I Interview... Roos Philately

One of the things that makes hobbies fun for me is the like-minded people you meet on your journey. I really get a kick out of chatting with people who have the same interests and passions as myself. Taking this into consideration, I thought to myself: 'Wouldn't it be fun to chronicle my stamp conversations with fellow Slania collectors in blog form!' I asked a couple of stamp buddies, and they seemed really keen on the idea. So I then thought: 'How do I go about this?' The answer came to me while I was outside gardening (another of my loves). I recalled reading, and really liking, the section in Stamp Magazine in which collectors were interviewed. I decided that was the way to go.

The first person I chose to interview was a fellow Aussie, who I speak to a lot over Facebook. We both share a love of Slania stamps and have fun chatting about him. He goes by the name Roos Philately. And I reckon he's the perfect choice for this the first in my 'I Interview...' series. So without further ado let's get into it. I hope you enjoy...

Slania Crazy: First of all thanks for taking the time to have a chat, Roos.

Roos Philately: My pleasure.

Q: When did you start collecting Slania stamps?

A: I started collecting the engraved stamps of Czeslaw Slania back in 2011.

Q: What drew you to start collecting Slania?

A: I'd have to say that it is the extreme detail that he puts into his work.

Q: What is your favourite Slania stamp, and why is it your favourite?

A: This is a very difficult question to answer as I have a few favourites, but if I had to choose one stamp in particular it'd have to be this stamp from Sweden "The Waxholm Boat."

The stamp shows the S.S. Storskar (former S.S. Strangenas Express) which is one of the large steam-powered archipelago ships still in operation. The ship was built in 1908 in Gothenburg. This lovely stamp was designed by Lemnart Peterson from a photograph, and engraved by Czeslaw Slania. The stamp was recess printed on fluorescent paper in blue and brown, by the Post Office Stamp Printing Works located in Stockholm.

I chose this stamp as a favourite due to the level of detail within the stamp, especially on the ship itself and the building in the centre background.

Q: Where do you usually get your Slania stamps?

A:The majority of the time I purchase them on-line from ebay, Delcampe, Bidstart, and the Stanley Gibbons Marketplace. I also purchase some at stamp fairs from dealers, and out of Circuit Books if I can find them in Mint Never Hinged condition.

Q: What references do you like using?

A:The on-line references I use are:-

•  www.slaniastamps-heindorffhus.com
• www.theburinofczeslawslania.com
• www.japhila.cz/hof/0451/index0451a.htm

I also have a couple of books:-

• Life work of Slania, edited by Harold Ashby Short (pdf version)
• Czeslaw Slania: Catalogue of Works, by Janusz Dunst 

Q: Do you remember what your first Slania stamp was?

A: The first purchase for my Slania collection was the 1993 Monaco Birds of Prey set

It isn't hard to see why these stamps helped with the choice to start collecting the work of Slania.

Q: Do you collect any other engravers?

A: I am currently only collecting the stamps engraved by Czeslaw Slania.

Q: What are your other stamp specialisms?

A: I have a real interest in the King George V issues of Australia. I really like looking over them for varieties and flaws.

Q: How do you store your Slania stamps?

A: They are currently housed in Hagner pages in folders. Later down the track I will consider other ways to store them.

Q: Do you have any collecting tips to share?

A: I believe in having fun when collecting stamps, be that Slania's engraved stamps or any other stamp collecting interest you may have.

I'd like to thank Roos Philately again for taking part in this new series. If anyone else out there wishes to participate, please let me know in the comments.

Until next time...

Stay Slania Crazy!