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I'm responding to an article by Reverend Edward Mullowney in the last issue of the Baltimore Philatelist (March, 1995). His basic premise is that this is the age of specialization, whether it be inside or outside the world of philately. I do agree with many of his points. In fact, I doubt there is a stamp collector out there who does not specialize in some facet of our great hobby, including me!

However, sweeping aside the general collector as an "endangered species" is an inaccurate view point. I am president of the International Society of Worldwide Stamp Collectors, some thousand members strong residing in over 45 countries around the glob. Our members believe that worldwide collecting is a worthwhile pursuit and deserves recognition from organized philately.

Just because we worldwide collectors haven't been vocal about our interests doesn't mean that we are facing extinction. In fact, I dare say that there are more worldwide collections in the closets of "specialists" than you might think! The typical scenario probably hits close to home.

How many of you started off collecting U.S. stamps as youngsters? After a while, you probably became bored filling up all the spaces in your beginner's album with the common stamps and needed a new challenge. Perhaps a postcard from a vacationing relative with an unusual foreign stamp on it started you on the road to a worldwide collection. If you were very lucky, a relative helped you along or there was a neighborhood or school club keeping the "fire" alive. The process of growing up often meant that time for hobbies was minimal at best. How many times has the fire been rekindled by rediscovering that long forgotten collection years or decades later?

A generalist has many advantages over those who specialize. Worldwide collecting provides a rock-solid foundation for what used to be called social studies. It teaches foreign languages, culture, geography, and history, broadening one's perspectives from "me" to "we" in a truly global sense. From a philatelic angle, it provides the very stepping stone of knowledge to specialize. After all, how many collectors know exactly what they want to collect from the get-go?

After years of neglect and ridicule, worldwide collecting is finally gaining the respect it deserves. Supply companies and dealers are recognizing the potential we offer. Scott's has recently issued its first Classics Catalogue, catering to those who prefer the first hundred years. Two new album makers have just published works for the classic and modern issue collectors alike. Dealers love worldwiders like me, as we always have something to buy... and unlike specialists, can stay within a budget. No one is forcing us to buy all those expensive stamps. We buy what we want and leave empty spaces whenever we have to without feeling guilty about it.

Finally, think of all stamp collectors as attendees at a great sit down dinner. We all have a seat at the table, but the specialist can never get past the first course. Worldwiders get a chance to sample a little of everything from soup to nuts, and can always go back for seconds without getting full!

If you'd like to learn more about the smorgasbord the ISWSC offers, write to me for an application. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Write ISWSC, 42 Maynard Street, Rochester NY 14615-2022 and don't forget to mention the Baltimore Philatelist.

And a P.S. from the Editor (Joe Foley): I'm a general collector myself and a member of the ISWSC. The organization has an unusual provision in their dues structure: members are also asked to donate 250 different collectible, undamaged stamps per membership year for the ISWSC Youth Program. This is one group that is really doing something about the future of our hobby!