Stamp Collectors as Guardians of History

John Finch, About.com Stamp Collecting Guide writes about Barry Landau (shown above), the so-called presidential memorabilia super-collector. According to Finch, Landau has pled guilty to stealing historical documents, "which may include drafts of FDR speeches, a land grant signed by President Lincoln, a letter from Ben Franklin to John Paul Jones, as well as numerous other items of great import to the United States' culture and heritage."

Finch points out, "We all -- as collectors -- have the desire to reach out and touch history. For some it's our raison d'être. Stamps provide us with satisfaction in that regard. But for some, who feel they are touching history second hand, it is not enough. Stamp collectors know that they are temporary curators of philatelic material. One way or another, it will be passed down through history, either to family or another collector."

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