What is the Connection between Cats and Catalogues ?

Answers on a Postcard, please.

As discussed last week, this is catalogue production time at Grosvenor and the stamps are put safely aside whilst I replace my ‘Philatelist’ hat for a couple of weeks with a ‘Desktop Publisher’ one. Our catalogues are produced entirely “in-house” under the supervision of a professional designer and they leave our hands ready to print. The text for the September auction is now in good shape and the remainder of the items for the covers have been selected, including the mystery stamp alongside. No mystery at all to the collectors of Australia, of course.

Carrying out this part of an auctioneer’s job means also that I can indulge myself
in two other ways not normally possible.

Firstly I can take my computer out into the garden, safe in the knowledge that nothing can
blow away. This is not usually advisable, as the prospect of hunting in hedges for Uganda Missionary stamps that have become accidentally redistributed around the French countryside is not an attractive one.

The other advantage is that I can work with cats on my lap. My wife has made me promise to spend less time with a computer sitting directly on my lap (risk of testicular cancer, she says) but kittens are considered harmless.

We have two of these that had been abandoned locally. There are plenty about as the French are rather lax in their attitude toward neutering their cats. They show something of the same attitude toward their politicians …

* * *

In the fine tradition of the almost all-male office, a rather common situation in the philatelic
world, a cheerfully rude postcard is usually expected from those holidaying away.

Charles Napper is even now tramping across the Highlands. Man versus mountain.
If we receive a postcard from him it will doubtless be covered in midges.

Glyn Page can no doubt hear the Costa Brava calling. From my own recent experience there I can confirm that its three main attractions are seafood, snorkelling and visiting Salvador Dalí exhibitions. These can even be combined. Try visiting Dalí's house in Portlligat in a mask and snorkel, for example. They can hardly turn you away for not behaving ‘normally’.

Importantly, when we do go away we should always remember to send those holiday postcards and so, in a small way, fight back against the evil alternative now provided by mobile phones:  the text message.

What sort of permanent souvenir does "Wish u were here c u l8er" provide ?  It might have come from next door.

As philatelists we have a duty to support the postal system when travelling, particularly the smaller post offices, abroad as well as at home. When travelling away be strong and ensure that your card has a proper stamp rather than a nasty machine label. It, or the cancellation it receives, could eventually be the star item in your grandson's collection ! 

JG