Reviving interest in stamp collection among youths

STAMP collecting has experienced a decline in popularity, particularly among the younger demographic.

Penang Philatelic Society president Ng Wee Theng said the shift could be attributed to various factors that contribute to the waning enthusiasm among youngsters.

“The main reason for the decline is the advent of digital communication and technology, which has transformed the way people exchange messages.

“With email, instant messaging and social media platforms dominating communication, the appeal of physical stamps has diminished for the younger generation,” he said.

The cover commemorating the royal wedding autographed by Te Kanawa.

Ng said the fast-paced contemporary life of young individuals, characterised by a multitude of competing activities and the abundance of entertainment options, left little room for hobbies such as stamp collecting that require time and patience.

“The hobby’s meticulous nature, involving research, organisation and categorisation, may be perceived as too time-consuming for individuals immersed in a rapidly evolving world.

“But we have not given up hope and the society wants to attract more youngsters to take up this hobby, which helps to instruct the collector in geography, biography, history, culture and art as stamps are miniature gateways to the world.

“We also like to invite schoolchildren and youths to come to our stamp fair which is an annual event.

“They can learn more about our activities by checking our Facebook page,” he said.

Last year, the Christmas Festival Stamp Fair and Exhibition was held at a hotel on Burmah Road in Penang.

Among the items on display was a cover (envelope) autographed by famous soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa of New Zealand.

The envelope, belonging to Ng, featured two commemorative stamps marking the royal wedding of Britain’s Prince Charles (now King Charles III) and Lady Diana Spencer, as well as a stamp featuring the soprano.

The exhibit harked back to a significant moment about six weeks prior to the royal wedding on July 29, 1981.

Te Kanawa had received a call from musical director Sir David Willcocks, who invited her to lend her voice to the wedding ceremony held at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Her performance of Handel’s Let the Bright Seraphim from the oratorio Samson was broadcast internationally.

After Diana’s death on Aug 31, 1997, Te Kanawa chose not to perform the song again.

There were also covers signed by 25-time Grammy Award winner John Williams, who composed the Star Wars theme, and Irish virtuoso flute player Sir James Galway nicknamed “The Man with the Golden Flute”.