The First (and Maybe Last) Stamp Shop in Greater Los Angeles

Los Angeles Daily News Columnist Dennis McCarthy calls Sherman Oaks stamp dealer Burt Doling (shown here) "part of a rare breed."

Dennis writes, "The owner of the first stamp and coin shop in the San Fernando Valley — opened March 1, 1951 — doesn't get many walk-in customers anymore.  Most philatelists (stamp collectors) and numismatists (coin collectors) buy their stuff online or at collectors shows these days. Burt's business is mainly over the telephone with longtime, loyal customers. When you've been in the business 72 years, and traveled the world looking for rare stamps and coins, you've earned a lot of trust and respect. "

According to the article, some of Burt's steady customers included Alan Ladd, Bill Bendix, Chester Morris, Ann Sheridan, James Earl Jones, Jerry Buss and Tom Selleck.

Today, Dennis pens, "it's just him and his adopted dog, Jasper, sitting together five afternoons a week inside the Valley's first, and maybe last, stamp and coin shop. Watching old movies together on a small black-and-white TV with rabbit ears, and waiting for the phone to ring or someone to push the front door buzzer."

To read the entire article, click here.