The Wide Side - Preface
Copyright © 1990 by Stephen R. Datz.  All right reserved.
 
    This book is about stamp dealing, or more precisely, the wild side of stamp dealing.  The episodes are drawn from my own personal experience and experiences of those whom I know first hand.  The cast includes a host of characters engaged in all manner of mischief: con games, robbery, scams, frauds, even murder.  I've also included a section featuring some of the more memorable characters and eccentrics I've run across, even though they're not involved in criminal activity.

    Also included are a couple of stories that revolve around coins and coin dealers.  In the case of More Flim-Flam, I found the fraud so outrageous, so perfectly planned and executed, that I thought you'd enjoy it.

    My experiences are by no means unique.  I'm sure if you take your favorite stamp dealer out to dinner, he'll be more than happy to entertain you well into the night with fascinating anecdotes about the stamp business.

    Don't misunderstand, the stamp business is not an endless procession of exciting deals.  Mostly it's just routine.  The kinds of characters and episodes in this book occur just often enough to keep things fresh and interesting.

    Having said that, welcome to The Wild Side.
© Copyright 2010 and previous years by Stephen R. Datz. All rights reserved.