Meet Bessel ‘Basil’ Hanekamp, the visionary behind the Hanekamp Collection
Basil was born in 1920, in Singapore. His father, Dutch-born Bessel Senior led the family to Western Australia two years later, where they pioneered a dairy farm near Manjimup. After his father’s untimely passing in 1940, Bessel 'Basil' took over the family farm and expanded it, demonstrating resilience and determination.
Bessel's stamp collecting, inherited from his father, evolved into a significant passion. Bessel Junior continued this legacy, amassing a remarkable collection of over 30,000 stamp, postmark, and envelope (“cover”) samples from across the State's history. The collection also encompasses rare stamp samples from around the world, letters dating back to the early colonial era, and ephemera related to the Trans-Australian Railway, among other treasures.
Now housed at the Western Australian Museum, the Collection not only serves as a testament to the Hanekamp family's enduring legacy but also stands as one of the country's largest dedicated collections of postal paraphernalia. Beyond its philatelic significance, the collection serves as a powerful reference database for researchers exploring Western Australian history. Bessel Hanekamp's commitment to preserving these items has enriched our understanding of the State's past, creating a valuable resource for both amateur enthusiasts and professional researchers alike.
