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Melvin L. De Vilbiss
  • Male
  • Magnolia, TX
  • United States
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Melvin L. De Vilbiss's Groups

Melvin L. De Vilbiss's Discussions

Buyer Beware
3 Replies

I've contacted this seller about several of their listings declaring the maps as "antique originals." The seller has acknowledged my input but continues the listings as originally shown.They are 1964…Continue

Started this discussion. Last reply by George Thomas Wilson on Thursday.

Anomaly in 1922 Reprint of Volume I, No. 4.
2 Replies

Buxbaum proved that the 1922 Reprint of Vol. I, No. 2 was used for the 1964 reproduction run, both individual issues and bound, of the first 18 Volumes.He speculated both 1922 Reprints (No.’s 2 &…Continue

Started this discussion. Last reply by Scott T. Shier Sep 24, 2022.

Set of 10 - 1895 monographs for sale:
4 Replies

With tax and shipping I just purchased a set of 10 individual monographs for $4,145.16 (tax and shipping included). Back in the early 2000's these were listed at about $400 per issue (reference Don…Continue

Started this discussion. Last reply by Melvin L. De Vilbiss Feb 10, 2022.

Buyer beware!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/363283956441?ul_noapp=trueThe above add lists an "original" Gold and Coal Fields of Alaska for $350.A…Continue

Started Feb 7, 2021

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Latest Activity

George Thomas Wilson replied to Melvin L. De Vilbiss's discussion Buyer Beware
"You had warned me that you’d be leaving. I guess I’ll see you next year for the eclipse."
Thursday
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Melvin L. De Vilbiss's discussion Buyer Beware
"Unfortunately, we are departing tomorrow for Shreveport then on to Lawton, OK. Today, I'm dealing with vehicle problems. It appears my 25-year-old truck broke its timing chain."
Thursday
George Thomas Wilson replied to Melvin L. De Vilbiss's discussion Buyer Beware
"Mel, Thanks for the caveat.  BTW, I just arrived in Magnolia. Tom"
May 24
Melvin L. De Vilbiss posted a discussion

Byer Beware

I've contacted this seller about several of their listings declaring the maps as "antique originals." The seller has acknowledged my input but continues the listings as originally shown.They are 1964 reprints. Observe the word "REPRINT" in the bottom margin.…See More
May 24
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Juan Carlos Herrera del Castillo's discussion Index to Volume VII in the February 1897 number
"Juan, The original 1896 (Volume VII) Title Page, Table of Contents, and Index were published in the February 1897 (Volume VIII) issue. Mel"
May 16
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to George Thomas Wilson's discussion The "100 Years Ago" Series
"Sounds good - we'll be on the road at the end of the month - but it would be great to hook up after so many years. Time does fly! Mel"
May 1
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to George Thomas Wilson's discussion The "100 Years Ago" Series
"As always, excellent work Tom. I still think you should do two per month, or three every two months with the extra going backwards... Just saying... ;) "
May 1
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Sabra Breslin's discussion Vol 1-8 1888-1896 Reprints
"If you really want to make a sale on the individual issues - I'd offer them for $5 to $10 each with a bundled price no greater than $20. For reference, a 1920's issue in Very Good Condition: Bindings may have cracks, but all material is…"
Apr 22
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Scott T. Shier's discussion A very remarkable 135 Years of exploring land, sea, and sky to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge" ~ 1888-2023
"Well done Scott!"
Jan 29
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Dalton's discussion Print run
"Dalton, It took me 45 years to collect the full set; though I was down to just two original issues needed for the last nine years, and only one issue for the last five years. Two caveats: First, in the early years of my collecting I was not as well…"
Jan 19
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Dalton's discussion Print run
"Have fun Scott ;) "
Jan 19
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Dalton's discussion Print run
"In the early years, the NGS would publish membership numbers, and would make a report to the society indicating publication status. These reports were most often provided in the preamble of the first issue in the succeeding year - but sometimes in…"
Jan 18
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to George Thomas Wilson's discussion A Visual Presentation of Map Indices
"Beautifully done Tom!"
Dec 24, 2022
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Scott T. Shier's discussion Mark C. Jenkins, former N.G. Society historian
"Great Read - thanks for sharing, Scott!"
Dec 24, 2022
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to James Catlin's discussion Identifying ?reprint? before selling
"I suggest you have an original "size" anomaly - which did happen from time to time. I would also defer to Don Smith's expertise as he sold it to you as an original. Your proof of having purchased from him as such is critical in the…"
Dec 11, 2022
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Larry Moffett's discussion Signed/"Autographed" Early Issues of the National Geographic Magazine
"As always, well said Scott! Jane Goodall and Buzz Aldrin - wow!"
Nov 27, 2022

Profile Information

Hometown:
Magnolia
About Me:
Collecting since the mid '70s, I didn't get serious about it until 2001. Now I'm hooked!

Comment Wall (16 comments)

At 6:47am on June 7, 2010, Claude Belisle said…
Melvin,
Can you send me an email at belisle@mat.ulaval.ca ?
Thank you.
Claude
At 8:00pm 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 8:48am 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 9:29pm on May 7, 2012, Freddie L. Smith said…
I will be happy to send a list to you. Possibly by
the weekend.
At 10:40pm 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 11:10am 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 2:49pm 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 12:24am on December 4, 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 12:12pm 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 8:20pm 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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