Raymond “Skip” Empey or Papa Skip is 69 y.o. and lives in Massachusetts, U.S.A.. His passion for lighthouse postcards led him to Google “postcards”. Check what happened next…
- How did you come across Postcrossing? What got you hooked?
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I have collected lighthouse postcards for years, I actually have thousands of them from 1900 through today. Always looking for a new source I Googled “postcards”. Needless to say Postcrossing was one of the items that came up. “Well this looks interesting”, I think that’s what a mouse says before he sticks his head in the trap. I remember starting with 5 cards and I very quickly got addicted. I have met many wonderful people. Some like a card and say thank you others write a comment or more. Some make an effort to find a card that you have mentioned in your profile and or put special postage stamps on the card. Everyone is different but by in large I have found 99.9% of the members are really very nice. I always write a small paragraph when I register a card and ask for a address so I can send a thank you card. It’s something I can afford to do but not something I expect anyone else to feel they have to.
- Do you have any other interesting hobbies?
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My biggest hobby is lighthouses, along with postcards, I also collect stamps, postmarks, books and photographs on the subject. My wife and I have visited all the accessible Lighthouses in North America and many hundreds around the world. During the Summer months I am a volunteer at Boston Light (1716) for the National Park Service and the U.S. Coast Guard. I also narrate harbor cruises for a Boston Cruise Company where I tell the history of the city, harbor and islands. I also narrate lighthouse cruises along the Massachusetts coast, four north of Boston and two south of Boston each Summer.
- Show us your mailbox, your mailman/mailwoman, your postoffice or the place where you post or keep your postcards!
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Picking up my mail.
Entering new cards into my computer.
- Show and tell us about your favorite received postcard to date, and what makes it special.
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I have because of Postcrossing hundreds of favorite postcards. When someone lives away from the sea and makes an effort to find a card picturing a lighthouse that’s a favorite. When someone includes some interesting comments that’s a favorite. Each day when I go to my mailbox and there is a card or cards they become my favorite. I have lived a very blessed life with a wonderful family and friends but because of Postcrossing the blessings continue to come as I am constantly gaining and developing new friendships.
25 comments so far
I love your outlook on life - very nice.
and yes, I'm drooling over the boxes of postcards! Congratulations on such a wonderful collection
Papa Skip is a very nice person!! And this interview is very cool!! I liked specially the photos :)
Ahhhh a kindred soul! I too love lighthouses! Alas this tiny island has none - so no ocal lighthouse postcards.
FINALLY! Hooray for Skip, I couldn't wait to read this spotlight!! :D :D :D
I am looking forward to get your address picked out by the system. I keep a light house safe for you!
Hi Skip, how great to see you "in the flesh" after all the lighthouse cards we have exchanged! Long may you continue with this addiction.
Nice to see you here in the spotlight!! You send great cards and my dad is really happy with you :)
may your lighthouse collection grow LARGER every day Papa Skip;-))
I love the picture of you pulling 50 million cards out of your mailbox! I have a lighthouse for you if want it and I'll bet it's one you don't already own. Let me know :-)
I've really enjoyed reading about you and your collection, Skip. Congratulations on being able to amass such a large number of cards! I wish I had access to some lighthouse postcards - I'd love to be able to add to your collection, but there are no lighthouses anywhere close to where I live. Hope you receive many, many more!
Is that a cup of coffee sitting on top your boxes of postcards?!?!!? What if it spills?
Nice to meet you Papa Skip! Is it special box for cards you have? If so - how do you think do they sell such at ebay? I want it already! ANd never seen it at Russia :(
I am fairly new to Postcrossing (altho have collected cards for years) and enjoyed your spotlight...I was born near Split Rock (MN) and then moved to the desert (AZ). Now I live near the Gulf Coast (TX) and recently visited Port Isabel Lighthouse. The closest I get to lighthouses now is through the Lighthouse Depot catalog! Maybe someday...
Here at postcrossing we find these enthousiastic people, not only just because of cards (material), but because of the pleasure of exchange and discover everyday and again.
Thank you for sharing your feelings, Papa Skip!
Hi Skip
It's so great, and well deserved, to see you in the spotlight. Who knows... maybe someday my collection will be as big as yours ;) Thanks for all the cards we've already exchanged.
Hope to see you soon in the New Lighthouse RR ;)
A well-deserved spotlight! You're an asset to the postcrossing community, Skip. :)
great to see a familiar name here in spotlight! :)
awesome! it's great to meet you! nice story!
Hi Skip, nice to see you here. Thank you for all the lighthousecards I received from you and we exchanged. It is more than just, you have been put in the spotlight! I wish you many more cards and also many more days to enjoy them.
Hi. Nice to see a name I recognise up in the spotlight. You're an inspiration to all of us: I can't believe the postcards you've sent have travelled nearly 3 million kilometres!
If the gods shine favourably I will have some new lighthouses for our next RR together...Sable Island among them....I await the call!
I loved this interview for it pictures a really nice human being. May your collection get bigger and God bless you.
Hi skip. my name is Nana from Thailand. nice to meet you. I saw your pic with many postcard. and I would will send postcard from Thailand for you. Can you give your address with me? I wish at send postcard thailand give you know my country. I hope you will like it.
see you.
Nana.
Papa Skip is such a kind, loving man. He even send me an additional Disney postcard after the first one went missing. Thank you!
Hi Papa, I too am a Papa living near Cape Lookout, my wife's Papa was the lh keeper! I am British and the only lh I ever climbed was Portland Bill. I was born in Dartmouth and on a fine day you can see Start Point lh from there. Do you also collect Harbour Lights? Thats another hobby all over again, but if you do not, just get the model of the first Eddystone, its awesome! Martin
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