Khalid Sabir (Photo Maeeshat)

In the era when the tradition of preserving ancient credentials and stamps is facing a threat after the advent of email and online payments, avid collectors are exploring ways to make the world realize how these miniature documents of human history act as the mirror of the past and the presage of the future.

Khalid Sabir, who has spent his childhood and youth collecting rare priceless documents and stamps, is determined to establish a museum of his own.

Sabir, now in his 60s and as engrossed in his hobby as ever, has a collection of rare documents like the wedding invitation of Wajid Ali Shah’s son, various types of stamps and ancients newspapers in his two storey-house in New Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh.

Shaheryar Hossain tracks Sabir’s journey from common man to stamp man.

Excerpts from the interview as follows:

We have learnt that you have signed an agreement with Jumal Al Majid Centre to digitise your documents? Tell us something about it?

Yes, I have signed an agreement with Jumal Al Majid Centre. There is no monetary deal. Well, the whole process will take five years. And till now only two lakh pages have been ditigised. There are 50 crore pages to be ditigised. We have kept 5 staff for that.

Khalid Sabir (Photo Maeeshat)

Nowadays, it is seen that zeal of collecting stamps is declining among youths? Your opinion on this?

Government should conduct exhibitions and awareness programmes.  Schools and colleges should distribute pamphlets on stamp collection to spread awareness among the students. The number of exhibitions on different types of stamps and documents are increasing day by day.

In my opinion, if one aspires to become a stamp collector then he/she should start collecting it since childhood or rather school days.

When did you start collecting stamps and documents?

Well, I started collecting stamps when I was in classVII. During school days, I had collected stamps of at least 120 countries. I wanted to visit those countries during my life that is why I started collecting stamps. I have visited all those countries. I got fascinated with the sports magazine. During childhood days, I used to cut sports articles from magazines and preserve them.

I started collecting stamps as a part of investment. I started collecting stamps when I was child. Since then till today stamp collection is my investment.

People know you as a renowned collector of stamps, ancient documents and books? How does it feel?

(Smiling) It feels good. While collecting documents is my hobby, stamp collection is my investment. Collecting stamp is ‘King of Hobbies and Hobby of Kings.’

We have also learnt that you have archived invitation of wedding invitation of Wajid Ali Shah’s son and a series of documents when Britishers used to rule in India?  From where did you get it?

Well, I got the wedding invitation of Wajid Ali Shah’s son after his death. I can’t  say two things to you. Firstly, how I archived all my documents. Secondly, from where I got it. It’s a secret. This is not the right time to reveal.