Reviews
Vil du bli med hjem å se på frimerkene mine? (Stamp Collecting in Norway 1860-2005) by Øyvind Refsnes. 192 pages, 6 ½ by 9 ½ inches, perfect bound, card covers, Norwegian language, Norwegian Philatelic Federation, Oslo 2006. ISBN 82-92531-07-6, details from Norsk Filatelistforbund, Box 895 Sentrum, 0104 Oslo, Norway.
On the occasion of its 75th anniversary in 2006, the Norsk Filatelistforbund (Norwegian Philatelic Federation) published this lovely review of the hobby in Norway during the past 145 years. The story begins with the first club in 1866 (Kristiania, now Oslo, Stamp Club); the first Norwegian stamp catalog in 1877; the first stamps magazine in 1886; and early conventions of collectors.
During the early part of the 20th century we see glimpses of new stamp issue announcements, mention of counterfeits, dealer advertisements, exhibitions, the first handbook, the birth of clubs in other cities, and growing interest in stamp auctions. These events are referenced with extracts and summaries from the stamp magazines of the time. The names of prominent philatelists begin to emerge: Henrik Dethloff, Justus Anderssen, Bertam C. Middelthon, Abraham Odfjell among many others.
Landmarks along the way include the first international philatelic exhibition in Norway in 1924, the introduction of the Norgeskatalogen in 1929, sale of the famous block of 39 of Norway No. 1, the 1940 Polar exhibition in Bergen, introduction of the Norsk Filatelistisk Tidsskrift journal in 1942, opening of the Post Museum, the international NORWEX exhibitions, introduction of the NFF philatelic “Yearbooks,” and other major auctions and exhibitions up to 2005.
Useful appendices include listings of the dates and locations of federation meetings, the officers of the federation from 1931 to 2005, distinguished recipients of the Silver Lion and Medal of Honor awards, winners of the J. H. Richter Prize, the editors and issues of the federation journal, and a list of the monographs and handbooks published. The book presents an historic overview of 145 years of stamp collecting in Norway using period documents and color illustrations throughout.
Alan Warren