~ My expression of camaraderie & thanks to my dear Collector's Corner ~

[Scott T. Shier]

Dear friends on this collector's group for National Geographic collecting, discussion, and hobby-loving - - 

As I had my birthday today, as well as coming off our recent season of giving, gratitude, love, sharing and appreciation, I was thinking back on my years here on the Collector' Corner, and the friends and associates I've made here. I treasure you all. 

I actually joined this Collector's group back in early 2007, which was the prior iteration of the Society's site (via the then-Libraries and Information Services Dept. ; now the  Archives Division) before they "upgraded" and migrated to this current version, on Ning.com.

I was originally welcomed by Karen Huffman, and a bit later, Cathy Hunter took over as the lead administrator. 

I have been fortunate between the Collector's Corner (and my eBay selling activity) to meet many wonderful people from around the globe, and I have been in touch with many on a regular basis for years going back into pre-2010. When I first started seriously collecting National Geographic Magazine, a few key people were helpful in their knowledge and assistance and tips. 

Little did I know then that, I was about to embark on a manic "spree" of collecting not just The Magazine --as originally intended & desired-- but as I am sure so many of you know, I caught the Nat Geo "bug" and delved into Indexes, books, globes, records/LP's, CD's, extra map + supplement variants, variants of NGM itself, brochures, advertising, press kits, promotional ephemerae, artwork, a Life Membership, becoming a contributing $ member to the Society, obtaining all the 'sister' publications to NGM . . . and even joining the now-defunct NGM Reader's Panel, the myriad television & film documentaries {i.e., the "Specials" and Explorer episodes plus other releases} vis-a-vis the VHS and DVD collections . . . (as far as I can tell, I have all of the U.S. released VHS editions, wow!) 

I never thought it'd get this far, for sure. My love of the Society and The National Geographic Magazine goes way back to when I was about 8 years old, and I especially soaked up the stellar and exciting 1988 Centennial Year of N.G.S.  ---> that is when I began making a thorough study of the organization itself, at 10 years old (yeah I was always an "old soul"). This was also the time, in the late 1980s + wee 90s when I thought I had such a massive collection with merely the early 60s through to mid-90s, ha-ha!

My favorite classy, "adult" book when i was young was "The National Geographic Society ~ 100 Years of Adventure & Discovery" (1987; updated in 1997), by C.D.B. Bryan.

Tidbit:  Did you know there were 4 versions of that book published? I am attaching 3 images to this discussion, and below here is the rare custom & limited edition that was produced ---> 

And what kid wouldn't love that so very cool hologram edition of December 1988? Or March 1984 + November 1985! I stared at them mesmerized for lengths of time tilting them back n' forth to catch different reflections of sun and light on them. 

My first subscription was as a "Junior Member" of the Society, via the then-wonderful WORLD magazine (the 1975 make-over successor to the old School Bulletin). Then my grandmother got me my thrilling adult subscription to National Geographic - now I was grown up, seeing the world & all that was in it! I had that subscription until she passed, then it lapsed during my latter high school and college years. The copies I had were in safe-keeping with a friend of the family, but alas she had a basement flood and they were lost. (I vowed one day I would rebuild that collection - and I certainly have). 

Through this National Geographic hobby, I have had the pleasure and honor of making acquaintance with the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1 editor of Smithsonian magazine, the Director of the Natural History Museum/Smithsonian, 2 editors-in-chief of NGM, 1 President/CEO of the Society, a daughter of a past Society president, the widow of the wonderful late Howard Paine, certain of the Grosvenor clan, and 2 (past) editors of the late & great American Heritage magazine. 

As no man is an island, and no one goes their way alone through life -- we all depend on each other in some way, I would like to mention several people who have been especially helpful, kind, cooperative, and became friends over these years, not just in buying/trading, and knowledge sharing about our passion for N.G.S., but also on a personal level many have been supportive and caring through some very challenging times I have experienced. I can truly say I only wish I have met more (or all) of you in-person, but through correspondence and longevity, I do feel like we "know" each other  : - ) 

I could not have come through these years -- either personally or formally collecting-- without the following, and if I don't mention your name specifically, it in no way diminishes my enjoyment in knowing you or all the chats and emails and 'business' conducted. As I know some may feel private and/or sensitive about their business and dealing, I will refrain from specifying what you have done for me above-and-beyond your friendship, but I still very much want to express my gratitude to you all by acknowledgment . . . 

In no particular order, I thank and keep in my very best wishes always:

• the late helpful Paul Crist
• Charlie Gannon
• Cathy Hunter
• Renee Braden
• Mel & Vicky De Vilbiss
• G. Tom Wilson
• Edwin Grosvenor
• Frances Payne
• Richard Kennedy
• Bill Cole
• the late and generous Phil Riviere
• Karen Huffman
• Ann Webb
• Robert M. Poole
• W. Doug & Brenda Wolters
• Juan Carlos Herrera del Castillo
• the late enthusiastic Jean Thibault
• Helena Zar
• John B. Carey
• Heiko Rhein
• George Warren
• Jim Catlin 
• John Mahoney
• Robert Zelenak
• Travis Fatzinger
• the late knowledgeable Jeffry Persons
• Mike Oliphant
• JoAnne and Barbara Riviere
• Jane D’Alelio

You all know what you have done for me and I have derived much pleasure and kindness from, and with, each of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

yours most sincerely, 

            ~ Scott Thomas Shier

P>S>

. . . in the spirit of sharing something personal, and enjoyable to me, I have tonight created a personal album of my National Geographic artwork that I have had properly cleaned, matted, and framed, along with a few extra items of interest. [I do not share to 'show off', but rather to share my deep enjoyment in the art pieces . . . I think Nat Geo has done outstanding pieces over the decades and I have particular fondness for the early years, e.g. 1910's and 1920's] 

the link is here:

Scott's artwork & other treasured items,etc.

"There is a Destiny that makes us all Family. No one goes their way alone. All that We Give into the Lives of Others, comes back . . . Into Our Own."

[Charles Gannon]

Nice presentations Scott. Thanks for sharing. I fully understand your passion for all things NGS!

Have a great 2026! - Charlie Gannon

[Scott T. Shier]

Thank you kindly Charlie, and thanks for everything  : - ) 

And keep up your interest in the Explorer balloon missions  : - ) 

(share anything you find out!)

[George Thomas Wilson]

Happy belated birthday, Scott.  Great write up, as always.

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank you for all the work you've done at this site:

the groups and albums you've created, the discussions and photos you've posted.

You have made the 'Corner an enjoyable space for sharing my collecting journey.

As always, Yours in collecting,

Tom

[Scott T. Shier]

Thanks for the Bday well-wishes Tom, and may I also say you have contributed much of value to this site over the years and I have enjoyed & appreciated you (I only wish we've met!)

[Scott T. Shier]

Nat Geo attic treasures:

This was the charming home page logo portrait on the old incarnation of the N.G.S. Collector's Corner, aka 'The Bulletin Board'. It was discontinued in 2007 when NGS' Libraries and Information Services dept.  evolved it into our current Ning-based Collector's Corner which premiered in July 2007.

You would "clock" on the various colorized icons to navigate to various portions (i.e., sections) of the entire Collector's Corner . . .