Max Stern's childhood hobby became a business for 63 years.
CITY stamp dealer Max Stern has chosen the date for his retirement. "February 38th," he says with a chuckle. That's right, although he is approaching his 91st birthday, Stern is enjoying work too much to stop now. "Look at this," he says in excitement, showing me a stamped envelope an elderly lady brought in the other day. It carries the name and logo of the Singer Sewing Machine Company and in 1927 it carried a receipt to "Mrs Beatrice Williamson" in Tasmania. "Never seen one of these before," he says. "Not of great value but very interesting."
Among a cluster of certificates and awards on Stern's office wall is a "platinum" citation from the lord mayor recognising his 58 years as a Melbourne city retailer. But we are talking here of former lord mayor John So the platinum gong is five years old. Stern has now been 63 years at the helm. "The oldest original trader in the city," he says proudly. His first stamp shop was in the Empire Arcade, opposite Flinders Street Station, then, in Melbourne's Olympic year of 1956, he moved to the Port Phillip Arcade nearby, where he has been ever since. Despite new technology's king-hit on the world's postal services, Stern's business continues to boom, now occupying multiple arcade shops and a second floor.
It was back in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, where he was born, that this lifelong love of stamps and coins began. His father, Moses, a haberdasher, bought him an illustrated Schaubek stamp album for his bar mitzvah. "It became a challenge to find the right stamps to fill the pages," says Stern. "In those days, you didn't look at the value, you just wanted stamps from as many different countries as possible." It became his career after March 1938, when the Nazis invaded Austria. Stern had been studying engineering in Vienna. "The Germans invaded on a Friday," he recalls, "and I went home to Bratislava on the Saturday. That was end of my engineering studies."
Stern and wife Eva migrated to Australia in 1948. "I had international contacts in philately by then and began to import rare Australian stamps from Belgium and France because the prices back here were higher than overseas." And there were always those surprises. Six months after he opened his shop, an old man came in to show him some old prints of kangaroo stamps. "They are die proofs," he told Stern. "My father was the engraver of the first Commonwealth stamps." That was another first for Stern, who phoned another dealer to check. "Don't let him go," said the dealer. "They're very rare." The items later sold at auction in Melbourne for several hundred pounds. "Today," says Stern, "they would be worth tens of thousands of dollars."
Prices vary for many reasons. A penny black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp, which was issued in Britain in 1840, is worth more if it has not been torn off from its white perforated margins. "With four margins, about $250," says Stern. "Penny blacks are not so rare."
He can dig out all sorts of treasures from his stock. A commemorative stamped envelope from the London-Melbourne air race of 1934 that is worth $150. An Austrian double thalercoin dated 1713 and priced at $300. "I'm still learning," says Stern. "I was in court once as a witness and the judge asked if I was the expert. I told him: 'I'm experienced but I'm not an expert because an expert can't be wrong'."
Max Stern is still polishing his soccer game, too. He plays every Sunday in a team at Caulfield Park. "I used to play twice a week but I got some minor injuries. Had a bit of trouble with a knee ligament." His wife died 10 years ago, but Stern, whose parents and siblings were killed by the Nazis during the war, has two daughters, six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. His formula for a long and healthy life is simple: "Moderation in everything, keep active and take risks. The biggest risk is not to take risks."
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Who is Max Stern and why is he relevant to stamp collectors and investors?
Max Stern is a long‑standing Melbourne stamp dealer who has run a philately business for 63 years, starting with a shop in the Empire Arcade and later moving to the Port Phillip Arcade. The article highlights his experience as a respected, established dealer with international contacts, making him a notable figure for collectors and everyday investors interested in rare stamps and coins.
How has new technology affected stamp businesses and stamp investment opportunities?
The article notes that new technology has been a big challenge for postal services, yet Stern's stamp business continues to do well—now occupying multiple arcade shops and a second floor. That suggests niche demand and specialist dealers can still thrive despite broader postal and communication changes, but investors should be aware the market is influenced by changing postal usage and collector interest.
What factors most influence the value of a stamp or collectible?
According to Stern, condition and rarity are key: for example a Penny Black is worth more if it still has its four white perforated margins. Provenance (history of the item), format (die proofs versus issued stamps), and demand also matter—Stern gives examples showing how small differences dramatically affect price.
Can you give concrete price examples from Stern’s stock to illustrate stamp and coin values?
Yes. The article cites several specific examples: a Penny Black with four margins at about $250, a London‑Melbourne 1934 commemorative stamped envelope worth about $150, and an Austrian double thaler coin dated 1713 priced at $300. It also mentions die proofs that once sold for several hundred pounds and that similar items might now be worth tens of thousands.
How did Stern source rare Australian stamps, and what does that mean for buyers?
Stern used his international philatelic contacts to import rare Australian stamps from Belgium and France after migrating to Australia in 1948, because prices overseas were lower. For buyers, this highlights that international sourcing can create opportunities to find rarities and price differentials, so searching beyond local markets can be useful.
How can everyday investors find trustworthy stamp dealers or shops?
Look for long‑standing, reputable dealers like Stern who have a track record in the market: he’s been a city retailer for decades, recognised by a mayoral citation, and operates multiple premises. Longevity, visible credentials, and clear provenance for items are practical signs of a trustworthy dealer.
What should investors know about expertise, authentication and valuation in philately?
Stern humbly differentiates experience from unquestionable expertise—he told a judge he was experienced but not an ‘expert’ because experts can’t be wrong. That underscores the importance of provenance, independent verification, and consulting multiple experienced dealers or auction records when valuing or authenticating stamps and coins.
Are there broader lessons from Stern’s story that everyday investors can apply?
Yes. Beyond collectibles, Stern’s approach—moderation, staying active, taking calculated risks, and building long‑term relationships—are adaptable lessons for investors. The article highlights persistence, international sourcing and continuous learning as factors that helped his business endure for decades.
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