Dealers I Have Known

My start was with Lou Rahlin (Lou's Stamps) in Carmichael, CA. I was in 5th grade, and my dad dropped me off at Lou's, so I could "help" him with sorting and finding "good" stamps. He rewarded me with stamps. I learned my basic skills (how to identify and handle stamps). Can't get better than that!

One of the more memorable dealers I knew was Harry Blue located on Nassau Street. He used blue stationery, a blue typewriter ribbon, and invariable franked his correspondence with blue stamps.

Edelmans in Jenkintown and Fernand Creed—Philly Stamp Co on Chestnut St

Larry Bustillo of Suburban Stamp in Springfield, MA. He opened in 1976 and I was there. Such amazing stamps to a youngster. Larry was very nice and patient as well. Bought my first Scott National there. Great little auctions at the shop on Saturday mornings.

Lapin's Stamps & Coins in Jamaica, NY.

Burns Searfoss, Stamps in the Attic, Los Altos, CA, in the late 1970s. As a teenager with a limited budget I was doubtless an annoyance but on long summer afternoons when the shop was quiet he was helpful to me and my friends. He sold me my first stamps from the US 1893 Columbian set and I still have them.

Another one from me is Premier Stamp & Coin, located in downtown Indianapolis, my home town. In my college days, Premier was housed in an old downtown high-rise. That building and one next door burned in November, 1973, still the biggest fire ever in the history of Indianapolis, which goes back to the 1820s.

John Lawson on Sloane Street,
Ormond Stamps on Lambs Conduit Street,

both in London in the late '60's - early '70's (hey, that's where I grew up).

Back in the States:
Andy Leavitt
Sam Houston Ducks
Herb LaTuchie

I remember Herb from his suctions. I did well there as it took time to build up clientele so some great scores.

I should have mentioned Tom Bansak of Toga Associates in CT. I've known him since 1979 and am still buying from him (some MNH Malaya States about a month ago).

I have purchased from Tom of Toga -- probably at the ASDA show in midtown Manhattan -- he was genuinely friendly, helpful and a pleasure to buy from.

Frank L TEIXEIRA,
Kansas, then Louisiana
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I started with approvals from H.E. Harris in 1972. Frequenting a various shops in the 70s in Williamsport Pa and later York.

In the 80s, I was getting approvals from Richart C. Ried of Callicoon NY and Robert Wagner, who sold his business to the "RW Stamp Company" of Buffalo both Ried and Wagner were very helpful. Mystic for their Heirloom albums. And of course USPS and the BEP we steady sources.

Since the early 90s I haven't really had 'a' dealer or dealers that I frequented on a regular basis, just occasionally and dealt with many sources. Now a days, like many I deal with people all over the place via the Internet.

I kinda miss the days of Ried and Wagner, even though it was done through the mail, we'd write back and forth answering questions and sharing their knowledge.

It was for me growing up COOPS stamp and coin galleries at the Central City Mall in San Bernardino California or Del Rosa Stamp on Highland ave in San Bernardino. I would ride my bike to either one on my weekends. Where I would spend hours going through the tubs of stamps that were 20 for a dollar. That was how I spent my chore money. When Mr. Coop passed away in 1991 They relocated to Redlands Ca. and are still open to this day.