Ephemera of Philatelic Fiction

Extreme Stamps
Ape & Essence

Ape and Essence: China's Monkey King, by Frederick Highland

Chicago Philatelic Society Medal

The Mystery Box book is the proud winner of a Silver Medal awarded by the Chicago Philatelic Society CHICAGOPEX Literature Exhibit

Read the Book Review by Barbara Kinne of the APS American Philatelist

Ephemera: Printed matter of passing interest

My idea of philatelic fiction includes stories, preferably well written, that take as their inspiration -- stamps. It would also include movies. The quest was on! To seek other "philatelic fiction" out there. Much to my chagrin, I found but a few titles.

I broadened my criteria to include fiction that might feature a stamp prominently, even though it wasn't a key plot element. Those who are fascinated with "Stamp on Stamp" or Mail Boxes on Stamps would understand even further expansion of the list to include stories to do with the postal service. This has particular potential as Postal Inspectors are in fact a type of detective.

With collectors numbering in the millions, having such whimsical tastes, and most possessing a deep appreciation for art and history as displayed in their exhibits, one would imagine a real mother-lode of creative fiction writing. Alas, the list is small-ish, but they are gems.

My goal was to create a collection of fiction in which
stamps are key elements in the story.

If you've wracked your brain and can only think of the movie Charade featuring Cary Grant... join the crowd. When our attention is elsewhere, like a good storyline, details of the setting, however meticulously recreated for our pleasure, are not immediately savored. However, on consideration and with sharpened wit, there are quite a number of very good stories to be found in which stamps do figure, and the list keeps growing.

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