Stamp Store In San Francisco?

I'm in San Francisco as our daughter and our son- in- law have given us our first grandchild.

While I'm here, I wouldn't mind checking out a Stamp store, at least for philatelic supplies, and perhaps for WW classic stock. I see there is a United States Stamp shop on Bush street. Is that worthwhile?

Any recommendations?

Maybe a dumb suggestion...but did you try entering your location into Google, and trying searches? If you get something a map will come up with the location(s) close to where you are.


-IBFS

Not a dumb suggestion, I've already done that. I was just wondering if anyone had recommendations based on personal experience.

Not from personal experience, but here's an article from the SF Chronicle from a little over a year ago:

http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment...-2289687.php


I'm down in Southern California, so I know mostly about dealers who live in the Bay Area, but who do shows rather than have shops. There are still a couple of dealers with shops down the Peninsula (Los Gatos, San Jose) that come to mind, but that's very likely too far a trip to make under the circumstances.

However, perhaps you can arrange a follow-up visit with the little one in late April, during Westpex, which is perhaps the best stamp show on the West Coast. It used to be right in the heart of the City, but is now just a little ways down the Peninsula, at the Airport Marriott. Beautiful waterfront setting, too.

http://www.westpex.com/

-- Dave

Oh, and Congratulations!

Philatarium- thanks for the link and interesting story on the family run United States Stamp Company in S.F. Sounds great and I will visit them the next day or two. Perhaps I will give a follow-up report here.

As far as coming back for Westpex in April, I was thinking the same thing.

And we are having a great time with our first new grandchild- thanks!

I go to San Jose areas quite often. There are a few very good stamp shores and one is in Sunnyvale. By the way, don't miss a visitation to the Sunnyvale Philatelic Library. It is a wonderful place to spend a day or two. I believe it is a bigger library than APSL.

I promised a report to SCfers about my experience with a "real" stamp store in San Francisco, and here it is....



The United States Stamp Company is located on 368 Bush Street, just a few blocks from Chinatown and Union Square. The store has been at this location since 1928.



For those that are of a certain age (myself! ), a visit to a stamp store is a cherished memory. Yes, the internet is wonderful, and yes, one can find cheaper prices, but visiting a brick and mortar store -what a real treat.

The store is spacious, light filled, and low key.

Warren Sankey, the proprietor, was very gracious, and let me wander through his inventory for more than an hour.

He began working there in 1963 when his father had the business, and he has been the owner since 1980.

Since I collect WW classic 1840-1940, I was attracted to his bins which held country collections.



I finally settled on a nice Serbia collection, with the stamps in fine shape. They include the so-called "Death Mask" stamps.

http://bigblue1840-1940.blogspot.co...for-eve.html

Yes the CV is in the neighborhood of 50% or above, but overhead needs to be paid.

And for the pleasure of wandering through a real stamp store for an hour or two- highly recommended.

Damn, I just read that blog and it was awesome, not only did it give some amazing history but the weird image and the very well written style was really nice.

As for the store, I completely get visiting a stamp store and looking at old stamps without the dealer being a pain in the neck. Definitely more fun than shopping online.

I am pretty young for your average collector and dress as you can imagine in your regular younger generation stuff. When I enter a stamp store, the whole place is just so on guard lol...its like they expect me to pick up the albums and run through the door lol.

So the stamps on Rows 3 and 4 are of king Peter?

Indeed they are.

And the "Death mask" stamps are row 1 & 2.

And thanks for the nice words.

Thanks for reporting! It looks like a nice place! Kudos to them for staying in business all these years!

Your welcome.

I asked because I probably have a stamp with him on it.

Jkj - Westpex is defintely a good show.