She was 8-years-old standing in line with her father outside the local Blue Chip Stamp redemption store in 1959 waiting to exchange the book of stamps in her hand for a popular children’s book she desperately wanted to read.
“I was so excited I could hardly wait to get my hands on that book,” said Nancy Rubin. “The people standing in line with us were all white grownups, and there was one African-American man standing by himself trying to talk to people.
“I had not seen many Black people at that time, and I was a little afraid of him and could not understand what he was saying. Later in life I came to understand he had a very thick Southern accent.
“All the grownups were acting strangely. They would not look at him and certainly not talk to him when he approached them.
“My dad took me by the hand and we walked up to the man. Now I was curious. My dad said hello and the man pulled out a wad of Blue Chip Stamps and gave them to him.
“He said, ‘this is all I can do for you, sir.’ My dad thanked him, shook his hand, and we went inside the store. I asked him why the man gave him the stamps?
“My dad said he was trying to be nice and it was a kind thing for him to do. I’m 73 now and I’ve never forgotten that morning. I got the book I desperately wanted with my Blue Chip Stamps, and a lesson in respect and kindness, too.”
Below, readers react and take the time to share their own memories after last week’s column about Blue Chip and S&H Green Stamps, and how important they were in people’s lives in the 1950s and 60s:
“As a young bride in the very early 60s, I remember window shopping at the Blue Chip store when our budget was very low,” said Patty Frozina. “I would mark the catalog for items that appealed to me so I knew exactly how many books I would need.
“Many of my friends were also getting married so I would use the stamps to get them wedding gifts. We will celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary in April and we’re…
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