Flyspeck Philately and Complusive Collectors

Senior reporter Lee Matthews "steps into the world of flyspeck philately and compulsive collecting" at the New Zealand National Stamp Exhibition reports New Zealand's Manawatu-Standard.

According to an article that appears on the paper's website, "Stalking stamps probably won't qualify as heart-pumping excitement for most people. But there is a certain group of people for whom philately in all its associated manifestations creates palpitations that range from mild interest to full-blown obsession."

One of the people interviewed for the article was 'complusive' collector Bruce Graves.

Bruce proudly displayed "a book filled with stamps which, to the unphilatelic eye, all look like identical 1946 3d Peace stamps."

"My father collected these," Bruce is quoted as saying, "I've got 55,000 of them. Take a look at this...They printed thousands of these, and there was a flaw in every 120 of them. This is flyspeck philately."

Shown above, Bruce Graves pointing out flaws on a blown-up of a New Zealand stamp.

To read the entire piece, click here.