Subway has always been committed to providing collectors with the tools needed to enjoy the grand hobby of stamp collecting. In the late 1970's Virginia and I received were regularly receiving complaints about the quality and pricing of many stamp collecting accessories. We felt Subway could fill this void, thus G&K Hobby Products was born in 1979. Machines were purchased, rebuilt and rebuild again until we were able to produce the high quality we demanded. The Subway family has since grown to include Elbe Publications, Imperial Album Company and Postillion Publications.

I am in the unique position to see the problems facing our industry. I am a lifetime philatelist. Virginia - my wife and I own and operate Subway Stamp Shop, a family business since 1952. Our attendance at stamp exhibitions, both as visitors and booth holders have familiarized us with the problems all the participants face and know what must be done to make every exhibition a success for everyone.

I am a life member of the American Philatelic Society (APS) and the American Stamp Dealers Association (ASDA). I hold membership in over 100 other philatelic organizations. Each year, in memory of my father Simon E Goldberg, Subway sponsors the "Reserve Grand Award " presented at each APS annual stamp show. Subway is one of the leading sponsors of new APS members. I have donated all cash awards earned from this sponsorship to the APS building fund. I have served as a board member of the ASDA and hope to continue my service to the stamp collecting community through active participation as a director in the APS. I strongly believe stamp dealers MUST support the collector and collector organizations.

I hope you will allow me to use the skills I have acquired to be of service to an organization I strongly support, and to a hobby I have loved all my life. My qualifications are simple. I am a collector, a storekeeper, a show dealer, a mail / phone order dealer, a wholesaler, a manufacturer, and a businessman. I am also building a 1,000 page web site devoted to stamp collecting supplies.

Virginia and I have met many of you over the last 25 years at APS and other stamp shows. Many of the products G&K, Elbe and Imperial produce today are the direct result of your suggestions and ideas. We have listened to your concerns. We will do what it takes to further the growth of stamp collecting and the APS. We want you to stay and enjoy our great hobby. I have witnessed in the last few years a growth of new senior stamp collectors. I am optimistic on the future of this great hobby. The APS has and will continue in to lead this us into the new millenium.

Those of you with internet access can visit our web page "About Subway" at http://www.philatelicsupplies.com/subway/aboutsubway.ihtml for additional information of Virginia, myself and Subway.

Thank you

Hugh M Goldberg,
aka "Mel Goldberg"