Hidden in the laneway behind the Subiaco Bookshop, Faldor Stamps is one of just two stamp shops left in Perth.
Despite being only slightly larger than a phone box, Faldor Stamps is decked out with so many stamps that owner Bill Falconer has lost count, but it’s somewhere in the tens of thousands. The variety is vast, with stamps from virtually every country on earth, and there are even stamps dating back to the first ever year and place of printing – England, 1840.
As with any kind of collecting, the rarer, the better. According to Bill, British and Australian stamps from prior to 1966 are the rarest and most sought after,
“That’s when we had pounds and shillings, so the currency is shown differently. After that, Australia Post printed them like crazy, so they’re not as valuable”
They’ve been in the business since the 1970s, having opened their first store in Mosman Park before moving to Coghlan Road 30 years ago and then finally Rokeby Road 15 years ago.
For stamp enthusiasts, the Perth Stamp & Coin Show is one not to miss. Organised by the WA Philatelic Council, Bill and twelve other stamp dealers across Perth (who otherwise sell exclusively online) will each have a stall to display and sell their collectables. For a show schedule, see here.
Looking back 50 years ago, the world was inundated with stamp shops to keep up with local stamp collectors’ needs. Over the decades, the love for the hobby has been on the decline, meaning that many stamp shops had to shut their doors. Now, Faldor Stamps is one of the few left in Australia, and it’s right here on Rokeby Road, fitting in with the old-world charm of Subi. If you’re an avid stamp collector or just starting out, you can’t beat Bill’s experience and knowledge in the world of stamps.
Faldor Stamps
113A Rokeby Rd, Subiaco
Tues-Sat, 10am-5pm
http://www.faldorstamps.com.au/
(08) 9381 1278
