One of the pleasures of writing this column is meeting so many nice folks who interface with me about a subject near and dear to their heart. Such was the case of Kristi Bolding Seal, daughter of the late Wallace Clark Bolding, who passed away on Feb. 18, 2016, just one week prior to his 88th birthday. He once resided at 800 Wilson Avenue (at Frances Street) in Johnson City.

Wallace Clark Bolding

Apparently, Wallace was a stamp collector; I purchased 11 First Day (of Issue) Covers from Pat's Trading Post at 124 Spring Street around 1955 that had his name on each one. Since he would have been about 19 years old in 1947, he possibly sold them to Pat just prior to his going into military service or perhaps sometime after his return. 

Two of the later covers are addressed to “Private Wallace Bolding,” while the rest have “Wallace Bolding” on them. One shows his middle name – Clark. I have for years wondered who he was and what he looked like. Thanks to Kristi, now I know.

International Philatelic Exhibition

n March of this year, I received correspondence from Ms. Seal commenting on my First Day Covers article, the subject of my May 18, 2015 yesteryear column. She read it and surprisingly and joyfully saw her dad's name mentioned in it and sent me a note of appreciation. I was delighted to hear from her and learn more about the man whose name was neatly typed on the covers. She sent me a small photo of him that I placed in my First Day Covers collection.

According to Kristi, her dad was raised in Johnson City, Tennessee where he became an Eagle Scout, later receiving a law degree from Cumberland University and also served in the United States Army. After discharge from the military, he became a member of Johnson City Masonic Lodge #486, serving the organization for many years.

Tennessee's Admission to the Union

Wallace eventually put down his roots in Knoxville, Tennessee where he worked for Dun and Bradstreet until he retired. Ms. Seal further noted that her father “was a compassionate and gentle man who loved his family and had a 'greeting' for all he met.”

I informed Kristi that I would scan the 11 First Day Covers in color and e-mail them to her. She was delighted to receive them and made copies for several of her family members. I was likewise overjoyed to share them with her.

 

Honoring the Armed Forces (U.S. Marine Corps.)

The 11 covers that have prominently resided in my stamp collection for many years are as follows:

1. 100th Anniversary, International Philatelic Exhibition #1, May 17, 1947, 3-cent. 

2. 100th Anniversary, International Philatelic Exhibition #2, May 19, 1947, 3-cent.

3. 150th Anniversary, Tennessee Admission to the Union, Jun. 6, 1946, 3-cent.

4. Honoring the Armed Forces (U.S. Marine Corps), Sep. 28, 1945, 3-cent.

5. 100th Anniversary, Florida, Admission to the Union, Mar. 3, 1945, 3-cent.

6. Honoring the Armed Forces (U.S. Navy), Oct. 27, 1945, 3-cent.

7. 100 Anniversary, Joseph Pulitzer, Apr. 10, 1947, 3-cent.

8. 100 Anniversary, Journey of the Mormons, Jul. 24, 1947, 3-cent.

9. Air Mail Stamp, Mar. 26, 1947. 5-cent.

10. Air Mail Stamp, Apr. 29, 1947, 10-cent.

11. United Nations, Apr. 25, 1945, 5-cent.