Thousands of free stamps, along with games, “swag bags,” door prizes and information people need to be stamp collectors, will be available at the 20th annual Youth Stamp Fair sponsored by the Ventura County Philatelic Society and the Anacapa Middle School Stamp Club on Oct. 6 at the Dudley House Museum, 197 N. Ashwood. The free event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visitors can attend 10 stations:
Registration, where those attending can also guess the number of stamps in a jar (the closest guess wins the jar and other material).
Removing stamps from paper: There are safe and unsafe ways to remove stamps from paper. People at this table will explain why to remove stamps from paper and the safe ways to do it.
Perforations and watermarks: Perforations are the holes around the edge of most stamps. The perforations – or perfs, as collectors say — can make big differences in the value of stamps that look alike. Watermarks are designs put into paper when it’s made. They can also make big differences in the value of stamps.
Mounting and storage: There are safe and unsafe ways to store stamps. Again, the people at this table will show the safe ones.
Topicals and covers: Topical collections are made up of stamps with specific designs, such as horses, cats, dogs, space and more. Covers are what collectors call envelopes.
World collecting and stamp identification. Obviously, the two subjects go together.
Bookmarks: Visitors can use stamps to create bookmarks for themselves or others.
Cachet design: Artistic visitors can draw pictures on envelopes they address to themselves and pick the stamps to be used on the cover. Winners in three age groups will win prizes.
Pick and choose: This is the most popular spot at the Youth Stamp Fair. Thousands of U.S. and foreign stamps will be available for the visitors to choose from.
Games, if there’s room.
Door prizes will be awarded at least once a room and possibly more often.
“The event is called the Youth Stamp Fair, but it’s for the young and young at heart,” said chairman John Weigle of Oxnard. “We welcome anyone interested in stamps and how to collect them.
More information about the Youth Stamp Fair may be obtained from Weigle at 805-485-7121 by phone or [email protected] by email.
