Why not join a stamp club?
If you collect stamps you can add to your enjoyment of the hobby by joining a stamp club. Stamp clubs give their members opportunities to meet like-minded people and share information about the hobby.
Club members are like you
Many collectors hesitate before visiting a club because they may regard themselves as ‘only’ beginners or for other reasons. All members of stamp clubs were beginners once. They are people from all walks of life who, just like you, enjoy collecting stamps. Most are more than willing to share their knowledge and experience with you.
Members of stamp clubs cover the full range of stamp collectors – those with a very limited stamp budgets to those able to spend larger sums; collectors of modern issues and those with only ‘classic’ pre-1900 stamps; those who may never display their material in public to others who regularly display at national exhibitions. All value the benefits of membership in their stamp club and the friendships and contacts it can bring.
What can stamp clubs provide?
Above all stamp clubs offer the friendship, knowledge and experience of their members who can advise you on all aspects of collecting including:
- identifying stamps;
- where to get stamps;
- how to store and mount your collection;
- ideas on new collecting areas.
Most stamp clubs offer:
- displays or visiting speakers;
- newsletters or magazines;
- an opportunity to obtain stamps at reasonable prices through their exchange books or sales;
- access to catalogues and books on stamps; and
- other special services such as purchasing schemes for books or accessories.
Meeting times
Many clubs meet once a month during the evening but there are an increasing number who also provide regular daytime meetings. Your enquiry could be just the one the club needs to arrange a special meeting that will suit you. Why not ask?
Meetings
Clubs try to provide a wide range of interesting subjects for meetings to suit the large spread of interests of their members. There are sure to be meetings of interest to you.
Displays or speakers
Stamp club meetings often include displays of stamps which can range from a few items from a number of members to an extensive collection by one speaker. To ensure a full range of topics over time many clubs invite speakers from other clubs to display material.
Special club competitions are sometimes held and assessed by popular vote or by a trained judge. In either case those who display or observe gain useful insights on how collections can be mounted and obtain information of use for their collecting.
Newsletters
Most clubs produce newsletters of a high standard for their members. These provide information about club activities and stamp happenings in the region and provide articles of interest to members. Some larger and specialist clubs produce world-renowned newsletters providing a major benefit in belonging.
Exchange books or sales
Most clubs have exchange books which enable members to sell their duplicate stamps or to buy stamps at reasonable prices. For some collectors, particularly in remote areas, the books provide the only regular access to stamps they may want.
Many clubs also provide the opportunity to sell and buy stamps through special sales. These could be held at regular meetings or at intervals throughout the year. Some clubs also provide ‘dealers’ meetings where a stamp dealer is invited to attend.
Reference library
Clubs frequently have a reference library. This may consist only of a few catalogues and some magazines or it may be an extensive collection of reference books and magazines. If the club library is not able to assist someone in the club will know where to seek help.
Junior Clubs
Many stamp clubs exist specially for younger collectors. In addition, other clubs welcome younger collectors or provide special activities for them.
For details please contact your local stamp club or:
Philatelic Youth Council (PYC)
PO Box 2979
Shortland Street
Auckland 1140
or check their web page at Philatelic Youth Council.
Specialised Clubs
In addition to local clubs there are a number of specialised clubs which can help you enjoy new collecting interests. These include clubs for postal history, thematics and air mail. For information on such clubs please contact the NZ Philatelic Federation as described below.
How to find a stamp club
Stamp clubs (sometimes called philatelic societies) exist in most areas.
Details of stamp clubs near you can be obtained from Societies/Clubs or:
E-mail [email protected]