Collecting stamps

How an (almost) forgotten hobby is making a comeback

The blue and red Mauritius are highly sought-after stamps.(Bild: Associated Press)

Decades ago it was a popular passion: collecting stamps. Now young people want to get excited about it again.

In the age of digital correspondence, stamps have lost much of their importance. And their collectors have also become increasingly rare. "At our peak, we had around a hundred members," recalls Hermann Possarnig, Chairman of the Carinthian Stamp Collectors' Association. Today, the enthusiasts only have half as many club members. That's why Possarnig and his friends want to get young people interested in this rare hobby again.

Hermann Possarnig wants to inspire young people to collect stamps.(Bild: Hermann Possarnig)

For the collectors, the focus is not on who has the most stamps, but rather: "Everyone has a specialty, so to speak. Some collect by country, others collect motifs such as flowers or cars," says Possarnig in an interview with the "Krone" newspaper. The chairman of the association himself has a considerable collection relating to the former Federal President Karl Renner.

At the stamp fair in Klagenfurt, there is a special corner with information for interested young people.(Bild: Hermann Possarnig)

And this passion should be passed on to young people: "If someone shows interest, we will of course support them." Because anyone who passes the first admission test will be given a few stamps and an album by the collectors.

Exchange on Sunday

The stamp, coin and postcard fair will take place on Sunday from 8 a.m. at the Robert Musil Community Center in the St. Ruprecht district of Klagenfurt.

A very special treat awaits those interested at the stamp, coin and postcard exchange in Klagenfurt: the club members have set up their own youth corner, because "you can experience the whole world with stamps. They contribute a great deal to general knowledge. You learn history and many other things." If you want, you can take the test on site!