Stamps on a Theme
When postage stamps are as many and varied as they are today, it can sometimes be difficult trying to decide – especially if you are new to the hobby – which particular type of stamp(s) to collect. It can be extremely rewarding to build up a specialised collection, but we are spoilt for choice given the range of stamps we are offered these days.
One interesting area which may give you inspiration, however, is collecting to a theme – so why not give it a go?
Stamps from around the world, from Great Britain to Tanzania, are fascinating to collect and observe, as we can see how each different country designs stamps for public use. When building up a collection of this type, the sky is obviously the limit, so it can be advantageous to set boundaries for your collection – otherwise you will find organisation becomes increasingly difficult.
For example, you may decide to collect only a certain issue from each country – Christmas stamps being the most obvious choice. In this case, you may choose a specific year and see how long it takes you to collect all relevant stamps for that year. Otherwise, you can simply collect all the Christmas stamps you can find for each country, keeping a page or two free in your album for each individual place.
Of course, Christmas issues are only a fraction of the huge number of stamps available. You might choose to collect stamps which represent or depict a particularly important or landmark event for that country. There is a Sh2/50 stamp from Zanzibar, Tanzania, for example, which celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Afro-Shirazi party, designed in blue, green and black. Another stamp – this time from Sri Lanka – commemorates the 1981 visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the country. The design shows the intertwined flags of Great Britain and Sri Lanka.
Moving away from political and royal subjects, you may find it worthwhile to search for stamps which bear an inspirational message. For example, there is a 15c stamp issued by the United States of America which bears the message ‘The Land of the Free – the Home of the Brave’ round the edges of the stamp, while the country’s flag flies majestically in the centre. There are certainly a great many stamps available which depict the flag of the issuing country – giving you another fertile area to explore.
Slightly less predictable than flags however, are coats of arms; again, there are many relevant stamps to collect which follow this theme. From the New South Wales 1d stamp in red and white, to the Mauritius R2.50 issue with all its impressive colours, there are plenty to choose from. Why not try and collect a coat of arms and a flag for each country?
Whatever you decide to go for, themes and all their variations can provide you with many hours of happy collecting. Good luck.