Sunday, May 20, 2012

What Is It?

Do you have something in your stamp collection that you can't identify?  A member of the West Suburban Stamp Club, John Beeskow, suggested that we hold a program for members to bring items to share, that other members can help with.  On May 18th we held such an event, and it was a success.  It was one of our best attended meetings in a while.  Another club member, Rob Herron, set up the equipment needed to scan and project the images.  I know there are many reasons why stamp collectors should belong to a club, and here's another one.  Stamp collectors are often willing to help other people in the hobby.  I can't imagine NOT being a part of a club.  Psssst.....pass it along to a friend.

Below are some of the items that were presented.  








Saturday, April 28, 2012

It's Show Time!

It's easy to be a reluctant philatelist when you come home tired and sore from doing show set up.  It's also easy when you have to get up at 5:00 so you have enough time to prepare name tags for guests who pre-registered for the show and take a shower and get to the hall early to greet dealers.  Whew!  You know when it's easy to be a philatelist?  When you see familiar faces that you haven't seen for a while.  When your favorite dealer's wife gives you the biggest hug EVER, because you haven't seen each other for three or four years.  When you see the show coming together (even in a new venue for the first time).  So, you take the good with the bad, and in this case there is much more good than bad.  See you at the show!!  The Plymouth Show

Sunday, April 8, 2012

I Just Can't Help Myself

My local stamp club, West Suburban Stamp Club, held its regular meeting last night.  As is our custom, we had an auction, and one of the lots consisted of a large number of covers from a company called Brooks Rupture Appliance Company.  This company made devices that one could wear to relieve the discomfort of ruptures, or hernias.  The company would ask each person who ordered a device to write a testimonial letter.  These covers contain these letters, which are quite interesting and funny at the same time.  Our club acquired a huge number of these covers in an auction some time ago.  Our auction chairperson broke them up into lots of about a hundred covers each, and they are in our auction periodically.  The other night I bid $2.00 for the lot and got it.  I sat through the rest of the auction reading some of the letters.  I feel like I'm snooping when I do this, but I just can't help myself.  One of my friends was sitting next to me, and she had not seen these before.  I handed her the stack, and the first one she read began with, "I once had a 1,200 pound cow sit on me for 15 minutes..."  Well that's all it took for both of us to burst out laughing (sorry to all my other fellow club members).  I can't wait to read the rest of them.  I just can't help myself.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Zombies Are Real, Save Yourself!

If you have a child or young adult in your home, you know that zombies are real. I mean how many hours a day do they spend in front of the TV, computer, or video games? Do they have a phone in their hands, texting 24 hours a day? Then you have zombies in your house. According to dictionary.com, the informal definition of zombie is "a person whose behavior or responses are wooden, listless, or seemingly rote; automaton". See? I'm not kidding. So, how are you going to save yourself? It's simple. Turn the zombies into human-like creatures who have an interest in something that is interesting, requires thought, can bring much satisfaction. Introduce them into philately, or stamp collecting. My stamp club, West Suburban Stamp Club sponsors the largest stamp show in Michigan, The Plymouth Show, which takes place April 28 & 29. One of the features of the show is to introduce stamp collecting to Juniors, kids under the age of 18. We provide them with basic supplies to get started, including tongs, magnifiers, album pages, and a supply of stamps. They receive a hands-on introduction to the hobby. When they are finished, they receive a $5.00 certificate, redeemable at the show at any dealer table. What does this cost? Nothing, nada, zip, zilch, zero. So, want turn your zombies into "normal" children? Bring them to the show. Admission and parking are free. We offer 40 quality dealers from various parts of the country, who specialize in many different aspects of the hobby. There are world-class exhibits to view. We also have refreshments available. Directions, hours, and other details can be found on the Show Website. If you know of other families whose children have become zombies, won't you pass this along to them? Save yourself AND them! Before it's too late!!!!!