Jenna busts boredom with stamps galore

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - From art and baking to movie marathons and online video challenges; you name it, and a Karoo resident has most likely tried it to combat boredom during lockdown.

For young Jenna Woods (10) from Graaff-Reinet, it was postage stamps that caught her attention. She had stamps from her mom, grandmother, grandfather and great grandmother to kickstart her collection, making lockdown the perfect time to continue this beloved family tradition.

"I am having lots of fun matching stamps in a collection, learning about places, plants, animals and history from the stamps," Woods told the Advertiser.

She already has hundreds of stamps from across the world, but mainly from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, where her family members live. These stamps are kept in albums, and Woods always washes her hands before handling them. "You have to be careful, especially with the older ones which tear easily."

Woods is no stranger to old stamps. One of the oldest in her collection dates back to 1945, and she has reason to be proud of this special stamp.

"It's from letters sent to my great gran from her brothers during the Second World War. The airman on the stamp is Major Jack Frost," she explains. "He was a friend of my great uncle. They both flew Spit Fire Airplanes in Italy during the war."

One of the oldest stamps in Jenna's collection dates back to 1945. It shows Major Jack Frost, who was a friend of her great uncle.

Woods' favourite stamp collection is South African Flowers, which came out in 2000. According to her, the stamps include the Karoo violet, botterblom, blue marguerite, and many more. Her favourite single stamp depicts a Cape hare. The stamp came out in 1999, to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Rabbit.

Ultimately, Woods hopes her new hobby will put her in touch with stamp enthusiasts of all ages. Hopefully, her Facebook page, Jenna's Stamps, will allow her to connect with people in Graaff-Reinet and across the world.

"It is fun to look at different type of stamps and to complete sets by swapping with friends," Woods explained. "You can do this with friends from all over the world."

Who knows? Maybe Woods' passion will soon see a booming stamp club in town.

Jenna Woods (10) loves stamps, and hopes her new hobby will put her in touch with stamp enthusiasts across the world.