The perfect theme
When it comes to thematics, many of us are inspired to choose topics that reflect our passions and pursuits. From favourite authors, to films, from careers, to hobbies, it’s possible to form a collection on almost any topic, including stamps. So, whether you choose to focus on stamp exhibitions, stamp collecting, stamp collectors, or stamp design and manufacture, there’s a wealth of choice available. 9
October is the UN’S World Post Day. The USA’S National Stamp Collecting Month and India’s National Philately Day also fall in October. However, these high-profile events are just the tip of the philatelic iceberg. There are many annual philatelic events on the collecting calendar, including special days, philatelic exhibitions, and stamp competitions. Postal authorities often produce commemorative issues to mark them, and they all have suitably stamp-y imagery. Laos’ 1962, Vientiane Stamp Expo, four-stamp set is a fine example. The 0.70 kip value features a Laotian in national costume, carrying a globe wrapped in postage stamps.
Austria’s postal service has been especially supportive of stamp collecting. Their 1950 and 1955 Stamp Day issues, for instance, are lovely releases, featuring, in one, a boy flicking through his stamp album, and in the other, a man examining a stamp with a magnifier.
Famous stamp collectors make an interesting addition to this theme. Franklin D. Roosevelt was a keen philatelist and, in 1930, George Linn, of Linn’s Weekly, created ‘A Stamp Collector for President’ label, encouraging votes for a fellow philatelist. In 1947, photographs of FDR working on his collection were released. This image inspired stamp releases from the Cook Islands, Monaco, the Philippines, Turks & Caicos, and Yemen, and these would make for a great display page. However, philately’s famous faces aren’t limited to presidents and kings. They also include the likes of Freddy Mercury, Anatoly Karpov, James Earl Jones, and Maria Sharapova, and they’ve all appeared on stamps.
The process of stamp design and manufacture has been well represented by postal authorities over the years. Usually, it’s stamp engravers and artists who feature, but there are some notable exceptions which make an unusual addition to this theme. Austria’s 1962 Stamp Day release shows the process of stamp-die engraving. West Germany’s 1972 Stamp Day release shows a gravure printing press.
Stamps on stamps are another winning addition to a stamp topic. There are lots of bright and breezy releases to whet your appetite, but USSR’S 1960 Collector’s Day issue has it all. It’s image of a philatelist’s magnifier enlarging a stamp, emblazoned with a dove of peace. The inscription reads: ‘Philately serves the friendship of peoples’, which seems a very good reason, indeed, to collect.