Any Scfers Attending Westpex In San Fransisco?

http://www.westpex.com/

I went today and was a bit overwhelmed with the 75 dealers and table seats almost always filled.

Not that I am complaining mind you.

As I collect WW 1840-1940, I picked up some obscure corners of the stamp world- Moheli, Middle Congo, Manchukuo, Angra, and Rio De Oro.

Also found a fairly nice Nicaragua collection.

Rubbing elbows with fellow collectors, while pawing through exotic stock, and meeting some very congenial dealers is more fun than should be allowed.

Jim: I had hopes of attending this year, but, as it turns out, cannot make it. (I'm down in the Los Angeles area.) I used to go nearly every year for quite a while.

If you have any stubborn, little, annoying, missing holes in the collection, I'd strongly recommend A&D stamps (Jim & Sue). They will likely have the largest set-up there. Very complete offerings. And very nice people. (They come down here for a couple of shows each year, too.)

Also, not sure if they're doing it this year, but, in the past, the Friends of the Western Philatelic Library had a book and tear-sheet sale. I think they may be in the midst of dealing with transition/relocation issues, so they may not be there. When I was there in the past, they had a room off to the side near the entrance.

Totally off-topic, I have been very much enjoying your blog, and, when I have been trying to learn about the earlies in a new-to-me country, I've found your write-ups very helpful! Many thanks!

-- Dave

Philatarium (Thanks for the nice blog comments )

Interesting you should say that. I walked by this loooong table, and the seats were all filled, but people were still queuing up! Kind of what you see at a very popular restaurant. And yes it was A & D Stamps! They were too busy, though for my hyper-ADD mood, and I moved on. I'll remember for next time.

And yes the Western Philatelic Library did have their philatelic book sale. I couldn't resist picking up some material on forgeries.

Jim: That's them! (OK, I know it's "they", but that sounds funny.) The lines do get shorter toward the end of the day and on Sunday. (Not sure if you'll be able to make it back, but if you can ...)

Terrific that you picked up some material from the FWPL. Once you get all the forgeries figured out, let me know!

-- Dave

I was there on Fri. Hung out with friends, bought a few US stamps (some new issues from USPS and some used US from a dealer - just started collecting used recently, hard to find nice ones), checked out the exhibits. Good show.