The E-Sylum:  Volume 9, Number 46, November 12, 2006, Article 24

KICKING WIFE's PROTEST: A PHILATELIC VERSION

Gary Dunaier writes: "The "Kicking Wife's Protest" story reminded me
of the tale of a poor soul cursed with a wife who carried out her
disapproval of his stamp collecting to an extreme. As related by
the legendary stamp dealer Herman Herst, Jr., it went something like
this:

>>>>> quoted material begins here
The customer was a doctor in Brooklyn. He needed a used single of
[a very rare and expensive stamp] and asked me to send him one on
approval. Since he was a good buyer over the years, always paying
promptly and never complaining, I did not hesitate to submit one.

Back it came, promptly, torn in half, with a brief note from his
wife:

"My husband has received strict orders from me. He is not going
to buy any more stamps. I hope this teaches you a lesson."

Fortunately, his original letter had an office telephone number
on it, and I was not long in calling him on the phone.

He thought that I was calling for not having sent the stamp.
He said:

"My wife said that if she saw any more letters from stamp dealers
she would open them and tear any stamps in the letter in half.
I did not think she meant it."

He continued, "It has taught me a lesson. I am going to take a
Post Office Box. I will give you the address as soon as I have it."

He did not stop buying stamps, and was decent enough to pay for
the torn stamp. I asked if I might have it to keep as a souvenir
of the stupid act of a wife jealous of her husband's hobby.

It does not happen often that one spouse denies the other the
pleasure of a hobby. But when that couple finally breaks up,
her forcing him to sneak additions to his collection via a Post
Office Box will have been the start of it all. Happily, few of
us are that dumb.
>>>>> end of quoted material

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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