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Melvin L. De Vilbiss
  • Male
  • Magnolia, TX
  • United States
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Latest Activity

Richard Kennedy replied to Melvin L. De Vilbiss's discussion An interesting auction just opened up for National Geographics:
"I have put together some of the realized prices for this auction by Blue Box Auctions. I left out damaged issues, bound volumes (they didn't sell well),  and supplements. "
1 hour ago
Daniel Eckert replied to Melvin L. De Vilbiss's discussion An interesting auction just opened up for National Geographics:
"Pretty interesting, indeed.  I got one item I especially wanted (albeit at a higher price than I'd hoped) -- and a number of others that happened to work out as $5 and $10 deals. I wasn't as impressed with the user interface. …"
3 hours ago
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Melvin L. De Vilbiss's discussion An interesting auction just opened up for National Geographics:
"Good to hear from you Dale. Some high-powered buyers for some of the truly rare stuff, i.e. a Very Good Vol IV, No.4 sold for $6,015.00, breaking my recorded high of $4,055.00. However, there were a lot of good deals such as many of the early…"
3 hours ago
Dale replied to Melvin L. De Vilbiss's discussion An interesting auction just opened up for National Geographics:
"Hi Mel I'm not staying awake for this as I'm in Australia. Can you let us know the results? Thanks Dale"
9 hours ago
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to George Thomas Wilson's discussion National Geographic Map Index Variants in the group Map, Atlas, Supplement, and Index Collectors
"Jeff Person's collection was placed in storage in California, and to the best of my knowledge, remains there. His wife and daughter did most of the heavy lifting into storage. The daughter, pregnant at the time and calling New York home,…"
Tuesday
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to George Thomas Wilson's discussion The 1918 Map Index in the group Map, Atlas, Supplement, and Index Collectors
"Well done, Tom!"
Mar 26
Scott T. Shier replied to Melvin L. De Vilbiss's discussion Inventory list for Map Indexes in the group Map, Atlas, Supplement, and Index Collectors
"Ummm, I think I totally missed this post and discussion due to the timing.....my Grandmother had just passed and I was amidst her funeral and estate affairs . . . whilst simultaneously taking care of my dementia-addled Grandfather, who I was…"
Mar 25
Scott T. Shier replied to Melvin L. De Vilbiss's discussion An interesting auction just opened up for National Geographics:
"Thanks for the share Mel."
Mar 20
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Melvin L. De Vilbiss's discussion An interesting auction just opened up for National Geographics:
"Bidding has begun. Auction ends on 2 April - a bunch of really good stuff!"
Mar 18
Melvin L. De Vilbiss posted a discussion
Mar 18
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Melvin L. De Vilbiss's discussion I've seen this rare map index go for well over $1,000.00
"Congratulations Tom! A very rare find, indeed!"
Mar 16
George Thomas Wilson replied to Melvin L. De Vilbiss's discussion I've seen this rare map index go for well over $1,000.00
"Got it, Mel!  ^_~ (cost a pretty penny though) Number 94 in my primary collection from 1918 to 1990."
Mar 15
George Thomas Wilson replied to Melvin L. De Vilbiss's discussion I've seen this rare map index go for well over $1,000.00
"I've got my bid in already, Mel.  ^_^"
Mar 14
Melvin L. De Vilbiss posted a discussion

I've seen this rare map index go for well over $1,000.00

This would be a killing if anyone is interested!…See More
Mar 14
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Larry Moffett's discussion Leather Bound Volumes 3 & 4 NG Originals Format 1: 1891-1893
"Yes, that auction for the combined Volumes I & II, complete with covers sold for $20,155.00. The winner of that auction turned around and debound the combined volumes and had each issue professionally restored at a cost of approximately $500 per…"
Mar 13
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Scott T. Shier's discussion a seller on eBay has Monographs and numerous sets of Pictorial Geography listed now . . .
"And at excellent prices I might add!"
Mar 3

Profile Information

Hometown (If US city & state; Others city, province, country):
Magnolia
About Me: (If none, make no entry):
Collecting since the mid '70s, I didn't get serious about it until 2001. Now I'm hooked!

Comment Wall (16 comments)

At 3:47am on June 7, 2010, Claude Belisle said…
Melvin,
Can you send me an email at belisle@mat.ulaval.ca ?
Thank you.
Claude
At 5:00pm on October 13, 2010, Keith Sargent said…
I grew up with NG's and my parents bought me a lifetime subscription when I was 15. I've finally decided to stop at 1909 (I hope), because several years back, I purchased a bound volume for that year. I had stopped at 1913 (the year my dad was born), but that three year gap bothered me; then, three months ago, I found someone selling his early 1910's and picked up 1910-1913 (about $20 each). I purchased the 1913's to get the one issue I was missing - April (Machu Picchu). I feel really satisfied now. I'm only missing May 1923, "At the Tomb of Tutankhamen" How far back does your collection go?
At 5:48am on April 17, 2012, Dale said…

Hi Mel,

Sorry to say, but I only have spares of V3 #1 (May'91) and #5 (Feb '92), both VG+ copies.

Dale

At 6:29pm on May 7, 2012, Freddie L. Smith said…
I will be happy to send a list to you. Possibly by
the weekend.
At 7:40pm on May 7, 2012, Freddie L. Smith said…
Individual copies: (o) original (r) reprint
These are spares be willing to swap-trade
Etc..
1900
Jan-O
April-O
May-O
1899
Jan-O
Feb-O
Aug-O
Nov-R
1897
July-Aug-O
1896
Feb(2)-O
May-O-missing back cover
1894
Jan,31-R
May,23-R
1893
April,29-R
1888
Vol. 1 # 1
At 8:10am on September 10, 2012, Pier C. RONCHIETTO said…

I got a message from you regarding some very old issues . My E-mail is caio@mweb.co.za and my name is Pier Ronchietto. Can you giveme you Emails address?

Thanks 

Pier 

At 11:49am on November 9, 2012, Lia Calder said…

Dear Melvin,

We're looking foward to sell the whole collection, not just a single volume... Let me know if you are still interested.

Best relagrd, Lia

At 9:24pm on December 3, 2012, Sivaramakrishnan Balakrishnan said…

Hi Melvin - I am new to collecting the National Geographic magazines and so at this point I am looking to buy the more extensive collections - but quite clearly the more recent vintages (like 1950s onwards - unless there's a way to get the earlier years at a reasonable price) - since the very very early vintages (late 1800s-early 1900s) are quite out of my reach (and intent).

At 9:12am on October 30, 2013, Dawn S said…

Hello Melvin, thank you for friend requesting me.  Mine or the bound set for 1964 I believe.

At 5:20pm on November 1, 2013, Sandra J. Phipps said…

We have a few from 1917   however,    January 1965 through 1988 the collection is non stop, and complete. He got them every month . He died 1987 and mom never renewed. '.

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