THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 10, 1994 TAG: 9411100080
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E01 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROY A. BAHLS, VIRGINIAN-PILOT/LEDGER STAR STAFF
LENGTH: Long : 108 lines
A HUSHED GROUP gathered around John Swidinsky as he gingerly slid the plastic covered postage stamp from beneath the glass on the exhibit table.
``Here it is,'' Swidinsky proudly proclaimed, holding up the stamp he turned down a $65,000 offer for several years ago.
``There are only 128 of them known to exist,'' he said at a recent coin and stamp show at the Virginia Beach Pavilion. ``This is one of two in the best condition. It's now appraised for $75,000.''
When someone reached out, wishing a closer look at the reddish oblong oddity that sports an upside-down steam locomotive, Swidinsky recoiled with his treasure.
As a stamp dealer and collector Swidinsky lives in a world where rarity and condition are king. This is one stamp he only handles himself.
Swidinsky has owned the rare 1901 ``inverted train,'' a Pan American series U.S. postage stamp, for more than 10 years. It is guaranteed to raise many an eyebrow when he exhibits it at this weekend's VAPEX (Virginia Philatelic Exhibition) Stamp Show at the Pavilion.
The free show, billed as the largest in Virginia, will feature displays by 32 stamp dealers from 10 states, auctions, meetings and seminars. The U.S. Post Office will provide a special show cancel.
The exhibit, ``Unfinished Masterpieces: Stamps That Never Were,'' honors the Centennial of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing producing U.S. stamps. It includes artwork, die proofs, and models for stamp designs that were never issued.
Philately (stamp collecting) is the No. 1 hobby in the world. The U.S. Postal Service estimates that in this country alone there are 20 million casual collectors and 200,000 who are very serious about the hobby. Nearly $200 million in stamps are purchased by collectors each year.
The best selling stamp of all time is the Elvis stamp. It is estimated that 6.3 percent of them were not used as postage, but saved. This meant a $36 million profit for the U.S. Postal Service.
Swidinsky, who specializes in U.S. and U.N. stamps, started stamp collecting years ago.
``I found my niche,'' Swidinsky said. ``This is my pleasure as well as my work. I'd probably make more money in other fields that I've been in, but this is what I like and love.''
So how did this 42-year-old bachelor with a master's degree in Public Health and Safety from Rutgers University (N.J.) find himself spending so much time behind a magnifying glass studying the condition and intricate designs on stamps?
Swidinsky started a junior stamp club at age 12 in New Jersey. The following year, he had a small mail-order business.
``From there, it just grew and grew and grew,'' he said.
After college, he worked in the entertainment field and also for a deli and catering service. But it was eventually back to stamps when he opened his first of two shops in New Jersey. He moved to Virginia Beach in 1984 after visiting area stamp shows. He co-owned A.H. Coins and Stamps for eight years.
Now he has settled on his mail-order business, as well as becoming a stamp show promoter. His business, ``Beach Philatelics,'' produced 10 shows along the East Coast this year, and he expects to double that in '95.
How many stamps does he have?
``It would take someone 10 years to count them all. If I wake up in the morning and there isn't a stamp stuck to me somewhere, it's a miracle.''
Of the 50 billion stamps printed annually in America, collectors have their choice of designs ranging from animals and trains to dinosaurs and musicians.
``Some people search for years to complete their collections,'' Swidinsky said.
``The engraving work on some of the stamps is incredible. Look at the intricate detail,'' he said examining an 1869 stamp featuring President Lincoln.
``Condition is very, very important. Moisture is a big enemy of ours.''
A crease, water damage or tear makes otherwise expensive stamps almost worthless.
Swidinsky said his worst nightmare would be to have a flat tire during a rain storm while transporting his collection. He wouldn't even risk getting them wet while taking the jack out of the trunk.
``Once they're wet, they're gone,'' said Swidinsky who once had to deal with a leaky roof at an exhibit hall.
But that's not the only thing collectors have to worry about. At one exhibition, a horde of ants crawled into his display.
Swidinsky doesn't care if he ever sees any more ants at a show, but he would ``like to see more young people coming out to the shows. We are all willing to take the time to help get them started collecting.''
Swidinsky will be answering questions all weekend as well as exhibiting and selling his stamps.
If you were considering shelling out $75,000 for that 1901 ``inverted train'' stamp, don't even think about it.
``It's part of my collection,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff color photo by JOSEPH JOHN KOTLOWSKI
John Swindinsky displays his rare ``inverted train'' stamp, which
has been appraised for $75,000.
Staff photo by JOSEPH JOHN KOTLOWSKI
Stamp dealer John Swidinsky sits at his booth at a recent coin and
stamp show at the Virginia Beach Pavilion.
SHOW FACTS
What: VAPEX Stamp Show. Displays, exhibits and more
When: noon to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Virginia Beach Pavilion
How much: Free
Information: Call 428-8000
by CNB