Every stamp has a story. Some tell of faraway countries. Others mark wars, inventions, famous figures, animals or art. For members of the Grand Junction Stamp Club, those stories keep the hobby interesting after decades of collecting.

Formed in the early 1950s, the club still meets on the second Wednesday of each month, just as it did more than 70 years ago. Members share stamps, letters, postcards and pieces of postal history from around the world. Some collect by country while others collect by topic or historical event. 

At a recent meeting, members shared stamps and letters connected to the War of 1812, the Hindenburg, the first U.S. stamps and more.

“There’s no right or wrong way to do it. That’s what makes it fun,” said club President Phil Emerson, 76. 

EARLY COLLECTORS

Many members started collecting stamps as kids.

Terry Allen, 61, began his first stamp collection when he was 10. Today, his collection features ships, food and beverage covers, U.S. stamps, Iowa stamps and Colorado stamps. 

Per Balke, 71, started collecting stamps when he was 6, following the lead of his older brothers. His collection includes stamps from several European countries, along with topical collections featuring sports, tunnels, medicine, art, education and Christmas.

Emerson began collecting stamps while working toward a Boy Scout merit badge. Years later, he helped bring Sandra Evans, 80, into the club after she called him about selling her father’s collection. Instead, Evans kept the collection and became a longtime member. 

Evans said her father first introduced her to the hobby, and she began collecting for herself in the 1980s.

Mike Dermody, 85, has more than 300 albums of stamps from nearly every country.

“I fell in love with stamp collecting because there is so much history and information you can learn about each country,” said Dorene McCreanor. “It is also a wonderful hobby to share with your family and friends.”

PASSING THE HOBBY

 Susan Leonard examines a stamp with a magnifying glass. 

 Emerson said stamp collecting is especially well-suited for seniors because it doesn’t require much space and keeps the mind active. 

Rather than sell their surplus stamps and supplies, club members donated them to local senior living and care programs, including HopeWest’s PACE program.

“We could sell them on eBay,” Emerson said. “But we’d rather let others enjoy the collection and find out what interests them.”

PACE Activity Coordinator Lisa Curtis said club members visited the facility in April and introduced PACE participants to the hobby.  

“People were intrigued,” she said. “Stamp collecting is something that connects people to a familiar hobby that family and friends may have done with them throughout their lives.”

Assisted living communities and nursing homes can contact the club to request donated stamps and supplies for residents interested in starting a collection. For more information, call Emerson at 970-986-1502. 

The Grand Junction Stamp Club meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at White Star Electric, 803 Winters Ave. Annual membership is $10.  

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