Freaks & Errors: A Rare Collection (2017)

• 75%
• 2017
• Documentary
• Mark Cwiakala
• Irwin Weinberg
• Douglas Weisz
• Jim Forte

Originally designed as a receipt for a service, postage stamp collecting quickly vaulted into a cultural phenomenon, becoming the world's most popular hobby. A box of stamps could ignite one's imagination with images of exotic cultures, native people, art, geography, history, music and literature, as well as a nation's political climate. In contemporary society, stamp collectors, or "philatelists" (as they're commonly known), though dwindling in numbers, continue to be curators of these mini time-capsules. We follow a select group of collectors, that at first glance, seem to have only one thing in common, the love of postage stamps. A closer look though, reveals a slew of familiar traits that connect them to each other and uncovers the all-consuming influence that the hobby has had in defining many aspects of their personal and social lives. As we weave through their stories, we unveil common patterns, collecting is their primary catalyst for friendship and community in a world where modern shifts in work/life dynamics, family structure, digital media and other factors threaten the relevance of all hobbies. In addition to showcasing the lives of these collectors, the stamps have lives of their own. One of the most famous stamps, the legendary Penny Magenta, a rare stamp with an amazing pedigree and outstanding worth has had a profound impact on the personal and financial lives of generations of collectors. Recently, the stamp was launched out of traditional philatelic circles and permeated mainstream media with a high-profile sale to an unexpected buyer. Though each character's background differs, the common motives for collecting create an undeniable bond.