Why Subscribe?

First . . . Just what is a Subscriber?

Not all cachetmakers will tell you this, but subscribers (who agree to purchase at least one each of every design different cachet produced) are a vital source of a predictable financial base. They provide the producer a source of minimal financial security. Julian and Sharon Pugh have been active in the hobby for more than three decades (10 years as collectors and nearly a quarter century as producers) and has become “America’s Most Popular” producer of individually handpainted FDCs. During this period they have witnessed a number of very talented artists come on the scene with great gusto, only to meet failure because they were never able to reach the “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.” The initial investment by collectors of such makers material is rarely realized when the collection is sold, or passed on to later generations.

Because this husband and wife team has weathered the storm for more then 24 years they enjoy a reputation second to none. Past production is regularly offered through a network of online dealers (none affiliated directly with the Pugh’s) and their older cachets often enjoy a very dramatic price increase over their original issue price to subscribers. Additionally, the Pugh’s are regularly able to make SPECIAL offers of older production available at substantially below market values. BUT, they never do so without first making these bargains available to subscribers. Additionally, the Pugh’s often produce cachets that are Duals; have unusual cancels; rare combos of related earlier stamps; etc. that are in such limited quantities they are reserved ONLY for subscribers.


What are the benefits of becoming a subscriber?

In addition to being assured you never miss a cachet design produced by the Pugh’s; you also receive a SPECIAL discount from their original issue price. Each shipment is accompanied with a detail invoice that lists what’s included and the price of each item. There is a subtotal clearly indicated and the discount is clearly shown. You are never required to pay in advance. Once you become a subscriber, you also automatically become eligible to receive that same discount on each and every older item on their Currently Available Inventory List. This gives new subscribers the opportunity to go back and obtain older issues of interest at less than the current sales price. The Pugh’s also work No Interest, No Carrying Charge terms on quantities of older pieces that may not be affordable all at once due to budgetary constraints (call for details). Subscribers are also the first to receive the regular printed version of Pugh’s News & Views. Each regular shipment has a copy included at no cost, and includes articles about the Current Shipment, Coming Attractions, Auction Action, Special Promotions, Hobby Happenings, and items of general interest to the hobby and the American First Day Cover Society (AFDCS). Finally, there are many SPECIAL offerings, bonuses, and discounts regularly offered ONLY to subscribers, and other specials offered on a First Come, First Served basis to only subscribers.


What is the cost of being a Pugh Subscriber?

Generally speaking, Pugh subscribers average an investment of about $50.00 to $100.00 per month. That average however, may vary from time to time. The U. S. Postal Service (USPS) almost never issues a regular flow of new issues. Some months there are very few new issues and at other times the USPS may issue a substantial number of new issues in very close proximity. The Pugh’s have an excellent track record over the years of bringing their completed covers to market sooner than almost all other producers of handpainted material as they are full-time producers and normally paint out ahead of the new-issue calendar. So some months, there may be no shipments at all. At other times a shipment may include several individual new-issue items as well as a set of a setenant issue. To assist subscribers even out the cash flow requirements the Pugh’s not only accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express, but also have a reputation of working out special terms with buyers, as needed to custom tailor their individual needs. The Pugh’s have recently cut back production quantities that very nearly match the demand of just the subscribers so almost each new stamp issue is a very quick sell-out.


What is the cost of NOT being a subscriber?

While Pugh Cachets are offered by a few of the largest and most respected dealers in the hobby these dealers can rarely offer the rarer varieties (particularly at a discount from the original issue price). When you deal directly with the Pugh’s you have a personal connection to the creative source. They welcome your input and feedback and have been known to modify their planned production quantities and/or formats to match wishes of subscribers. They are fulltime makers and almost always available by phone or e-mail. If you don’t believe it, just try a call this very moment to discuss whether or not you should fill out and submit the form?