Tubfrim

If you’re interested in stamps, welcome to Nesbyen! Tuberkulosearbeidets Frimerkeforretning (Tubfrim) is in Nesbyen town centre. Here you can hand in or buy used postage stamps.

Some of Tubfrim’s history:

Tuberkulosearbeidets Frimerkeforretning, later shortened to Tubfrim, was established in Nesbyen in 1928. Postmaster Ditlef Frantzen headed the initiative, and its purpose was to collect and sell used postage stamps to fund the fight against tuberculosis in children in Norway.

Tubfrim made its first profit of NOK 1,500 in 1929. The profits have varied through the years. In 1940, it was NOK 8, 000,-, in 1970, 150, 000,- and in 2008, the profit was NOK 650,000,-.
Today, the profits are used to help handicapped children and youth in Norway, and to finance the effort to eradicate tuberculosis. The Norwegian Health Association (Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen) is the owner of Tubfrim and in charge of distributing the profits.

From the mid 1990’s, when phone cards started to replace coins in pay phones, Tubfrim has also accepted phone cards. Discarded phone cards pollute the environment, but when handed in to Tubfrim, they are a resource that helps our work. We also accept mobile phone cards.

Stamps and phone cards are collected abroad as well. Most Norwegian diplomatic services and sailor’s churches contribute to our work. There are several private contributors as well. The largest collection abroad is done by the Sons of Norway in the USA.

Tubfrim has become an institution in the collection and recycling of postage stamps and phone cards. Our collection boxes and bags are a common feature both in offices and in private homes. Both stamps and phone cards are often thrown away. It is our hope that this will change.

Welcome for a chat about stamps!