Woopex 2011 explores Civil War and beyond

  • By Angela Bases
  • October 24, 2011
  • 302
                        
Summary: The Woopex 2011 stamp show was held on Oct. 22 and 23 at Ida Sue School in Wooster. Complete with thousands of stamps, the event had collectors patiently looking through albums and boxes of stamps. The winning frames detailed the causes, results and stamps of the Civil War. True to the Civil War theme, Abe Lincoln made an appearance on the second day. What do penguins, lighthouses and the Civil War all have in common? They were available, along with thousands of other topics, for stamp collectors to admire and purchase at the 49th annual Woopex 2011 stamp show. The event took place on Oct. 22 and 23 at Ida Sue School in Wooster. It was hosted by the Wooster Stamp Club. The space was engulfed with boxes and albums of stamps for collectors to sift through and purchase. In the middle of the gymnasium, frames were gathered for community members to vote on. A representative from the post office was also present with stamps. The show featured, but was not limited to, the sesquicentennial of the Civil War. Due to this topic, an Abe Lincoln impersonator made an appearance on the second day of the stamp show. He was well received by the attendees. “The turnout has been pretty good. It’s been steady. Most people are repeat. There are a few people coming in to have their collections from their aunts and uncles evaluated,” explained Jim Thompson, president of the Wooster Stamp Club. He added the attendance was lower this year than what was anticipated, however. Further, the real majesty of the show might have been the element of history. Stamp collecting is unique because there is so much learning involved in the process. While other hobbies might entertain, this one takes a few steps into other worlds and other times. “Stamp collecting is a lot more than putting pretty colored pieces of paper together,” explained Joe Eberly, stamp collector and dealer. “Push comes to shove I have something that I can get some money out of.” Eberly explained the hobby can require a few hours of work but then there is always something to show for it. He added that he’s learned a great deal about other cultures through stamp collecting work, and noted dealing stamps in Russia. Howard Lutz was another on site collector and dealer. He shared similar thoughts, noting the educational component of stamp collecting. Lutz also appreciates the opportunity to meet new people. He’s been collecting since he was nine-years-old and he pursues owl stamps. He suggests new stamp collectors begin with what they’re interested in. “I do 25 shows in four different states. Next week I’m going to Pittsburgh, then I do Akron, then I do Elyria,” Lutz added. “It’s too bad more young people don’t get involved in stamp collecting. There’s so much to learn.” The work also requires patience, persistence and creativity. Thompson certainly knows a lot about that. For the second year in a row, his frames won first place. They detailed the causes, results and stamps used during the Civil War. Last year’s frames were designed based on the Graf Zeppelin. “The best part probably is to find the stamps that fill the holes in my collection,” Thompson said. There was also a kid’s table at the stamp show. Children under the age of 18 received stamps to begin their own collections. Thompson said two 83-year-old classmtes had a high school reunion at the show on Sunday, making it a little more special this year. Those interested in joining the Wooster Stamp Club can attend their meetings on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m., with the exception of August and December, at Trinity United Church of Christ in Wooster. Their website is http://www.woosterstampclub.com.


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