Tomorrow (August 4), the Richmond River Philatelic Society (RRPS) will hold its annual stamp fair at the South Lismore Bowling Club.

Dealers, an auction and some treats for junior stamp collectors will make up the event, plus Michael Drury, a world-class stamp enthusiast, will be in attendance.

Geoff Wotherspoon, president of the RRPS is delighted to be showcasing this year's line-up, including four dealers, one local, one from Brisbane and two from Coffs Harbour.

(Articles up for Auction. Image Credit: Geoff Wotherspoon)

“There will be a small auction from 1pm, with a special collection that can only go to a junior buyer (under 18)."

Geoff explains that the biggest question people ask themselves when they are left a stamp collection is, “What do I do with it?” There will be experts there to look at collections and give suitable advice.

Avid stamp collectors are always on the lookout for something elusive. Geoff spoke of an item he saw come up on eBay this week. “I've never seen it before in all my years in collecting. It was a post or stationery item that came up with about 30 seconds to go on the auction that was sitting at $3.35.”

Geoff put on a sizeable bid, but came third in the bidding war for it. Now he knows it exists, he will be keeping an eye out for it.

Michael Drury told the story of a lady who held onto her father's collection for a few years in the back of a cupboard before getting it appraised. It was valued at $2.4million, a pleasant surprise - the house she was living in was valued at $125,000 at the time.

Micheal Drury is well respected in the field of stamps, and amongst his philatelic highlights, last year he was invited as a guest of honour at the British Society of Australian Philately. Only one other Australian has been invited to the event - the head of Australia Post, 30 years ago.

Mr Drury has also been fortunate enough to view the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace.  

Some of that collection was brought to Australia for a closer inspection by Mr Drury. In the late 1990s, he got in contact with Charles Goodwin, Keeper of the Royal Collection.  

(Michael Drury. Image: Geoff Wotherspoon)

After discussion, “Charles sought and obtained permission to bring part of the Royal Collection out of England for the first time ever for private research. It was brought to Melbourne for me to examine and validate and issue certificates on in 1999. I was very proud of that achievement.”

At this year's event, Mr Drury has made a special offer - to pay for any new Junior RRPS members that sign up on Sunday. Seek Mr Drury out and let him know you are interested, and he will help you on your way to a new hobby.

Mr Drury speaks about when he started his hobby that became his passion, “I was eight years of age when I started collecting stamps. And while they taught me an understanding of the different heads of state, the royal family, different prime ministers, different states of Australia, different countries overseas, different animals, to me it was a wonderful education.”

If you can’t make it to this weekend's event, you can still make contact with the club to discuss your collection and other stamp matters. Held every fourth Sunday of the month at 10am, the Richmond River Philatelic Society gather at the Wotherspoon’s retail store at 45 Wyrallah Road, Girards Hill.