~ From the AMERICAN PHILATELIST ~

Journal of the American Philatelic Society, January 1999

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- Sample Online Story  Website and All Contents Copyright
-   About the Author

This collection of short fiction by APS member Frederick Highland is just the ticket for an afternoon read. The author purchased a sandalwood box of stamps from a pawnshop in Macao "when American guns were first being heard in Viet Nam," and over the ensuing years he has woven one tale after another using these stamps as his inspiration. Philatelists and non-philatelists alike will enjoy the twenty intrigues and four enigmas; following every 3-4 page tale, a description and history are given for each of the stamps used as illustration.

Highland includes a short description of his "mystery box", and what he calls a "A Devil's Glossary of Stamp Terms." Mystery fans without a foundation in stamp terminology would do well to read the glossary first to help make the descriptors used throughout the book, and even the title of the book itself, clearer to the non-philatelist.

There is a real element of historical fiction in several of the tales; after all, each is based on one or more stamps that were actually issued. Intrigue Eight, titled "The Visitation," draws the reader into a fictional conversation between Hitler and Goebbels after Hitler has visited his birthplace in Braunau, Austria, on the occasion of his fiftieth birthday. The inspiration for the story was a German issue of 1938 (Scott B137) celebrating the Fuhrer's visit to his hometown. Highland takes what is known about Hitler's relationship with his mother and those whom he may have held responsible for her death, and weaves a tale haunted by the darkened visage of Hitler shown on this particular issue.

Many of the stores are lighter in content, with misdeeds worthy of Same Spades attention. Even Nick and Nora Charles show up. And you will not want to miss the last enigma, "The Philatelic Hall of Shame". Good or bad, the stamp engraver as artist is apparent throughout the book. From ancient Egypt to the year 2301, the author exhibits no shortage of imagination in conjuring up stories for his stamps. he provides history and education in a most entertaining manner.

Copyright (c) 1999, The American Philatelist, Journal of the American Philatelic Society

[amg note: The actual journal is not posted on the web. Individual issues may be purchased from the APS]

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