The International Society Of Worldwide Stamp Collectors

I posted this to the wrong forum so I'm re-posting it here.

Are any of you members of the ISWSC? I am thanking about joining because of their circuit books. I am looking for an adequate replacement for the APS circuit books. What information can you provide about the ISWSC and their circuit books?

Stahlhelm I was a member about 10 years ago..for a couple of years but then I specialized and moved on to a Guatemala society..the ISWSC seems to still be alive and well without me !!

I am a Worldwide collector,
I collect anything and everything, it's a tough job

I am 3 years behind in my work.

Today's job, break down these beautiful pages, by the previous caretaker,
place them in country glassines, slip into the correct country album,
ready to mount, isolate and on sell the duplicates.

I paid $6.54 for these pages from North America in 2013

Rod

Is that three years behind in your stamp work, or three years behind on your real work because of stamps?

Geoff

I am a (relatively new) ISWSC member. I just signed up for three of their circuits, so I cannot comment on them yet. I can say that their monthly newsletter (The Circuit) is very well done.

That would be stamp work Geoff,
I am retired, (That's why I spend so much time here)

My main job is finding the motivation to get on my pushbike,
Then there's the motivation to get up the hills.
I am a life member of MBB
(Men behaving badly)

Only three years behind! I think that's pretty good! I am a minimum 10 years back. Just spent ten years putting Scott numbers to most, 98%, of my back log. Now all I have to do is inventory, print pages and mount them. I stopped buying in 2010, well slowed down anyway.

ISWSC's circuit program does appear to be popular and well-received by the membership. I personally can't compare the ISWSC program to the APS counterpart because I don't have significant experience with either.

I enjoy ISWSC and its bimonthly publication (also called The Circuit), not least (bout not only) because I help out with some of the copy-editing. It's very much general-interest; a sample issue (a couple of years old, but fairly well representative of the content) is available here: http://www.iswsc.org/downloads/samplecircuit.pdf. Check it out and see if it's for you.

Thank you Peking Duck Dog,
Great reading.

What a fabulous article on the 14 year old, just wonderful.
I started around that age, but was never encouraged, kinda
"what are you doing that for?"

That kid has a great future.




I still have about 12 unopened auction lots to open from 2014

When I open them, it's like "lucky dip" time.

Joined the ISWSC in Feb and signed up for their sales circuit. After two rounds, I have filled a number of spaces in Switzerland, Ireland and a few other countries, plus snagged some souvenir sheets and other special items I wouldn't have ordinarily seen. Worth it for me so far. Just stressful to turn around 8 100-item books in a week (not retired yet). But a worthwhile endeavour.

I joined the ISWSC about a year ago to gain access to their archived articles. I like the e-newsletter, but haven't tried their circuits.

Rod: hate to admit it; regarding being behind; but I set a record for me back in 2013. I finally got around to moving some Montenegro stamps into my International album for 'M' countries. I bought the lot back in 1975. So, about 38 years? Still had the original invoice from the F. E. Eaton auction house in Vancouver, B.C., which I think no longer exists. I saved the invoice for fun purposes.

Recently I too joined the ISWSC. John S. from our local stamp club is an officer of the organization (President, I think) and really helps make the organization work.

I was very impressed with the intoduction letter, follow-up questionnaire, etc. Unfortunately I have been way too busy lately to do much in stamps, other than browse around my favorite stamp forums.

One day I would like to think I would be availing myself of their circuit book system, which American Philatelic Society also has. I've been a member of the ASP since around 1988, and still have yet to make use of all they have to offer!

Can't wait for retirement.......

--Jim

Proud all-world collector and ISWSC member here.

The swap circuits can be interesting for finding odd stamps you'd never see in dealer stocks or listed on ebay. Modern postally used from unusual countries, sometimes even in full sets, perf/watermark/date varieties, that kind of thing. I make sure to give as good as I get, of course; that's what keeps it worthwhile. Lord knows I have enough duplicates around.