Spl Olympics stamp collection a treat for philately enthusiasts
LUCKNOW: With a wide collection of stamps and other postal stationery in his possession, Dinesh Sharma is internationally known for his philatelic treasures. For philately lovers it’s a good opportunity to view his collection, displayed at the ongoing exhibition at the Lalit Kala Akademi, Aliganj.
A native of Lucknow, Sharma returned from the Republic of Nauru in Central Pacific in 2001, where he worked as an executive officer of philately.
Talking about his collection that is primarily based on Olympics, Sharma said, “My collection includes rare stamps and covers based on Olympics. Among them is the world’s first pack of stamps on Olympics, issued in 1896 during the first Olympic Games. I also have special covers issued on all Olympics held so far.” The collection includes symbols, flames and flags along with descriptions, all related to Olympics, he informed.
Sharma’s collection has travelled to various parts of the world. “I have visited 14-15 countries with my collection. Now I am looking forward to the 2016 Olympic Games to display it there,” he shared. His collection will also be showcased at the international philatelic exhibition to be hosted in Hong Kong from November 22 to 26.
Having collected philatelic materials for four decades now, Sharma asserts that the merit lies not in simply possessing stamps but in making a detailed study of one’s collection and presenting the material in a manner that describes the history and important events of that time.
Elaborating on the thorough research and detailing that has gone into his collection, Sharma explained, “I have tried to highlight the impact of world forces through philately. There were no Olympic Games due to the first and the second world wars. This reflects in my collection. Similarly, I have tried to explain the history of women’s participation in the games, including the pronouncement made at the congress held in 1925 in which it was decided that women would be a part of Olympics.”