Trading Stamp Catalog

Several months ago I started a search for information about trading stamps, made great headway and wanted to explore updating/creating a new catalog, building on Art Mongan's work. At the time I had to complete some projects at work which would push beginning work on a catalog out to January.

I have to apologize but I'm going to have to delay it a bit longer. I was out of commission for most of the month of December battling pneumonia and dehydration due in part to the meds. COVID test(s) were negative, it was just plain old pneumonia but it really hit me hard. During the first 14 days I lost 22 lbs.

SO, my work project(s) languished and since I wasn't there to defend them and in true fed government fashion, additional requirements were added.

Several of you offered to help or to share materials for the catalog work. I just want everyone to know it's still going to happen, I just need to clear my desk first and that will take about 4-6 weeks.

Thanks for the update. Glad you're back at the duty desk.

Hey:

Trading stamps have been a strong interest of mine since I was a kid. I'm still very much into them, though not as actively as I used to be.

I'm very interested in a catalog of trading stamps! I have a possible contribution. In my community where I grew up, the Piggly Wiggly was a major player in the grocery industry. The Pig gave Greenbax stamps. I believe they were the sole issuer of this brand of stamp. They were also the last of the grocery stores to give trading stamps in my area, and I believe them to be one of the last in the nation.

Toward the end of the physical stamps, they changed up the design. When I was a kid in the 70s, they had "singles" and "tens," with a multi-page saver book that opened at the top. The late 70s or early 80s, they changed up the design and offered "tens" and "fifties" only, with a fan-folded saver "folder" instead of a book. The last iteration was in the late 1990s or early 2000s. This last design didn't last long, as The Pig went to digital "stamps" on their "Pig's Favorite Customer" loyalty card. For a time, one could "cash in" virtual stamps for printed vouchers.

In addition to branded trading stamps, there was a record store in Charleston (SC) called Harbour Records which gave trading stamps. They were the size of regular "single" stamps and were redeemable for like $5 off a purchase with a full book. Subway restaurant also gave out Sub Club stamps in my area.

I have some of those last iterations of Greenbax if you have trouble finding them. I can post "scans" here if you want them.

I also wonder whether you'll include saver books and catalogs in your trading stamp catalog. I have a 60s-era Plaid Stamp catalog. I **may** have a more recent Greenbax catalog as well.

If you want to see those scans of the Greenbax, I'll have to dig them out of my archives. My trading stamps aren't with my regular stamp collection.

This is an exciting project!!

I see that your last post was 2 years ago, so I hope you're still doing okay?

Josh