Diane's Story: Back in the Album

Diane collected stamps as a child. Finding the old album stirred some great memories. Is it something to take up again? Follow her to her first Kingston Stamp Club meeting to find out.

If Diane's story strikes home, we'd love to have you. See when we meet.

Scott's off to university. Suddenly there's more time and more space. Let's see what's in Dad's old things. I haven't touched one of these since I was twelve. Saturday mornings. Tweezers, a magnifying glass, and Dad's terrible jokes. Do people still do this? Where would I even start? ... Hmm, Kingston Stamp Club ... First time? Come in. Got questions? We've got answers. And plenty of opinions! Turns out, plenty of people never stopped collecting.
241 owls, 22 countries. Took me six years. You collect owls? Topical collecting. Nobody told me I had to collect everything. Be honest. Is Dad's old album worth anything? Honest answer? Most of it, not much. Honest second answer? That's not why anyone's here. Hm. Hold that thought. We'll come back to this one. So what do I actually do with it? You sort it. One evening, a few friends, and you'll know what you've got. Next: what does it cost to get started?
Okay, practical question. What does this cost? Tongs, a magnifier, hinges and an album. About the price of a nice lunch. Our 10¢ book. Anything you like, ten cents each. And the stamps? Most of us started with old mail and stamps from relatives. Then came the 10¢ book. What country is this one? Latvia. Estonia! Give it here. Every newcomer gets a mentor. Ask anything, as often as you like. Even the silly questions? Especially those. Next: see where stamps take you.
That stamp from earlier. Come and see. A scarcer variety. Not a fortune. Dinner for two, maybe. But a lovely find. A card in Dad's handwriting. Diane, I kept these for you. Dad. An owl for your collection. Dad had two. 242! Now pick one from the 10¢ book. My treat. This one. See you in two weeks! Meet your new friends twice a month.

Your album is waiting.

Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.

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