The Columbia Philatelic Society held its annual winter stamp show February 13–14, drawing dealers and collectors from across the Southeast for a two-day celebration of philately.
Fourteen stamp dealers — traveling from as far away as Virginia and Florida and as close as Camden — filled the venue with postcards, stamps and collecting supplies. More than 150 collectors attended the event, along with families and young people, many of whom were new to the hobby.
“It’s a hobby anyone can get excited about,” said Fred McGary, CPS president. “You can collect different countries or different topics — stamps featuring churches, horses or anything that piques your interest.”
Club Vice President Rick Miller emphasized the historical value of postage stamps. “There’s a lot of history embodied in postage stamps,” Miller said. “Historical people, places and events have all found their way onto stamps from every country.”
In addition to browsing dealer tables, attendees viewed exhibits presented by club members. This year’s displays featured counterfeit stamps, Christmas Seals and first day covers bearing the autographs of numerous astronauts.
Throughout the year, the club offers educational programs during its monthly meetings. According to club secretary Jerry Emanuel, recent presentations have covered topics such as counterfeit stamps, the postal museum in Charleston, the astronaut stamp scandal, the Protestant Reformation as depicted on stamps and other specialized subjects.
Founded more than 90 years ago, the Columbia Philatelic Society is the oldest stamp club in South Carolina. The organization meets on the third Sunday of each month from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Tri-City Leisure Center, 485 Brooks Ave., in West Columbia.
More information, including monthly newsletters, is available at www.columbiaphilately.com. Additional resources on stamp collecting can be found through the American Philatelic Society at www.stamps.org