Friday, November 9, 2012

Lawrence Block's Present to Worldwide Classic Era Stamp Collectors

I've been indulging myself lately by making philately-related purchases of practically everything except stamps. On November 5, I used a $100 iTunes Store gift card I had lying around to buy the entire 2013 Scott Classic Catalogue for iPhone/iPad. (No changes in how these are accessed from what had been available for the 2012 edition.)

Today, I pre-ordered the Philatelic First Edition of Keller’s forthcoming fifth adventure, HIT ME, which includes, at no cost, a souvenir sheet of “Stamps from the Keller Collection.” Readers familiar with Mr. Block's Keller series will remember that the protagonist collects the Classic Era with the Scott Brown albums. (I can't remember whether Mr. Block mentions if Keller uses the Vintage Reproduction version or the original Browns--probably too much information for mystery fans who are non-collectors. Either way, I take satisfaction that no "Blue" collector would be in the business of killing people, no matter how much they deserve it.)

But I digress. The first edition will be "philatelically enhanced with a custom US 45¢ personal postage stamp showing the book’s cover. The stamp will be affixed to the limitation page and tied to the page with a special 'Keller Cancel.'"

The cost of the philatelic first edition (limited to 1000 copies) is $75 and can be ordered via Lawrence Block's eBay store.