Revisiting the History of the Value Stamps with Roy Thomas …

Roy, were you and Stan surprised by the initial success of the program? ROY THOMAS: Well, they were about as successful as Stan wanted them to be, in that people cut them out, collected them, used them to gain a few perquisites at comic conventions, etc…. except that once it got started, I think Stan really had no great follow-up in mind, and I think he gradually lost interest in them. But he had been truly gung-ho enthusiastic about those stamps, which were his idea, at the start, as I detail in the book.

They were all his notion, and they were guided by him from start to last. For its second set in 1975, how did you determine which content to feature? ROY THOMAS: I really don’t recall.

For the first set, someone clearly made up a list of 100 characters to appear in the first round of stamps, but whether it was Stan, or myself, or John Romita Sr. and/or Marie Severin, or some other young staffer with Stan’s and my approval, I have no idea. For the second set, I suspect Stan came up with the idea, since it was a bit simpler… a big picture cut into the pieces of a puzzle. Again, it was entirely Stan’s baby.

I was interested in the content of the comics (which is not to say that Stan wasn’t, of course). What do you think was the main appeal for fans of the Marvel Value Stamps? CHARLES KOCHMAN: When Marvel Value Stamps came out in 1974, I was twelve years old.

At the time I was a die-hard DC fan, and my brother was the Marvel fan. But I was also a stamp collector, which was a hobby I picked up from my grandfather. Marvel Value Stamps were my gateway to Marvel Comics.

My brother showed me the ad and the first few stamps, and we sent away for the first Stamp Book. Along with our neighbors on the block, we tracked down the new comics at our local candy store and cut out and traded the stamps we needed. There was no Internet back then, nor a checklist, so we had to figure out which comics had which stamps and share information each week as new issues came out.

It became a scavenger hunt for us, and it also accomplished what Stan and Roy intended, which was to introduce us to titles we weren’t already reading and create new fans.

I was hooked as a Marvel reader from that point on, and it was 100% because of Marvel Value Stamps.

Tags:

cartridge-shop listed on couponmatrix.ukholiday-gems listed on couponmatrix.ukhotel-chocolat listed on couponmatrix.ukjake-shoes listed on couponmatrix.ukskinnydip listed on couponmatrix.uksouth-west-trains listed on couponmatrix.uk
cartridge-shop listed on couponmatrix.ukHaving over 20 years’ experience in supplying printers, ink, toner, paper and more for customers worldwide, Cartridge Shop knows better than most how to get the perfect print without breaking the bank. As a bastion for printing supplies, accessories, stationery and plenty else besides, you’ll be how astonished the amount you can save with a Cartridge Shop discount code at your side. So whether you work from home or are looking to refill the office printer, Cartridge Shop is your one and only choice for quick and convenient service.
holiday-gems listed on couponmatrix.ukBook a budget-friendly break with Holiday Gems and you’ll soon find yourself in sun-soaked spots like Spain, Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria. Holiday Gems specialises in finding the cheapest holiday packages, including free kids’ places to make your trip affordable. With a deposit as low as £59 per person, you can secure your trip with a Holiday Gems discount code for even better deals. Whether you’re travelling with friends, family or your partner, Holiday Gems is the go-to for fantastic getaways.
hotel-chocolat listed on couponmatrix.ukIf you’re looking to buy a gift or just indulge yourself, Hotel Chocolat is the place to go. Crafting highest quality chocolate using cocoa from their own cocoa plantation in St Lucia, Hotel Chocolat is one of the only UK companies who are in control of their cocoa from the moment it comes out the ground, to that magical instant when it becomes delectable chocolate. This means consistently high quality and a true understanding of the ingredients. So why not indulge and save money with the Hotel Chocolat voucher code.
jake-shoes listed on couponmatrix.ukJake have been stocking the most in-demand shoe brands for over 35 years, and consequently know a thing or two about fashionable footwear. They're highly adept at selecting smaller, more specialist manufacturers who can spice up their catalogue with unexpected and innovative ideas. None of this needs to break the bank , by combining existing deals with a Jake Shoes discount code you can expand your shoe collection beyond your wildest dreams for far less than you'd otherwise think.
skinnydip listed on couponmatrix.ukSkinnydip was created for people who love to express themselves, and that ethos remains today. From iPhone cases to beauty goodies, the collection has snowballed and Skinnydip remains firmly established as the place to shop for quirky fashion. Fear not, deal-hunters – you’ll never overpay if you come armed with a Skinnydip discount code courtesy of us at Groupon. Browse our Skinnydip deals and forget about paying full price. We’ll keep you posted so you never miss a saving.
south-west-trains listed on couponmatrix.ukSick of getting stuck in traffic? Opt for the easier, greener option with South Western Railway. Book online and enjoy a relaxed, comfortable commute or day trip all over the South West of England. Our South West train offers will help you save big on your tickets, making it the perfect way to get the whole family out of town - take in the scenery get ready for a relaxing ride with South Western Railway.