Stamped for success

At a young age children are initiated into stamp collection because stamps are storehouses of information. Each stamp has a story to tell, it has a historical, social and cultural relevance. With some children, the hobby ends as they grow older but for some it continues as a part-time profession. And some take it up as a full-time career.
Anything can be made into a career these days and philately is certainly an unusual profession. In India, philately as a career has not developed. People are not aware of its potential, or know how to go about it. Anil Suri, with three generations in philately, says, ‘‘Stamp is like any commodity and requires trading. Every stamp collector, even if he is not into it professionally wants to sell and buy collections or stamps and the profits depend on demand and supply. The collector will sell the surplus to complete the thematic collection.’’
A professional philatelist Madhukar Jhingan says, ‘‘The career has plenty of potential, it has not been properly tapped. The future is bright and we need a new crop of professionals.’’ Vishnu Saxena, member (Retd.), Department of Post and an expert on philately, says, ‘‘To begin with there is not much money but gradually as an amateur wins medals at national and international exhibitions for his collection, he can make money by selling his collection.’’
Says well-known philatelist G B Pai, who has served as a jury member in several international philatelic exhibitions, ‘‘One has to invest a lot of money in stamps. For collecting stamps on a specific theme one has to buy all the stamps on that theme,’’ According to Saxena, ‘‘In India, philately is not an organised sector.’’ Even as a hobby, stamp collection requires plenty of study and research. Pulak Gupta, philatelist says, ‘‘This is not an ideal hobby, one has to know what is happening and the value of stamps. A collector should attend seminars, exhibitions, read books and journals.’’
Abroad philately is a booming profession. In China, France, England, Germany and the US, there are thousands of stamp dealers, auctioneers, writers and publishers of journals on philately. Anil Suri says, ‘‘Stanley Gibbons Ltd., London, that began as a small stamp business, is today listed on the stock exchange. While in France, there is an entire street full of stamps shops. However, in India, few institutes have introduced courses on philately recently.’’
Institutes
Jadhavpur University, Calcutta. The three-month certificate course was introduced in December 2002, as a joint venture of the University and Postal Department. The fee for the course is Rs 2,700. Benaras Hindu University offers a certificate course for students of ancient Indian history, culture & archaeology. The course was introduced on September 9, 2002 as part of university’s hobby centre. The curriculum entails 35 lectures for Rs 200.
Career avenues
Stamps’ dealer: Even in India there are hundreds of dealers specialising in various kinds of stamps. If a collector desires a specific stamp from any country, any theme, the dealer arranges for it at service charges. They have stamp shops where postal stationery, albums and other accessories of philatelic interest is available. One can join as a member of the philatelist dealers’ association and interaction always helps.
Auctioneer: Works at an auction house or is independent. He values, describes stamps and organises exhibitions for collectors. On behalf of the client (collector) to prospective buyer he can arrange, describe, highlight the stories behind the stamps to increase its value.
Consultant: Can work for small countries where philately is not developed and help in stamp design, printing, preparing write-ups and catalogues.
Journalist: Can author or publish philatelist books and journals. Event Managers &
Visualisers: Organise exhibitions, seminars and conduct workshops at schools, colleges. Also be a guide to amateur philatelists.
Calligraphist: If an interest in philately is combined with knowledge of calligraphy, one can get a job as a calligraphist to design stamps. With the knowledge of printing a philatelist can start his or her own magazine. One sees stamp designs on crockery, T-shirts, paperweights and ties. The artists work in collaboration with business houses. A CD on philately is available at the general post office at Parliament Street for Rs 150.