Mahfood to auction stamp collection

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Before the days of Pac Man and the Internet, stamp collecting was one of a teenager's great passions. Joseph M. Mahfood knows that only too well.

The 69-year-old Mahfood has been collecting stamps since he was nine years old. Today, he will part ways with his vast catalogue, which contains stamps dating back to the 17th century.

The collection will be auctioned by the Spink Shreves Galleries at its headquarters in New York City.

There was a special viewing of the stamps at Spink Shreves offices in London on January 11-12. The company estimates some of Mahfood's pieces from the 18th century are worth as much as US$7,500 (about J$650,000), with others such as a 1968 International Year of Human Rights stamp, valued at £1,560.

Time to sell

Mahfood said that with none of his relatives showing interest in preserving his collection, he decided it was time to sell.

"None of my children and grandchildren are interested and, honestly, I wanted to tidy up my affairs," he told The Gleaner. "I can't take it to the grave."

Prospective purchasers can bid for Mahfood's items by attending the auction or via the Internet. Mahfood will not attend, but plans to monitor proceedings closely and hopes his collection will stay close to home.

"I'd be very happy if a Jamaican can take a great part of it," he said.

Stamp collecting was a popular hobby for youngsters and adults when Mahfood was growing up in Kingston. He said his collection grew the 'usual way', trading with peers or fellow members at the Jamaica Philatelic Society.

There has been a universal decline in stamp collecting, especially among teens in the past 25 years, with the advent of video games and the emergence of the Internet. While he still loves it, Mahfood admits his passion for an art that is fast becoming obsolete has waned.

However, he would like to walk away from today's auction a happy man.

"To be honest, I am hoping I will get a few dollars well," he said.

 To follow theauction of Joseph M. Mahfood's stamp collection, log on to www.shreves.com