History of Mystic Stamp Company

Posted on July 10, 2014 by MysticStamp

The History of Mystic

Today, Mystic Stamp Company is considered America’s leading stamp dealer. Over the years we’ve owned some of the greatest rarities in philately, collaborated with the Smithsonian National Postal Museum and American Philatelic Society, and much more.  Our continuity programs, approval service, and comprehensive website help customers grow their collections quickly and easily from the comfort of home.  Each day over 100 colleagues work together to make sure every customer is happy.  It’s amazing to think how far we’ve come in the last 96 years…

Don APS Award

In 2007, Don became the first-ever recipient of the A.P.S. 50 Centuries Award for recruiting an unprecedented 5,000 new members. That figure is now over 6,400.

Over the years, Mystic has been involved with the American Philatelic Society, the Philatelic Foundation, the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, and more. Mystic President Don Sundman bought many famous stamps like the 1¢ Z Grill, Inverted Jenny Plate Block, $1 Columbian Sheet, Black Honduras, and CIA Inverts.  In 1989, Mystic’s business had expanded so much that it outgrew its old home and moved to a newly built facility across town.  The new building was later expanded to 48,000 square feet to accommodate continued growth.  Mystic became employee-owned on April 1, 2016.

Don officially became the president of Mystic Stamp Company around the mid-1980s, while his oldest brother David became president of Littleton Coin Company. (Littleton had decided to focus on selling only coins and paper money and was renamed, sending its remaining stamp stock to Mystic.)  Mystic also bought Ben-Art Stamp Company in 1978, the International Collector Society in 2003, Morville Worldwide Stamp Packets in 2006, and Fleetwood (America’s Premier First Day Cover Producer) in 2007.  Don moved Fleetwood from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Mystic’s headquarters in Camden that same year and continued to sell old and new First Day Covers.

mystic's building smaller

In 1989, Mystic opened its new 50,000-square-foot headquarters.

Earlier in the 1980s was when Don first developed the popular Mystic’s U.S. Stamp Catalog.  The catalog illustrated virtually every US postage stamp in a convenient magazine-type format.  It was the first catalog to integrate history, selling copy, and collector information into a price list of US stamps.  Expanded in the years since, now in full color, the catalog is widely acclaimed by collectors and other stamp dealers.

Only a short time before that, in 1974, Don’s father Maynard bought Mystic Stamp Company from his old friend Lawrence Shaver.  At 19 years old, Don started out as Mystic’s general manager. As he dove into the company, Don realized Mystic didn’t have nearly enough stamps, or the stamps collectors would want.  He launched a restructuring campaign and began Mystic’s long-time mission of providing the best service and products to its customers.  Like Maynard, Don advertised in catalogs, newspapers, and magazines. He also introduced Mystic’s customers to the popular at-home approval service.

From 1949 to 1989, Mystic was headquartered in this historic building on Main Street.

From 1949 to 1989, Mystic was headquartered in this historic building on Main Street.

Don followed his father’s example when it came to selling stamps.  Maynard Sundman set himself apart from competitors with his newspaper and magazine advertisements.  His methods introduced stamp collecting to a much larger audience, bringing business from far and wide.  Maynard also introduced the idea of offering stamps “on approval,” allowing his customers to examine stamps in the comfort of their own home before buying.  The notion of trusting the customer’s goodwill was revolutionary.  Maynard’s biggest stroke of business came in 1952 when he ran a nationwide ad in the Sunday supplements offering a free set of 10 stamps from Bohemia and Moravia depicting Adolf Hitler.  Don’s oldest brother David later recalled, “The mail just flooded in,” and went on to say the response nearly depleted the entire world’s stock of the stamps. Littleton Stamp Company’s business suddenly took off.

Before that, the company took a break for a few years while Maynard served in the Fifth Army during World War II from 1941 to 1945.  He was stationed in North Africa and Italy and earned a Bronze Star and Good Conduct Medal for his service.  In 1945, Maynard and his wife Fannie overhauled their stamp company and moved it to Littleton, New Hampshire.  Like Shaver’s business, the newly named Littleton Stamp Company (renamed the Littleton Stamp and Coin Company in 1954) began in a single room office with only a handful of employees.

Maynard first developed an interest in selling postage stamps when he was a young man growing up in Connecticut.  He graduated from high school in 1935 and founded the Maynard Sundman Stamp Company with just $400 and a small line of credit from H.E. Harris, a prominent stamp dealer from Boston and the same man who helped several businessmen get their start. Maynard’s early business was run out of his parents’ home.

American Philatelic Society

In 1923, Mystic was founded in Camden’s former Post Office building.

Another man who benefited from H.E. Harris’s guidance was Lawrence K. Shaver. He purchased starter stock from Mekeel’s Weekly Stamp News in 1923 and founded Mystic Stamp Company.  He rented a single room in the Camden, NY, post office building and named his new company after the Mystic River in Boston.  The company started out with just one employee, but in the next few years grew to nearly 100 workers on three floors.  And the rest is history…

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58 Responses to "History of Mystic Stamp Company"

  • By Brian December 3, 2014 - 6:26 pm

    Neat Story!

    Reply
    • By daniel c.whitbeck January 17, 2019 - 2:31 pm

      didn’t know the heritage.great history!

      Reply
    • By Barb January 30, 2019 - 11:11 am

      From Barbara

      Interesting story; wait-this is history in the making. I’ve joined a stamp group that meets in Red Hook NY. Small group but we too are inviting as many ‘new’ folks to join and experience the joy of collecting these little treasures we put on our letters.

      Glad there still is interest. I’ll keep spreading the news about this hobby!

      Reply
    • By Patricia Fryman December 24, 2019 - 7:00 pm

      That’s so cool I’m 56 and I use to collect stamps back when I was in high school they were sold without my say so and I never done it again I wish I had’ve

      Reply
  • By Ed Smart March 24, 2015 - 10:26 pm

    Please send full info on all. Foreign packets of stamps. Send. To. edward smart/po box. 224/escanaba,mi. 49829

    Reply
  • By Barry R. Skog April 3, 2015 - 9:34 pm

    How do you contact this company? I tried to send e-mails, but they never seen to be delivered!

    Reply
    • By MysticStampLive April 7, 2015 - 6:03 pm

      Here you go…

      https://www.mysticstamp.com/Contact/

      Reply
    • By LEE ALMQUIST January 30, 2016 - 3:57 pm

      I have a detailed and informative request, attempting to send via email. However, I am unable to forward same due to not having your email address. Suggest?
      Thank you,
      Lee Almquist
      Leealmqui@aol.com

      Reply
  • By Sarah Schlegel April 28, 2015 - 6:04 pm

    I’ve been collecting since I was five. My grandmother started my sister and I in the hobby that she held so dear. My grandmother is now 98 and legally blind so now I have the honor of having her collection. She still talks about her collection and how she longs to go through her stamps again. As I take time to go through and try to organize more of her stamps into books I’m taken down memory lane. I came to a pile of tri folded little yellow sheets of paper from Mystic still with the stamps attached. I can just imagine the thrill my grandmother got receiving these in the mail on review. .. probably as much as I get looking at them now. Taking the stamps off and placing in my album seems like such a crime, but I am so I can have them in my collection. Thank you for the years of history and memories!

    Reply
    • By MysticStamp May 1, 2015 - 1:36 pm

      Wow – thanks for sharing such a wonderful story! Please give our best to your grandmother, too.

      Reply
  • By Steve Twiselton May 1, 2015 - 6:43 pm

    I am a returned collector after I retired. I collected as a kid but my new collection has grown to over $5000. Thanks Don and crew for all the help. Steve Twiselton

    Reply
  • By Pat Borthwick June 3, 2015 - 7:34 pm

    I would like to get an appraisal on my stamp collection, mostly 1940s-1960s. There are many plate blocks and full sheets.

    Reply
  • By candy reckard June 20, 2015 - 1:06 am

    I have some old stamps I got from my uncle who had past. I have no idea what I’m doing can someone help please

    Reply
  • By Eric Spears June 29, 2015 - 6:40 pm

    Great history! I love to hear about the small town business doing well!
    You guys are a great company to do business with and I look forward to many
    years of building my collection through Mystic Stamp Comapny!

    Reply
  • By jar July 19, 2015 - 9:02 am

    I did not know the information provided.

    Thanks

    Reply
  • By Muhammad Naeem July 31, 2015 - 12:02 am

    sir,firest time i visit your site and its really very impressive.i am a new collector and found many informations about USA stamps on this site.
    Thanks to adding me as amember of this family….

    Reply
  • By Freddie Rivers August 2, 2015 - 10:05 am

    I have been collecting since I was 22 years old. I am 60 now and when I enter each stamp’s history into my database, I am amazed at the information Mystic Stamp Company lists on their website. I definitely find myself experiencing the artistic influence of each stamp I enter. I only collect United States stamps, and each stamp displays historical facts, both good and bad, of events Americans and Foreign individuals experienced. I give Mystic a resounding applause of providing not only the stamps to purchase, but also the rich history that tags each stamp. Thumbs up, people…thumbs up!

    Reply
  • By Michael Mays August 3, 2015 - 2:22 pm

    I’m a new collector. Enjoyed Mystic’s History and look forward to working with Mystic Stamp Company as I build my collection!

    Reply
  • By Jack Muratore September 29, 2015 - 11:40 am

    Does Mystic Stamp mail internationally?

    Reply
  • By Dennis Ferguson November 13, 2015 - 2:17 am

    I remember Mystic ads in Boy’s Life magazine, about 1960,
    for 225 stamps for 10c accompanied by approvals. I just wanted the stamps but couldn’t resist the approvals

    Reply
  • By Marie (Liddy) Abess December 19, 2015 - 2:03 pm

    A beautiful story. I started work at Mystic Stamp Company back in 1952, right after graduating
    from Camden High School. Worked there for about 5 or 6 years.
    Then moved to California when my husband was transferred there from Griffiss AFB when the
    base closed. But always remember Camden and where I started work.

    Reply
  • By Margaret (Liddy) Dow December 21, 2015 - 7:09 am

    Really enjoyed reading the article. Same feeling as my twin sister (Marie Abess) stated, brings back a lot of memories. We both started work there the day after graduating in 1952. It was located then in the previous church building. Really nice article and shows how the establishment has grown over the years. You never forget your first job.

    Reply
  • By Bill Tuggle December 22, 2015 - 2:33 am

    Your “This Day in History” is something I so look forward to every day. Please, keep up the good work and the e-mails.

    Reply
  • By Larry F. Viles January 21, 2016 - 6:18 pm

    I was an on and off collector from my mid teens in the 50s to middle age in the 90s. Could never really get into it. About 5 years ago, at age 70 I received 2 identical promotions two days apart “100 mint stamps for $1” from Mystic, I sent in my $2 and as they say “the rest is history”. I have acquired a formidable collection over the last 5 years and Mystic is responsible for a sizable portion of that collection. I am never less than astonished at the attitude and professionalism of Don’s “army” of customer service representatives. They really know their stuff, and if you have a problem, you can be assured it will be resolved before your call is terminated. And don’t forget the “Profit share program”, a genuine customer bonus program. I have read a broader history of Mystic and Littleton before, and the enormous influence the elder Sundman had in the stamp & coin collecting hobby. It’s very gratifying to see that his sons have carried on and guided these businesses in an honorable and successful direction. I am proud to stand among the many thousands of satisfied Mystic customers. Wishing you continued success. There is much more history about “Mystic Stamp Company” yet to be written.

    Reply
    • By MysticStamp January 22, 2016 - 8:25 am

      Thank you for the kind words! All of us here at Mystic truly appreciate it.

      Happy Collecting!

      Reply
  • By Glen parker February 9, 2016 - 10:28 pm

    I have your Washton one cent stamps stamps and the 113-year-old postcard

    Reply
  • By Amelia nunez February 10, 2016 - 3:25 pm

    I have a stamp collection I would like to a sell I could send you a email photo to see them

    Reply
  • By Mabelle Horea March 17, 2016 - 8:39 pm

    I am looking for the best and easiest book for collecting and keeping US stamps.

    Reply
  • By Dr Gabriel des Rosiers March 20, 2016 - 7:38 am

    As a mid-teenager in early 60s, I used to collect adverts in the newspapers from Harris, Garcelon, Stampex, Broadway, when you could get, say, 25 free stamps from all over the world, and with this the companies included selections on offer. All one had to do is take which ever you liked, pay for it with extra coins saved as pocket money stuck between two bits of card box, post this back, and then get another lot on offer by way of return-post the following month. My first album was a Harris Citation, and this was truly all magic, and dare I say mystic. Thanks for the years of fun. GdR

    Reply
    • By Tom G. April 28, 2016 - 10:22 pm

      I had an Ambassidor stamp album which I had almost full, then gave it to my father inlaw, after he passed I tried to get it back, good luck, they didn’t know what happened to it yeah right, my stupidity for giving it away

      Reply
  • By JIM GILLESPIE May 10, 2016 - 11:31 am

    NICE STORY, I COULD TELL YOU ONE ABOUT H E HARRIS 108 MASS. AVE. BOSTON MA. I WORKED THERE FROM 1964 TO 1972.

    Reply
    • By MysticStamp May 10, 2016 - 1:07 pm

      Please do!

      Reply
  • By Jeff Johnson August 11, 2016 - 5:14 pm

    Mystic makes me very PROUD to live in Camden. They treat their employees, community services, and neighbors with the same integrity and respect that they expect their employees to offer their customers!!

    Reply
    • By Larry F. Viles February 3, 2018 - 6:01 pm

      Jeff, I feel that way as well, and I don’t even live in Camden! I believe that organizational integrity is a direct reflection Solid Leadership.

      Reply
  • By John B. September 8, 2016 - 8:48 am

    I remember both Mystic and Littleton from my stamp collecting days. I just recently dug out my stamp collection and took a quick look through it and found some ‘Littleton Profit Sharing’ certificates. I was wandering if you still honor these? Thank you for so many years of quality service. I don’t collect to much any more but still enjoy going through my collection on occasion.

    Reply
    • By MysticStamp September 8, 2016 - 10:49 am

      Hi John,

      That’s pretty neat. I don’t think Littleton’s Profit Sharing certificates expire. You can get more information on Littleton’s Profit Shares program here: http://www.littletoncoin.com/shop/Profit-Shares Thank you for sharing your story.

      Reply
  • By Adam D. Lee March 15, 2017 - 10:46 pm

    I am new at this .
    My older brother collected some , as children.
    Remembering how it felt to get a letter in the post and the realization that
    We need to keep thee hand wrigeting in the schools for future generations.
    Don’t let the Congress take that arttesticle ability out of the schools.
    Thank you
    Adam Lee
    A. £€€

    Reply
  • By Darrell Simpson April 30, 2017 - 5:23 am

    I have 25,000 stamps and I don’t think I’ve ever been so busy with work and play send me some of these to look at

    Reply
  • By Elliot Cubell May 23, 2017 - 9:48 am

    When I look around the room at a typical stamp club meeting , whether it be the club I belong to or any other club, I see mostly older people such as myself. The future of our hobby is dependent on the youth of the community yet they our noticeably absent. We know this to be true yet nothing is being done to reach out to the ” kids “. At least as far as I know.

    So do you have any programs to foster reach out for clubs on local levels and guidelines for geezers like me to get things moving? My name is Elliot S. Cubell and I belong to the Raleigh, NC Stamp Club.

    Eagerly Awaiting Your Reply

    Reply
    • By MysticStamp May 25, 2017 - 9:41 am

      Hi Elliot,

      At Mystic, we believe the world would be a better place with more stamp collectors. But, we’re obviously preaching to the choir here!

      There are grass roots projects at local levels and the American Philatelic Society has a few programs. Here is a link to the APS. https://stamps.org/stamps-teach

      Mystic gives free stamp albums to the American Philatelic Society which they in turn give to young collectors.

      Many thousands of kids visit the Smithsonian National Postal Museum Gross Gallery each year and each can pick 6 stamps to take as a gift to start a collection. (Mystic gives the stamps to the NPM)

      Some collectors contact their local school and bring a few stamps or covers with a story or historical connection and tell the story to the kids.

      So there are many efforts underway. But, we need to do more. The hobby is looking for more ideas to try. Perhaps your club has ideas?

      Thank you! We appreciate your efforts to support the world’s greatest hobby.

      Reply
  • By Susan November 27, 2017 - 9:31 pm

    I have the first Si-cilian stamps one hundred years old-plus ancient architectural masterpieces. Unused set of 5, 1959 *SAN MARINO .25cents. 32-11 mystic stamp co. : : Camden, New York.

    Reply
  • By Ed Winters December 3, 2017 - 8:42 am

    My dad began buying U.S. stamps for my brother and I back in the 60’s. These were primarily plate blocks. While my brother moved on to coins I have stuck with it for 53 years. My collection of US stamps is almost complete thanks to Mystic’s help and I plan to hand it down to family after I’m gone.

    Reply
  • By Larry F. Viles February 3, 2018 - 5:51 pm

    I sent in a comment on this very abbreviated history of “Mystic” back in January of 2016, and here we are in February ’18 and the Don Sundman Crew are still jogging along in those same footprints in the snow; not a wobble or a waver. Only good stuff. Still 5 or 6 great annual catalogs/educational volumes (complimentary to most and free to everyone else, LOL); a revamped Profit Sharing Bonus System, now they are Reward Points, all computerized and you can redeem them over the phone and on line. And the “Insider” Membership granted to many members with some exciting benefits. So many topical collections, mention your special interest to one of VERY BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS you will ever speak to and you might experience “Mystic Magic”. And the specialized periodic mailings, they are catalogs too, but full of catchy and information as well. I think it is time for an update on the history blurb. Do a little back slapping. Humility is OK, but ‘cmon! List some of your topical stamp and coin collections. Spread the word. Not in the “Mystic History” vein, but a suggestion: Stamp collector erosion due to advancing age!! It is true, shoot I’m 76, blind in one eye and can’t see out of the other; one foot on a banana peel, etc. You get the message. Years ago USPS used to release 15-20 page booklets of a topical nature i.e. transportation, wildlife, and so on. Don, You remember those. Great fun, educational, stamp collecting and admiring, historical, tell that story.. why don’t you come up with about 20 of this kind of “Introduction to Stamp Collecting” primers that we old timers could buy for a REASONABLE price, maybe in bulk, to get all the great grand children in the neighborhood interested in Stamps. Maybe we could make “STAMP COLLECTING GREAT AGAIN!!

    Reply
  • By Regina Rarick February 8, 2018 - 11:08 pm

    I remember many happy hours with
    my Mom and sister “stamping” , my Mom called it.
    We loved getting those stamps on approval, and yes , Mystic was one of our favorite companies. Do you still offer that service?

    Reply
  • By Mary Rose Francini July 21, 2018 - 7:33 pm

    I am a member to the American Philatelic Society (APS) #223114 since 6/30/2014.

    Reply
  • By Kenneth McCamish October 6, 2018 - 9:26 pm

    I started collecting at the age of 9 in 1974 and remember fondly the Mystic Stamp ads in magazines and comic books. I guess you could say I took a 35 year break from 1983 to now because I’m getting back into this wonderful hobby and am glad to see my old friend, Mystic, is not only still around but is the #1 company in the U.S.

    Reply
    • By MysticStamp October 9, 2018 - 2:40 pm

      We’re glad to have you back!

      Reply
  • By garry dunk January 25, 2019 - 12:18 am

    i have been collecting for well over 60 years but had a lull of a few years but now as i get older i wonder what will happen with all the time and enjoyment that i have put into my hobby . then as i got all the material out to look at it my grandaughter showed an interest in it and asked if she could have it and carry on with what i started so long ago so i have started collecting once again with her help. im so happy that what i started will live on after im gone. i hope i still have a few good years to guide her along

    Reply
  • By Pam Dittebrand September 21, 2019 - 2:39 pm

    I enjoyed reading about your stamps, but I am a coin collector. I have been unable to find anything about your coins on this site. Can you send me info on where I can go to buy your coins ? Thank you very much,

    Reply
    • By MysticStamp September 23, 2019 - 6:53 am

      Hi Pam – please call 1-866-660-7147 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 pm EST. A customer service representative can help you get started.

      Reply
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