Enjoy a great hobby that will last you a lifetime. Collecting will give you enjoyment, extend your knowledge, get you out and about and give you another enjoyable purpose as you travel. Now is a great time to collect, especially in the antiques line as prices are not strong and bargains are there to be had. Like all things, antiques have their troughs and peaks but they always come back into vogue. Now is the time to get out there and find!
Taree’s Local Collectors Club has been allowed to recommence their monthly meetings at Taree Library. The members are like minded people who enjoy collecting. The meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 2pm in the meeting room, at the back of Taree Library. We meet, discuss, show and tell of interesting finds as well as enjoy an afternoon tea together.
Interesting antiques and collectables are sometimes brought along for a swap or sell table. We would love to welcome new members. Also, if you have an interesting collection that you would like to share with our group we would love to hear from you. Ring Rex – 0427 880 546 for any further information.
Postage stamps are miniature works of art— colourful, well designed and superbly printed. Some of them commemorate famous people and events; others show animals and birds, fish and flowers, railways, ships and aeroplanes, buildings and bridges, coats-of-arms and flags, achievements in space and sport. They are educational and provide some of the most practical ways of learning about geography, history, politics and religion, and everyday life in different parts of the world.
There is a myth that stamp collecting is a dead hobby, but that’s not true at all. It’s still one of the most popular hobbies in the world, with more than 20 million collectors globally.
Of course, a key part of the hobby is understanding the history of the humble stamp. The most important thing to know is the world’s first postage stamp was the Penny Black. It was issued in Great Britain in 1840 and it cost 1 Penny.
Within a few days, the Two Penny Blue was released. The most important thing about these stamps is that they made posting letters more affordable for common people.
Before this, recipients had to pay the letter’s cost, which was a lot higher as there were no set fees. Within 10 years of the introduction of the first two stamps, the number of letters sent had risen from 68 million to 350 million, and nearly every country had started to produce its own stamps.
Both the Penny Black and the Two Penny Blue featured the head of Queen Victoria and nearly all of Britain’s stamps have featured the head of the reigning monarch ever since.
The development of these postage stamps was the birth of philately and people have been collecting stamps ever since.
Most stamp collectors collect according to particular themes. By choosing one you will know which stamps to acquire. Here are some suggestions:- Australian Antarctic Territory – Separate stamps for the Australian Antarctic Territory have been issued since 1957. Cocos (Keeling) Islands & Christmas Island – Australia Post took over responsibility for stamp production in 1993-94. Christmas – In 1957 Australian commenced issuing Christmas stamps every year and became the first country in the world to do so. Royal portraits – Queen Elizabeth II is the most featured person on Australian stamps, having been depicted on many definitive stamps from 1953 to 1971. Commemorative stamps marking royal occasions include an annual issue for the Queen’s birthday. Until the Australian Legends stamp series, the reigning Monarch, and other members of the Royal Family, were the only living people who could appear on a stamp.
Birds – Many bird species have been featured on Australian stamps and the number rises appreciably if stamps of the various Australian territories are added. Aboriginal culture, art and motifs – Numerous stamps depict Aboriginal people, art and culture. Aviation – Aviation has played an important role carrying mail in Australia and numerous stamps have been issued featuring aircraft, aviators and air mail themes.
WW1 Centenary – Between 2014 and 2018 Australia Post was producing two stamp issues a year associated with the centenary of World War I and the contribution made by our defence services over the last century.
First day covers – First day covers that bear a first day of issue postmark have been produced by Australia Post for each new stamp issue since 1970.
The most valuable Australian stamp is the Inverted Swan from Western Australia where a printing error inverted the swan to not match the writing. Only 388 copies were made before the error was spotted.
Books on stamp collecting by Renniks & Stanley Gibbons are a great guide for the avid collector.
Here are some of my regular local haunts for general antiques, they might supply a treasure for you. Clancy’s Secondhand near MRD Hospital in High St, Taree. They are into more Office Furniture these days, but my car always wants to call in as I drive past as some treasures can still be found, Barry at Isadora’s Antiques – at the Valley Fair in Victoria St, Taree always has a great variety, Col in Commerce St – near the Pie shop, Sue at Delinquent Funk – Isabella St in Wingham right next to the chemist – Sue always has new and interesting stock that turns over quickly and Dave and my new shop (Antiques & Old Wares) in the old McCullaughs Produce store also in Isabella St, in Wingham. Right next to the newsagents. Call in and say hello. Happy hunting!
If you have items that you are not sure of, I may be able to help with information, appraisals &/or sales. I love the history and stories of old and interesting treasures.
Phone Rex – 0427 880 546.
Take care and stay safe!