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I happened upon this article by chance and I thought that it was so bizarre that I had to share it!



It was from the 5 May 1892 edition of the Waikato Times, a New Zealand newspaper.

I've only ever traded stamps for money or other stamps, and never a baby!

But I'm sure some out there will have more interesting stories, hopefully, so please feel free to share.

Also if anyone can shed more light on the newspaper article, was it total fabrication? half-truth? or did it really happen? I'd love to know.

I'd love a to do a swap for a 1977/78 'Smokey & The Bandit' Black & Gold Trans Am.... a REAL one.

D.

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Visit my Website - http://WWW.DJMSTAMPS.COM for Australia & World Stamps, Collections and Accessories

It may be true.
The same newspaper article pops up in a couple of Australian newspapers the same year.

There was a large slave trade in China, and also in times of famine and hardship people would sell their babies/children.

If used stamps are acceptable as a form of payment, then the above article may be true.

first link is about the slave trade
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/32718556

this second link mentions the accepted practice of christian organisations buying children and babies to raise as christian (scroll down to last 2 paras)
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/61287092

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Collecting - Stamps, poster stamps and covers that feature Kangaroos.
Wanted: Illustrated Tourist cover of "Waratah Park", Sydney, NSW. Australia

I have certainly heard (and read about) this story before. I think it was also the origins of the still sometimes used phrase "Mission Mix", as stamps were gathered in mixtures for Missionary purposes.

Saving the children was of course the Missionary Position.

drumroll followed by crashing symbol

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

Oh my! That is quite an eye opener. I had no idea such a trade existed.
Looks as though babies were a shilling. It must have been a much harsher place compared to colonial Australasia.

I've only ever traded stamps for other stamps - or money, how boring.

A few months back a member here purchased a new computer and had the idea of trading his old computer for some stamps, but I have no idea if that ended up happening. Certainly could've been a worthwhile deal for someone. Although computers are heavy, thus expensive to send overseas.

If I ever had the opportunity to buy a HOUSE LOT of stamps, I'd probably make an offer on the house too as I wouldn't have anywhere to store all the stamps.

Norm,
Forgive me for posting a link to an external site, but I think this is what you need.

http://instantrimshot.com/classic/?sound=rimshot

If you're in a famine though, why trade away your children for a packet of used stamps? Food would be the obvious thing people would trade for. "Nero fiddled while Rome burned"...a father played with his stamps while he starved to death?

Whilst the missionaries might see 'opportunity' there, taking in children to raise as Christians, to offer something in trade for them could create a situation where someone gives birth, or kidnaps a baby, for the sake of barter. Accepting children should be a last resort--they should be proven to be orphans or in similar circumstances, not just someone shows up at the door and says "here, I've got one for, can I have my stamp packet please?", this is not students handing in homework for a sticker in their journal.

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Collecting Mongolia; Thailand; Indo-China; Mourning Covers; OHMS.
My online 'store': http://stampsfromaethelwulf.blogspot.com/

I was expecting an entry from Glen on this topic. After all he prominenetly states: I accept EVERYTHING - even blankets and axes and beads!

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We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.

^ Makes me wonder what strange items that are non stamp related dealers end up with when buying bulk lots.

Not necessarily - by trading a child for stamps, you would be replacing something which EATS food with something which does not

And, by the way, as Nero lived about 1½ millenia before they invented the violin, what exactly was he fiddling with

Pencils, to an orphanage in the philipines. Jeans to a collector in Russia,
Butterflies for postcards.

I got my first "real" stamp album by trading some rocks, a small motor, and some baseball cards. All I remember from that is that there were a bunch of the Belgium parcel post stamps.

Another time a friend of mine got into his Dads war chest and gave me a bunch of mint NH Japan, some of them being the 1921 battleships, and the early national parks issues. (still have them) I think I bought him some hostess cupcakes and an RC cola.

Best to all,
pat

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"I don't have a lot - But I like what I got"