When a six-year-old’s mate found a book of stamps left behind by a homeless man, he swapped a bag of marbles for it.
And while he might have lost his marbles, he gained a lifelong passion for stamp collecting.
It was a time when kids were encouraged by their parents to write to pen pals and collect stamps.
A way to keep them inside, away from the dangers of tetanus.
While one child was searching for a half moon or a cat’s eye, the other was in pursuit of the elusive King George V two-penny red, the 1960s equivalent of a #1 Illustrator Pikachu.
That childhood deal was more than 60 years ago, and Barry Watson is still adding to his collection today as the longtime secretary of the Logan Stamp Club.
Established in 1973, the club has grown from a small group of enthusiasts in Daisy Hill to a well-organised community of about 35 active members.
“People come here with different interests; some collect specific countries, others focus on themes like space, racing cars, or even zeppelins,” Mr Watson said.
“There are no set rules. You just collect what you love.”
His passion only grew from that first book of stamps, fuelled by giveaways from petrol stations and later a career at Australia Post, which cemented his place in the world of stamps.
While Australian and Pacific stamps remain popular among members, the diversity of collectors means stamps from all over the world are exchanged.
Migrants often continue collecting from their home countries, leading to a broad range of collections within the club.
For beginners, Mr Watson recommends starting with the right accessories.
“You can buy cheap folders from stores like K-Mart, but they’re not great for preserving valuable stamps,” he said.
“We have a stamp dealer who visits our meetings and provides quality accessories like tweezers, magnifying glasses, and specialised albums.”
The club also runs a unique buying and selling system through its Circuit Books, which circulate among various stamp clubs from Rockhampton to the Gold Coast.
“Members with surplus stamps can put them up for sale in these books, which then travel around different clubs,” Mr Watson said.
“Buyers purchase directly, and sellers receive payment at the next meeting.”
Auctions are also held, with a percentage of sales supporting the club.
The club’s annual Stamp Fair, taking place on 16 February, is expected to draw up to 200 visitors from as far as Melbourne.
“We have four stamp dealers attending, and anyone can bring items to sell,” Mr Watson said.
“People often find old collections from their grandparents and bring them in, sometimes discovering hidden gems worth thousands of dollars.”
Despite the decline in traditional postage use, the club continues to share its passion with the wider community.
“We send bags of stamps to children’s orphanages overseas and remote cattle stations in Australia,” Mr Watson said.
“One boy was so inspired he learned every country’s flag and currency just from collecting stamps.”
The Annual Stamp Fair will be held at Tudor Park Community Centre from 9am to 3pm, with free entry.
The Logan Stamp Club meets on the second Thursday of each month from 5pm to 7pm at 123 Paradise Road.
