There are approximately 150 members of Club of Anchor Friends (Club van
Ankervrienden, CVA), including thirteen Americans. The CVA publishes
a Newsletter (Mededelingenblad, MLB) four times a year. Although
the MLB articles are written in the language of the author (Dutch, German,
English -- we would welcome a Frenchman) full English and German
translations are available at no extra cost, except for postage for the one
in German. The MLB always includes a "Buy and Sell" column. Dues
for the CVA are Hfl 90 for Dutch members, Hfl 95 for other Europeans and
Hfl 110 for overseas members. The dues include the MLB, and the difference
in dues reflects the postage costs. New members are always
welcome. I am most gratified to note that the Internet has been
getting new members for the CVA at the rate of about one per month.
The CVA holds its meetings twice a year, usually on the fourth Saturday of April and October, at the Hotel Toor in Alphen a/d Rijn, Netherlands. The last meeting was Saturday, April 26, 1997; the next one will probably be on October 25th. Visitors are welcome. At present I am planning to be there, as usual. The CVA also puts on exhibitions of Anchor products, including large Anchor block buildings. CVA members build the display models over the week preceding the opening.
The CVA has an Archive, which includes more than 2,000 original documents. Copies are available at no cost, other than copying cost (b/w is usually free) and postage. Color copies are available, but at very high European costs (about $2 per page). I am going to try to get the Archive into the computer age. To me, this means the ability to: 1) scan in documents; 2) print them out in color; 3) even supply copies on CD-ROM. The 386SX-20 now being used will also have to be upgraded.
The CVA published its Stone Catalog, which covers all of the stone shapes Richter made, plus shapes made by other innovators. Metal parts and most other accessories are included in the catalog. The contents of the sets are also listed. The cost of the catalog sheets (European size paper, intended for loose leaf use) is f 40, plus postage costs. Although I bought ten at the meeting last fall, along with European four hole binders, they have all been sold. I plan to bring back five copies from the CVA meeting in April (if they are available). As of this revision I do not know whether I will get any or not. If you want one, e-mail me and I will let you know if any are available. All Anchor people need, and will want, a copy.
People interested in more information on the CVA can e-mail me, in the USA, or Jos Ars, in the Netherlands, or write the CVA's Secretary: Leo Coffeng, Blauwedijk 2, NL-7218 BK Almen, Netherlands; 0575-431542. Of course, Leo is fluent in German, French and English, as well as his native Dutch.
If you entered this page via a link from another Anchor (Anker) web site, you can continue looking at this site's interesting coverage of Anchor Stone Building Sets by clicking here.
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