Putting a stamp on things

A stamp- collecting club is on the look- out for new members.

Paisley Philtatelic Society says stamp collecting is a major hobby among many people worldwide.

It can be started easily and can grow to a significant collection over time.

A club spokesman said: “One of the aspects of stamps that collectors find most fascinating is their ability to reveal much about the history and culture of other places.

“Stamp collecting is a hobby that is simple enough to get started by children or adults alike, and can be continued for decades.

“Most stamp collectors collect stamps purely for their own enjoyment and satisfaction. Collecting can be done any way you choose and the pleasure can be entirely your own.”

People can start stamp collecting by saving stamps from the mail and getting friends, relatives and work colleagues to pass on stamps from their mail, the society says.

“Start your collection with stamp packets available from stamp dealers and hobby shops, buy new stamps from the post office, cut used stamps from old mail, packages, or letters, link up with a pen pal, swap stamps with friends and join a stamp club at school or your local stamp club,” the spokesman added.

“A list of stamp clubs is available on the Association of Scottish Philatelic Societies (ASPS) web site.”

Man stamp collectors also collect postcards.

“Collecting postcards is in many ways complimentary to stamp collecting and many collectors collect both and they can enhance a stamp collection,” the spokesman said.

“Postcard collecting caters for all interests and can encompass a wide variety of interests – football, royalty, railways, aircraft, local history and so on.

“Postal history, events of social importance and snap shots of the past are all captured on postcards.

“Stamp and postcard collecting can be immensely rewarding with the true reward being in the personal enjoyment and educational potential that it brings.”

Everyone is invited to go along to the Paisley Philatelic Society meetings.

“We are a friendly group and can provide advice, help and assistance with your stamp collecting,” the spokesman said.

The first meeting of the new session is on Wednesday, September 26, at Ralston Community Centre at 2pm.

For full details of the meetings and more go to www.paisleyphilatelic.org.uk