With modern technology in the printing world, we do not find many varieties on today's Scout stamps, and as far as I know, none have been recorded on the UK Scout issue of 2007 or the Guide Centenary stamps of last year However in early May the auction company Spink of London offered "Singapore 1974 (June) 9th Asia-Pacific Scout Conference 10c. showing major shift of gold to right, fine unmounted mint".  Estimated at £150- £180, it made the top estimate price of £180 (€ 195 US$ 280).

I read that the Gilwell Reunion is again open to all adult members, when of course it used to be a Wood Badge holders weekend.  Things have changed considerably since I first attended in the 1950's when the only organised events were the Camp Fire and Scouts Own.  In those days we went to meet old friends and make new ones.  Today it is just a money raising event for Gilwell.  Collectors such as myself are being squeezed out as in the past the International Badgers Club had an area where you could trade.  This has been stopped, and so collectors have nowhere to acquire items for their collection.  You can go into the Lid and pay £50 plus extras for a table and electricity for a stand for a few hours only on the Saturday.  However all is not lost as Chris Hollingham has his superb Badge and memorabilia weekend at Midhurst on Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 August.  This is a great event and is highly recommended.  In fact some people no longer attend the Gilwell Reunion but just visit or stay over for this get-together with a Dinner on the Saturday night.

In the sale room, the auction house Cherrystone of New York City, USA sold two classic Mafeking items.  The first was a reversed head Baden-Powell dated May 8th 1900, but with some poor perforations.  This went very cheaply at US$ 12.500 (about £7800, €8580) when in the past they have gone for £25,000 or more.  At the same sale was a pair of cyclist stamp with misplaced perforations which went for US$ 3250 (£5200, €5760).

On a personal note I was very sad to read the last SOSSI magazine that Charlie Baty (a member of the SGSC for many years) from White River, South Africa had died last year from injuries resulting from an attack at his home.  He was within a few days before leaving to settle in the USA where some of his family lived.  When the Warner Goodyear memorial was unveiled at Randfontein some years ago, we met for the first time, and since then I had visited him at his home.  He was a true gentleman and a great Scout.