This article was originally published almost a century ago in the Jamaica Times (18.9.09). It describes the beginning of a philatelic society in Kingston, Jamaica. It will be of interest to stamp collectors West Indies:
BIRTH NOTICE “Born in Kingston, Jamaica, on Wednesday Evening, September 8th, 1909, a club whose principal work in the days to come will be to encourage a taste for philatelic study.” To these stamp collectors in and around Kingston, who aspire to things above and beyond the quantity and rarity of stamps in their albums, the above news will come as good tidings An initial meeting was advertised in the daily newspapers to take place at 4.30 p.m. in the large study of St. George’s rectory, Duke Street, a fit place, it being the old classroom of the Theological Hall, in connection with the United Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, for the birth of a Society, whose foremost aim is to foster philatelic study. The meeting, having been called order, Mr. Astley Clerk (in the chair) addressed it as follows:
‘Ladies and gentlemen, stamp collecting is, to me, and it should be to all collectors, one of the most fascinating of hobbies, and yet how often do we hear of someone, who has ‘given up collecting.’ So frequently of late was this vacillation among local collectors brought to my attention, that it set me thinking of the causes, which could produce so ill an effect, and the conclusion, at which I arrived is this, that collecting stamps ‘Schoolboy’ fashion, can never satisfy the boy, much less the man; something more desirable than mounting specimens in one’s album is needed, something more uplifting than being able to proclaim your collection as one containing so many thousands. Of such things, a collector soon wearies…
I thought of myself commencing my philatelic career at the age of ten and continuing to the present, with this difference, that today, thirty odd years after, I am far more enthusiastic on the subject, than I was at the commencement. I thought also of the keen philatelists abroad, whose love for the hobby increased with their years, and I said, ‘What can it be that makes one set of collectors enthusiastic and the other callous?’ and the answer, which forced itself on me was , ‘study , and the want of study.’
Having found for myself reasons to account for the deplorable lack of interest among our local stamp collectors, in a truly interesting pastime, I wondered if it were possible to overcome the coldness of some, and the lukewarmness of the others, and in their place light the fire of enthusiasm which, it seems to me, should be the characteristic of every collector.
“Study of any subject makes a difference, it opens wide and pleasant fields for one to travel through, increases knowledge, and as in the case of the philatelist, makes collecting a pleasure and delight. I attribute my continued warm interest to study, and my desire to get others to share my experiences; hence it is that you have been invited to attend this inaugural meeting. The generalist, unless he has a superabundance of time at his disposal, cannot possibly study his entire collection, hence the frequent ‘giving up,’ but, I think that you will agree with me, that, all of us collectors, generalist or specialists, have a tender spot for some particular country or countries, the liking is spontaneous, and need I say, that the preference will be, must better appreciated by reading, study and co-operation. And, it is right here, that the club will prove useful to its members, for a library is to be started (In fact, I may say the foundation has already been laid); philatelic journals will be subscribed to; exhibitions held; lectures given by members on matters of philatelic interest, to be followed by discussions; and thus a wealth of valuable information will be laid at our door.
As you will have gathered, the acquiring of philatelic knowledge is the primary aim of this proposed club, but of course, it will, and must, follow that opportunities will be provided for the exchange or sale of duplicate stamps.
Ladies and gentlemen, I can safely promise those of you, who will join the club, not only many a pleasant evening but, what is of far more importance, the creation of a depth of enthusiasm for our hobby, which can only be known to the student.’
After his address the Chairman called on any of those present to express their opinions as to the necessity and advisability of the proposed club, and several took advantage of the invitation to recommend the object.
A provisional committee was appointed to report to the next meeting on the adoption of a set of rules, by which the society will be governed. The meeting was adjourned till the 23rd of September. Two instances of the beneficial results of the meeting of collectors was practically demonstrated at this initial meeting when (1) Mrs. Few shewed a block of current 6d. Jamaicas, of a deep orange hitherto unknown, and stated that she had just obtained them from the G.P.O., and (2) Mr. C. Scott stated that he had an unwatermarked Llandovery, and would bring it to the next meeting.
