wilbil

That is a negative and positive answer at the same time, until a well placed dot is used.

Just a few things, the newsstand did not operate as a separate entity. There were separate contractors that were still controlled by PACEX, but periodicals were completely controlled by PACEX. Mark Jewelers was a contractor and did a big sweetheart jewelry business and had their own advertising operation, as did other entities, yet were completely controlled by PACEX contract terms. It was just not rented space. Periodical racks were specifically under the control of PACEX, and this was a major factor in having PACEX take over Stars and Stripes distribution. The Mark Jewelers and other entity stamps were also used as an identifier counter-black market method. Some of the stamps by these entities were by the contracted salesperson as a a shoplifting deterrent and periodical count, because there were occasions when the contracted salesperson was responsible for x number of copies. The Star copies were strictly a distribution identifier. There were no star stamped issues in 79-81 in RVN, except black market copies and/or left behind stock when the U.S. evacuated. That I am very sure of. There were Mark Jewelers/other private entity stamps used in South Korea and Philippines and other Pacific theater commands, but all were issued and controlled by PACEX, until the realignment in late 78. I hope this helps. That is the one. Everyone, all the way up to MACV HQ were nervous about that investigation. There were a lot of star busting and career busting issues that made a lot of people nervous. The size and scope and graft and $ of the military exchange business was enormous. Thank you for your service. In some ways your theater was a hell of a lot more dangerous. Glad you came thru.

I have excerpts and some Ops Orders on most of it because of a secondary MOS of 76Y50. Someone mentioned the Star stamped covers selling throughout the 70s. This was holdover stock. Star was terminated in 70. Also remember there was a huge periodicals black market. There was also a mention of logistics/freight issue. This is true if discussing time for shipment from CONUS. There were some specific Pacific theater problems from time to time because of popularity, because local Pacific items being out of stock, such as Japan porcelain, which is to be expected when talking about a logistics system dealing with over 36,000 line items+, but not with periodicals. Even the Stars and Stripes was on time in all Pacific locations after PACEX took over distribution. If I was to point to a publication that has not already been discussed in this very interesting thread, it would be the Ribicoff Committee hearings. I was sort of surprised it was not mentioned.

It is called politics.

That is funny. Compliments to your wife.

Some info that may or may not be helpful, and possibly you already know. Exchange operations in RVN transferred from Navy Exchange Saigon to Pacific Exchange system in Dec. 65, Christmas day to be exact. that decision was made by JCS in July 65. This was known as PACEX-VN Regional Exchange. At the time of the turnover in 65, the VN Regional Exchange was granted permission by HQ AAFES to enter into a non-standard contract for purchasing and distributing all periodicals. The non-standard contract was with Star Distributing Co.the contract was signed by LTC Goodlet for VRE and Joe DeMarco for Star. This contract ended in 70, because Star engaged in illegal currency manipulation, per the findings of the Ribicoff Committee. At that point VRE took total control of Periodicals. In 69 MACV Command, having already initiated PSYOPS, most notably 4th Group, received input from PSYOPS that previously authorized publications were in conflict with VRE distribution.

My neck hurts, and when I stand up, I am leaning to the right side.

Have you by any chance read the Loyola PHD dissertation submitted by Cord Scott, or possibly talked with him?

now that I have read this whole story, that book should be donated to the Smithsonian by the buyer, with a framed copy of this thread, as an example of why no good deed goes unpunished.

You are being generous. the seller hardly put any real effort into earning anything, and tried his best to avoid earning a negative from you. that is just being lazy.

Yes.

Just saw this subject. I recall MACV involvement because the story lines conflicted with PSYOP story lines in their comics. You may want to look up and contact SGM Herb Friedman.

I missed this post and noticed it this morning. What I mean when I say not the same as book publishing (not only printing) and using your example Gone With The Wind, or any other book, is what I will call the Copyright page of a published book. This page lists all editions (1st/2nd/3rd etc.) whether a hard cover or paperback, the publishing house, the month and date of the edition publishing and the name of the publishers, and usually but not always Library of Congress control number. I guess I am thinking more along the lines of collecting first editions of books which is a lifelong hobby. There are also many books where a 2nd or later edition is more prized than a first edition because of an added inclusion such as artwork or a missing page, but that is more of an exception than the rule. I can see how comic publishing is different and much more visual, but usually a character first appearance whether by name or drawing is the first edition first printing. The first edition does not always include the first appearance of all characters. There are books where the first edition first printing by a publisher got the name or artwork identification wrong or confused due to human error/editing mistakes, that are corrected in later editions/printing. Value of editions/mistakes/publisher/printing makes the collecting much more fun. I do agree that the first edition is the first appearance of the novel, but this is not to be confused with the first edition of any character/artwork, or even author. When I say author I am thinking of books where authors collaborated on a later edition/artwork or story line. I think comic book collecting and identification is more challenging, and adds to the enjoyment, though.

That is interesting. I wonder why it is not the same as book publishing.

My sister's wedding. He appeared as the groom.

I had him in mind when I answered Jello. I like the play on words you used.

Jello!!!!!!!!!!

I am going to be the first to volunteer a spelling correction. I had typed taut and saw. It has now been proven I was wrong, and it should be tawt and taw. I am very sorry.

I also think the thread title has to be changed to puddling. I taut I saw a puddy tat.

If the case becomes weaker (does it?) because of the indentation, that would be a problem, I think. Does the indentation disappear over time, or with heat/cold applied? If so, does it revert to an indentation over time?

This is a start of a good foundation for Class Action status, based on all the comments on the boards about lost shipments. Everybody gets a piece of the action. Sign up early and often.

The "o" is next to the "i" on the keyboard, so all it would take is a stumbling double finger shift to the left.

I doubt that, for basic marketing reasons: there is not any competition that returns the percentage of economic reward when the owner sells the host brand or the buyer buys the host brand, or carries market credibility to the degree of the host brand which makes transactions a simple by product of collecting. Correction costs to achieve perfection have likely been evaluated and the impact on future business evaluated. The decision by the host brand to announce that the current product is the best it can be for now and any annoying results are normal, is the simplest least economic impact on the host brand. It is a gripe hole, and people are using it faithfully. I would think you agree that the calculation has already been made of what percentage of business flow interruption can be absorbed before the increased expenditures to achieve perfection have to be made to keep the host brand viable. My bet is the market is so far from that tipping point that it is a good idea to leave a gripe hole in place. What If a competitor arrives with perfection? Sounds good, except the time it would take for that competitor to achieve the level of economic importance and reputation that the collector desires would be years, and would probably be a market failure.

I heard on the news this morning that Hasbro will be making a baby Yoda toy with different versions from 14.99 to 24.99, with the more expensive being, and this confused me, either with talking or movement ability. Hasbro notes that it is to late for the Christmas season but are going to tie the release to some date having to do with the Mandalorian. It will be in Walmart, Target and some others mentioned. So maybe there is still a real surprise episode coming.

That is about 9% failure. Would you accept 9% failure from a new automobile, or a new furnace or a prescription? Maybe not equal comparisons, I know, but it is a respected business with a continuing history of the same failure consistently. In that regard, it is a big deal to a lot of the customers.