Doubtless, you have noticed that you received an extra “bonus” with this issue of the Collectors Club Philatelist. We are very pleased to publish this monograph on the New Swedish colony by John Barwis. We hope you enjoy reading this important work. But, our aspirations go beyond this particular work.

One of the elements that distinguishes [distinguish or distinguishes?] philately from many, if not most other hobbies, is our emphasis on research and the printed word. A mere cursory look at this Club and many others is the size and extent of our libraries. Also, our personal libraries are frequently non-trivial. As part of our ongoing move, we measured the size of our library with care and discovered that it requires almost 4,000 linear feet (1.25 km) of shelf space. We, as a hobby, are not strangers to the written word. But what concerns many of us is the depth and breadth of research that never reaches an audience. Much research remains either trapped in the notes of the collector/exhibitor and is never recorded. We view this as a tragedy since, in all probability, if not published, it will be lost.

So, why the monograph? Why this particular medium? The answer is really quite straightforward. Article-length pieces have multiple venues to reach the public. Our hobby does not lack journals. There may be a question about which journal is best suited to publish a piece, but there is a wide variety of journals out there and much to choose from. But frequently, the work requires greater length. How about a book? The difficulty here is that bringing a book to print is a complex endeavor, and distribution is a challenge. Although there are many print-by-demand options, the cost of editing, composition, and printing are not insubstantial hurdles. Also, length can be a question mark. Works extending past 100 pages deserve the full-length treatment a book dictates, but what if our length is shorter than 100 pages? And how do we achieve distribution? Getting a work out there, to be purchased and read is a real problem. And, I do not wish to shatter any illusions out there, but a philatelic book that has sales of 200 units, is a best seller. Yes, it does get you into the card catalog, but you need a readership.

We believe that this monograph series is an ideal solution. It is notably cheaper to produce and deliver. By being sent out with our regular CCP issue, its sales make it a best seller. And isn’t that the point? To get the work out there, into the hands of other philatelists to be read and appreciated. And entered into the card catalog, thereby preserving all the hard work behind it.

So, beyond reading and appreciating John’s work here, we hope that this inspires you to consider adding your name to the authors of our new revived monograph series.

Although it may seem some ways off, we encourage you to join us at the annual Great American Stamp Show in Cleveland from August 10 to 13. As has been our usual practice, we will share a table with our friends from the Philatelic Foundation. We hope to see you there.

We also encourage you to consider nominations for the Alfred F. Lichtenstein Memorial Award for Distinguished Service to Philately. Instructions and forms for nominations can be found on our website. Now is the time to prepare a nomination for a well-deserved individual. We expect to schedule our Lichtenstein dinner to coincide with the opening events for our new Clubhouse.

 

–Lawrence Haber