We recall writing an article twenty years or so ago discussing the “story behind the stamp.” It is an aspect of the hobby often overlooked. While it has long been recognised that medal collectors, for example, are interested in the personal story of the medal’s recipient, this is not so much the case with stamp collecting.

Stamps tend to be viewed as discrete entities which can be identified, catalogued and valued, depending on scarcity, condition, and desirability. Any personal connection, or story behind the collection, is often overlooked.

With items of postal history however, things are a little different. Establishing “worth” is not straightforward, and this idea of “story” becomes important. The actual stamp itself can become a secondary consideration. We are interested in the journey the stamp made, the scribbles and markings on the envelope, perhaps the addressee or sender themselves. In fact, there are a multitude of things to consider.

And we imagine too, in days gone by, a letter received from an exotic and distant land could trigger one’s curiosity and fuel a newly discovered passion for philately. These were days long before affordable flight travel or easy internet brought us access to faraway places.

Sadly, as fewer people even use stamps anymore, let alone send handwritten postcards or letters, this notion of postal history becomes increasingly remote. So, it is rewarding when a collection comes through which, along with the usual stamp albums, includes a wide variety of interesting covers from all around the world. And even more so when many of these covers were addressed to the collector himself, or his family members, from over a hundred years ago. One wonders if one of these letters from overseas was indeed the initial seed which laid foundation to the fascinating result which now presents itself, the Postal History Collection of James Kelly.

There are letters, postcards and covers from all around the globe, including India, China, Australia, and the French Somali Coast. Lovely items addressed to James and his family dating back a century or more.

We thought it would be fitting to name this collection, and to put together a list of contents, including individual covers and small groups, to allow others the opportunity to become the next custodians, and ensure that James’ work and hobby is recognised and remembered. Below is a short biography of James, provided by his loving daughter and family.