Ah-Lan Lam Yan Foon: “Philately is the hobby of Kings”

Ah Lan Lam Yan Foon is 72 years old. He is a Chartered Certified Accountant who had worked for the Rogers Group for more than 25 years before he retired a few years ago. He is married with three children and his wife is a professional pianist.

Besides his professional obligations, Ahlan Lam is a passionate philatelist. He has put up exhibitions of his most cherished collections at the municipal hall of Port Louis, at the Happy World House and at the Postal Museum. He is a founder member of the Dodo Philatelic Society sponsored by the Mauritius Post. Giandev Moteea, the outgoing CEO of the Mauritius Post, handed over a trophy to the Dodo Philatelic Society last month for its contribution for the promotion of philately in Mauritius. In this context, News on Sunday met Ah Lan Lam to have more information on the hobby of kings.

You are an accountant. How is it that a professional is interested in collecting stamps, a hobby often associated with children?

It is true that philately is associated with kids. But it is also known to be the hobby of kings. It is good to know that the biggest collection of stamps is housed at Windsor Palace, the residence of Queen Elizabeth, a collection started by her grand father, King George VI. In Mauritius, the CEO of the Postal Services, Giandev Moteea, has launched a Children Philately group sponsored by the Mauritius Post with the view to promote philately among children.

Philately, it is said, is a very expensive hobby. How do you meet the expenses?

Some people view stamp collecting as expensive as it requires a lot of money. This is where a philatelic society comes into play. Philatelists meet and exchange stamps. They learn the art of stamp collecting and gather information on value, rarity and the most wanted stamps worldwide. Some sell stamps they have in excess in order to buy new ones to add to their collection, thus reducing expenses.

This is the function of the Dodo Philatelic Society?

The Society meets once a month, usually the last Saturday of each month, at the Postal Museum in Port Louis with the support of the Mauritius Post. Members meet to discuss many issues – the latest news like new issues of first day covers and stamps, events and anniversaries and auction news. They also learn about stamp collection and acquire necessary knowledge on the art of displaying their stamps, preserve and protect them in an album. Some members buy stamps as an investment for the future. The Society also invites local and foreign visitors to share their experience with members.

What is the most looked after stamps, local or foreign stamps?

As you know Mauritius is notorious worldwide for the extinct Dodo and also for the two most expensive stamps – the Penny Red and the Two-Pence Blue, on show at the Blue Penny Museum situated at the Caudan Waterfront. Mauritian stamps are still on high demand because they are accepted as high collectibles, attractive, well designed with a limited production. You only have to go on the Internet to see the place occupied by Mauritian stamps on the world market.

Millions of stamps are on sale across the world. This gives a large spectrum of choice and interest for the stamp collector. Some would go for countries, others for themes – flowers, animals, people, birds, and fish while others will still go for sports, science or institutions. These choices are mostly attracted by those who collect stamps as a hobby. But those who want to look at stamp collecting as a lucrative business would search for stamps of the highest value and here enter the Mauritius stamps, first because they are known by world philatelists and second because of the number produced by an island nation.

Who chooses the illustrations on the stamps and the number of issues per year?

Since colonial days, there exists a Stamp Advisory Committee that chooses the pictorials and the number of issues yearly. I served on the committee for four years, from 1993 to 1997, and I have to tell you that everything is done to jealously keep our notoriety as a good stamp producer – colour, quality and design as well as the number of stamps to be produced yearly.

The Stamp Advisory Committee advises the Minister responsible for Postal Services on the designs and colours for new sets of stamps and to suggest themes for definitive and commemoratives and most important is the frequency of issues.

Do you think that this small piece of paper is still relevant in our modern world where information communication technologies are so highly advanced?

This small piece of paper as you say is the world greatest traveller, the world greatest art and portrait gallery and the world greatest picture chronicle. It is a miniature encyclopedia on each and every country’s history, agriculture, sports and culture. I strongly believe that postage stamps have their role to play in whatever society imaginable. The United Nations use their stamps to send strong messages to the world. These small pieces of paper represent a powerful tool of communication. UN stamps are roving ambassadors, messengers that transcend borders and language.

What are the tools and equipments necessary to start collecting stamps?

Albums, mount sheets, stock sheets and other accessories of good quality are needed to preserve and protect your stamps. It is unfortunate that there are no big shops where these materials can be bought. I think that the authorities should get involved to make sure that these are available. The Ministry of Arts and Culture should understand that philately is an important segment for the preservation and protection of our national heritage.