"The First One's Free, Kid!"

I organize and run an event at the Oregon Stamp Society's clubhouse called "Stamp Collector's Corner". On the 4th Saturday of each month collectors try their hand at dealing stamps at this informal bourse.

We also welcome non-members and non-collectors to visit the clubhouse for a free assessment of stamps and stamp collections.

This past month, I met a woman in her 50s who had recently dusted off a collection left to her by her late grandmother. The collection was housed in a 1920s vintage Schaubek worldwide album that was in terrible condition. The stamps in the album we common definitives and the vast majority of them were secured to the pages with clear tape.

"A total loss" I said. I asked her if she had any young family members that might take an interest in stamp collecting to whom she could give the collection to. She had none. Then her eyes lit up.

"I make music boxes. The illustrations in this album would make a great lining".

I followed her statement with the question "What other interests do you have?".

"I collect anything with horses".

My mind immediately turned to another collector in the room with a table full of topicals.

"You need to meet Eula-May. She has all manner of stamps with horses on them."

For the next 45 minutes this middle-aged woman was 10 years old again, as she browsed through page after page of horse stamps. Her excitement was visible to all who watched.

On her way out the door, this woman (now middle-aged again) thanked me and gave me a wry smile as if to say "you tricked me". I know she will be back.

Another collector sitting at my table chuckled as she left and said "The first one's free, kid!"

We both had a good laugh.

Brian

That's a great story, Brian.

and this is one of the reasons that I collect stamps - a great hobby with a great bunch of people