Robin souvenir (again!)

While the good philatelic society of Paris was trying to save the Philately (the one with a big P as in Payment), I was occupy with philately (little p, for my pleasure) and fell upon one of the mailing lists in French, that Google Groups makes readable to non-subscribers.

There, a participant needed the catalog value of the famous French Robin stamp, secretly issued in the form of a souvenir minisheet by La Poste some winters ago. Speculation climbed until 150 euros then (0,54 € of face value and 3 € of price - wish card included). I found personally that the catalog values, that a mailer gave, were very excessive (around 200 €).

And there was the shock. A third sender was very disappointed by these values: he paid his souvenir 300 € to a stamp dealer.

To those of you who want to possess this treasure of French contemporary philately (little p: its design is quite appealing if you like snowy landscape), and if you are living in France : if you see it on mail order at 300 € and if you possess this sum to spend, here is my piece of advice:
1. propose a week-end to Paris, 1, 2 or 3 day long depending on your wealth, to your husband/wife/son/daughter/little son/etc. One condition: the week-end must begin on a friday open to business.
2. buy 3 months in advance the cheapest return tickests possible to the French national railway company (SNCF).
3. the said friday, take the train thank to your tickets.
4. go right to the passage des Panoramas (2nd arrondissement). For some months and for some time I think, a stamp dealer will sell you the treasure for a 2 digit sum.
5. take your time: visit Paris, eat French, try the postal museum near Montparnasse station, etc.
6. you can accomodate the duration of your stay by replacing hotel with friends or long time/no see parents.

I am sure that the wisest and most precautious of you would not spend more than 300 euros for the whole stay while you gather pleasure with your passion with your huband/wife/etc. without Paying to much from your Pocket money for over-Paid Philatelic Products.