Jerry Abern

STAMPORAMA is certainly a Great Club not only for the Stamp collectors but even for the non-collectors. After all, there is so much love among all the members. And I assure you that I will always continue to be a part of this wonderful club of ours.

Vaibhav Goyal

I was first introduced to Stamporama approximately twelve months ago through a branch of the American Philatelic Society (APS) titled the Junior Philatelists of America (JPA). Through this organization I was informed of Stamporamas existence when I read a short article describing the club and its purpose to philatelists. Immediately interested, I wrote off for more information.

About a week and a half later, I received a cordial response, accepting me as a member, and a complimentary packet of stamps. From then on, I have been an avid consumer of the Rambler and an active though silent participant of all the events involved with it

Stamporama has been very meaningful to me because of its informal but instructive atmosphere but most importantly because of the membership spontaneity in helping fellow members in times of need or distress and the friendly cooperation displayed in every project that involves the club in general. I find most of the articles in the Rambler quite useful and I have discovered many new tips, techniques, or ideas without which I would have otherwise been stranded in the murky waters of indecision and ignorance.

I will conclude with one more comment I think that it is really quite unique how Stamporama claims so many members from such an array of countries. All have such diverse ethnical and spiritual backgrounds yet all are united together over the study of one small minuscule topic- that of Philately.

Adriel Meditz

I am not exactly a computer whiz so I must have stumbled upon it by accident. But I can truthfully say that was one of the best things that have happened to me since I acquired a computer. I have never ventured into E-Bay or hardly any other sites, as STAMPORAMA has filled my needs

The nicest thing about it is the "family" feel one gets with this group. One can make stupid mistakes and not feel foolish. I have made so many really, really NICE friends, and in the trading have added many items to my ever-growing world collection. And the Mentors!! I am sure both Dan Cohen and Tracy Barber wish I had never come on-line, as I have used their services so many times, and they have been so gracious in their help. As for Jerry, well, I feel I've known him all my life! I will be forever grateful to him for having the bright idea to start this club.

STAMPORAMA!! May it last as long as I do!

Mary Jane Campbell

Stamporama has rekindled my stamp-collecting hobby. Jerry has made me feel I truly belong to this club. I've always liked the idea of being in a club, but Stamporama is the only club that succeeded in making me feel so completely welcome. I've learned so much from reading what other members have shared. Thanks to all who help make Stamporama such a fun stamp club

Karen Williams

The Postage Stamp Is a Flimsy Thing...
The title of the article says a lot to me bringing me back into our small family room in the basement, where we first decided to organize a stamp club for kids. Now I often chuckle, recalling how zealously I have started helping my daughter Rita, and soon got trapped with unforeseen difficulties. We were sitting together, sorting foreign stamps, when she mentioned to me that some kids in the neighborhood collect stamps. She suggested to invite them to our house and to talk about their interests.

We both felt excited from that very moment. I immediately picked up a few books about philately and started preparing my speech. My enthusiasm has no bounds, I was ready to tell them about my own collection, about stamp collecting in general, about stamp shows we could attend together, about organizations we can join...and so on.

Finally on weekend I met Rita's friends. Five very shy, timid and reticent teenagers entered the room and quickly occupied the back seats near the window. I looked through my notes and started reading a poem:

The postage stamp is a flimsy thing
No thicker than a beetle's wing
And yet it will roam the world for you
exactly where you tell it to.

Full silence was a response, none had any comments during the next five minutes, while I was talking about all the advantages and joys of stamp collecting. I was puzzled. In the end of my ardent speech I finally realized that the kids didn't understand a single word. They feared to interrupt me, but soon I learnt that they all were Russians, who recently have arrived to USA and just, started learning English.

Knowing that they were Russians was a great relief for me because I do not speak any other languages. I can not even imagine how poor I would have looked if I had discovered they all were French or Italian. Oh well, I had nothing to do, but to start from scratch with a dazzling smile. I took a deep breath and translated everything as best as I could.

The first meeting showed me that the kids were truly interested in setting up their own stamp club, and felt very fascinated about doing everything together. But, gosh, if I could only knew how many difficulties I would encounter from the beginning. First of all I had no slightest idea how to assist them in their endeavors. I had absolutely no experience and knowledge how these clubs work. (I'm an intermediate collector) These kids didn't know a single English word except my daughter Rita, who, unfortunately, has a very poor Russian, because we brought her here when she was 4 years old.

The next day I found out that our dear friends brought almost nothing from their native country. Just two kids had the real albums and thematic collections with 300-400 stamps and a few FDC from Eastern European countries. All the others did manage to bring only tiny envelopes with a few stamps. Their collections have been ruined and lost during very unstable political and economical situation in Russia, when their families have been pressed by the circumstances to move from one place to another looking for better lives. None had any catalogs, stamp pages and other supplies. Also I notice that some of them looked very depressed, detached and lonely especially those, who came from Chechnya.

These little hearts have seen the real war with all its horrors. I sensed that I needed to do something to bring them back to life, to wake up their vitality and help to thrive their desire to live and to go on.

My search for the information began the next day after our second meeting. I bravely clicked on Junior Philately on the Internet and sent a few emails to some stamp clubs for the kids. The first experience was very frustrating. I found a lot of valuable information where to buy stamps and supplies, how to soak stamps and how to make topical collection. I had no idea what to do with the kids, who were not on line and couldn't read and write in English, and, oh, evrica!

Eventually I decided to contact Stamporama and emailed Jerry Abern. My message was full of tears, moans and silly questions. Fortunately, he turned to be a man who can tolerate women tears no matter what:) :):)

Everything began coming into place. They started holding regular meetings, discussing particular subjects; I obtained some stamps and supplies on Internet. Jerry suggested the kids to make their own pages, and all of a sudden I discovered that it was a priceless advice for kids love to draw and to make their own sketches. Oh, what a fun it was (and it still is) for them to make their own thematic pages using their imagination. They began bringing more members. Their brothers and sisters were ready to join.

My daughter and I were in the paradise! Of course, I knew that I could help them only to some extent. But I was always eager to help with the language. I found out soon that stamp collecting is a unique and a quick method to learn the foreign language, because you deal with all the aspects of our life. And, though, The Rambler was hard to read in the beginning but gradually the children began to understand many things.

When the kids were almost out of stamps they received a precious gift from their "grandpa" (so they call Jerry). It was a shoebox full of stamps!!! Many thanks Jerry for all your help and input, for all your time you spent with us, for all your encouragement and constant support. Thank you for your dedication to a fantastic hobby.

I think that The Stamporama is so unique because of the people like you, and I'll be eternally grateful for what I've learned from you from the past few months. Actually I have learnt more from you and the site than I have from talking to anyone. And, though Rita's club has still a long way to go, I can rest assured that that they have a clearer vision now of their future.

In the end of the story I can add just a few words. I have a young boy sitting next to me now. His name is Yan. He is a member of Rita's club. He wants to read something in English to all the members of Stamporama. He starts in a low voice and I hold my breath.

"Stamp collecting dispels boredom, enlarges our vision, broadens our knowledge, makes us better citizens and in innumerable ways, enriches our lives"

"I wonder who said this?"

Yan smiles and answers," President Franklin Delano Roosevelt."

Olga Shokina

My STAMPORAMA time lately has been reduced, mainly because of a demanding job and frankly, a large amount of my online stamp time being spent on eBay. However, I still LOVE STAMPORAMA. As a mentor I have received numerous requests and always enjoy the correspondence that ensues. Mentoring is for me the most gratifying part of the club. Also, reading Jerry's emails, and the Rambler keeps me in touch even though I cannot respond and participate as much as I would like to Finally, participating in the auction has also resulted in some rewarding philatelic correspondences.

So thank you for STAMPORAMA, Jerry!

Ingo Nessel

I think the most wonderful thing about Stamporama is its flexibility and convenience. You don't have to pay anything for it but it's a real pleasure to contribute with your articles and comments, mainly thanks to Jerry's encouragement and receptiveness. All contributions are welcome and there are plenty of ways a member can help others. I love the way everyone is encouraged to participate and my lack of time is always a regret when Stamporama makes you see how many things you could do. And everything in a very casual environment that makes all feel pretty comfortable. Bravo for Stamporama and long life to the project with the help of all of us

Jose A. Narbona

I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be a member of Stamporama. It is a wonderfully organized, international, supportive group of very diverse people, of all ages, both male and female who unite around their passion for stamp collecting, I feel that I have received from this group far more than I ever seem able to give back. Members spontaneously welcomed me into the group by sending me stamps that related to my particular interests. Stamporama has been an endless series of opportunities to interact with other stamp collectors. There have been the opportunities to participate in the formal stamp exchanges through the Round Robin and the T list but also spontaneous exchanges of stamps with collectors overseas in Holland and Poland. These opportunities have added immensely to the experience of stamp collecting that would otherwise run the risk of being isolating. Even this letter highlights the ways in which Stamporama has been such an interactive experience. The pleasure of collecting has been enhanced by the Auctions that have been extremely well ran, appeal to a wide range of collecting interests and take place in a congenial, trusting atmosphere. The air of warmth, friendliness and respect for each other has been one of the really pleasant aspects of Stamporama.

The monthly newsletter is a wonderful source of information and inspiration. It truly reflects the strength of your leadership but also the collaborative effort that is a hallmark of Stamporama. There is a real and genuine concern for others, reflected in the mentoring and support provided to less experienced and younger collectors. This altruism is a unique characteristic of Stamporama. It moves the 'Club' from being just a gathering of people serving their own interests to a grouping of people concerned with the well being of each other. I can only say that I always feel indebted to Stamporama and grateful for the ongoing experience of being a member of this group. Again, thanks for all you do Jerry.

Chris Lang

Stamp collecting is a solitary pursuit, which could permit a collector to become isolated within him and separated from others. On the other side of the spectrum one could devote all waking hours involved in the greater community of stamp collecting from official APA activities to worldwide stamp-pal trading.

Somewhere in the middle of the spectrum lies the whole world of stamp clubs, and in the middle of that world I was pleased to find Stamporama. It was possible to become as active or lazy as I chose to be, to have contacts worldwide or not, and to touch stamp-pals as often or as little as I chose. I could trade and sell my excess items and buy needed items as well. An in-house auction format permitted a great opportunity to get real bargains and the interaction between members was of the highest quality. There was just no way to become disappointed in a trade. Perhaps the greatest value lay in the resolution of puzzling questions about some aspect of my collecting interests from a list of mentor/experts who were most willing to offer their expertise. All I had to do was to ask

To keep abreast of all that goes on in the club we have an in-house publication called the Rambler, which permits involvement with all new/old members and keeps track of what's going on, should one be interested. Participation is encouraged, but not required. And the fee for all this, incredibly, is nothing more than your interest! I have been most positively impressed, and would urge anyone to check us out. Should you be a bit shy, you can contact me personally at dani20@juno.com and I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Daniel Cohen

I'm very glad that I joined Stamporama. I came across the club's name via the APS special interests web listing. So far I've enjoyed the contacts that I've made and the few times that I've swapped stamps. The Round Robin was of particular interest to me as a means of getting and sending stamps to other collectors. As they say "One man's garbage is another man's gold"! Not that I consider my surplus stamps garbage by any stretch of the imagination. In the three rounds of the "Round Robin" since I've joined I've received one so far. Snail mail ah! Time will tell

The auctions have been great. Lots and lots of stuff have been offered. Time and money are the constraints in participating. You know too much month and not enough pay check. As a newcomer to auctions I hope to venture out and submit stuff for auction.

Since I joined Stamporama I've mentioned it to our club members. I'm a member of Glacier Stamp Club in Kalispell MT. Somehow in the two years that I've been a member I've ended up being elected as president of the club. Still can't figure out how that happened. What do I do now? Maybe the Stamporama membership can help me out here? Is there a mentor for such an area of interest? Anyway I'm rambling. Talking of rambling, "The Rambler" is an excellent newsletter. Club members are very fortunate in having such a good service for the price "FREE" Imagine that "FREE" and even the membership price, get this will ya!! "FREE". Come On Down, Join Stamporama! The price is right!

Anyway I must get going here. I'm a little bit in the arrears of getting out my Round Robining stuff and reviewing the stuff on the next auction. And yes I get a paycheck before the deadline for the next auction. YeeHaw!!

Don Blais

I have been with Stamporama almost since its inception, and I love it. My collection has grown from nothing to more than I can handle! And, I have made lasting friendships through this club with other stamp collectors that have made me very happy. This is a great club for the beginner and expert alike

Ami Snell

The original idea of providing a means for stamp collectors to trade with other stamp collectors was great. It has served its purpose, especially with the addition of the Round Robin List. But what makes Stamporama really superb, in my estimation, is The Rambler.

The first few issues at the time I joined Stamporama contained some useful information but appeared to be mostly a haven for jokes. It gradually improved but when Marlene McCall became the editor it became a truly professional publication, providing as it does a nicely balanced source of information for the collector-members and an outlet for the writer-members.

Becoming an affiliate of the American Philatelic Society is an event of which we all can be proud. It takes us from a group of amateur stamp collectors to a recognized group of philatelists.

Stamp collecting can be a rather lonesome hobby in that many hours are spent by the many, maybe most, collectors in solitude. There probably are husband and wife, parent and sibling, and sibling collectors, and there may be local stamp clubs, but the solitary collector is undoubtedly more common. Stamporama provides the means for the most solitary among us to make contact with kindred spirits, and many friendships have developed from those contacts.

The institution of mentors has provided collectors with a great source of knowledge and advice that is not otherwise available.

Auctions provide a great source of stamps as well as a bit of income for Stamporama. The local stamp store is fast becoming a thing of the past, making club auctions especially valuable for the members.

Ed Whitney

I think that the most important things that a club can offer are opportunities for buying, selling, trading, and learning. Well, Stamporama offers them all. Also, I really look forward to the Rambler... even more than the other 5-6 philatelic publications that I receive on a regular basis. And last but not least, I appreciate the efforts that you (Jerry Abern) have made to make everyone feel welcome and part of the club. I have always been proud to be a member of Stamporama, and I will continue to support you and the club in any way that I can help.

Steven Kennedy

I enjoy being a member of Stamporama because it affords me the opportunity to trade stamps with members who live in all Four Corners of the world. As with most trading clubs some trades are good and some not so good. However for the most part my trades have turned out to be wonderful for all parties concerned. If any thing negative can be said, it's the lack of polite response to Email queries.

John Blackwood

S - Stamps - Tiny bits of paper, all shapes, sizes, colors, denominations used to carry mail from point A to point B.   Just like the gum that binds these tiny little treasures to their covers the love of stamps binds the members of Stamporama together.

T - Topicals - Whether your topic is "Airplanes" to "Zebras," or "Austria" to "Zaire", you will probably find a member who has the same or similar collecting interest.

A - Amateur/Advanced collectors.   Regardless which category you fall into you will be welcomed enthusiastically.  

M - Multi - Multitude of opportunities.   With over 250+ members, from 38 States and 38 Foreign countries, from age 8 to 80 you are virtually guaranteed that you will find someone to swap articles, letters, trade, sell and buy from. Best group of collectors in the world.   No squabbles in this club!

P - Philatelic - Postal history? Postcards? Perfins? Perchance? Pair - gutter or setenants? Stamps? Covers?
postmarks/Cancellations? S/S? Cinderallas? Christmas seals? BOB? Line Pairs? You name it! And you'll probably find another member with similar or like interests.

O - On-line Club - Stamporama is an on-line/off-line club.   With it's own official web-site.   Might add that we are probably the only club in the US or World that is 'DUES FREE'.   THAT'S CORRECT!   NO   DUES!!!

R - Round Robin - For those who care to trade stamps on a more timely basis. For those who would prefer to trade/buy/sell periodically we have a Trade Mart List.

A - Articles - Love to write, but have always been afraid no publisher would ever publish your work? Well, Stamporama is for you! We never turndown articles.   Our members love when other members want to share. We have our very own monthly publication -- "The Rambler."

M - Mentoring - We have a staff of "Mentors" who write monthly articles for The Rambler".  Some of our mentors might be more expert than  others, but they all have one thing in common they love to share their knowledge.   And what they don't know they are willing to attempt to find an answer for you.

A - Amateur -  Are you a "newbie" to the world of stamps?   Or maybe you've been collecting for a while but still have a lot of questions.   Here again, Stamporama is for you.   Not only our mentors, but any and all club members are willing to assist and share their knowledge.

As you can see Stamporama means many things to me!

Guess I could have made this short and sweet with the statement that Stamporama means the Love of philately and the willingness to share it with the best group of collectors in the world.

Kathy Sanders

It's been a pleasure to be part of Stamporama for the past year. I don't have as much time to spend on my collection as I would like. Receiving information and articles via the Rambler and sharing with my fellow members on trades has helped to increase the enjoyment of collecting. I love the electronic "virtual" club we have & I really get a lot out of it. From learning about new issues to reading about the interesting stories from our members, the Rambler helps build a strong community. Plus I even had the chance to make a few trades

I look forward to a long and prosperous membership in Stamporama. And I hope others will be able to join us in the enjoyment of collecting!

Marty McDonald

Since you've asked so nicely about a dozen times. Stamporama renewed my interest in stamp collecting after many years of dormancy. I dug out that box from the closet and rekindled my relationship with those albums. I rediscovered the simple pleasure of sifting through a pile of perforated little pieces of paper printed with every imaginable picture and language. After a time, I decided to move onto a sailboat and my collection returned to storage. But Stamporama continued, serving as a mooring line connecting me to the hobby I'd known off and on for 15 years. Now I'm back on land for a time, and the box has come back out. Stamporama has connected me with others on distant shores that sift through their little piles of stamps. More than anything else, it helps me to know that I'm not alone in this peculiar pastime. It is camaraderie. It is good fun.

Robert Lucey

I joined Stamporama in January 2001. As soon as I had received the Welcome emails & package and after my first look at a past issue of the Rambler on line, I felt a strong "affinity" for the ambiance of the Club. Something told me there was a treat in store for me - but I could not define it at that time. Yet 8 weeks later I am able to define it: this Club is buzzing with activity, always something going on

I have participated in several global Circuit Clubs, exchange clubs and "pen pal" organizations over my 50 years of philately and perhaps have a prejudiced reference point for Clubs. Not so with Stamporama!! I am impressed with the friendliness and enthusiasm of the few members I have contacted already. Jerry and David (the auction) have been very supportive and I had a blast at my first online auction as a purchaser. Now I will be a seller as well. The Rambler is very interesting and extensive in content and I have made some good contacts hoping to develop a mutually beneficial exchange.

There seems to be plenty of opportunities for all levels of collectors to find something of VALUE, something to treasure in philately.....For me that treasure is STAMPORAMA! Keep up the good work!!

Harry Haralambous

In addition to thoughts of some members of Stamporama, I would say that Stamporama and members are offering me a special item too: A warm friendly home feeling where ever one might be; even though I've never met them face to face.

This feeling and friendship have opened so many doors to me, showing me parts of my fellow members' lives, feelings, moods, sorrows, troubles, cultures, cities and countries and what ever more; it helps me to understand other people better every time more and more. A feeling, which I never experienced at other societies, joined by me. Jerry, I do thank you and your co-operators for this opportunity and efforts and other members too of course and especially my dear fellow members Dan Cohen and Mary Jane Campbell.

Hans Boers

What Stamporama means to me -- support for children, generosity, and selflessness. mentorship... a bunch of individuals who deserve a great big thanks!

Vanessa Isitt ;-)