Father Tom John with his stamp collection.
| Photo Credit: By Special Arrangement
As Christmas approaches, the spirit of peace and love envelops the world, and this sentiment is beautifully captured in postage stamps from various countries. These stamps, often depicting religious themes and celebrating the festival, reflect the diverse ways in which Christmas is celebrated globally.
Father Tom John, a member of the Order of Friar Minor and an avid philatelist based in Chundale in Wayanad, showcases his passion for this festive season through his extensive collection of Christmas-themed stamps. He has nearly 2,000 stamps from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, South Africa and so on, which showcase the rich tapestry of Christmas traditions.
His collection features evocative imagery, including the Star of Bethlehem, which guided the Wise Men, depicted in stamps from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Carol singing is illustrated through stamps from Great Britain, Austria, Germany, the Vatican, and Ireland, while festive Christmas cards can be found among stamps from the United States, Dominica, Uganda, and Antiqua. The beloved figure of Santa Claus graces the stamps from Canada and the U.S., and the iconic Christmas tree is represented in stamps from both the U.S. and Senegal. Additionally, Christmas candles are showcased in stamps from Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, the Vatican, and St. Lucia.
Since 1975
Father Tom’s philatelic journey began in 1975, inspired by a book by John Hath on meaningful leisure activities. Initially focussed on country-specific stamps, he moved on to thematic collections, emphasising the messages these stamps convey. Today, he boasts over 50,000 stamps across 200 themes, including personalities, sports, arts, science, international events, festivals, medicine, plants, animals, and Valentine’s Day.
His collection has grown through exchanges with fellow philatelists and contributions from friends and the stamps have been meticulously preserved in albums and stock books.
Museum on the cards
Father Tom is now envisioning a stamp museum to share the beauty and historical significance of stamps with the public. He hopes that the museum will not only educate visitors but also generate income to support the education of underprivileged children.
As he seeks co-partners to bring this dream to fruition, Father Tom remains optimistic about the potential impact of the museum on society. “Every stamp is a piece of history,” he says, underscoring his belief in the power of stamps to inspire and educate future generations.
Published – December 23, 2024 06:39 pm IST