Way back in 1967, some of my besties had been licensed to drive, but I was still waiting for that elusive 16th birthday. There is absolutely nothing more exciting than hitting the roads with a teenaged driver who is inexperienced and fearless.
That is where I was: front seat, shotgun, looking for adventure – and, launching my career as a stamp saver.
Cars do not run on water, so there was always a scramble to put together enough money to buy a gallon or two of gasoline. The very favorite (because it was the cheapest) pit stop was The Direct, which was located at the intersection of Lake Emory Road and East Main Street. The Direct not only had the cheapest gasoline, there were also trading stamps given with each purchase. A filled stamp folder equaled $1.20 worth of gas. And, that, my children, bought at least four gallons. Remarkable, isn’t it?
Grocery stores had been giving away trading stamps with each purchase ever since I could remember, but this was my first experience with actually coveting trading stamps.
The A&P and Winn-Dixie gave S&H Green Stamps. My mama was an ardent saver, and we would go periodically to Asheville to the Green Stamp store to exchange filled books of stamps for household products. It was very exciting. Like getting something for nothing.
Later we collected Top Value Stamps, but these did not make as big an impression on me. I can’t even remember where the exchange store was.
Mama always gave a book or two to me to get whatever I wanted since I was the main stamp-sticker. It was quite a job! Each page held 50 stamps. I remember being so relieved when a stamp worth 10 individual or a stamp worth 50 individual stamps were given. It made my life much easier.
And, there were also Blue Horse rewards that my brother and I saved religiously. I can remember cutting them out, stacking them up, and dreaming about all the wonderful items I’d get. But I sure don’t remember ever trading them for anything.
I’ve searched online for a picture of the Direct trading stamps, but have not been successful. There are plenty of photos of S&H Green Stamps, Blue Horse, and Top Value Stamps, but no Direct stamps.
I guess Ingles, with its gasoline rebate, comes the closest to filling up books of trading stamps. Nice, but not nearly as fulfilling.
What's Cooking?
Macon Traditions
