It's four more years and 10,000 more papers for Birch Bay resident Thomas Baldwin.

When Barack Obama was first elected in 2008, Baldwin bought 10,000 copies of The Bellingham Herald's election wrap-up edition. And now that Obama has won his bid for re-election, Baldwin has put in another order for 10,000 of The Herald's election papers.

"I ordered 10,000 when he got elected and I ordered 10,000 when he got re-elected," Baldwin, 71, said. "I think it's an important event in history."

While he figures he might be able to make a profit selling the papers, he also thinks they're an inspiring reminder of Obama's journey to become the first black president.

"I think that in general, just for the population of young people, it will give them the incentive that they can reach out and grab any dream," Baldwin said. "I think that's really important for our country to keep establishing that particular concept."

Baldwin paid a discounted rate of 25 cents per paper, $2,500 overall, and The Herald had to order an extra press run. He said he still has the 2008 papers in storage, tucked away carefully and still in good condition. He hopes to sell the two editions as a package, perhaps online to people who want to mark the historic election.

"My wife thinks I'm nuts, but I thought this is an important event," he said. "She said, 'What are you going to do, put up a card table in front of Walmart and sell them?'"

He told her he could probably sell them on a street corner and turn a profit, though she told him it would take 30 years to sell all those papers, if he does at all. But he's not worried about his investment.

"At the very least," he said, "I could probably heat my home pretty cheap."

Reach Zoe Fraley at zoe.fraley@bellinghamherald.com or call 360-756-2803.

Reach ZOE FRALEY at zoe.fraley@bellinghamherald.com or call 756-2803.