The Language of Stamp Dealers* Stamp dealers the world over know a language that is essential to master. It is perhaps not quite as arcane to the person in the street as the speech of the Navaho windtalkers during WWII, but it does have an opacity all its own. “Dealer Speak” is in quotation marks while the translation is italicized. “We have sold a ton of these.”                                                         Nobody wants them. “Few collectors, other than specialists, realize how rare these are.” Nobody wants them. “I’m all sold out.”                                          I’ve never heard of it. “It may have been announced but it hasn’t been released yet.”      I’ve never heard of it. “I think this is a very worthwhile issue.”       I am overstocked. “They look superb in blocks of four.”          I am overstocked. “Everyone seems to be looking for this set. I am overstocked. “These will go through the roof.”                  I am overstocked. “I would recommend this issue to any collector.”I am the agent. “As a special customer, I can offer you a special price for full sheets.” I am the agent and am overstocked. “These certainly are scarce now.”              These are dirt common. “It’s no longer a popular country, I’m afraid. I’ll give you 20% of what I charged you for it. “I can’t offer you much because there’s little demand for this period.”  I’m holidaying on the Mediterranean this year. “Since business is pretty quiet right now, I’ll let these go for a special price.”I’m off on a luxury cruise for this holiday. *                      With apologies to Ken Lake and The Philatelic Exporter (06/90)

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