Albuquerque Precancel Meeting

It was great. Besides adding a lot of stamps to my collection, there were educational presentations on using a computer database program for a number of purposes, another one on precancel distortions and a third on fake precancels. Very good. I Highly recommend the 2013 meeting in Chattanooga for all of the SCF precancel collectors.

Chasa, I am sorry we didn't get acquainted this week. I didn't know you were going to be there. I had to leave this afternoon (Fri.) for a family get together, and will head back to Cincinnati early tommorow.

Just curious: How large of a gathering is this? I've never quite got a handle on just how popular (or unpopular) precancel collecting really is ... as many stamp collectors don't view it that highly.

I've learned to like precancel collecting because I was given a collection of them years ago and I'm always learning new things and finding new varieties that always make it an interesting side collection.

I believe there were 32 dealers with tables set up. Most of them are collectors as well. Some were associated with state clubs. I met guy from the Netherlands. His round trip air fare was over $1400 so his over all expenses for the trip are well above $2100. Guys were the from Maine, Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Washington, New York and other states, and they had a lot of customers. The The meeting was a joint meeting of the PSS and the Perfin Society. While it is true precancels and perfins are not well regarded, both areas offer great opportunities for study of the bulk mailing practices, local types, and the security measures to prevent theft for personal use. These would be the perfins and dateds. The membership of the PSS I over 600; there are a number of state and regional clubs also. I do not know how many are into perfins, but they are quite serious collectors. My hunt for nice late 1800's and early 1900's material like the Black Jacks and Columbians goes on, but the relatively inexpensive precancels and perfins provide so much more serious play time.