Current Position: Earth Sector, U.S.A. Outpost, VPS workroom, Station 1
Mission Subject: Sophia's letter to mother
Dear Mother,It was so wonderful visiting with you in Italy this spring! We had the loveliest time together. Ralph was delighted to meet so many members of the family — he even picked up a few words of Italian, which he now sprinkles into conversation with great pride.
Since returning home, life has been a whirlwind. Preparing for the cruise took weeks of planning, and then the excitement of being back in Italy again filled every moment. No sooner had we unpacked than we were off to Boston for the 2026 World Expo Stamp Show. It was thrilling to see so many collectors gathered under one roof, each with their own stories and treasures. Now, at last, we’re settling back into our normal routine.
As you discovered, Ralph is not only a kind and diligent robot but also a passionate Vatican City philatelist. He’s been working tirelessly for the Vatican Philatelic Society. His foremost goal is to help members regain access to purchasing Vatican stamps directly from the CNF or through trusted dealers. Penny Black Stamps remains the only U.S. dealer specializing exclusively in Vatican issues — and being a VPS member, that connection is invaluable!
Ralph’s second mission is to keep everyone informed about new Vatican stamp releases. He’s also monitoring developments on special commemorative envelopes with first-day postmarks — or, as the Vatican charmingly calls them, “new issue covers.” Word has it the CNF sales unit will share updates later this summer concerning availability, and Ralph’s sensors are tuned in for any hint of news.
He’s even investigating the situation with Scott Publishing, which has struggled to assign new issue numbers due to limited access to Vatican stamps. Ralph hopes to lend a hand there too — perhaps his persistence will open a few doors.
We’ve also squeezed in another quick trip to Boston, mainly for VPS membership outreach. It turned into quite the adventure, meeting fellow collectors and admiring stamps from every corner of the world.
Now Ralph is setting fresh objectives for the coming months and tackling the annual dues collection — a meticulous task that keeps him happily occupied.
I imagine you’re already planning your Christmas visit. When you arrive, let’s spend a cozy afternoon baking cookies and sharing stories. I’ll have the flour ready and Ralph will handle the timer — he’s quite precise about baking times!
With love and laughter,
Sophia
📓 Daily Album Page — Stardate 2026-05-31
