The calendar suggests we’re now in autumn – the season for Halloween. Judging from the costumes, pumpkins and candy in stores, hopes remain high that trick-or-treating might still exist in some form this year. After that, retailers skip right over Thanksgiving and go to Christmas. Let’s hope that’s one holiday the pandemic can’t ruin. Then again, there is the time-honored tradition of children sitting on Santa’s lap. Sorry, but I just can’t see Ol’ St. Nick wearing a mask.
The department store Macy’s has long epitomized Christmas. Their massive Manhattan store once had a portion of the entire top floor dedicated solely to stamp and coin collecting. At Christmas, but also on many Saturdays, children would drag parents there to spend hours poring over the “must have” collectibles. Most satisfying was making a coveted purchase after saving up for months....
From the 1930s through the ’70s, there was a true sense of wonder seeing exotic stamps from all corners of the globe. Early on, an envelope that had come from the Far East or Australia was nothing short of amazing. Touching something that had traveled from a mysterious locale was special.
In today’s digital age, most of that wonder has disappeared. Consider that, not long ago, when a long-distance call was made it was a true event. The cost of several dollars per minute made the calls almost prohibitive. Now, “Skyping” people on the other side of the planet with both voice and visuals is common – and it costs nothing.
Fortunately, there is still a sense of wonder for some things. A while back, I spoke to a school class about collecting. They seemed a little jaded but at least attentive. I had brought a few items with me. One was an old silver coin. OK, really old. It had been struck in 30 BC on the east coast of the Mediterranean sea in a small city called Tyre. It’s known as a Shekel of Tyre.
I explained how the coin had been struck by hand using a hammer and a die. The kids seemed interested. I also explained how the coins circulated during the time of Christ. They became fascinated. I then pointed out that the 30 silver coins paid to Judas to betray Christ were Shekels of Tyre and the one I brought might have been one of those 30. We will, of course, never know, but it could be. With that they were enthralled. Each wrestled for the chance to touch and hold 2,000-year-old history in their hands.
I had also brought an old envelope mailed in 1937 from Germany to New York. It got their attention because two of the stamps on it had the swastika emblem of the Nazi regime. The students were mildly curious. Admittedly, the envelope was in bad shape – even burned on two of the edges.
Their interest again skyrocketed when I mentioned the envelope had been on the German airship Hindenburg and was one of only 113 pieces of mail to survive the fiery and deadly crash. Again, they were able to see an object that not only witnessed history but, in this case “lived” it.
Naturally, not every old thing has a story that compelling. But many do. The images on older coins, stamps and currency were once so intricate you could examine them over and over and always find something new. Not so much today. A new US stamp now being released employs a simplistic geometric star below the words, “Drug Free America.” Really? I don’t get the image/message connection. Plus, with marijuana being legalized nationwide it’s a bit confusing.
I was also excited that the 2020 Duck Stamp would again be “engraved” – a style of printing that adds a raised, tactile dimension. Past engraved stamps have been exceptional. Not this time. Whatever method used just made the stamp look as if something had been spilled on it.
But, hope springs eternal. The “hobby” areas in big department stores may have given way to electronic media, but true classic collectibles are still eagerly sought out by collectors, some with very deep pockets.
Due to the pandemic, quarantines and the like, maybe this is the year to reach back and experience some other classics such as the film, Miracle on 34th Street. That centered on the Manhattan Macy’s. It reminds us of children writing to Santa and selecting just the right stamp to mail that envelope. It’s nice when at least a few traditions stay the same.
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