That was almost exactly 50 years ago.
On Thursday, members of the Barrie District Stamp Club celebrated the anniversary of their first meeting at Central United Church, Thursday, Dec. 1, 1960.
"There were 10 people there. Five us us went on to be fairly long-time members of the club," recalls Millar.
One was the former Simcoe County medical officer of health. Another came to Barrie when his company transferred here. He specialized in Boy Scouts stamps, one of many branches in stamp collecting.
Now, the club boasts 45 members from across the area, with members gathering from Bradford, Beeton, Innisfil, Wasaga Beach and Orillia.
"We actually have a member in England" who attends meetings when in Barrie visiting his daughter, said Millar.
Maggie Toms is a lifetime member. She now lives in a retirement home in Ottawa and turned 100 this year. She specializes in early Canadian stamps and postcards.
Millar began collecting stamps as a lad in England when his father brought home stamps marking the centennial of the Penny Black.
The Penny Black is the world's first adhesive postage stamp issued in the United Kingdom in May 1840.
Millar's uncle was in the navy and letters arrived with stamps from all over, allowing the boy to build his collection.
Life intervened, the stamp collection was put aside, but was revived years later when Millar settled in Barrie.
Since then, he's th his stamp collection, guessing that he might have spent more on the collection than its current value. It's kept him connected to history and given him snapshots of places and times.
It's also provided a network, both locally and nationally, as a representative of the philatelic society.
"Some of the rarities seem to be holding their value," he says. "Very few of us have those fine collections."
For information about the club, call (705) 726-5019.
Source: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2873470
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