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Armadillo Stamps is a small family business for us that complements a lifelong hobby. Our daughter and son-in law do web site design so here we are on the world wide web.....but don’t be expecting an IPO or NYSE listing any time soon. We’re bigger than a lemonade stand, but not much.
Since you’re reading this, we guess you already know stamp collecting is a hobby for all ages. In our experience, it can also be a very relaxing, educational activity through which you meet interesting people and never stop learning. We like all that and look forward to using this web site to help others and ourselves do more of those kinds of things.
I started collecting stamps when I was about eight years old and I’ve been at it now for over half a century. I remember summer days in my Grandfather’s garage —filled floor to ceiling with what seemed like—and probably was—millions of U.S. and foreign stamps. Each stamp had a story about the place or person or object depicted, and if my grandfather didn’t know it, he could come up with one quickly from a stamp catalog or periodical or philatelic newspaper within easy reach. My Mother was an avid collector as well and with their encouragement and support, I had an early start in philately. As a “military brat” and later, as an Army officer myself, I also had many opportunities to accumulate stamps while living overseas in Japan, Germany, Vietnam, and Korea.
Over the years, occasionally I’d place an ad in Linn’s Stamp News, or rent a table for a local stamp show, or break down a large auction lot or estate sale purchase and sell some things, but mostly I just bought stamps and covers that appealed to me. Some years my studies or work allowed little time for stamps, but the albums and supplies were always there and it was easy to come back to them when there was time. Now I’ve retired, moved to a smaller home near our first grandson and the beach, and it’s time to distribute this material to another generation of stamp collectors.
You other ‘old timers’ out there who have read all of Pat Hearst’s books, know what Nassau Street was all about—and also have assorted shoeboxes, cartons, files, crates, folders, and bags of philatelic treasures of every description filling up your closets and garage—are kindred spirits. For you newcomers, welcome to the “Hobby of A Lifetime. We hope you all find something here of interest, and wish you happiness collecting, studying, exhibiting, trading, appraising, buying, selling, or whatever it is YOU do with stamps.
P.S.— So what’s with “Armadillo Stamps?” Well…. We live in south Texas now, starting a company name with the letter “a” puts us near the front in any search that relies on the alphabet, it’s an image that’s easy to remember, and it’s basically a “fun” visual for a “fun” hobby. Besides all that, our grandson likes it.
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