This family stamp business survived the Nazis in Paris. Decades later it's thriving in Australia

Receiving the keys to his grandfathers’ Paris stamp business was a turning point in Michel Roussos’ life. He is proud to continue the family tradition in Sydney today.

Michel Roussos is a stamp expert Credit: SBS / Sandra Fulloon

Michel Roussos knows a thing or two about postage stamps.

His home office in Sydney’s north houses his private collection and a small library of books on this life-long career and passion.

“My business is to look at the stamp collection that people have, for example a family collection, and assess its value,” he says.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for rare and valuable stamps has risen steadily worldwide.

Michel Roussos at home in Sydney Credit: SBS / Sandra Fulloon

“The mail order market definitely has grown during this period. And the demand is high,” he says.

“People are very attached to these small pieces of paper because they represent a part of their history.”

Michel’s personal history is as fascinating as the stamps he collects.

Michel’s family stamp collecting heritage began in Hungary in the early 1900’s. His Jewish grandfather later managed the philatelic department of the family-owned bookshop.

Michel's grandfather at his first stamp shop Credit: Supplied Michel Roussos

Michel’s grandfather emigrated to France in 1925, aged 23, and later opened his first stamp shop in Paris' 9th Arrondissement.

His later business on the Champs-Elysées in Paris was in a building used by the Nazis for propaganda during World War II.

Michel considers his grandfather lucky to have survived the German occupation.

“The French police were asked by the Germans to pick up Jews and to send them to a concentration camps,” he says.

“And my grandfather knew the day they were due to arrive at his place, so he ran away with some other stamp dealers to the south of France.”

Meanwhile his Catholic brother-in-law continued running the business in Paris.

Michel's family stamp business was in this building on the Champs-Élysées Credit: Supplied Michel Roussos

“And a lot of their German customers had no idea is was a Jewish business,” he chuckles.

Paris is a city of stamp lovers. It is estimated that two million French people have private postage stamp collections.

By 1977, long after his grandfather returned from exile, Michel had joined other family members working in the family business.

His knowledge and skill grew until one day, in 1981, his grandfather presented him with the keys to his beloved shop.

“It is incredible to remember - because he gave me his own keys and it was his whole life, you know.

“And he said to me: ‘Now you are ready to be a stamp dealer’.

Michel Roussos values stamps at home Credit: SBS / Sandra Fulloon

“It was one of the most emotional moments of my life. And I have to admit that I was very proud.”

In a 40-year career Michel has interacted with many famous collectors including Queen Elizabeth II, whose own stamp collection is highly prized.

“It's a family connection. I've seen some item of the stamps, which are fantastic,” he says.

Over the decades Michel has also held senior roles in French philately, as Vice President and a board member of the French Stamp Dealers Association from 1993 to 1996. He also worked as a stamp expert for French customs from 1999 to 2017.

Michel Roussos and his Australian wife Sue Credit: Supplied Michel Roussos

But it was a chance meeting in 2013 with an Australian tourist called Sue that led to him making a new life in Australia.

“I never thought to come in Australia: Never, never, never!,” he says.

The couple married in 2015 and moved to Sydney‘s north shore in 2017.

“Now I really enjoy the Australian way of living and the Australian mentality. Yeah, I like it a lot.”

Michel’s own collection spans some of the earliest and most valuable stamps ever printed.

“The black penny is one of the first stamps issued in the world, by the British post office. It was in 1840, and that's a long time ago.

“More than 60 million of these stamps were issued, which is a big number.

“At that time, there was no telephone and no internet. So people used the stamp to communicate, and that's why they issued a lot.”

He also collects and appreciates more recent Australiana.

“This kangaroo [stamp] is a very popular issue because it's from the time of Federation [1901] and it is a very nice stamp.”

Michel Roussos says demand for stamps is rising Credit: SBS / Sandra Fulloon

Australia’s classic issues began in the 1840’s and 1850’s, prior to Federation, and featured the names of the colonies.

"The most popular stamps in Australia are still the early stamps, which is the kangaroo issue from 1913 and the King George V head issues from 1914 onwards," he says.

And he has this advice for people starting out: “If you want invest in stamps, you have to know the subject.

“And when you begin the collection, you need a good advisor. That's the most important thing.

“And after that, if you are careful and you build a good collection, it can be a very good investment.”