For William Wang, every stamp has a story

William Wang, a 67-year-old philately enthusiast from Kota Kinabalu, embodies the notion that stamps are much more than mere pieces of paper. To him, each stamp carries a story, revealing glimpses of the lives of people who lived in North Borneo, the letters they sent, and the systems that connected this region with the rest of the world.

His love for philately began at the age of 10, nurtured by his father, who was a school principal, and through the simple act of swapping stamps with his school friends. Over the years, his collection has focused primarily on North Borneo material from 1883 to 1963, encompassing stamps, old envelopes, postcards, and postmarks. Notable pieces in his collection include a pre-stamp item from 1845, predating North Borneo's own issuance of stamps.

Wang’s passion has only intensified in the digital age, describing philately as a source of therapeutic relief from constant digital fatigue. Sitting at a table with a stamp tweezer, magnifying glass, and envelopes allows for focused study and historical exploration without the distraction of screens. His collection also highlights the evolution of communication across the region, with examples such as the use of two-cent North Borneo stamps for letters sent within Sabah and to other locations, including Singapore, Melaka, Penang, and Hong Kong between 1883 and 1891.

For mail destined for the United Kingdom, Straits Settlements stamps available at post offices in places like Elopura, Kudat, and Gaya were necessary.

Recognized for his expertise, Wang, a member of the Malaysian Philatelic Society, has exhibited his collection locally and internationally since 2013, traveling to countries such as Indonesia, New Zealand, Uruguay, China, Brazil, and Thailand. His exhibit, "The Postal History of Labuan & North Borneo Before and Under Chartered Company Rule," won a major recognition at an exhibition in Bangkok in August last year, earning him a Large Gold Medal.

Just six months prior, he had received a Large Gold and Special Award in Uruguay, becoming the first Malaysian to receive such accolades under the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie. The authenticity of his collection has been confirmed by the Royal Philatelic Society London, further solidifying the historical and cultural value of the items he has curated over decades.

After retiring from the private sector, Wang has turned his attention to writing, studying, and preserving his collection while also sharing his knowledge through the North Borneo Philately Facebook page, which boasts approximately 34,000 followers. Despite the wealth of knowledge in philately, Wang expresses concern over its dwindling popularity, especially among younger generations.

He notes that fewer than 10 Malaysian collectors typically participate in international philatelic exhibitions, and he hopes to inspire more individuals to appreciate stamps as a form of passion that can be tailored to one's interests, revealing the history and stories hidden within each piece.