Download this report as an MP3 sound file.Breaking Barriers.The Stamp Collecting Report, I'm Lloyd de Vries.We're seeing more African-American collectors, but it's still unusual to see anAfrican-American DEALER. Still…"I've been doing this personally probably for about 15 years. My dad started 50 yearsago." RUNS :05Kevin Custis of New Jersey owns Stampmen, which has booths at stamp collecting shows."He used to tell me a long time ago we were pretty much the only ones out here.  Iguess it's just me now." RUNS :04Custis says he hasn't really run into prejudice on the show circuit."Most of the dealers and customers are pretty friendly." RUNS :02Stampmen doesn't just cater to African-Americans, but to all stamp collectors."I specialize in the world, I do some U.S., I do topics, I do pretty much everything."RUNS :05Custis doesn't see many African-Americans in the hobby. What does he think it wouldtake to bring more in?"I guess they would have to introduce it to them in the schools. I guess their parentswould have to introduce it to them. I mean, we're having a hard time in general justgetting more youths involved with stamp collecting." RUNS :10Custis is a part-time dealer and a full-time physician. He personally collectsAfrican-American memorabilia, postcards and documents.I’m Lloyd de Vries of The Virtual Stamp Club. For more on stamps and stamp collecting,visit virtual-stamp-club-dot-com.NOTE: Kevin Custis was one of four doctors indicted in early December on charges of defraud ing Medicaid,Medicare and other other publicly funded insurance providers of millions of dollars. You can read more about the story here.----------------------------------------------------------Go to Previous ReportGo to Next ReportGo to Report Index