A book in the works: reader’s questions wanted

U.S. Stamp Notes by John M. Hotchner

I have been writing for Linn’s since 1976, and I have been feeding at the philatelic trough as a collector since 1948. I have had a ball and have answered what seems like a thousand questions from readers.

Some of these questions are golden oldies that recur often, and some are unique to their time and the questioner’s experience. But all have been useful because they have forced me to go into my references and explore my thoughts to construct answers. Many of the questions have found their way into this weekly column.

I am planning a new book, and while I could publish a book of these questions that I think would be of interest to collectors today, I want to take a different approach. The new book might well have some of the oldies, but I would rather it focus on what collectors today find mysterious about the hobby and the wonderful stamps and covers we collect.

In other words, I would like to offer Linn’s readers an opportunity to send me a question for possible inclusion in the book.

The question can be about the past, present or future. It can focus on the material we collect or a philatelic issue we are dealing with or might have to deal with in the future.

In exchange, I will pledge to include the name of the first person to ask a question I choose to answer in the book (unless you request not to be named). Also, each questioner will get a philatelic collectible with my thanks for participating.

You might ask what qualifies me to answer your questions. Beyond simple longevity in the hobby, I have long been interested in what motivates us to collect and how we go about it.

In fact, one of my early series of columns in Linn’s was titled “Philatelic Philosopher.” That column ran for nine years, and I feel like I have put a lot of philosophy (both hobby and personal) into my writing ever since.

In addition, I have been involved in the organized hobby from local to regional to national to international since the 1970s as an organizer, volunteer and officer.

I have also been an exhibitor and philatelic judge most of that time, served as an expertizer, crossed paths with a good many of the greats of the hobby, and collected widely.

I have been involved in the commercial side of the hobby, too, as an auction firm representative and auction lot describer, and booth attendant.

I served as the hobby’s representative on the postmaster general’s Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (1998-2010), plus I contributed 20 years on the National Postal Museum’s council of philatelists.

In summary, I have had the opportunity to see virtually every aspect of the hobby from the inside and the ways the public at large views stamp collecting.

I am grateful for these experiences, and while I don’t claim to know everything about everything (who does?), I have seen and experienced a lot and am happy to share it with readers as I do in this column.

Your questions for the book might also serve as springboards for future Linn’s columns.

So, I await your questions and thank you in advance for helping me with this project.

Questions can be sent to me by email at jmhstamp@verizon.net. Be sure to include your mailing address so your thank-you prize can be sent. Or you can write to me at Box 1125, Falls Church, VA 22041-0125.

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