There was a time when collecting stamps was one of the most popular hobbies in the world. It connected people across countries, cultures, and even generations. Each small square of paper carried a story, a piece of history, or a face that once symbolized a nation’s pride. Today, with the rise of digital communication and online marketplaces, the world of philately has quietly transformed.
When my father gave me some stamps as a kid, stamp collecting was already a dying hobby. It was very hard to grow a collection because the only time I could get my hands on stamps was when someone received mail.
When I started collecting stamps, exchanging stamps with other collectors was no longer a thing. It wasn't until my father studied in a different country where they had hobby shops that sold stamps that I was able to grow my collection significantly.
Perhaps things were different in Manila, because I remember seeing used stamps for sale at some antique shops in SM Megamall, as well as in the gift shop at the Ayala Museum. That was however, maybe only about ten years ago.
Perhaps over time, stamp collecting has become more niche and that resulted to selling stamps becoming more lucrative.
By the time I was in college, I found a way to buy some stamps online. In 2006, I bought some Japanese occupation and Spanish era Philippine stamps from someone in Manila through Ebay Philippines. I paid them via Western Union (with hefty fees involved) and they sent me the stamps via LBC. Although apparently, Ebay Philippines was launched in 2004 so maybe me being able to buy stamps online in college was not necessarily a result of stamps becoming more expensive. Perhaps Ebay merely provided a way to connect buyers and sellers.
Looking back, I realize I was literally part of history because eBay Philippines was probably the first e-commerce platform in the country, and I happened to be among its earliest users. Back then paying someone in Manila meant using Western Union. Even bank transfers were inconvenient because the preference for banks differed between cities and provinces. In Zamboanga City, it's Metrobank (or it was back then) that was the bank of choice for most people and that was the bank that had presence in the most central part of the downtown area. In fact, I was surprised to learn that BPI and BDO were the popular banks in Manila when I came here for the first time.
Today, being a stamp collector is much easier. I recently found a way to buy stamps from sellers abroad and not only is it possible to make cross-border payments so easily now but you don't have to pay huge fees anymore for making such payments. This is the positive side of digitalization.
I also experienced getting refunded for a cross-border payment in only a few days. If you can believe it, I made the mistake of buying the same item from a US-based seller instead of the Singapore-based one as I intended.
Soon, we may even see instant settlement become a reality!
Today, the Japanese stamps I bought from a Singapore-based seller have finally arrived. I have to say that I was very impressed with the way they neatly packaged the stamps. Everything looked professionally done!
They even used nice stamps on the envelope.
I also had the opportunity of buying assorted used stamps from all over the world from some sellers in other parts of South East Asia. Based on the price that I got them for, I think stamp collecting was a more popular hobby in countries like Malaysia and Thailand compared to the Philippines. Perhaps a lot of old collectors in those countries are finally letting go of their collections and with interest among young people being low, they sell the stamps at low prices.
Ironically, at a time when stamp collecting is practically dead, the hobby is now more accessible than ever before. At least for the time being, what used to be rare can now be quickly acquired at a low cost and with just a few clicks.
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