There are approximately 4 or 5 major collections/exhibits of Confederate Postal History that have not seen the light of day for 5 to 20+ years. They are probably sitting in a bank vault, on a shelf, or stored in a library or museum. There may be as many as 20 to 30 other major collections/exhibits scattered throughout the USA at this time that are occasionally dusted off and exhibited at a CSA Convention. I would estimate that fully 2/3 of them are not even being added to or regularly exhibited.

As an exhibitor, have you ever looked at an exhibit that had not been seen for years and said to yourself "So that's where that cover is !!" You might also have thought "I wonder when it might be up for sale." Wouldn't it be nice if the owner knew you wanted that cover when he was through exhibiting and planning to sell? Wouldn't it be great if he would let you know he was ready to sell and the price he wanted for the cover?

When I am through exhibiting my collection, I plan to put it into the frames one last time and bring a Xerox copy of it with me. I'll let it be known that it is for sale. If anyone would like to reserve anything out of it, they can see me and put their name and address on the Xerox page. After the meeting I will send the Xerox to that person with my asking price - they can either purchase it outright or refuse it - there is no obligation on the buyer's part. The advantages are twofold: 1)The buyer gets a piece or more that he wants for his exhibit. 2)The seller gets the price he feels the item is worth.

I must admit I'm being selfish in that I'd like to add a few items to my exhibit that are not yet on the market. I'd like to get first crack at them when they are available. I have had this happen to me only once in the years I have been exhibiting. I was offered 2 items. I bought one and refused the other (they were too similar). I appreciated the opportunity to do so. Wouldn't you? I have approached two exhibitors and asked them to remember me when they were going to sell. One has assured me that I would get the item in question, the other person would not commit (50% is not too bad). If you think this is a good idea go ahead and try it, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain !!