The fair will include purchasing stamps from club exchange books, professional dealers and a table with philatelic items.

Sunshine Coast Stamp Club president Jennifer Waldroff said the fair provides an opportunity to pick up a bargain or learn more about stamp collecting.

“Stamp clubs, stamp fairs and dealers are a great resource for collectors and for the community alike,” she said.

“It takes years to become an expert in stamp collecting and at the fair the community can access experts all under one roof for free.

“If they have a collection and are wondering what it may be worth, they can bring it along to the fair for an appraisal.”

Held at the Kawana Community Centre along Nanyima Street in Buddina the free fair will start at 9am and run until 4pm on March 15.