GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Even after attending nearly 40 “Collectors Day” programs at the Florida Museum of Natural History, Carter Gilbert still loves educating visitors on his extensive stamp collection.

Gilbert started collecting with his friends when he was 6 years old. More than 80 years later, his collection consists of thousands of stamps, too many for him to count. He now focuses on stamps from the United States, British Commonwealth and Western Europe as a member of the Gainesville Stamp Club.

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Carter Gilbert, a member of the Gainesville Stamp Club, has attended nearly every ‘Collectors Day’ event. ©Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace

“I think I have a very broad knowledge of the world, at least more than the average person, including information on the political ages, geography and history,” Gilbert said. “I contribute that simply to what I’ve learned from collecting stamps. You can learn so much from your collections.”

Collectors like Gilbert and others from across the region will have the opportunity to display their treasures and educate Florida Museum visitors during the “40th Collectors Day” on Jan. 12, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This free event is the museum’s longest-running and one of its most popular and beloved public programs, allowing guests to interact with collectors and learn the stories behind their treasures and interests.

“I love the people who participate in ‘Collectors Day,’” said Florida Museum educator Tiffany Ireland. “They are passionate about their collections and see it as being a custodian of these items.”

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A visitor looks through some of the stamps brought to ‘Collectors Day’ by the Gainesville Stamp Club. ©Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace

The museum originally created the event in 1980 to bring focus to the value and importance of collections, which serve as a library of life for Earth. With more than 40 million specimens and artifacts, the Florida Museum is one of the largest collections-based museums in the nation.

At the first “Collectors Day” visitors could see anything from Boy Scout memorabilia to vintage toothbrushes. The variety hasn’t changed over the years, with the 40th event featuring displays of everything from animals and nutcrackers to WWII items, vintage purses and compacts, classic and toy cars and more.

Collectors will be asked to find a connection to the number 40, and collections that are at least 40 years old will be the centerpiece of the event.

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Florida Museum visitors can see more than 100 different collections during the museum’s longest-running public program. ©Florida Museum photo by Ted Greenwald

Over the years many children have displayed their collections, including a 4-year-old who is the youngest to date. He spoke with the public and explained why he loved his collection of penny banks.

“No one is ever too young or too old to start collecting, and we think that’s a wonderful thing to celebrate,” Ireland said.

For those interested in displaying collections, the registration deadline is Jan. 5, 2019. Collectors of all ages are welcome and there is no charge for participating.

For more information on registration, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/events/collectors-day-register.

For more information, visit www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/collectors-day or call 352-273-2061.

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Writer: Jessica Finkel, 352-273-2032, PRintern@flmnh.ufl.edu
Sources; Tiffany Ireland, 352-273-2061, tireland@flmnh.ufl.edu; Carter Gilbert, 352-376-8152, carter_gilbert@cox.net
Media contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu