Kota kinabalu: For North Borneo stamp collector William Wang, 67, the hobby known as the 'King of Hobbies' is more than collecting pieces of paper, offering a way to explore history, knowledge, and the evolution of society. His passion began at the age of 10, encouraged by his father, a school principal, as well as through exchanging stamps with school friends.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, William's main collection comprises North Borneo stamps issued from 1883 to 1963, alongside old envelopes, postcards, postmarks, and a pre-stamp entire issued in 1845, before North Borneo produced its first stamps. He finds philately to be therapeutic in the modern era, providing a physical relief from digital fatigue. The focused activity of examining historical stamps allows enthusiasts to delve into history without digital distractions.
William, who is also a member of the Malaysian Philatelic Society (PSM), shared that two-cent North Borneo stamps were used for sending letters throughout Sabah, Singapore, Malacca, Penang, and Hong Kong from 1883 to 1891. For correspondence to the United Kingdom, senders had to use Straits Settlements stamps available at post offices in Elopura, Kudat, and Gaya. He views stamps as small windows into the past, capturing art, history, geography, and human stories.
His passion for philately has led him to exhibitions in countries such as Indonesia, New Zealand, Uruguay, China, Brazil, and Thailand, funding these trips himself. In August last year, William received a Large Gold Medal for his exhibit on the Postal History of Labuan and North Borneo at an exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand. Earlier that year, he also received a Large Gold and Special Award in Uruguay, marking him as the first Malaysian to achieve this recognition under the F©d©ration Internationale de Philat©lie (FIP).
This achievement caught the attention of Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil, who expressed his appreciation and congratulations through a video message. William started exhibiting his stamps in 2013 and quickly gained recognition, winning a Large Gold and Special Prize at the Tri-Nation Stamp Exhibition Malaysia before becoming active internationally.
After retiring from the private sector, William now dedicates his time to writing, organizing, studying, and preserving his collection. He shares his knowledge through the North Borneo Philately Facebook page, which boasts about 34,000 followers. He emphasizes the importance of verifying a stamp's authenticity by examining its color and perforations, with his collection authenticated by The Royal Philatelic Society London.
William acquires items not only in the UK but also through auctions, carefully assessing each piece for its condition, history, and authenticity. To protect his collection from weather-induced damage, he replaces stamp hinges every 10 years. He noted that fewer than 10 Malaysian collectors typically participate in international exhibitions and hopes more young people will discover philately as a hobby with historical significance. William envisions more stamp exhibitions in Sabah to rejuvenate interest in philately.