Stamp Column Archives

The Glassine Surfer Column Archive

This column originally appeared in the American Philatelic Society's monthly magazine, "The American Philatelist." Since then some of the information may be out-of-date depending on how far back you're reading.

June 1999

Surf's Up

Sometimes important things get overlooked, and sometimes we forget what it's all about.  Sometimes collecting becomes a long, exacting investigation of journals, magnifications and obscure data.  Like bewildered innocents in a jungle slowly sinking in quicksand, we're swallowed up before we realize what's happening, but thank goodness for summer.  

It can pull you up and give you another chance.  A pleasant summer rest restores perspective, reconnects and revitalizes, so cast your eye a little further afield this summer.  You surf the 'Net, now surf the summer.

Whether it's stamps or your life, a fresh, infusion of sights and sounds, travel and people enriches and satisfies.  Then later rested and smiling, maybe serendipity will smile on you.

Not that you will find an 1880's album filled with stamps for five bucks at a garage sale, but you may find something else.

Stamp on History

Jennifer Tatro is a life-long collector and web developer.  Granpa [ed note: her name for her grandfather] saved the stamps from his mail for her, and in grade school the postmaster gave her the new stamp release flyers.  She encountered the stories behind the stamps, the people, places and events, and today this web developer has a collection of biographical US stamps to share with the www.

This site explores the lives of important people through their images on United States postage stamps.  The stamps are arranged by field of endeavor, such as "activist," "medical pioneer," "musician," "politician," and each entry contains the stamp, the person's bio, book recommendations and links to online sources.

Like all virtual things this site is under construction.  Blueprints show that more stamps and bios will be added, and sketches have been drawn for some indepth bios geared more to adult collectors.  

Tatro also plans to weave in school lesson plans, interactive games, and what she terms as a "virtual stamp collection" to allow kids to keep their own unique stamp collection online.

Sometimes you just find the nicest things on the 'Net.  I think kids'll love it.

Stamp On History
http://www.stamponhistory.com

Take it for a Spin

Shareware is a test drive or a free sample, and whether you know it or not, there are two programs you want, but you just haven't seen them yet.  (I got a directory printing utility I always wanted while checking links for this column.)  And here are some of the better shareware sites on the 'Net worth browsing in your spare time.  

Stroud's Consummate WinSock Apps is stocked with Internet programs.  The site's strength is its online review of the app that lets you can compare and contrast features on often unknown programs.

Stroud's Consummate WinSock Apps at
http://cws.internet.com

NoNags.com carries only freeware or fully-functional shareware for Win9x and NT.  Because it's site search quality is low, it's best to visit when you know what you're looking for.

NoNags at
http://www.nonags.com

Shareware has various methods to remind the user to buy.  Usually there's a pop-up nag screen: Nagware.  There's also shareware with an inoperable juicy feature, or one that doesn't allow a "save" over some program limit: Crippleware.