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In my last article, I came up with the notion of applied philately that refers to the repurposing of philatelic materials for artistic exploration and social causes as part of my collecting experience. Enriching personal journey aside, I also see this applied approach as having public value and the potential to impact the broader community and the world at large.

Application in Arts

From the standpoint of an individual artist like myself, stamps which offer a window into a country’s heritage, landmarks, traditions, events, and important figures, provide a clear source of inspiration for one’s creative activity. The process of finding new ways to integrate stamps, which may not have an obvious connection to specific themes or narratives, can also be a rewarding artistic endeavour.

As artists and collectors continue to experiment with stamps, innovative techniques, styles, and multimedia approaches, the fusion of philately and artistry has the potential to lead to the creation of epoch-defining works of art that not only transform both disciplines, but also encourage others to appreciate stamps in a new light, thanks to their associated works of art.

Application in Social Advocacy

While I have been mainly focusing on creating artistically worthy ‘philagraphs’ that integrate stamps and postmarks into coherent visual storytelling, I do not see philagraphs or their more generalised sister-products of the Mail Art movement as the sole possible outcomes of applied philately. Another meaningful dimension is added to all sorts of applications humanity has hitherto imagined when the materials are used to tackle emerging societal challenges, such as climate crisis, human rights, poverty, and more.

The Stamp Out War: Support Ukraine project which originated from the Forum is one example that uses stamps, postmarks, and postcards to support social causes for purposes beyond conventional collecting, with more than $2,000 (CAD) raised for Ukraine humanitarian relief. This way, the proper objects of a philatelist’s contemplation, which are maxicards in the preceding example, become vehicles of expression having the transformative power to raise public awareness about critical issues and to initiate a positive change to the world’s toughest problems.

A Vision for Educational Outreach

Besides uniting individuals with different backgrounds for a common cause at the time of ubiquitous political polarization, by-products of applied philately can also encourage learning, scholarly research, cultural preservation, and foster a sense of community amongst fellow enthusiasts who join group discussions, attend exhibitions, and participate in social events.

Stamps not only as historical artifacts but now also as creative artworks and powerful advocacy tools for social causes provide excellent educational opportunities to learn about different aspects of a culture and what’s happening in the world. Various educational tools, interactive AR/VR (augmented reality/ virtual reality) installations and gameplay can be invented to enhance students’ and the public’s learning experience about geography, art, science, etc., thereby bridging theoretical philatelic knowledge and societal needs like any technology transfer.

Conclusion

As my transition from appreciating stamps for their historical and aesthetic value to using them as a medium for artistic expression and social causes testifies, the nature of collecting hobbies is dynamic and ever changing. Different disciplines can intersect and influence one another to generate societal benefits.

More than 180 years ago, the invention of postage stamps revolutionised the mail delivery system, communications, and trade. We may now anticipate a broader manifestation of the multi-faceted charm and enduring appeal of applied philately. Beyond the confines of a collector’s album, we foresee the meaningful utilisation of philatelic materials in the development of impactful projects that transcend traditional boundaries.