But if enough people are interested, I might try to start it up in the next couple of weeks:
It needs 5 other people, preferably from different countries - which limits the time each group of stamps would be in circulation.
I (or anybody who starts a "chain" simply puts one hundred different world stamps (undamaged, no small definitives) in an envelope, and posts them to the first name on the list that will be developed from people expressing interest on this thread, and exchanging snail name addresses with the person starting a chain who then makes up the address list.
The starter of the "chain" would send the stamps and a list of the 5 addressees to the first person in the chain.
The first person recieving the stamps takes what he/she wishes from the one hundred stamps, and replaces them with a similar quantity, i.e., you take twenty stamps you put 20 different stamps back in.
That person then posts the 100 stamps to the next person..... this goes on until the stamps get back to the person who started the chain in the first place.
So, if I started a chain the list would bo:
Me: Post 100 stamps to "A"
"A" then takes what he/she wants. posts them to "B"
"B" - "C"
"C" - "D"
"D" - "E"
"E back to "Me"
The only cost to anybody participating is an envelope and one postage stamp to a foreign destination - a very small price for a bit of fun.
I am just throwing this at the wall at present to see if it will stick, but would like to hear other members comments.
Note anybody else is welcome to invite members to start a "chain" here and now, and ask other members to join.
Norm
===========================
Admin general note re trades updated 10th April.
Thanks for all of the input to date particularly to Ann Wiggy for being the initiator of Chain #1.
Member JeffHayward has kindly picked up the rules Ann drew up and has created a create PDF with list and rules which subsequent chain groups might like to use.
https://stamps.jeffhayward.com/Stampboards%20Stamp%20Exchange%20Chain%20Form.pdf
In summary, rules to date:
Stampboards.com - Stamp Exchange Chain
Instructions for Originator:
1. Put together a packet of 100 commemorative stamps, your choice of countries and make sure they are the quality of stamps you would like to receive yourself.
2. Post them to the person listed in the first box on the Stamp Exchange Form.
3. Please use nice commemorative stamps on envelopes to other members and not labels or definitive stamps when mailing the Chain.
4. Write a message on StampBoards.com in the section "Swap your stamps with partners worldwide" under "Swap stamps WORLDWIDE by a "Chain" Letter" noting that the circuit has started and the list of names in that circuit.
Instructions for Recipients:
1. Write a message on StampBoards.com in the section "Swap your stamps with partners worldwide" under "Swap stamps WORLDWIDE by a "Chain" Letter" noting that the Stamp Exchange Chain has been received.
2. Look through the stamps for any you would like and replace them with yours. If you take 5 then replace with 5, if you take 20 then replace with 20, etc.
3. Please make sure to replace the stamps taken from the Stamp Exchange Chain with the quality of stamps you received.
4. Send the Stamp Exchange Chain to the person below your name on the form. If you are the last recipient on the form then you must return the Stamp Exchange Chain to the Originator at the bottom of the form.
5. Please use nice commemorative stamps on envelopes to other members and not labels or definitive stamps, when mailing the Stamp Exchange Chain.
6. Write a message on StampBoards.com in the section "Swap your stamps with partners worldwide" under "Swap stamps WORLDWIDE by a "Chain" Letter" noting that the Stamp Exchange Chain has been forwarded to the next recipient on the form.
A couple of additional notes:
Stampboard members need to have made 20 posts, and have been a member here for 20 days to be able to participate in these chains. (Or to Sell or Trade stamps here.) This gives some protection to others from potential scammers etc. The '20/20' rules shows others that you have a wide interest in stamps and stamp discussions.
Any members posting about the progression of various chains should specify the Chain number eg Chain #2 to prevent confusion between simultaneous chains.
Do not publicly make a complaint against other Chain members. If you have received material that you feel is sub-standard, privately e-mail the member and attempt to negotiate a solution.
If this does not prove satisfactory, e-mail one of the Mods with the detail, and scans of the offending stamps.
This should only be done in the most extreme circumstances. There will always be bad apples on any tree, and of course unintended accidents. And when a new chain is started, either do not allow the member to join - which is your right - or do not join a Chain where the member you privately object to has shown an expression of interest. You DO NOT have to accept a member in a Chain simply because he/she has expressed a desire to join.
AND the usual Admin boilerplate info here that all will hopefully understand we MUST add!
stampboards.com has nothing to do with these swaps other than to be the conduit for folks to choose to take part - if they wish.
Please read our clear Rules for the "For Sale" forum and note points 5 and 6 most especially, as the general points there apply to these swaps as well:
https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=1338
===============
Further Admin comment May 2014.
Admin comment May 2014.jeannette_NL (May 2014) wrote:
Today, 2 chains came home. ( 212 and 218) Although I really am really not that difficult to please, it was a bit of a sorry lot. As mentioned before, many (old) common Christmas stamps, a bunch of definitives and more than 20 damaged stamps.
Look at the scans - and these damaged stamps were just the ones that were easily detected, I haven't gone through them with great effort. Suspect there will be more![]()
Really, do you guys think this kind of junk should be in the chains? A little missing tooth now and then, - I know that can happen and I might occassionaly sent one myself without knowing - I really don't care about receiving them, but theseargh!
Why should anyone dump their junk in a chain in exchange for some nice additions to their own collection?
I think all participants should go back and READ the rules posted many years back -
https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5367
Now they are simple, and they are common sense, and are good manners.
In essence ...
1. Thoughtful commemorative stamps to be used on ALL mailings.
2. The stamps mailed on, to be of a quality you yourself would be happy to receive.
Pretty simple really.

The Utter junk with missing corners in Jeanette's scan above should mostly be in a garbage bin, NOT in a stamp swap chain. And not one, but MANY in the same chain. Not from HERE anyway. I do not like seeing this, and I am happy to start a "No Fly List" thread here, where certain offending members will be totally banned from being in exchange chains and the like. AND named for the info of others.
In a few keystrokes, I can block the access to ANYONE to this specific "Swap Your Stamps" Forum. They then cannot read it, and cannot post here. They are "masked" entirely. AND named for the info of others.
I am sure 99.9% of those taking part do the right thing. The .1% that does not, we do not want taking part, and they will wish they played by the rules.

If any REGULAR and long established members here wish to volunteer to be a Moderator of this "Swaps" Forum, to keep things running smoothly in this area, please contact me. 8)
Glen - owner