Stamp collecting is a vocation often taught to school age children to learn about history and geography. The present writer was one such child who took extraordinary interest in the subject extending into adulthood.

Few people in Quechee may be aware that the community has a stamp club of its own, called the Upper Valley Stamp Club, which has been running since around 2000. This group of collectors meet at the Quechee Public Library on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7-8pm. Most meetings include a speaker discussing a diverse subject for 30 minutes. Four times a year, the meetings include a member auction where stamps are bought and sold at very reasonable prices. The club also organizes a stamp show twice a year at the Mid-Vermont Christian School gymnasium in Quechee, where local stamp dealers can set up booths. Stamp and postcard dealers from New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and as far as Massachusetts offer worldwide or special stamp collections and other collector items (coins and postcards), and concessions are sold by local Boy Scouts (coffee, tea, hot dogs and hamburgers). This activity is great fun and also offers free stamps for kids.

Margaret Russo (left), president of the Upper Valley Stamp Club
based in Quechee, receiving her 25-year participation certificate
in the American Philatelic Society.

The president of our club is Margaret Russo. On her experience with the hobby, she says, “Stamp collecting was not my first choice of hobbies, but in 1996, I found myself in Keflavík, Iceland – I was there doing a stint in the Navy – and not being an outdoorsy person, and not a fan of snowy cold weather, stamp collecting was a great choice. After over 25 years of collecting, I don’t know why I didn’t start earlier. The history, art, nature, science, and even [outer] space [topics] that are covered in this hobby could interest anyone.”

The most famous U.S. stamp is called the “inverted jenny”. As a result of a printing error, one hundred of these airmail stamps were issued in 1918. Quite scarce and valuable, these stamps often reach one-half million dollars at public auction. This stamp has been so enamored by collectors that the U.S. Postal Service issued a facsimile of the design in 2013. Now every collector might have the pleasure of placing one of these most remarkable stamps in their collection.

Stamp collecting was more widespread during the 20th century, sometimes called the pastime of kings and presidents. King George the Fifth amassed an extraordinary collection of Great Britain and colonies, known today as the Royal Philatelic collection. It is considered the most complete collection known, missing only the 1p magenta British Guiana – the rarest and most expensive stamp in the world, valued at 10 million dollars today. In casual conversation, an aid of King George V once remarked about how some fool had overpaid at auction for a particular stamp, to which the King reportedly admitted, “Yes, I was that fool.” So, while the King was known to overpay for stamps, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was much the opposite. Given his movements were largely restricted to a wheel chair, stamp collection became a natural pastime for him. The president spent many hours maintaining a worldwide collection consisting mostly of stamps of average value. Mr. Roosevelt didn’t have to spend much on his collection because it grew as a result of donations by his many adoring fans.

Former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt working on his
stamp collection.

The secretary of the Quechee-based stamp club is Joyce LaPoint, who came to the hobby in a unique way. She says, “Believe it or not, I did not get interested in stamps until Bugs Bunny & the Looney Tunes sets, which were issued around 1997. Then, there was John Wayne and others. Most people I have met in [stamp] clubs started collecting when they were young. And at first, I didn’t want to collect worldwide, as there were so many different countries. Now, however, I am amazed at how time flies when I start checking out my collections. I have also sold stamps on eBay for over 10 years – this was a way to make a little money to buy more stamps which I needed. I even take the newer (self-stick) postage off paper with an easy procedure using Pure Citrus Orange Air Freshener…I now have U.S. 1920s to present day [stamps], and yes, I buy each new mint U.S. stamp as they are issued.”

While Joyce has expanded her vocation through use of the internet, technology is not for everyone. Paul Cook is the treasurer of the Upper Valley Stamp Club and also a dealer of old picture postcards, as well as stamps. Paul shuns the latest technology, conducting business as he does using an old flip phone. Recently retired, Paul has built up professional contacts through the years and has become a terrific asset for the stamp club.

Paul Cook, Upper Valley Stamp Club treasurer, manning his dealer booth at a Crossroads Postcard and Stamp
show at the Mid-Vermont Christian School in Quechee.

The present writer has been a member of the club on and off for 15 years. My specialty is paper and paper mills of the 1800s. I’m a long-standing member of the APS (American Philatelic Society), U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, and the Collectors Club in New York City. I have authored several lengthy and significant articles on early American stamps and stationery and am also a member of the expert committee of the APS that issues certificates of authenticity. My recent exhibit, “History and Technology of the American Paper Industry in the 1800s”, garnered a gold medal at the 2023 national show in Chicago.

Inverted Jenny airmail issue of 1918 – the most famous U.S.
stamp.

Being a member of the Upper Valley Stamp Club affords its members hands-on knowledge of the hobby. Here, one can make new friends and chat with people who have similar interests. Anyone attending a stamp show will see a real slice of America: young and old, male and female, people of all races and creeds, rich and poor. As the stamp club’s president Margaret Russo says, “Stamp collecting really is for everyone.”

Upper Valley Stamp Club meetings are held at the Quechee Public Library, 1957 Quechee Main Street, on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7-8pm. All are welcome to join. Some upcoming summer and fall events to look forward to include a club stamp auction on June 9 and September 8, and the next Crossroads Postcard & Stamp Show at the Mid-Vermont Christian School gymnasium on October 4. Visit the stamp club’s website for more information and to see a full list of upcoming programs for the remainder of 2025: uvstampclub.com.