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R Murray provided us a little history of Stamps: The practice of collecting and studying stamps is Philately. Before stamps they used cork or wood to seal letters and indicate fee paid for delivery. It was an Englishman named James Chalmers who created first stamp as we know it in the United Kingdom. In 1837 the first adhesive stamps were used as created by Roland Hill. The United Kingdom was the first country to issue stamps. To this day, they are the only nation that does not put the name of the Country on their stamps. They put a bust of the monarch on their stamps. Initially, after Great Britain started issuing stamps about 1837 (the penny black), other countries followed suit. By about 1860 90 countries were issuing stamps. Stamps come in all sizes and shapes. Murray showed us one about the size of a $20 dollar bill. Stamps have value, some thousands of dollars. Murray's most expensive stamp likely worth about $300. Murray started his collection at the age of 10 in 1945. So he has been collecting stamps for 75 years. He still has his very first stamp book from September 1, 1945. He now has 29 stamp books, mostly Canadian stamps (22 books). He has stamps from 194 other counties, including some from countries that no longer exist. They take us 3 shelves in his den. Murray has stamps from before Confederation, for the independent states like Newfoundland, Nova Scotia (1860's) and the Province of Canada (5 cent red beaver from 1859). Canada issues about 10 new stamps or sets each year. Some counties more. Stamps illustrate our history, culture and geography. There are specialty stamps such as for Christmas. Canada was the first nation to issue Christmas stamps in 1898. In Canada, Christmas stamps are secular and religious. The 2020 Canadian Christmas stamps were issued earlier this month. Murray showed us stamps commemorating Canada's history, such as the founding of New Brunswick, United Empire Loyalists and Cartier discovering Canada 400 years ago. One of Murray's favourite stamps is from 1940 illustrating Canadian men about to board transport ship to Europe and young 5 year old son reaching out to his father before he leaves. Murray collects both mint / new stamps and used. All stamps are catalogued. They have a number. Our local library has the Scott's catalogue of stamps that has record of every stamp created in the world. It is evident that this is a passion of Murray's that he has enjoyed for 75 years. Thank you Murray for sharing it with us.
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