Stampboards 2020 Covid-safe "Secret Santa"

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 31 Oct 2020 22:26

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The annual "Secret Santa" has become a great Stampboards tradition over the past 12 years.

However, this year with major mail disruptions globally, and many of our members in lockdown or self-isolating, we would like to maintain the tradition but do it in a Covid-safe way!

As always, everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas (after all, a present is a present

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This is how it works:

1. The Xmas Elf (me!) will send each person who registers, the Stampboards name of another participant.

2. When you get your recipients name, have a look at their profile and posts to see their collecting interest then email an image of an appropriate virtual gift to me margpav [at] g mail dot com

3. I will then post it on the Secret Santa thread on your behalf (so you remain a secret Santa).

What is a virtual gift? An image of a stamp, cover, book, sweets, CDs etc etc you think your recipient would like.

The big advantage is that no gifts will go missing in the post and we will have no limit on the value of the gift. If your recipient collects Mauritius, you could gift them the image of the Bordeaux cover bearing the 1d red and 2d blue Mauritius imperfs (regardless of the $4 million price tag!)

All a bit of Xmas cheer and a chance to be creative.

To make it a bit more fun, each Santa will go in the draw for a $100 Glen Stephens gift voucher to be used off website below, and to be drawn on 26th December using automated post number generator.

https://www.glenstephens.com/rarity.html

Any questions on the Secret Santa process should be directed to me via email margpav [ at ] g mail dot com

All registrations must be in by 1st December. All virtual gifts must be emailed to me by 20th December.

If you wish to participate, you MUST email me at margpav [ at ] g mail dot com with Your Stampboards name and "Secret Santa 2020" in the heading. AND post here please on the thread that you are participating.

In that email, you MUST provide the following information :

1. Your full name (first and last name)
2. Your email address
3. Your Stampboards name
4. Maximum number of times you wish to participate: (1, 2, 3):

Now - Let the fun begin!

Kennethsequeira · Post by **Kennethsequeira** » 31 Oct 2020 22:45

Thanks MargoZ... I'm in this unique virtual Secret Santa

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 31 Oct 2020 23:03

Great Kenneth!

ebormelo · Post by **ebormelo** » 31 Oct 2020 23:58

Great! I liked!!

Catweazle · Post by **Catweazle** » 01 Nov 2020 00:17

I'm in too, happy to spread the festive cheer!

Thanks for organising this every year, Margo. Always appreciated!

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 01 Nov 2020 18:42

Thanks Ebormelo & Catweazle.
Something different and easy on the wallet

pitronix · Post by **pitronix** » 02 Nov 2020 01:45

Count me in as usual, email sent

goof · Post by **goof** » 02 Nov 2020 02:05

Hi Margo

I'm in as always, thanks for organising this again and very innovative method of getting round the non variable international post we are experiencing!

regards
Mick

stampquestions · Post by **stampquestions** » 03 Nov 2020 00:32

Thanks for thinking of a safe and inclusive COVID-19 approach to Secret Santa and for organizing this Margo! Please count me in.

Derrick
(stampquestions)

Bijoy · Post by **Bijoy** » 03 Nov 2020 16:11

Thanks a lot, Margo.
I am in for this year too.

Philexx · Post by **Philexx** » 03 Nov 2020 20:04

A novel idea Margo, please count me in. My chance to gift something really special

Even the choosing of the gift will be fun

turtle-bienhoa · Post by **turtle-bienhoa** » 04 Nov 2020 00:49

I would like to join.

aviwire · Post by **aviwire** » 04 Nov 2020 17:39

Thank You Margo
I am in

JimFegy · Post by **JimFegy** » 06 Nov 2020 05:11

Hi Margo.
Thanks for coming up with a fun and novel way be Secret Santas again this year.
I've sent the email.

Cheers,

Stamp collector · Post by **Stamp collector** » 12 Nov 2020 22:23

Thank you Margoz.

Email sent.

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 13 Nov 2020 16:54

Thanks to all who are joining in this year. I've received your emails and will get back with your virtual recipients in the next week or so.

Just a reminder of how our Covid-safe secret santa will work this year:

This is how it works:

1. The Xmas Elf (me!) will send each person who registers, the Stampboards name of another participant.

2. When you get your recipients name, have a look at their profile and posts to see their collecting interest then email an image of an appropriate virtual gift to me margpav [at] g mail dot com

3. I will then post it on the Secret Santa thread on your behalf (so you remain a secret Santa).

What is a virtual gift? An image of a stamp, cover, book, sweets, CDs etc etc you think your recipient would like.

The big advantage is that no gifts will go missing in the post and we will have no limit on the value of the gift. If your recipient collects Mauritius, you could gift them the image of the Bordeaux cover bearing the 1d red and 2d blue Mauritius imperfs (regardless of the $4 million price tag!)

All a bit of Xmas cheer and a chance to be creative.

To make it a bit more fun, each Santa will go in the draw for a $100 Glen Stephens gift voucher to be used off website below, and to be drawn on 26th December using automated post number generator.

https://www.glenstephens.com/rarity.html

Any questions on the Secret Santa process should be directed to me via email margpav [ at ] g mail dot com

All registrations must be in by 1st December. All virtual gifts must be emailed to me by 20th December.

If you wish to participate, you MUST email me at margpav [ at ] g mail dot com with Your Stampboards name and "Secret Santa 2020" in the heading. AND post here please on the thread that you are participating.

In that email, you MUST provide the following information :

1. Your full name (first and last name)
2. Your email address
3. Your Stampboards name
4. Maximum number of times you wish to participate: (1, 2, 3):

Girish Vaidya · Post by **Girish Vaidya** » 15 Nov 2020 20:46

I am in this year. Thank you for organizing this.

Girish Vaidya

MJ Scorthorne · Post by **MJ Scorthorne** » 16 Nov 2020 03:37

Sign me up.

Thank you Margo.

Margaret

arangama · Post by **arangama** » 17 Nov 2020 21:54

I am signing up for this Thanks

Anand Rangamani

ScotsmanAbroad · Post by **ScotsmanAbroad** » 20 Nov 2020 23:17

Hello there everyone!

I've sent my details and I'd love to take part again this year!

Thanks for organizing this 'special edition' Secret Santa Margo!

Cheers

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 23 Nov 2020 07:11

Only 8 days left to register to join this years Secret Santa

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 02 Dec 2020 12:33

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The first of our virtual secret santa's has arrived.

All the way from Germany to India to BIJOY

Bijoy- your secret santa wrote:

As Bijoy collects Norway I decided to go for the large so-called Trondheim Block, value around 2 Million US Dollars.

Norway issued its first postage stamp, a blue 4-skilling stamp featuring Norway's coat of arms, on January 1, 1855.

This is the largest known Block of the sought-after stamps. The Block was found still affixed to a parcel, probably covered in spider webs, at Trondheim Main Railway station.

It had been returned from the US as Undeliverable, thrown in a back room, and lay untouched for 75 years. At least that is the Legend. I hope he will be happy with it.

$US 2 million worth of Secret santa gift with a fascinating backstory arriving next day! Can't beat that

Enjoy!

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 02 Dec 2020 12:52

Our second virtual secret santa gift has just arrived:

This one comes from Canada to Bangalore and is for Arangama

Among Arangama's collecting interest are stamps of cartoon characters & animated movies, unusual shapes & materials.

What better than this lovely collection of Japanese stamps depicting Hello Kitty and a range of other Japanese cartoon characters in all different shapes and sizes with a great stamp puzzle sheet from Argentina for good measure

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MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 02 Dec 2020 22:20

Another secret santa virtual gift arrived today.
This time from one Canadian to another!

The recipient is Stampquestions who has a range of eclectic collecting interests including aerophilately and postal stationery.

Stampquestions also loves to do detective work - he is active on the "Guess the location of this postbox" thread. He is a librarian (like myself) and we love nothing more than piecing together a story from a few scraps of information.

His Secret Santa has selected the perfect gifts- two postcards which will have him busy on the investigative trail with a very unique post office and fascinating piece of crash mail.

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MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 03 Dec 2020 21:37

Three new secret santa gifts arrived today.

The first comes from exotic parts overland to Goa for Stamp Collector
Stamp Collector's philatelic interest include Yoga, Olympics and Airplanes.

A very thoughtful Santa has created a collage of Yoga related stamps, postcards, personalized stamps, postmarks, meter cancels ...... all in one frame.
Enjoy!

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 03 Dec 2020 21:42

The same santa has also sent some goodies North to Toronto for Canada Stamper.

Canada Stamper is a very successful philatelic exhibitor on the theme of blood so her Santa has created a special collage for her: Blood donation of India Mystamps, postcards ads, slogans, inland letters.

Canada stamper · Post by **Canada stamper** » 04 Dec 2020 03:20

MargoZ wrote: ↑
03 Dec 2020 21:42
The same santa has also sent some goodies North to Toronto for Canada Stamper.

Canada Stamper is a very successful philatelic exhibitor on the theme of blood so her Santa has created a special collage for her: Blood donation of India Mystamps, postcards ads, slogans, inland letters.

Wow thank you very much Santa, I love it!!

Jean

stampquestions · Post by **stampquestions** » 04 Dec 2020 08:33

MargoZ wrote: ↑
02 Dec 2020 22:20
Another secret santa virtual gift arrived today.
This time from one Canadian to another!

The recipient is Stampquestions who has a range of eclectic collecting interests including aerophilately and postal stationery.

Stampquestions also loves to do detective work - he is active on the "Guess the location of this postbox" thread. He is a librarian (like myself) and we love nothing more than piecing together a story from a few scraps of information.

His Secret Santa has selected the perfect gifts- two postcards which will have him busy on the investigative trail with a very unique post office and fascinating piece of crash mail.

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My Secret Santa hit the target with my gifts, especially the first one which is the missing element from one of my Virtual Stamp Collection pages (http://groseducationalmedia.ca/vsc/bahamas1.html). After missing out on a lot that had two of those covers in the last Sparks Auctions, I managed to get one on-line with a first day of use cancellation but no nice cachet like the one from Secret Santa. I will have to spend some time puzzling over the German cover but it looks intriguing. Thank you Secret Santa!

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 04 Dec 2020 21:50

Lovely to see so many virtual gifts rolling in

One of today's secret santas sent his gift on a 14,000km journey to MJ Scorthorne in Canada.
MJ Scorthorne collects GB, GIB, Spain, and Canada.
Her secret santa has sent a juicy selection of souvenir sheets from these countries.

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MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 04 Dec 2020 22:05

The next virtual gift to arrive today traveled 9,000km from the East to Bosnia to find Stampboard's member, Pitronix.

Pitronix is an avid collector of all thing ex-Yugoslavia including modern Bosnia Hercegovina.

His secret santa has selected 4 handsome souvenir sheets from Bosnia Hercegovina

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Bijoy · Post by **Bijoy** » 06 Dec 2020 01:53

MargoZ wrote: ↑
02 Dec 2020 12:33
.
The first of our virtual secret santa's has arrived.

All the way from Germany to India to BIJOY

Bijoy- your secret santa wrote:

As Bijoy collects Norway I decided to go for the large so-called Trondheim Block, value around 2 Million US Dollars.

Norway issued its first postage stamp, a blue 4-skilling stamp featuring Norway's coat of arms, on January 1, 1855.

This is the largest known Block of the sought-after stamps. The Block was found still affixed to a parcel, probably covered in spider webs, at Trondheim Main Railway station.

It had been returned from the US as Undeliverable, thrown in a back room, and lay untouched for 75 years. At least that is the Legend. I hope he will be happy with it.

$US 2 million worth of Secret santa gift with a fascinating backstory arriving next day! Can't beat that

Enjoy!

Thank you Secret Santa .... the block is a treat to the eyes. Lucky one who possesses it. Was the parcel not returned to the sender's address?

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 06 Dec 2020 08:50

Another arrival -this time from India in a special virtual envelope to the UK addressed to Goof
Merry Christmas, Goof - here is a message from your secret santa:

Here is one for Stampboarder Goof. I have sent him a penny black and a penny red since he collects early victorian issues. Please wish him merry christmas on my behalf.

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MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 06 Dec 2020 08:56

Another secret santa from India sending via a special virtual envelope to Bosnia to Pitronix

Here is the secret santa's message:

Thank you for organising secret santa 2020. Here is one for Stampboarder Pitronix. I have sent him stamps from his topics since he collects Ex-Yugoslavian territories like Classic Bosnia under Austrian administration and comes from Sarajevo. Please wish him merry christmas on my behalf.

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MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 07 Dec 2020 20:53

Another lovely lot of virtual gifts to share:

The first is from one Canadian to another The lucky recipient is JimFegy

Jim's Santa says "I have attached my Secret Santa gift to JIMFEGY who I thought might like would like a cover with an early backstamp from his home in Onoway, Alberta (post office established May 1, 1904; this backstamp is dated the next year).
Given the eclectic interests reflected in his activities on stamp and cover swapping forums, the rest of the gift is based on his description of himself as “a serious paddler for over 40 years" who has built his own canoe. "

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MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 07 Dec 2020 21:56

Another very innovative virtual gift travelling 7,500 kms East to West and arriving in England for Goof

Goof's secret Santa says": I thought of sending Goof [Mick] some ebooks in pdf format instead of an image. These have been digitized by the Gutenberg Project and are for free distribution. I think he would like the reference material on British Post Offices.

Happy reading, Mick!

Bennett, Edward, The Post Office and its story. London, 1912
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55685

Hemmeon, J C, History of the British Post Office., 1912
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42983

Joyce, Herbert, History of the Post Office from its establishment to 1836. London, 1893
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/38328

Swift, HG, A history of postal agitation from 50 years ago to today, 1900
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/57877

Lewins, William, Her Majesty’s mails. 1864
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42129

McQueen, James, A general plan for a mail communication between Great Britain and the Eastern and Western parts of the world. 1838
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20702

Santa provided the PDFs which I have forwarded to Goof. The links on this page will take you to the ebooks which are free and have various downloadable formats for others who might be interested.

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 07 Dec 2020 22:10

The next secret santa's gifts have travelled 14,766kms landing in Brazil for EBORMELO

Ebormelo, your secret santa has carefully considered your collecing interests.
He says:
His themes of collection are very interesting. Autism, COVID-19, Molecular Modeling, Pharmacy etc.
My selection are as follows
1. Autism Awareness FDC by UNPA
2. Meter Stamps related to COVID-19 from India with Slogan 'We Salute You'
3. Molecular Modeling FDC with Friedrich Wöhler - He was a chemist known for his work in Inorganic Chemistry
4. Biochemistry Congress 1967 Japan Stamp shows Protein Molecules
5. FDC - International Conference on History of Pharmacy

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goof · Post by **goof** » 08 Dec 2020 09:12

A huge thank you to my two secret Santa's firstly from India I love the virtual post and the clear well margined line engraved issues , then secondly to the PDF's of the reference books, that is a gift that will keep on giving, those will keep me occupied for some time.

Merry Christmas
Mick

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 09 Dec 2020 22:21

More virtual gifts are rolling in.

This one has travelled west to Dubai for Kennethsequeira

Kenneth's secret santa says:
Here with I am sending my images for Kenneth Sequeira
I have tried to combine two themes in one image

1. Sri Lanka FDC - Main theme is Cricket and Stamps show Flags of participating countries.
2. 1983 World Cup Final Slogan Postmark Cover - It has autograph of Indian Team's Captain Kapil Dev. Very Special
3. Malaysia MS with Stamps from British India
4. FDC of India and Singapore Joint Issue - It has cancellation from both India & Singapore with respective countries stamps.
5. Canada Souvenir Sheet with Flag

He might have few stamps from these. Still I think he would love these.

I'm sure he will

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MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 09 Dec 2020 22:34

And this time the gift has travelled a short distance east to Vietnam for Turtle-Bienhoa.

Tuấn is a keen collector of musical instruments, Lions International, Rotary International, the sport of cricket, round and triangular stamps, and pigs.

His santa has pretty much covered all of these collecting interests with this lovely collection!

1. Vintage Christmas Postcard with Pigs
2. Lions International Stamps with its Logo and Gutter
3. Rotary International Overprint (?) Stamp set from Austria. It is quite expensive. I dont know why.
4. Cricket & Triangular Stamps - This is a Sri Lanka Miniature sheet
5. Cricket & Round Shaped Stamps - This Sri Lanka Sheetlet features Muralidharan a Spinner who took highest wickets in test cricket.

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MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 09 Dec 2020 22:38

And one from a Canadian santa sent across the Atlantic to Scotland, for Scotsmanabroad (who is not, currently)

Canadian santa says:

SCOTSMANABROAD clearly loves football so Santa is sending him the 1966 FIFA World Cup Common Design set plus some omnibus issues.
The U.K. hosted the 16 team tournament that year with England defeating West Germany 4 - 2 in extra time.
Ho Ho Ho. Merry Christmas!

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Kennethsequeira · Post by **Kennethsequeira** » 10 Dec 2020 00:48

MargoZ wrote: ↑
09 Dec 2020 22:21
More virtual gifts are rolling in.

This one has travelled west to Dubai for Kennethsequeira

Kenneth's secret santa says:
Here with I am sending my images for Kenneth Sequeira
I have tried to combine two themes in one image

1. Sri Lanka FDC - Main theme is Cricket and Stamps show Flags of participating countries.
2. 1983 World Cup Final Slogan Postmark Cover - It has autograph of Indian Team's Captain Kapil Dev. Very Special
3. Malaysia MS with Stamps from British India
4. FDC of India and Singapore Joint Issue - It has cancellation from both India & Singapore with respective countries stamps.
5. Canada Souvenir Sheet with Flag

He might have few stamps from these. Still I think he would love these.

I'm sure he will

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Thank you Secret Santa... Its a lovely one covering all my themes... Kapil Dev autograph on the 1983 WC Final is the highlight among all

turtle-bienhoa · Post by **turtle-bienhoa** » 10 Dec 2020 00:49

Thanks A TON to whoever sent the presents!

ScotsmanAbroad · Post by **ScotsmanAbroad** » 10 Dec 2020 08:12

MargoZ wrote: ↑
09 Dec 2020 22:38
And one from a Canadian santa sent across the Atlantic to Scotland, for Scotsmanabroad (who is not, currently)

Canadian santa says:

SCOTSMANABROAD clearly loves football so Santa is sending him the 1966 FIFA World Cup Common Design set plus some omnibus issues.
The U.K. hosted the 16 team tournament that year with England defeating West Germany 4 - 2 in extra time.
Ho Ho Ho. Merry Christmas!

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Thanks a lot Canadian Santa! I didn't know that there was an omnibus edition for World Cup football stamps.
Cheers, and Merry Santa time to all!

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 11 Dec 2020 18:58

More virtual gifts coming in.

The first goes from Canada to India for Girish Vaidya.
His secret santa says:

My gifts for Girish will hopefully appeal towards his love of the theatre. I’ve chosen three mini-sheets of Canadian opera singers and actors. I think you’ll like them. Cheers!

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MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 11 Dec 2020 19:07

More virtual goodies for Girish, this time from Europe.
The beautiful Audrey Hepburn but a very controversial issue!

Girish, being a film and stamp buff will be familiar with the story of this stamp, but for those who are not, there is an interesting thread [at] https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=22373

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 11 Dec 2020 19:10

Our European Santa has also sent a gem to Scotsmanabroad

Who wouldn't want to own this stunning Bordeaux cover with both the one and two penny Mauritius stamps?

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 11 Dec 2020 19:31

Our busy European Santa has also sent a gift for KennethSequeira in Dubai.

The rarest Canadian stamp fo them all, the 12c Black Empress....enjoy, Kenneth

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ScotsmanAbroad · Post by **ScotsmanAbroad** » 12 Dec 2020 07:09

MargoZ wrote: ↑
11 Dec 2020 19:10
Our European Santa has also sent a gem to Scotsmanabroad

Who wouldn't want to own this stunning Bordeaux cover with both the one and two penny Mauritius stamps?

This would look wonderful in my QV Empire collection...I shall start saving now....

Cheers Santa!!

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 12 Dec 2020 16:08

A new virtual gift today zooming from GB to India for Aviwire

Aviwire is an enthusiastic collector of stamps on Stamps and Great Britain amongst other interest.

His gifts consist of:
GB 1990 1d Black anniversary minisheet
Machin anniversary of 1d Black
175th anniversary presentation pack London 2015
175th Anniversary Isle of Man sheet
Royal Mail 150th Anniversary book.

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MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 12 Dec 2020 16:14

This time from GB to Vietnam to Turtle-Bienhoa

Tuan's secret santa says:
Knowing that you like circular or triangular stamps I thought I'd send you a selection of my favourites.

Great Barrier Island Pigeon post
A selection of triangular stamps
Cape of Good Hope (one of my favourites)
Iceland
Jammu and Kashmir

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