Born in the Year of the Tiger, this avid philatelist has over 80% of the tiger stamps in circulation globally

Lowis showing his favourite tiger stamp (right) which was issued by the Liechtenstein Post. Photos: Johnny Lowis

With a hobby that spans over five decades, Johnny Lowis’ vast stamp collection is nothing short of amazing.

In fact, the 72-year-old Chinese Singaporean possessed over 950,000 stamps at the height of his collection.

Apart from that, his stamp collections have been exhibited at the Singapore Philatelic Museum, Malaysia KL Auto Show, Hong Kong North Point Community Centre and stamp clubs in different countries.

Lowis’ philately journey began when his father gifted him with an album of stamps when Lowis was 15.

However, what really got him serious about it was his profession.

The semi-retired graphic designer who graduated from De Monfort University in Leicester, England, started collecting stamps to get inspiration for his work, with British stamps being his main source of inspiration.

Currently, he has around half a million pieces of stamps in his entire collection. Among his favourites are the Chinese zodiac stamps, which he started collecting in 1995, but only as part of his general collection.

Singapore's special collector's $10 stamp which is based on traditional Chinese paper-cutting design.

Lowis began expanding his zodiac stamp collection after his first zodiac stamp exhibition was held at the Singapore Philatelic Museum in 2002.

“Since the exhibit, I was encouraged to concentrate my collection on the zodiac stamps, partly because they have a large number of collectors around the world,” he said.

To date, Lowis has approximately 5,000 different zodiac stamps.

Among the 12 animals, the Tiger zodiac carries a great significance to him because he was born in Jan 1950, which is the Year of the Tiger.

On top of that, the very first zodiac stamp was introduced by the Japan Post in January the same year.

The world’s first zodiac stamp was issued by Japan Post in Jan 1950. The drawing was taken from a masterpiece entitled Painting of Dragon & Tiger by famous Japanese painter Maruyama Okyo.

Since then, zodiac stamp issues have gained massive popularity among stamp collectors worldwide, with more than 80 countries producing them currently.

Lowis first started collecting tiger stamps 24 years ago in 1998.

Most of his tiger stamps are acquired online through eBay and Delcampe, or exchanged with the other 200 stamp collectors around the world.

It is estimated that there are about 600 tiger stamps in circulation globally, with Lowis alone owning about 500 of those.

Currently, his collection of tiger stamps is valued at around RM9,000, including his write-ups on them.

As an avid philatelist, Lowis has some of the most unusual stamps, such as the world’s first tiger stamp issued by the British Malaya in 1891.

The world's first tiger stamps, issued during the British Malaya rule in 1891.

These stamps were issued by different states in Malaya which were not part of the Straits Settlements such as Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak and Selangor.

During that period, the Straits Settlement states were still issuing stamps depicting Queen Victoria, hence the four states came out with a separate issue on the Malayan Tiger.

Lowis said that the average price of the stamps now is about RM90 each.

Above all, one tiger stamp stands out for Lowis: “To me, the most interesting stamp is the set printed by the Liechtenstein Post.”

The stamp comes in a souvenir sheet and was produced in traditional Chinese paper-cutting design using the latest laser technology to punch out the shape of a tiger.

Lowis' favourite tiger stamp, issued by the Liechtenstein Post.

All imprints are embossed in classy-looking gold foil. The stamp cost Lowis about RM180.

For the Year of the Tiger this year, Lowis is still waiting for about 100 zodiac stamps from different countries such as Japan, North Korea, China, Vietnam, Australia, United States, Canada and France.

“So far, still no news from the Malaysia Post. Hopefully they will issue one too,” he said.

As a graphic designer, Lowis’ passion for stamps doesn’t stop at collection; he has been helping to design stamp covers and postmarks for the Singapore Philatelic Museum for festive occasions since 2002, until the pandemic hit.

It’s clear his passion gives him much fulfilment.

“To me, the stamps are the passport to meeting people.

“Because of stamps, I have friends from all over the world,” said Lowis.