A View From the Side

A few years ago, Bob DuBois asked me about doing an updated catalog of Olympic
labels, seals and vignettes.  I had seen his dealer price lists of this material and
was pleased with their layout and informativeness.  I knew right away here was a
person with background, focus and enthusiasm for the task.

A formidable task it was!  It ballooned to double expected size requiring the pages
to be produced reduced size.  I cautioned Bob on inclusion of peripheral items which
are still collectables but not exactly what we would find stuck on a philatelic
cover or card. However, his enthusiasm ran away in a few cases.  In one sense, it is
an advantage to the reader to consider the item or at least be informed about it.

I was pleased to critique his progress and put him in touch with others whom I felt
has greater expertise. He took all my asides in good nature and constructively. It
was a pleasure to work with him although the task took much longer than anyone
expected.

The Olympic specialist is fortunate to have Bob DuBois to complete this monumental
work.  The last comparable work was by Paul F. Rampacher who cataloged Olympic
vignettes only to the year 1956. His was a thin volume with very few illustrations.
DuBois' work is heavily illustrated to show the charm and appeal of many designs.

Considering the volume of material available, one may wonder how to go about
collecting it all or any part of it.  Even the large field of Olympic philately and
related collectables often requires the collector to specialize.  Some may seek a
particular Olympiad or sport or other design theme (Olympic bell, de Coubertin,
ancient Olympics, items tied to covers, etc.). The range is tantalizing.

My thanks to Bob for the opportunity to assist him.

Sherwin Podolsky California, May 28, 1986

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