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AMERICAN PHILATELIST THE
November 2020
Table of Contents
VOLUME 134 • NO. 11 • WHOLE NO. 1,438
PAGE
PAGE
975
NEW YORK FOREIGN MAIL CANCELS ON THE LARGE BANK NOTE ISSUES, 1870-75 PART ONE: A NEW ERA OF STAMPS USHERS IN A NEW ERA OF CANCELS
BY NICK KIRKE After 150 years, the Large Bank Note issues are some of the most popular classic collecting areas, with countless options for specialization. In Part One, Nick Kirke explores the New York Foreign Mail cancels as applied to transatlantic mail during the early era of Large Bank Notes (1970-1972).
MY STAMP STORY – A POSTAL HISTORY CONVERT BY STEVEN VASTOLA For APS member Steven Vastola, a collection of WWII-era correspondence from an estate sale reminded him of the importance of the PAGE collecting community.
REVENUES AND WHO AUTHORIZED THEM
996
BY RON LESHER Please welcome Ron Lesher to The American Philatelist for his debut column series “The Collector of Revenues.” In his first column, Ron dives into the definition of revenues – and it’s not as simple as you might think!
PAGE
1004
1024
BOOK REVIEWS RETURN TO THE AP For the first time since November 2019, “Books & Catalogs” is back with reviews of Topical Adventures and the Specialized Stamp Catalogue of The Falkland Islands and Dependencies (7th edition), both intended to help you decide if the newest philatelic literature is for you.
EVENTS SURROUNDING 1940 STUDIO OPENING REVEALS REAL “PONY” EXPRESS
PAGE
1038
BY WAYNE YOUNGBLOOD What do the film Arizona, a small mining town in Copper Creek, set-piece-turnedreal-town “Old Tucson,” and the Pony Express have in common? It’s too long to explain here, so we’ll let Wayne Youngblood tell it in the latest “Collecting Coast to Coast.”
Other Features 1013 1020 1022 1038 1018 1019
Adventures in Expertizing APRL Notes APS Cares Books & Catalogs Bridges Buy and Sell
956 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
1030 961 967 1026 1027 1024
Classified Ads Editing Philately Letters to the Editor Membership Moments Membership Report My Stamp Story
1042 1048 972 958 1036 1050
New U.S. Issues New World Issues Our Story President’s Column Show Time Worldwide in a Nutshell
AMERICAN PHILATELIST THE
Each stamp is imperforate all around.
Since 1887 — The Premier Philatelic Magazine in the Nation
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF APS PUBLICATIONS Gary Wayne Loew, ext. 221 • Gary@stamps.org ASSOCIATE EDITOR Susanna Mills, ext. 207 • smills@stamps.org GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST Chad Cowder, ext. 223 • CCowder@stamps.org
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2014 U.S. Stamp Rarity
American Philatelic Society American Philatelic Research Library 100 Match Factory Place • Bellefonte, PA 16823 814-933-3803 • 814-933-6128 (Fax) STAMPS.ORG • STAMPLIBRARY.ORG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Scott English, ext. 219 • scott@stamps.org DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP Thomas Loebig, ext 218 • tloebig@stamps.org CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Jeff Krantweiss, ext. 216 jkrantweiss@stamps.org GENERAL INFORMATION apsinfo@stamps.org ADDRESS CHANGES & MEMBERSHIP INQUIRIES requests@stamps.org, ext. 201 DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION/YOUTH Cathy Brachbill, ext. 239 cbrachbill@stamps.org DIRECTOR OF EXPERTIZING Ken Martin, ext. 205 kpmartin@stamps.org DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES Scott Tiffney, ext. 246 stiffney@stamps.org DIRECTOR OF SALES Wendy Masorti, ext. 270 stampstore@stamps.org COMMUNITY-GRASSROOTS SPECIALIST Heidi Lauckhardt-Rhoades, ext. 222 heidi@stamps.org SHOWS/EXHIBITIONS Morgan Stinson, ext. 217 stampshow@stamps.org SHOW TIME LISTINGS showtime@stamps.org The American Philatelist (ISSN 0003-0473) is published monthly by the American Philatelic Society, Inc., 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823. Periodicals postage paid at Bellefonte, PA 16823 and at additional mailing office. Price per copy $6.95. Canadian Distribution Agreement Number 40030959. Opinions expressed in articles in this magazine are those of the writers and are not necessarily endorsed by the society and/or the magazine. The American Philatelist cannot be responsible for the accuracy of any information printed herein. Postmaster: Send address changes to: The American Philatelist 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823. ©2020, The American Philatelic Society, Inc.
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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN BY ROBERT ZEIGLER president | RZeigler@zcklaw.com
An Ounce of Prevention . . .
T
his is a season of good cheer, and almost everyone enjoys festive holidays and the company of good friends and family (and for stamp collectors, perhaps time to work on our collection). However, there are a few individuals out there who are not of good cheer and are engaged in trying to rip off other people’s property, including stamp collections. In addition to the potential disaster posed by burglary or robbery, there is also the danger of fire, flood and other possible causes of loss. Of these, the most common causes of stamp loss are burglary or fire, but disasters caused by other means are not unheard of. Our beloved collections are only little bits of paper and are vulnerable to a lot of things, from destruction by insects, to damage by water or fire, dampness or mildew, or other contact with foreign substances. I remember a very experienced and careful collector who kept his best stamps in a safe deposit box in the basement of a bank. The bank suffered a flood, which reached the box and badly damaged the contents, many of which were mint 19th-century items. That was a rare incident. Far more common are the threats of fire, and probably worst of all, dishonest humans. Many of us know someone who has escaped a house fire, and in those cases, it is rare that the victims have time to grab valuables, (stamp albums or otherwise) and rescue them. Typically, there is not time to do anything except escape with family and pets. Despite all these dangers, there are measures that can be taken to protect one’s philatelic property. A first logical step is to keep an inventory of your collection and an estimated replacement value of each unit. Photos or certificates of the most valuable items can be a real help in recovery. Protecting your entire collection may become impractical, particularly if the collection is bulky. A few of us might be able to afford a walk-in safe, but I have only seen a few of those in my lifetime, and never for stamps outside of the Smithsonian. A safe, if more reasonably sized, may serve to protect the valuable elements of a collection. Safes do have limitations, however. A so-called fire-proof safe, with water in its walls, may damage its contents if subjected to heat for a long time. A burglar-resistant safe is built to take a long time to get into, which may hinder theft but make recovering documents or a stamp collection during a fire or flood 958 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Nicholas Lombardi, the chair of the Stamp Theft Committee.
difficult. There are other measures that can be employed to deter theft: alarm systems, the watchfulness of neighbors, electronic doorbells or other methods, and the like. Some losses will inevitably occur for an unlucky few. Apart from getting an inventory done and taking some of the aforementioned precautions to try to prevent a loss, there is one other thing that you can do to stave off the impact of a loss before it happens, and that is to acquire a stamp-related insurance policy. Collectors Insurance Agency and Hugh Wood Insurance Agency both offer stamp insurance policies. Hugh Wood Insurance specifically offers discounted insurance policies for APS members. It is highly recommended that if you value your collection enough that it would really hurt if it got lost or stolen, get an insurance policy. The average homeowner policy is very limited with regard to stamps. One of the main difficulties in trying to insure a collection is to try to figure out how to value it. Generally, it is wise to include in your inventory the estimated replacement cost or fair market value of the items. That does not mean catalog value, but rather what the item would actually fetch between a willing buyer and willing seller on the current market. It is very true that stamps are difficult to value, as the value depends greatly on condition, rarity, and particularly demand. The same problem that makes it difficult to value one’s own collection also exists for anyone attempting to illegally sell a
stamp collection. Unless they are very sophisticated, thieves may not know what a collection is worth. I know of a situation where an extremely rare and valuable stamp was sent via registered mail from Europe to America, where it was destined for a collector in the Midwest. It was intercepted by a postal employee at the airmail facility at JFK Airport, where it entered the country. This gentleman had paid special attention to any registered letter, ripping each open: if it contained cash, he would appropriate it. If it contained a valuable item that was not cash, he would throw it away. He was not caught for several years. However, that extremely valuable stamp probably reposes somewhere in a New York landfill, or it got incinerated. Another recent stamp-loss story has been published in this issue’s “Letters to the Editor” column. APS member Philip Spitzer underwent an upsetting loss: his authenticated stamps were en route from the Vincent Green Philatelic Foundation when they were stolen. Although the stamps
themselves were special to Mr. Spitzer, his policy through Hugh Wood Insurance ensured that the value of the lost stamps was returned to him. Heaven forbid that a loss occurs, but if it should, you should notify the local police and have them make a police report with as many particulars as possible. Make copies of any certificates or photographs. Make copies of the inventory. After obtaining a police report, you should also notify the APS. Nick Lombardi, whose name is found in every issue of The American Philatelist (page 961), needs to be notified and sent a copy of the police report. APS cannot act if there is no police report. If there is a report, APS can notify appropriate dealers within the organization and within ASDA to be on the alert for stolen material. We cannot prevent all losses, but we can take sensible measures to ensure against significant losses. To twist the old phrase, an ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of classic covers.
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Editing Philately
APS Official Family 2019–2022
BY GARY WAYNE LOEW editor-in-chief of APS publications | gary@stamps.org
PRESIDENT Robert Zeigler rzeigler@zcklaw.com BOARD OF VICE PRESIDENTS Cheryl Ganz cherylganz@yahoo.com
L
Looking forward… for over a year
Patricia (Trish) Kaufmann trishkauf@comcast.net
ast month I mentioned that we would be announcing the editorial calendar for The American Philatelist. As it turns out, we have settled on the major themes that will be featured throughout 2021. For several of the issues, the major theme will be the single topic; for most other issues, the theme will account for two or three articles along with the usual mix of U.S. and worldwide philately. Plus, there will be an expanded selection of columns by outside philatelic authors. There will be something for everyone in every issue. So, here is what the lineup will look like for next year.
January
I am really excited about this issue. The theme is “The Wide World of Stamp Collecting: a potpourri of collecting topics”. We have selected many of the best articles that APS members have submitted. This sampling from our member-authors will illustrate the broad sweep of philatelic topics that members collect and write about. If you want to understand just how large philately’s “big tent” is, reading the January issue will give you the big picture. Part of my excitement stems from two new addenda that will accompany many stamp and postal history articles in the AP. Head Librarian Scott Tiffney and his staff will be producing “For Further Reading,” a brief listing of recommended articles, books, websites, and other resources pertaining to articles of interest to you. And if you want to find who offers the stamps and covers mentioned in an article, “Where to Buy” will contain a list of stamp dealers along with the AP page where their ads appear.
February
Every article and philatelic column the AP has published was based upon the author’s research. Sometimes endnotes or references have been provided. But research is at the heart of philatelic writing. Research is also at the heart of collecting and exhibiting. In February we will present our Philatelic Research Guide. This will be a joint issue with the Philatelic Literature Review, our sister publication from the APRL. We will offer a blend of internationally-recognized research experts and pioneers along with some case studies from several APS members. This will be an issue you will retain for your own research. Indeed, as you shall see momentarily, this is one of four AP issues for 2021 that you will want to make a part of your permanent philatelic library!
Call for writers
EV RATURE R
PHILATELIC LITE THE
RCH LIBRARY TELIC RESEA CAN PHILA E NO. 268 THE AMERI 69, NO. 3 | WHOL JOURNAL OF TER 2020 | VOL. THIRD QUAR
IEW
Jeff Shapiro dirtyoldcovers@aol.com SECRETARY Stephen Schumann stephen.schumann@att.net TREASURER Bruce Marsden mail@brucemarsden.com DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE Michael Bloom mbloom@sinotech.com Rich Drews richbear427@hotmail.com Peter P. McCann ppm103226706@aol.com Mark Schwartz mark.schwartz1@verizon.net IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Stephen Reinhard sreinhard1@optonline.net STAMP THEFT COMMITTEE Nicholas A. Lombardi P.O. Box 1005 Mountainside, NJ 07092 stamptheft@stamps.org APS INSURANCE PLAN Hugh Wood Inc., 220 Match Factory Place Bellefonte, PA 16823 Toll Free: 888-APS-6494 Phone: 212-509-3777 Fax: 212-509-4906 aps@hughwood.com
ADDRESS CHANGES
ur Library Practice yo Skills Research STAMPLIBRA
RY.ORG 8/21/2020
PLR -3rd-2020
Covers.indd
3
4:34:46 PM
To change your address online visit stamps.org and log into your My APS account. Or mail your new address information to APS, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823 (Fax: 814-933-6128). Please try to give us four weeks’ notice. You can also add an e-mail address or website to your APS record.
CONNECT ONLINE
The American Philatelist depends on our members, who provide much of the content of this magazine. I’d like to encourage more members to join our roster of philatelic writers. If you have an idea, please send your article idea, an outline and a brief description of what would make it interesting to our audience. Send your proposal by email to aparticle@ stamps.org or mail to The American Philatelist, c/o Article Submission, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823. NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 961
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Featuring: Leo Malz holdings including Fezzan, Egypt & Middle East, US Battleship Revenues & other selections from his vast holdings Estate of C. Stetson Thomas including Gold Coins Estates of Robert T. Abrams and Elizabeth Freidman Abrams Vast Holdings of the late Allen Fink, proprietor of Philatex Plus...Many other important properties Call, email or write for your free catalogs—or view & bid online!
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December 9th to 11th Sale II—The William Langs Holdings United States & Possessions Proofs. Stamps, Postal History & FDCs
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March
The second AP issue you will want to retain is our Stamp Collecting Buyers’ Guide Special Issue. We expect to have over a dozen articles, including advice for new collectors, finding dealers that are right for you, starting a new collection, how to buy Kiloware, mounting and preserving your collection, sourcing worldwide new issues, how to grow to become an advanced collector, and other helpful guides for collectors at all levels.
April
We have the happy task of producing our annual Recognition Issue to thank our generous members who have contributed their funds and their time for the betterment of the APS. It is always a joy to say thanks to these loyal supporters. April is also National Library Month. In celebration, we will feature articles about the state of philatelic libraries around the nation as well as how to use non-philatelic “specialized libraries” in support of your collecting interests.
May
Following on the strong positive reception for this year’s Baseball issue, we will be publishing a Joint Hockey Issue in May, perhaps in time for the Stanley Cup play-
offs. I say “joint” because we are partnering with the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada, our partner philatelic organization to the north. Great articles submitted by members of both groups will appear in each publication. You will want to read both magazines!
June
The third “keep ‘em” issue is our Philatelic Auction Special Issue: Everything you ever wanted to know about auctions, plus some things you did not know to ask! We will include articles about buying and selling at auction, bidding strategies, histories of some famous auction houses, using auction agents, and how to search for your collecting interests across the many hundreds of auction houses. We also will be introducing an auction resources section on our stamps.org website where you will be able to keep abreast of important auction information.
July
The month of July will witness the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Postal Service. We will offer a selection of articles that highlight the impact that the USPS has had on philately and the posts.
August
No compendium of stamp collecting can be com-
Giving Tuesday Adopt-A-Book Campaign December 1, 2020 Donate and grow the APRL’s digital presence at aps.buzz/Adopt-A-Book Support the American Philatelic Research Library and its digital collections database, APRL Digital this holiday season. With over 500,000 scanned and fully searchable pages, APRL Digital brings the research and resources of the APRL to the philatelic world. Journals, books, exhibits, maps, and films all make up APRL Digital’s growing collection of digital resources now available at your fingertips. For just $50, you can support the ongoing digitization efforts of the APRL as we grow the library’s collection of digital resources. For Giving Tuesday, with a $50 donation, your donation assists the library in the scanning and uploading of the items mentioned above. “The library’s digital database has allowed me at this time to conduct my own philatelic research at home. Keep up the good work and keep growing the digital collection.” “I can search the journals for authors or topics that are of interest to me and assist me with better understanding my collection, all from the comfort of my philatelic den.” “The database has been a welcome addition to my catalog of digital resources online when researching a topic of interest. It’s allowed me to search some of the resources of the library without having to visit in person. Well done and keep growing!”
(Join us on Giving Tuesday: an international, one-day only event of giving.)
964 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
plete without discussing “When it’s Time to Sell.” This issue, including an estate planning guide, will address the easy-toignore subjects that collectors sometimes prefer to avoid. But you will have complete coverage, all in a single issue. Taken together, the February, March, June and August special issues comprise the “Fundamentals of Stamp Collecting,” and you will want to keep them in your permanent philatelic library.
September
The events of September 11, 2001, are forever etched in our memories. In remembrance of that event, now almost twenty years ago, we will offer articles that revisit 9/11 through a philatelic lens. Postal history can offer unique perspectives on historical events.
October
We will feature several articles that focus on Postal Cards, Postal Stationery, and Postal History. The first two are specialized areas of collecting, but through the lens of postal history, we intend to show how much they have in common and why more philatelists should consider extending their stamp collections into these fascinating specialties.
November
It has been too long since we have placed a specific emphasis on Airmail. So, for November we shall feature several articles on U.S. and international airmail. Buckle your seatbelts, it is going to be a fun and educational ride!
December
To round out 2021, we will offer articles focusing on the Universal Postal Union. The UPU, founded in 1874, has had a profound effect upon the growth and health of postal services around the world. From its very beginnings, the UPU has facilitated both personal and commercial communications and contributed to world prosperity. As we are seeing reinforced daily, mail remains an important means of communication. These articles will provide a philatelic perspective on how to incorporate the UPU into your collections. *** The 2021 American Philatelist will have many different topics with something of interest in every issue for all APS members. Please feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions. 966 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
And in this issue…
We open with part one of a two-part article that explores just one aspect of the postal era of the beloved Large Bank Note series. Noted postal historian Nick Kirke takes us on a postal history exploration into the fancy cancellations that appear on covers that traveled through the New York Foreign Mail postal facility. You will be fascinated by the depth of material Nick shows us, and his depth of knowledge as well. Wayne Youngblood returns with a Coast to Coast column about the philately of a modern-day Pony Express. (Well, modern-day as in 1940.) It is a wild and hazardous ride. As I mentioned last month, Ron Lesher submits his maiden column in the new semi-monthly series, “The Collector of Revenues.” In his first columns, he will take us through everything you need to know about revenues, both stamps and, well, not-stamps. Even knowledgeable Back of the Book collectors will learn some interesting details. After too long an absence, book reviews are returning to The American Philatelist. As an alternative to some book review approaches, what you will find in the AP are reviews designed to help APS members determine whether a book will be useful to them. We review the comprehensive new seventh edition of Stephan Heijtz’ classic catalog of the Falkland Islands and dependencies. Then we have a look at the informationpacked Topical Adventures, the American Topical Association’s brand new guide to topical and thematic stamp collecting. You do not have to be a topical collector to appreciate this new volume. A perpetual favorite feature in the pages of the AP is the “My Stamp Story” column. Readers are drawn to the first person experiences of other collectors. This month, APS member Steven Vastola reconfirms the inseparable linkage between a love of history and a love of philately. Vastola offers a slightly different perspective on the importance of preserving ephemera. He also brings out what is perhaps an underappreciated benefit of APS membership. I think you will be quite taken by Vastola’s contribution. *** You have just read our plans and vision for The American Philatelist. I have said this before: if you wish to see a perpetually-improving American Philatelist, you – our readers and APS members – must become a part of exciting journey. Reach out to me with your questions, concerns, and suggestions. More importantly, volunteer to participate. This is your American Philatelist. My email is Gary@stamps.org.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR lettertotheeditor@stamps.org
A cautionary tale for all philatelists I want to share with my fellow collectors an excellent experience I had with our Hugh Wood Insurance (HWI) program. I am writing this to encourage everyone to take advantage of this very important membership benefit. I asked a client of mine in the casualty insurance business the typical cost for a personal floater, which is how your homeowner’s policy covers valuables. She said that if you could even still get one, you would likely pay 10% of the value of the coverage. As my collection has grown, I have moved my coverage up from $25,000 to $50,000 to $75,000 over the past few years. My renewal premium this February was $218, NOT $7,500.
The Canadian Revenue Stamp Catalogue, FB53a
had been taped closed. Should she bring it over so we could open it together? Yes. We later learned that the round red sticker with an X on it meant customs had opened it. So there I am opening the package and the first thing I see are the certificates, all green. Exciting, good news! I un-taped the two pieces of cardboard the stamps were enclosed in. NO stamps. My heart sank. I contacted HWI in Bellefonte and they emailed me the claim form. I must admit the loss hit me while on the phone. I broke down while speaking with Emily Weight at HWI. Having the color photographs on the certificates probably made it easier for the adjuster for the insurer, Berkeley Asset Protection, to settle the claim. The claim form was simplicity itself. Providing them a color copy of the damaged and taped FedEx envelope probably also helped. Our policy provides for full fair market value for a loss. The only way to place a value on them was the most recent Van Dam catalogue valuations. Within two weeks I had a check for that amount in US dollars. They even reimbursed me for the cost of the certificates. I would still rather have my stamps which had been collected over a long period of time. But the very easy claims process has given me the resource to begin rebuilding my collection. Get the policy. Philip R. Spitzer Tallahassee, FL (Editor’s Note: Be sure to read President Bob Zeigler’s column on page 958 for more about this topic.)
Postal History of the Holocaust
The Canadian Revenue Stamp Catalogue, BCD1
The Canadian Revenue Stamp Catalogue, TNR7
Unfortunately, nine very valuable Canadian revenue stamps during transit back to me by FedEx from the Vincent Green Philatelic Foundation in Canada were stolen. They theorize it was likely during the customs inspection in Memphis at the FedEx hub. They included the FB53a Third Bill series red and black invert, a $12,500 stamp. Even more ironic: the foundation issues pink certificates for damaged and repaired stamps and green certificates for sound stamps. All the stolen stamps received green certificates. I was in my office when the package arrived at home and my partner Martha called to tell me it looked damaged and
George Skadron’s letter in the August AP told an interesting story about “Postal History of the Holocaust” but I believe I detected a couple errors in it. The cover described as Figures 1 & 2 with Hindenburg stamps were shown as Figures 3 & 4 with the other cover illustrations also misidentified (images switched). Also, the attribution of one of the types of censor tapes (“opened by examiner...”) as American is incorrect -- they are British, used in Bermuda. The stamps described as from Czechoslovakia were issued for “Bohemia and Moravia,” a “protectorate” imposed by Germany March 15, 1939. By the time these covers were mailed in late 1941, about the only practical way to get mail from Austria and Czechoslovakia to the United States, which was not yet involved in World War II, was by airmail, since surface mail was suspended when the Nazis occupied most of western Europe and was actively fighting the Soviet Union in the east. Routing by air through Nazi-friendly countries (Italy and Spain) to Lisbon to connect with Pan American Airways Clippers for New York via the Azores and Bermuda was effectively the only remaining route available. But this time all mail NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 967
transiting on the Clippers was inspected in Bermuda. The registered cover from Vienna (“Wein”) was mailed July 22, 1941 and arrived at New York August 7th on the Dixie Clipper, 16 days in transit. The cover from Olmütz, Moravia (now Olomouc, Czech Republic) was mailed October 4, 1941 and arrived at New York aboard the Atlantic Clipper October 19th, 15 days in transit (arrival data from the “Shipping and Mails” column, The New York Times). Leonard Piszkiewicz Santa Clara, CA
More on Skadron’s letter
I write to correct mis-statements in George Skadron’s letter. The two covers were not censored in USA. The writer should remember that at the date those two letters arrived (August and October 1941), USA was not at war so there was no American censorship. Refer Broderick & Mayo: “Civil Censorship in the United States during World War II”, pub CCSG & War Cover Club (no date). The censors after the German were both British. The cover examined by 791 was almost certainly done at Bermuda. The number of the other examiner is not clear but it is likely that was also a British censor at Bermuda. A light inside the cover may reveal the examiner’s number on the part overlapped closure label. Graham Mark Great Britain
Coil frustration understandable
Thom E. Kott’s frustration with the dimensions of coil stamps produced by the government in the early years of the Washington-Franklin era is understandable (“Frame widths U. S. Stamps 1908 -
Errata
1913 Coils,” Letters in October 2020 AP). As Paul W. Schmid points out in The Expert’s Book, there often is a range of design widths. The ideal measure may be 25mm, for instance, but he notes that stamps can be found with substantially smaller widths. When I was researching the files of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing at the National Archives, I discovered a letter written in 1910 by BEP Director Joseph E. Ralph to a company using affixing machines. The company was frustrated with the varying widths of the coils, which presented problems for the machines. The BEP had recently begun using a new machine for slitting sheets into coil strips. “[T]he outside coils,” Ralph wrote, meaning those closer to the edge, “prepared on the new coiling machine have been made wide to prevent mutilation in perforating and separating machines.” The inference to be drawn is that the strips inevitably varied in width. Anyone collecting these government coils is well advised to have the stamp or cover in question authenticated. Those coils on cover, if genuine, are highly desirable and well worth the expense of obtaining a certificate. Kevin Lowther Springfield, VA
An unusual penalty envelope use
The two articles in the September issue of The American Philatelist (pgs. 782-801) that included discussions of the $300 Pen-
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SEPTEMBER On page 777, “Letter to the Editor” contributor Juan Riera is a writer for The Cuban Philatelist, the journal of the Cuban Philatelic Society of America. On page 802, the reference to the “Qin dynasty” should instead refer to the “Qing dynasty.” On page 804, the text should read “The King remained in the Russian Legation until February 20, 1897, and tried to maintain the Korea’s full independence from both China and Japan.”
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OCTOBER On page 909, the date of the FDR memo to Postmaster General Farley regarding the Pan American Union stamp should be “December 27, 1939.”
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alty Envelopes were great. They brought back memories of my time on active duty while stationed at stateside naval hospitals in the early to mid-1970s. While these articles provide a historical perspective, my experience was only decades ago. We had access to the penalty envelopes and used them regularly. However, on the rare occasion, when short of an envelope for personal use, we would place our own stamp over the ‘Penalty’ warning on the upper right (never covering it completely), write our name on the left above the corner card, and send it out. It was a fairly blatant use of a government envelope but not the postage. Our rationale: it was the use of the postage and not the envelope that constituted the Three Hundred Dollar Sin! These envelopes went from our out-baskets to the hospital PO, to the Navy Base PO, and then to USPS along their way to delivery. They had no place to hide. None of us ever heard a word of complaint, and I don’t think anyone cared. Had I been a collector at the time, I would have sent a stamped cover to a friend as a philatelic souvenir, though a few might call this modern postal history. Are there many extant penalty envelopes with appropriate USPS postage applied? Fast forward to the mid-1980s to early 1990s when I was a reservist. Here we used the same $300 Penalty Envelopes. But now we were issued U.S. “official” stamps to frank the penalty envelopes. These official stamps were reissued in 1985 after a nearly seventy-five year hiatus. Ours came in a few denominations. Though I would not be a collector for another ten years, I still thought it would be neat to have a few for posterity, as they were both unusual and attractive. Therefore, I substituted some of my own USPS definitive stamps on the penalty envelopes before mailing them while maintaining a few official stamps of equivalent face value for storage in my cigar box. Now a collector, I’ve moved my official stamps from the cigar box to their new home in a Scott’s National Album. Somewhere in my files are a few penalty envelopes with governmental correspondence addressed to me; they are also franked with official stamps. I’ll have to find them. But I would still like one of the privately used penalty envelopes franked with definitive stamps from the ‘70s. Paul Petersen Lancaster, PA
All menus are available in: EN, CN, IT, FR, DE, JAP.
Favorite penalties
I would like to offer many compliments on the article “The Law and Lore of $300 Penalty-for-Private-Use Envelopes.” It was very educational and entertaining, and the research was impressive. It was an excellent example of how much information can be wrung from a seemingly commonplace topic.
www. philasearch.com Ad 6 of 7 NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 969
I limit my collection to postcards and would like to point out that the penalty postcard is another form of penalty cover. Penalty envelopes are most often found empty, but penalty postcards are usually pre-printed forms that offer a glimpse of history. I submit my favorite example, a penalty card from the Pension Bureau of the Department of the Interior, uprated with the 5 cent indigo Garfield (Scott 216) and sent to a Civil War Veteran in Germany. This demonstrates a collecting interest that was alluded to in the companion article “A Philatelic Glance at Free Franks, Official Mail and Penalty Covers”; Penalty covers uprated for special services or international usage are quite collectible. Joe Skidmore Sedona, AZ
Author’s follow-up
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We encourage readers to send their comments, questions and feedback to The American Philatelist. Submission of a letter implies consent to publish, unless specifically prohibited by the sender. The decision of whether to publish is made by the editorial staff of The American Philatelist. Generally, letters will be published unless determined to be offensive, disrespectful, libelous, slanderous or not chiefly related to the stamp hobby. The opinions expressed in a Letter to the Editor are those of the author and not The American Philatelist. We do not publish or accept requests for the publication of
In the August 2020 The American Philatelist, I reported seven known Wiley Post around-the-world flight covers, including one unique cover with Post’s personal handwriting. Since then, I have heard from Mr. Tom Russell, who provided an additional cover from his own collection (Figure 1). In addition, I was contacted by Mr. Joe Crosby from Oklahoma City. He is a postal historian, and he sent me a scan from a September 1999 Michael Rogers sale of yet another flight cover (Figure 2). Tom Russell is currently editing the TransOceanic flights chapter of the American Air Mail Catalogue. He has
anonymous letters. To allow more Letters to the Editor, you are respectfully requested to limit submissions to 500 words or less. If your submission is longer, the editorial team will ask you to resubmit a shorter version, or provide you a copy of an edited version to review prior to publication. Submit your letters to letterstotheeditor@stamps. org or mail a typewritten copy to: Letter to the Editor, The American Philatelist, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823.
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DutchcountryAuctions.com 302-478-8740 | AUCTIONS@DUTCHCOUNTRYAUCTIONS.COM 4115 CONCORD PIKE, 2ND FLOOR | WILMINGTON, DE 19803 RUSSELL EGGERT OWNER, APPRAISER, LICENSED & BONDED AUCTIONEER 970 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Figure 1 Figure 2
Figure 3
revised the listing for the 1933 Wiley Post around-the-world flight, and it will now reflect the fact that there are at least NINE covers known to exist. These two covers are now respectively #8 and #9. Vitaly Geyfman Scranton, PA (Editor’s note: Mr. Geyfman recently sent a third cover that was unearthed as a response to his August article (Figure 3); this one is from the collection of Mr. Semyon Brayman, acquired in one of the early Cherrystone auction sales. We encourage everyone to keep watch for more examples and contribute to the discussion.)
Why not chess?
[This letter] is from a stamp collector and a chess player -- so the viewpoint shown is a bit biased! I have a question for readers of The American Philatelist -- why are the American people again being bombarded by a continuing stream of inferior and sometimes meaningless stamp designs? The latest issue of yet another Bugs Bunny stamp is the latest insult to our intelligence and decorum! Some years ago, I submitted a “stamp proposal” to the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC), for a US chess stamp, following their guidelines by sending a written proposal, via snail mail. Several months later I got a standardized rejection letter. So, I hesitate to repeat this process as an individual. So, what is the best approach to petition for improved stamp designs and topics? Perhaps a “grass roots” petition to CSAC and the US Postal Service would stimulate their creative juices a bit! As a stamp collector and chess player, I am amazed by all the chess stamps issued world-wide each year by a multitude
of other countries, -- but not one single stamp by the United States. Pity! I believe 2022 would be the 50th anniversary of Bobby Fischer’s victory over Boris Spaasky and the Russians in 1972 -- and his title as World Chess Champion as an American. America has yet to produce another chess player of Fischer’s stature -- his genius over the chessboard. Bobby Fischer was a dynamic personality, which was by no means perfect. However, he was an American who achieved a remarkable victory over the Russian “chess machine” of the 60’s and 70’s -- why not honor his achievement? So the question remains -- Why not a US Chess stamp?? Paul L. Morton Rio Rancho, NM
U.S. FIRST ISSUES - 9x1, ONE’s or TWO’s U.S. FIRST FIRST ISSUES ISSUES -- 9x1, ONE’s or U.S. 9x1, ONE’s or TWO’s TWO’s What else are you looking- 9x1, for! Covers available, ASK! What else areISSUES you looking for! Covers available, ASK! U.S. FIRST ONE’s or TWO’s What else are you looking for! Covers available, ASK! What else are you looking for! Covers available, ASK!
9x1 SUPERB, CERT, GEM! $825 9x1 SUPERB, 9x1GEM! SUPERB, CERT, $825 CERT, GEM! $825
1 VF/XF 85-JUM CERT 85-JUM $725 1 VF/XF 1 CERT VF/XF 85-JUM $725 CERT $725
9x1 F/VF on piece, 9x1Fresh! F/VF on$325 piece, 9x1Fresh! F/VF on piece, $325 Fresh! $325 NEW
9x1 F/VF, faint 9x1 Fine, unused, 9x1 VF, Select! 9x1b F/VF, Periods 9x1P3 SUPERB, 1 F-VF+, small 1a F/VF, small cancel! $425Select! 9x1b F/VF, $575 Periods Proof, RARE! $925 flaw, Fresh $299 flaw $325small 9x1 F/VF,$415 faint 9x1CERT Fine, $575 unused, 9x1 VF, 9x1P3 SUPERB, 1 F-VF+, small 1a F/VF, 9x1 F/VF,$415 faint 9x1CERT Fine, $575 unused, 9x1 VF,$425 Select! 9x1b F/VF, 9x1P3RARE! SUPERB, F-VF+, small 1a F/VF, cancel! $575Periods NOW! Proof, $925 1flaw, Fresh $299 flaw small $325 ALL CHECK OUT OUR SITE GRA cancel! $415 CERT $575 $425 $575 Proof, RARE! $925 flaw, Fresh $299 DES! flawAL$325 L
1 VF/XF, Super Shade! $425 11VF/XF, Super VF/XF, Super Shade! Shade! $425 $425
1 VF/XF, Super Nice! $525 11VF/XF, Super VF/XF, Super Nice! Nice! $525 $525
1 VF/XF, faint cancel! $550 11 VF/XF, faint VF/XF, faint cancel! $550 cancel! $550
1 VF/XF, CERT, Choice! $575 1 VF/XF, CERT, 1 VF/XF, CERT, Choice! $575 $575 Choice!
1a VF, CHOICE! $799 1a1aVF, VF,CHOICE! CHOICE! $799 $799
1 VF+, creases, nice $225 11VF+, VF+, creases, creases, nice nice $225 $225
1 F/VF+, minor flaw $250 11 F/VF+, minor F/VF+, minor flaw $250 flaw $250
1 F-VF+, minor flaw $289 F-VF+,minor minor 11 F-VF+, flaw $289 $289 flaw
s s ITEMS EKLY WEW NE W ITE NEMS LY EKMS WE ITE WEEKLY
2 VF/XF, CHOICE! $999 2 VF/XF, CHOICE! 2 VF/XF, CHOICE! $999 $999
2 SUPERB, SELECT! $1,195 2 SUPERB, 2 SUPERB, SELECT! $1,195 SELECT! $1,195
2 XF, Two CERTS, 2 XF, CERT, 3 SUPERB NH, 4 XF NH, CERT, CHOICE! $1,475 STELLAR! $1,335 2 XF, Two$1,050 CERTS, SELECT!! 2 XF, CERT, 3 SUPERB NH, GEM! 4 XF $1,995 NH, CERT, 2CHOICE! XF, Two CERTS, 2 XF, CERT, 3 SUPERB $1,335 NH, 4 XF NH, CERT, $1,050 SELECT!! $1,475 STELLAR! GEM! $1,995 CHOICE! $1,050 SELECT!! $1,475 STELLAR! $1,335 GEM! $1,995
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2 F/VF, filler, low price $445 2 F/VF, filler, low 2 F/VF, filler, low price $445 $445 price
1TC2h VF/XF, RARE! $575 1TC2hVF/XF, VF/XF, 1TC2h RARE! $575 $575 RARE!
2 VF/XF, small faults! $595 2 VF/XF, small 2 VF/XF, small faults!$595 $595 faults!
ALL GRADES ! ALL GRADES !
2 F/VF+, SUPER NICE! $795 2 F/VF+, SUPER 2 F/VF+, SUPER NICE!$795 $795 NICE!
3P3 SUPERB, GEM! $400 3P3SUPERB, SUPERB,GEM! GEM! 3P3 $400 $400
PR RANG ICE ES ALL PR ICE ALLRAPR NG E RANG ICES ES
2 VF, Fresh, CHOICE! $950 2 VF, Fresh, 2 VF, Fresh, CHOICE!$950 $950 CHOICE!
1 F-VF+, small fault, Fresh $725 F-VF+,small smallfault, fault,Fresh Fresh 1 1F-VF+, $725 $725
3P4-4P4 SUPERB, proof, 1TC1a SUPERB, brw- 2TC1a SUPERB, org- 9x1TC2i SUPERB, Blue, 9x1TC2q SUPERB, Bl/ 9x1E1a SUPERB, 9x1E1c SUPERB, SHOWPIECE! red, proof on India, verm, proof on India, Trail Color Dot /Scar, Grn/Brn/Brn Red, Dot / Dull Blue/ Orange, Blk, Glazed Paper, 3P4-4P4 $825 proof, 1TC1a SUPERB, SUPERB, org- 9x1TC2i 9x1TC2i SUPERB, Blue, 9x1TC2q 9x1TC2q SUPERB, 9x1E1a SUPERB, 9x1E1cSUPERB, SUPERB, SCARCE! $1,100 SCARCE! $1,100 RARE! $450 Blue, Scar, EA $600 Bl/Bl/Die9x1E1a on IndiaSUPERB, EA $900 9x1E1c RARE! $1,375 3P4-4P4SUPERB, SUPERB, proof, brw- 2TC1a SUPERB, orgSUPERB, SUPERB, SHOWPIECE! red, proof on India, verm, proof proof on on India, India, Trail TrailColor ColorDot Dot/Scar, /Scar, Grn/Brn/Brn Grn/Brn/BrnRed, Red,Dot Dot/ / Dull DullBlue/ Blue/Orange, Orange,Blk,Blk,Glazed GlazedPaper, Paper, SHOWPIECE! $825 ASK US ABOUT OUR NO INTEREST PLAN! RARE! SCARCE! $1,100PAYMENT SCARCE! $1,100 $1,100 RARE! $450 $450 Scar,EAEA$600 $600 DieDieononIndia IndiaEAEA$900 $900 RARE! RARE!$1,375 $1,375 $825 SCARCE! Scar, Terms: Payment with order (Check, MO, VISA, MC or DIS). P&H add
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NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 971
OUR STORY BY SCOTT ENGLISH executive director | scott@stamps.org
Looking Ahead to 2021
IN
the words of our 34th President Dwight D. Eisenhower, “Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” As the Supreme Allied Commander of the Allied Forces in World War II who oversaw the most comprehensive invasion in the world’s history on D-Day, this is an invaluable perspective. While we’re not storming the beaches of Normandy, we are confronted with a pandemic, the likes of which we’ve not seen in more than a century. As 2020 comes to a close, COVID-19 has disrupted our hobby and operations in ways we did not think possible. Stamp clubs and stamp shows stopped, mail was disrupted, and our headquarters was closed for two months. I am proud of the way the APS staff and the hobby at large have positively responded to these challenges. If at the beginning of this year, someone had told me we would have clubs meeting by Zoom, collectors from around the world listening in on presentations, and online exhibitions, I would have had doubts. Yet, here we are, pressing ahead to stay connected in the best way we know how. Thank you to the APS members who have given their time, whether writing articles or giving presentations on Stamp Chats, Summer Seminar Online, the Virtual Stamp Show, and the Postal History Symposium last month. I want to thank our friends at the Collectors Club of New York and the Royal Philatelic Society London for leading the way in presenting online talks. Thank you to our partners at the American Topical Association and the American First Day
“Planning is everything.” President Eisenhower, depicted on Scott 2513. 972 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Cover Society for joining us to deliver the Virtual Stamp Show in August and making the impossible quite possible in just five short weeks. Thank you to all the local chapters who welcomed me to Zoom meetings and shared what’s happening in their neck of the woods. The energy and excitement of collectors rallying around the world have been inspiring. It’s also proof that this hobby is far from dying! As 2020 gives way to 2021, we are looking ahead to how we continue to meet collectors’ needs. We know some World Series of Philately shows have already begun canceling shows early in 2021. Based on predictions by health experts, a widely available vaccine may take as long as next fall. While there is so much we do not know, we are planning. It will take optimism, patience, and flexibility. For us, the two most significant events of 2021 will be Summer Seminar and the Great American Stamp Show.
Summer Seminar After 40 years of hosting the annual Summer Seminar, we canceled the event this year. We replaced the event with Summer Seminar Online, a month-long event with some of the best instructors in the hobby and 1,000 participants. The courses are available on the C3a platform, and members can enroll on-demand. Planning is already underway for an in-person Summer Seminar from June 20-24, 2021. We have several instructors who have already agreed to teach, and we’ll post registration sometime after the first of the new year. We’ll continue updating the site so that registrants can be aware of what is happening. In conjunction with the live event, we will also be planning another Summer Seminar Online. It will not be a month-long event again next year, but we have already started recruiting instructors. The dates and registration will also go live after the beginning of the year. In the meantime, our Education Department continues to add new live learning events online, so please visit our website (http://aps.buzz/C3aPlatform) to see all the courses
Wish Central
“Making Buying & Selling Wishes a Reality!” From Classics to Back-of-Book, please visit www.garyposnerinc.com where you will find to the right on our home page a “CLICK HERE” link to the many singles and multiples we have listed at Collectors Corner. Enjoy another Great Resource for Buyers— Our eBay Store: www.ebay.com/str/garyposner—with a Best Offer Option ! Gary Posner
#3. 1875 5¢ Reproduction of the 1847 Issue, Mint No Gum As Issued, Four Full Margins, with PSE 75 Certificate. In Our Opinion this Clearly Should be a Very Fine 80. Our List Price $900 Special Ad Price $750
#120b. 24¢ Pictorial Inverted Center, Used, F-VF, Light Cancel, Clear Invert, with PSE Certificate. Tiny Sealed Tear, Still Absolutely Better Than the Usual Examples Being Offered! SCV $37,500 Our List Price $16,000 Special Ad Price $14,500
#245. $5 Columbian Used, Scarce, Tied to Piece by a New York “Reg” Cancellation, F-VF with a 2020 Wm. T. Crowe Certificate. SCV Off Cover $1,150, on Cover $4,750 Our List Price $800 Special Ad Price $725
Wanted to Buy! #142 Used SOUND, F-VF or Better. We Need This NOW and Are Ready to Pay Generous Prices. If you have this or other rarities, or if you seek rarities for your collection, phone Bob Prager at 800-323-4279.
We Also Buy GOLD—and Pay High Prices! Call Us Now: 800-323-4279
#144. 1870 90¢ Carmine National Bank Note “H” Grill, Used, Very Fine, Well Centered, Full Perforations All Around, Deep Rich Color, 100% Sound with a 2020 Wm. T. Crowe Certificate. Scott Value $2,250 Our List Price $1,750 Special Ad Price $1,625
#233a. 4¢ Columbian Color Error, Blue of the 1¢ Instead of Ultramarine of the 4¢, Rare Used, this Example with a 1987 Philatelic Foundation Certificate, “Genuine with Small Faults,” and Value-Priced. Scott Value $16,500 Our List Price $7,900 Special Ad Price $6,900
#613. Used F-VF, with a PSE Certificate Stating Lightly Cleaned, A Beautiful Example of this 20th Century Rarity, Free of Any Tears, Creases or Repairs. SCV $35,000 Our List Price $25,000 Special Ad Price $22,500
#36. 1857 12¢ Black, Used with Red Orange Town Postmark and Manuscript Pen Stroke Cancel, Crisp Impression and Clear, Balanced Margins, with a 2018 PF Certificate Grading this XF-90 Used. Our List Price $2,000 Special Ad Price $1,750
Bob Prager
#74TC6. Formerly Scott 74, Very Fine and Sound, with the Identifying Four Contemporary Horizontal Black Pen Strokes, Plus a Star Cancel that Was Added Later. An Attractive 3-Cent Scarlet Trial Printing with a 2020 Wm. T. Crowe Certificate. Scott Value $5,500 Our List Price $4,500 Special Ad Price $4,150
#44. Rare Continental Bank Note 1875 Reprint of the 12¢ 1857 Issue, Mint, F-VF, No Gum As Issued, Post Office Fresh, Full Perforations All Around! SMQ $2,900 Our List Price $2,600 Special Ad Price $2,450
Have Similar?
If you have individual pieces or a collection, it will pay you to call Bob Prager at 800-323-4279 to arrange for its lucrative sale or consignment. We are ALWAYS looking for U.S. & Foreign Collections from $5,000 to $5,000,000
Gary Posner, In They’re all here!
GARY POSNER, INC. 265 Sunrise Highway, Ste. 1-308, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 Cell: 917-538-8133 • Phone 800.323.4279 • Fax 516-599-2145 No. 61—Mint, Full OG (100% Sound)
No. 314A Used—Sound
www.garyposnerinc.com • GaryPosnerInc@aol.com
No. 363 Never Hi
offered throughout the year.
Great American Stamp Show In 2016, we selected Chicago to be the home of our 2021 show. At that time, we planned to create a mini-international show to serve as a mid-point between the 2016 World Stamp Show in New York and the Boston 2026 World Stamp Show. Unfortunately, the pandemic has put limits on our ability to put together a show on a larger scale. We are now planning a more traditional Great American Stamp Show co-hosted with the American Topical Association and the American First Day Cover Society. We will need to make some changes to what we’ve
Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library Announcing their Auction Web Site Featuring Stamps and Covers http://www.rmplauctions.org next auction closes October 24, 2020 No Buyer’s Premium
974 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
already planned. Given the uncertainty of vaccines, travel restrictions, and safety precautions, we will have to adjust the plans to ensure the event can be successful for dealers and the APS. As of press time, we are still working through all the details, but we will be regularly updating members in the journal and on the website. There are no easy answers to challenges of this scale, but we remain committed to ensuring the hobby can thrive regardless. Thanks to all of you for stepping up to the challenges of 2020. We have welcomed many old friends back to the hobby and a few new ones as well. With all we’ve done and a commitment to careful planning, I believe we can meet the challenges of 2021.
New York Foreign Mail Cancels on the Large Bank Note Issues, 1870-75 Part One: A new era of stamps ushers in an era of cancels NICK KIRKE
The cancel story – an introduction
What is the history of NYFM?
After just a year, the United States Post Office replaced the unpopular National Bank Note Company issue of 1869 with a new issue in March, 1870. Why were the 1869 stamps so disliked? It was probably because they were small and difficult to handle with poor gum. Even more damning, the designs were perceived as unattractive without an underlying theme. The 1870 issue, also printed by National Bank Note Company, could not have been more different. Nicknamed “The Large Bank Note” stamps, the values featured prominent Americans on stamps significantly larger than their predecessors. Their simplicity and color were welcomed. Cancels in the period 1870-75 are generally struck on a mix of 1870 Bank Note Issue stamps and 1873 Continental Bank Note Issue stamps, almost identical to the 1870 issue, but with (“secret marks”), so as to be distinguishable from the earlier National Bank Note stamps. Commencing in 1873 these handsome stamps were to usher in an extraordinary era of cancel production in the New York City Post Office involving the most remarkable geometric designs. These cancels, mostly larger in size than previous cancels, possibly to obliterate the larger stamps more effectively, moved one eminent French philatelist to comment, “as stamp obliterations, they are the perfections of form.” Originally termed “New York Geometrics,” “New York Foreign Mail” (NYFM) cancels were applied to outbound letters originating in New York City. As will be seen, the new Large Bank Note stamps bearing these stunning cancels created an artistic feast. This article celebrates the convergence of these “Large Bank Note” stamps and the cancels used upon them in New York City.
In 1923, United States dealer J. Murray Bartels (Figure 1) bid unseen on some covers in a Spanish auction. When he received them, he saw the majority were cut horizontally in half, as shown in Figure 1a. Bartels remonstrated with the auction house, who subsequently sold to him at a reduced price. It was only then that Bartels noticed many of the covers had attractive cancels, such as the “Flying Clothes Pins” shown in Figure 1b, and ALL originated in New York City. The covers were addressed to Wallis and Company in Ibiza,
Figure 1. J. Murray Bartels (1872-1944) NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 975
Spain. Bartels made tracings of the cancels and in 1936 offered them in one of his own auctions under the heading “New York Foreign Mail Cancellations,” as shown at Figure 1c. Bartels and the “Wallis” correspondence are thus seminal in the creation of the collecting genre of “New York Foreign Mail.”
The environment in which NYFM cancels were produced To assist in giving this cancel story its proper context, I interrupt the cancel narrative to explain the somewhat extraordinary environment and working conditions in which New York foreign mail was processed from 1850 to 1875. In 1845, the city’s post office had just moved into the Middle Dutch Church premises in Nassau Street, between Pine and Cedar Streets (Figure 2). The building was wholly unsuited to the needs of the post office. With an open central area not much bigger than a tennis court, it had coffins still lounging in the basement, had no ventilation, and was riddled with rats. In his Annual Postmaster`s Report of 1868, Postmaster General Randall described the post office as “patched and battered, full of dark corners and discomforts. “The sunlight can scarcely penetrate its gloomy interior. Gas is burnt there day and night, and men work by it. It is over an old
Figure 1b. The tracing of the “Flying Clothes Pins” cancel. 976 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Figure 1a. A September 5th, 1871, Wallis “half cover” with a Flying Clothes Pins cancel, one of the first simplistic geometric cancels used on the Large Bank Note stamps. Stamps on the half cover include U.S. Scott 136, a 3¢ green grilled horizontal pair, and Scott 150, a 10¢ brown.
Figure 1c. Bartel’s advertisement – the first reference to “New York Foreign Mail Cancellations.”
Figure 2. The Middle Dutch Church Post Office 1845-1875. From D.T. Valentine’s Manual, 1864.
graveyard, and under its rotting floors lie skulls and bones and the damp mould of dead men. On removing the floors for repairs a short time ago, these unwelcome sights were exposed to view. The building is unfit for any use whatever, and yet there . . . by gaslight, from night until morning, three hundred men are at work and inhale a poisoned atmosphere with every breathe they draw. An average of nearly 30 men are sick all the time from laboring in that unwholesome place.” Unbelievably, the two dingy rooms shown at Figure 2a and 2b comprised the Foreign Mail Department at the Middle Dutch Church where New York foreign mail was processed. These pictures are from 1875, the day the post office relocated to new purpose-built premises at City Park Hall (shown at Figure 2c). The post office had used these two rooms for over 31 years.
1870-72, the first simplistic cancel designs The six million dollar question regarding these NYFM cancellations which originated in New York City is “Who designed and made them?” While the earlier cancels used from 1870-1872 which are the subject of Part One of this article were probably conceived and carved “in house” by clerks with time on their hands, the later, more intricate designs used through the period of 1873-1875 (to come in Part Two of this article) might appear to be too complex, precise and imaginative to be produced by an amateur. The other element for consideration is the increasing volume of mail. Clearly, as the volume increased, more and more cancels were required as wear and tear took its course. For example, I estimate that in 1870 there were 710,000 NYFM letters. By 1875, this had nearly doubled to 1.3 million NYFM letters annually. Although later cancels were increasingly carved into hard woods such as boxwood or mahogany, rather than the earlier softer cork, there remains hard evidence that as many as five copies of the same design were made to cope with the increasing volume. It is difficult to understand how a clerk would have the time or skill to achieve such levels of production. Extraordinarily, there is no concrete forensic evidence of manufacture. My personal view is that at some stage the post office began to farm out cancel manufacture to outside contractors, as happened with many other United States post offices. This tantalizing question remains unanswered until more evidence is unearthed. Figure 2a. The Foreign Mail Department sorting room, courtesy of the New York Public Library Digital Collections.
Figure 2b. Storage of mail bags. courtesy of the New York Public Library Digital Collections. Figure 2c. The new Park Hall Post Office, New York, 1875. NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 977
All of the off-cover stamps shown in this article are a mixture of the 1870 National Bank Note Issue and the 1873 Continental Bank Note Issue. The NYFM cancels used during the earlier “Large Bank Note” period were not particularly distinctive and some cannot be verified on off-cover stamps. However, this does not mean these cancels on cover are not collectable. The folded letter at Figure 3, for example, is one of only eight reported, and can therefore be classified as scarce. Figure 3. A Wallis “full cover” folded letter. Off cover, the cancel is not easy to positively identify as a NYFM cancel, as other U.S. cities and town used similar designs. However, the off-cover cancel at Figure 3a is an exception. Because of the completeness and clarity of the strike, this off-cover cancel can positively be identified as originating in New York City, making it something of a rarity. Periods for known use of the cancels are shown by each cancel tracing. The statistics offered for the use of the cancels below were compiled from multiple sources, including my own extensive collection, catalogs, and other NYFM books and articles.
Circle of Double Arrowheads 6/9/1870 to 6/18/1870
Figure 3 shows a June 15, 1870, folded letter to Ibiza, Spain, carried on Guion line’s Nebraska going via Queenstown (today, Cóbh, in Ireland) on June 26 and arriving at Ibiza on July 3. The letter is addressed to our old friend Messrs. Wallis and Co. It is satisfying to find covers such as this bearing a three-denomination mixture of Bank Note issue stamps – a 2¢, two 3¢ and two 10¢ stamp – and fascinating to recall that the cover was handled by Murray Bartels, the founding father of NYFM. The postage paid the 28-cent per half ounce British Open Mail rate going via France. The stamps on the cover are Scott 146 2¢ red brown; Scott 147 3¢ green (two singles); and Scott 150 10¢ brown (two singles). Figure 3a shows a “socked on the nose” strike of this cancel on an 1870 Bank Note issue 15¢ orange stamp. 978 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Figure 3a. An off-cover Circle of Double Arrowheads cancel.
Reading Transatlantic Mail Covers Although it takes practice and much research, covers from this era have many clues that can help collectors plot out their transatlantic shipping routes. The transatlantic shipping information used in this article draws from an invaluable source, The North Atlantic Mail Sailings 1840-75, by Walter Hubbard and Richard F. Winter, edited by Susan M. McDonald, and published by the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society (and available for free download at http://aps.buzz/USPCSElectronicLibrary). This book is something of a bible to collectors of transatlantic mail and can be help collectors ascertain upon which ship a cover was carried simply by referring to the datestamp on the cover. Other shipping information – for example, to South and Central America – comes from contemporaneous newspapers, which featured arrival and departures and often listed important passengers.
Quartered Cork 4/26/1870 to 12/30/1871
Figure 4a. This off-cover example of the Quartered Cork cancel cannot be positively identified as NYFM.
Figure 4 shows a November 30, 1870, cover to Austria carried on Guion line’s Wisconsin going via Queenstown on December 12, then Liverpool, and arriving at Wien (Vienna) on December 16. Again, the cancel is a common NYFM design with over 50 on-cover uses recorded. The stamp on the cover is Scott 150 10¢ brown. The postage paid the 10-cent North German Union Closed Mail rate. The cancel on the Figure 4a 7¢ vermilion stamp might have been used on NYFM because it shows a part of an Exchange Office datestamp, but could have originated anywhere in the U.S. – most outbound foreign mail from across the U.S. received one of these red datestamps. Figure 5 shows a December 5, 1870, cover to Peru carried from New York on British Pacific Steamship Navigation Company’s Henry Chauncery going via Aspinwall (Colon), and Panama, arriving in Lima on January 1, 1871. Although this is a mundane and common cancel, the attraction of the cover is enhanced by the interesting destination, Peru. Twenty-eight covers are reported to Peru, which is the most popular South American destination for NYFM. The postage paid the 22-cent rate by U.S. Packet to Colon, then by British Packet to Peru. The Exchange Office datestamp is shown in the sidebar at Figure 5d. The stamps on the cover are Scott 148 6¢ carmine (a pair); and Scott 150 10¢ brown.
Figure 4. The common Quartered Cork cancel on-cover. NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 979
Figure 5. This December 5, 1870, cover has the Quartered Cork cancels and a red ancillary postal marking indicating a credit of 12¢.
An important ancillary postal marking on NYFM
Figure 5a. “Br. PKT” (British Packet) with “7 PAID” (seven cents to be paid to the receiving country).
Figure 5b. “DIRECT” indicates a direct mail route. “PAID ALL” shows postage fully prepaid to the destination.
980 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Readers will notice that the covers shown so far have red datestamps. These datestamps are an integral hallmark of the vast majority of ALL U.S. outbound foreign mail, not just mail originating in New York City. What were these markings? On July 1, 1849, following a treaty between the United States and Great Britain, the New York City post office was designated as one of the first United States “Exchange Offices,” with authorization to apply rules for the accounting and marking of foreign mail. These datestamps showed whether a letter was paid through to its destination according to a treaty, or if a credit or debit was due to or from a receiving country (and how much it was). Annually, a summary would be made and credits and debits paid either to, or recovered from, other countries. A selection of four of at least 50 Exchange Office datestamps is shown in Figures 5a to 5d. Generally, these are seen in red but can occasionally be found in black when a letter has insufficient postage or a block rate applies.
Figure 5c. “PAID ALL” indicates the letter is prepaid to its destination in accordance with the relevant treaty.
Figure 5d. “12” at the top indicates a credit due to the U.S. of 12¢.
Circle of Eight Arrowheads 5/25/1870 to 9/12/1872 Figure 6 shows a May 25, 1870, cover to England carried on Guion line’s Idaho going via Queenstown, Ireland, on June 4 and arriving in Liverpool on June 5. The postage paid the six-cent British Treaty rate. This is the earliest reported use of this small Circle of Eight Arrowheads (21 mm diameter). Considering that the cancel was in use for two and a half years, it is surprisingly rare, with just two examples reported on cover. The stamp on the cover is Scott 148 6¢ carmine.
Figure 6. An on-cover Circle of Eight Arrowheads cancel.
Spokes 7/27/1870 to 7/28/1871
Figure 7. The Spokes cancel, one of 15 known on-cover examples.
Figure 7 shows a July 27, 1870, advertising cover to Ireland carried on the final voyage of Guion line’s Wisconsin going via Queenstown on August 8, arriving in Downpatrick on August 9. This is the earliest of 15 covers which are reported bearing this Spokes cancellation. The World newspaper was published in New York City from 1860 to 1931. The postage paid the six-cent British Mail Treaty rate. The stamp on the cover is Scott 148 6¢ carmine. NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 981
Figure 8. A folded letter with several broken Circle of Four Arrowheads cancels.
Circle of Four Arrowheads 1/15/1870 to 6/1/1877 Figure 8 shows a December 7, 1870, folded letter to Spain carried on Guion line’s Nebraska (not Manhattan as endorsed) going via Queenstown on December 19, via London on December 20, and arriving in Cadiz on December 29, 1870. The cover shows a broken example of this common Circle of Four Arrowheads cancel (Figure 8a). The cancel, in its unbroken state, is recorded on at least 55 covers. During this early period, cancels were frequently carved into cork which was not durable; sometimes a cancel would last just one day before being discarded. Later, when cancels became more intricate, harder woods such as mahogany and oak were favored. This is one of just six reported 1869 U.S. 24¢ stamp uses to Spain. The cover displays an interesting mix of the previous smaller 1869 stamps and the larger 1870 stamps: specifically, Scott 120 24¢ green and violet (single) and Scott 146 2¢ red brown (a pair). The postage of 28¢ paid the British Mail progressive rate via France for a third to a half an ounce. 982 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Figure 8a. The cancel as it appears on the Figure 8 cover with a broken segment.
Figure 9. The Six Bar Grid 24 mm Diameter cancel used on a folded letter, with an additional duplex cancel and datestamp.
Six Bar Grid 24 mm Diameter 7/9/1870 to 7/20/1873
Figure 9 shows a February 20, 1871, folded letter to Guatemala carried from New York on Pacific Mail Steamship Company’s Henry Chauncey via Panama railroad to the Pacific side of America, then by steamship to Guatemala, one of the more scarce South American destinations with only seven covers reported using this cancel. The postage of 20¢ paid the double 10-cent Packet rate (the black “2” refers to the inland postage due in Guatemala). The stamps on the cover are Scott 150 10¢ brown (a horizontal pair). The Six Bar Grid cancel on this cover is over-inked or worn. Figure 9 also shows the Large Bank Note stamps canceled by a duplex, a device that held the canceller and datestamp in a fixed position relative to one another. Such duplexes (always in black ink) were used to many Central and South American countries rather than the red Exchange Office datestamps used to Europe and elsewhere. Rather than having a system of debits and credits, block treaty rates had been negotiated by many Central and South American countries with the United States. The datestamp shows a crescent at the base, known as a “moustache.” There are 12 covers reported bearing the Six Bar Grid cancel.
Six Segment Grid 1/7/1871
Figure 10 shows a January 7, 1871, cover to France carried on Inman line’s City of Brussels going via Queenstown on January 17, London and Calais on the 19th, Grenoble on the 25th, en route to Mont-de-Sans. Unusually, the Exchange Office datestamp is on the reverse side (Figure 10a). The 15¢ paid the socalled “2nd Phantom Rate” (effective from July 1, 1870), overpaying the 10-cent rate which was not published until October 28, 1871. This is one of just two covers reported with this cancel, both dated the same day. The stamp on the cover is Scott 152 15¢ bright orange.
Figure 10a. This Exchange Office datestamp is placed, unusually, on the reverse.
Figure 10. The overpaid cover is canceled with the Six Segment Grid NYFM. NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 983
Circle of Arrowheads 3/25/1871 to 11/24/1875 Figure 11 shows a March 25, 1871, cover to England carried from New York on Inman line's City of London going via Queenstown and Liverpool on April 5, arriving in London on April 6. This simplistic Circle of Arrowheads geometric cancel is hard to confirm as a NYFM cancel off-cover as similar cancels were used in other U.S. cities. Uses on the higher values are more likely to have paid postage to foreign destinations. This is the earliest reported use of 12 covers bearing this cancel. The postage paid the six-cent British Mail Treaty (or Convention) rate. Technically, these treaties were all Conventions between the U.S. and other various countries. The 6¢ treaty (Convention) rate per half an ounce became effective from January 1, 1870, until June 30, 1875, on the commencement of the United States’ entry into the Universal Postal Union on July 1, 1875. The stamp on the cover is Scott 148, 6¢ cents carmine. The Figure 11a and b examples are off-cover cancels on a 2¢ brown and a 7¢ vermilion.
Figure 11. An on-cover Circle of Arrowheads.
Figure 11a. A Circle of Arrowheads off-cover on the 2¢ brown, potentially not NYFM. 984 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Figure 11b. A 7¢ vermilion, potentially not NYFM.
Shield 6/6/1871 to 7/03/1871 Figure 12 shows a June 8, 1871, cover to Belgium carried on North German Lloyd (N.G.L.) line's Hansa (not as endorsed “per Sameria”) going via Southampton on June 20 and arriving in Brussels on June 24. The postage of 20¢ paid double the 10-cent Belgium Closed Mail rate. The datestamp, shown in full in Figure 12a, indicates that full postage was prepaid with passage on a British ship. Ten covers are reported with this Shield cancel. The stamps on the Figure 12 cover are Scott 150 10¢ brown (a horizontal pair). The stamps in Figure 12b all show socked on the nose examples of this scarce shield cancel. Although shield designs were used in other U.S. cities, the NYFM variety is distinctive. This representative cancel, unlike later NYFM geometrics, is unusually small and could be struck on a stamp without tying it to the envelope.
Figure 12. One of only 10 known on-cover NYFM Shield cancels.
Figure 12a. The Figure 12 Exchange Office datestamp.
Figure 12b. From left to right, 6¢ carmine, 7¢ vermilion, and 15¢ orange. NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 985
Figure 13. A NYFM cover to England with an unusual “variety,” the only known example.
Circle of Eight Wedges 4/11/1870 to 12/19/1876 Figure 13 shows an October 7, 1871, cover to England, carried on NGL line’s Weser II going via Southampton on October 17 and arriving in London the same day. This is the only reported “Dot in Center” variety on cover (Figure 13a). However, this variety could merely be a random ink spot. Collectors are often tempted to add classifications based on minor variations which are not always warranted. Circle of Eight Wedges cancels without the dot are common, with over 45 covers reported. The postage paid the six-cent British Treaty rate with a Scott 148 6¢ carmine (single). The 1¢ value in Figure 13b is something of a rarity. One-cent values bearing NYFM cancels are almost as scarce as the 90¢ value. This was probably because they were required only to top up a rate when an additional 1¢ was required, which was evidently a scarce occurrence. Figure 13c demonstrates that for many off-cover cancels a multiple is required to show a whole cancel. 986 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Figure 13a. A Circle of Eight Wedges variety, “Dot in Center.”
Figure 13b. A 1¢ ultramarine example with the Circle of Eight Wedges cancel, an unusual find.
Figure 13c. A horizontal pair of 7¢ carmine stamps showing the full large cancel.
Figure 14. One of eight covers with the Eight Pointed Star with Negative Center cancel.
Eight Pointed Star with Negative Center 5/23/1871 to 7/14/1877
Figure 14 shows an October 7, 1871, cover to Holland carried on Inman line’s City of Paris going via Queenstown on October 16 and arriving in Amsterdam on October 18. The postage of 20¢ paid the double 10-cent per half an ounce Netherland Closed Mail rate. There are only eight covers reported with this cancel, extraordinarily few for a six-year life span. The stamps on the cover are Scott 150 10¢ brown (two singles). Figure 14a shows a crisp example of this 8 pointed star whilst Figure 14b shows a worn example with strong uneven downward pressure by the clerk ensuring that a portion of the circumference of the device shows. Figure 14c shows a horizontal pair in red used on supplementary mail (see below).
Figure 14a. A crisp example of the cancel on a 2¢ vermilion.
Figure 14b. A worn example on a 7¢ vermilion stamp.
Figure 14c. A horizontal pair of 6¢ vermilion stamps with a red ink cancel.
Supplementary Mail
“Supplementary Mail” was a convenience service whereby for an additional fee equivalent to the normal postage, paid either in cash or in postage, letters could be expedited onto a departing ship. Cancels on the stamps were normally in red and an accompanying datestamp would contain the word “SUPPLEMENTARY” or the abbreviation “SUP.” The next two covers (Figures 15 and 16) demonstrate the two methods of payment during this period. NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 987
Eight Segment Grid 3/7/1871 to 6/20/1871
Figure 15 shows a March 7, 1871, supplementary mail cover to Germany carried on HAPAG line’s Cimbria going via Plymouth on March 17, via Hamburg/Cuxhaven, and arriving in Berlin on March 21. This is the earliest of three covers reported with this cancel. The Eight Segment Grid cancel was used on supplementary mail (as in these examples) and regular foreign mail. The affixed postage (Scott 148 6¢ carmine single) paid the six-cent North German Union mail rate. The supplementary mail fee of 6¢ was paid in cash at the dockside (the only place where supplementary mail was available) (Figure 15a). Figure 16 shows a June 20, 1872, supplementary mail cover to Germany carried on HAPAG Line’s Thuringia going via Plymouth on June 30, then via Hamburg/Cuxhaven on July 2, en route to Kiel. This is the latest reported use of the Eight Segment Grid cancel. The postage of 12¢ paid the sixcent Direct Mail rate via Hamburg plus the six-cent supplementary mail fee. The stamp on the cover is Scott 151 12¢ dull violet (single). 988 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Figure 15. The supplementary mail fee for this cover was paid in cash at the dockside, with a red Eight Segment Grid cancel applied.
Figure 15a. A supplementary mail postmark in red.
Figure 16. On this cover, the supplementary mail fee was paid by the affixed postage and again marked by the red cancel and supplementary mail postmark.
Circle of Eight Diamonds 4/12/1870 to 2/27/1872 Figure 17 shows an October 10, 1871, “INSUFFICIENTLY PAID” cover with a three-denomination U.S. franking to Italy, carried on HAPAG line’s Silesia going via Plymouth on October 20, via Milan on October 26, and arriving in Genova on October 27. The cover shows a rare combination of Italian postage due stamps. The affixed postage of 11¢ cents overpaid the 10-cent North German Union Direct Mail rate. However, the Genova post office decided postage was due at the previous 14-cent rate, so debited postage of 75-centesimi, equivalent to 14.25 U.S. cents. No credit was given for the 11¢ of prepaid postage. On the cover, the following: Scott 146 2¢ red brown (single); Scott 147 3¢ green (single); Scott 148 6¢ carmine (single); Italian 1-centesimi, 2-centesimi (horizontal pair), 30-centesimi, and 40-centesimi. Twenty covers are reported bearing this cancel. This cover demonstrates perfectly that smaller cancel designs were not adequate to tie the larger Bank Note stamps to the cover. In this instance, three strikes are used but not one ties the stamps to the cover. Similar designs of this Circle of Eight Diamonds cancel were used in other U.S. cities, famously at Waterbury, so definitive NYFM status is difficult to determine with off-cover stamps (Figure 17b).
Figure 17. An underpaid cover with three Large Bank Note issues canceled with the Circle of Eight Diamonds cancel and multiple Italian postage due stamps.
Figure 17a. The Exchange Office datestamp on the reverse of the Figure 17 cover. It is in black rather than the usual red, as the cover’s postage was deemed underpaid.
17b. From left to right, the Circle of Eight Diamonds cancel on the following: 1¢ ultramarine; 7¢ vermilion; 15¢ orange; 24¢ purple; and a rare use of the cancel on a 90¢ carmine stamp. NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 989
Circle of Eight Wedges 23 mm Diameter 8/31/1870 to 9/11/1877 Figure 18 shows a September 29, 1870, cover to England carried on Cunard line’s Abyssinia going via Queenstown on October 8, arriving in London on the 10th. There are 16 covers reported with this smaller-thanusual wedge cancel, illustrating another example of a cancel with a long life span (1870-77), with few reported uses on cover. The affixed postage (three Scott 146 2¢ red brown, a pair and a single) paid the six-cent British Treaty rate.
Figure 18. The Circle of Eight Wedges 23 mm Diameter cancels on a folded letter.
Figure 19. Three uses of the Straight Armed Crossroads cancel. But look carefully – the bottom left cancel is less defined than the upper cancels. 990 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Straight Armed Crossroads 11/23/1871 to 4/5/1872
Figure 19 shows a November 23, 1871, cover to Brazil carried from New York by American packet South America, arriving in Rio de Janeiro on January 19, 1872. It is interesting to note that the cancel on the bottom left 3¢ stamp has thicker, more curvaceous “arms” than the strike on the top right 10¢ and 2¢ stamps. This was probably due to an enclosure or other envelopes lying underneath presenting a softer surface; subsequently the strike lost definition. The fact remains – if these were offcover stamps, they would appear to be different cancels. This is the earliest of three reported covers bearing this cancel, one of the more rare simplistic NYFM designs. The postage paid the 15-cent Treaty rate by U.S. packet. The stamps on the cover are Scott 146 2¢ red brown, Scott 147 3¢ green, and Scott 150 10¢ brown.
Quartered Geometric 11/19/1871 to 12/2/1871
Figure 20 shows a November 25, 1871, cover to England carried on Inman line’s City of Brussels going via Queenstown on December 4 and arriving in Liverpool on December 5. There are seven covers reported bearing this cancel. The affixed postage of 12¢ (Scott 148 6¢ carmine, two singles) paid the double six-cent British Treaty rate. Figure 20a. A 7¢ vermilion with the Quartered Geometric cancel.
Figure 20. Quartered Geometric cancels used on-cover.
Figure 20b. A 24¢ purple – NYFM cancels on the higher values such as this stamp are scarce to rare, particularly when struck so well.
10 Section Grid 12/12/1871 to 11/18/1872 Figure 21 shows a December 28, 1871, cover to England carried on HAPAG line’s Cimbria going via Plymouth on January 7 and arriving in London on January 8. There are five covers reported bearing this cancel. The postage paid the six-cent British Mail Treaty rate with a Scott 148 6¢ carmine (single).
Figure 21. One of five covers with the 10 Section Grid cancel.
Figure 21a. The red Exchange Office datestamp used on Figure 21. The small “star” at the bottom of the datestamp is of no major significance. Some datestamps have a pair of such stars. They also appear in black-on-black datestamps to South and Central America. NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 991
Figure 22. An on-cover use of the 15 Section Grid cancel with additional duplex postmarks and a red Exchange Office datestamp.
15 Section Grid 7/12/1870 to 12/4/1875
Figure 22 shows a March 15, 1872, folded letter to Valparaiso, Chile, carried on Pacific Mail Steamship Company’s Henry Chauncey going via Panama. There are three NYFM covers reported to Chile. Note the indentations in the top and bottom central segments of this cancel. The off-cover cancels demonstrate that copies of the same design were carved, as the left example at Figure 22a is significantly larger than the other examples. Over fifty covers are reported bearing this cancel. The Figure 22 cover, unusually, shows a black duplex cancel datestamp (shown more clearly in Figure 22b), and a red Exchange Office datestamp in Figure 22c. The duplex cancel indicates the 10-cent American ‘Block’ Packet rate to Panama and the Exchange Office datestamp indicates a 12¢ credit due to Great Britain for the British packet rate for Panama to Chile, giving a total postage due of 22¢. The stamps on the cover are Scott 146 2¢ red brown (single) and Scott 150 10¢ brown (two singles). 992 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Figure 22a.(left) A 6¢ carmine with the 15 Section Grid cancel, a 15¢ orange (middle) and 24¢ purple with a partial “NEW YORK” datestamp in black (right).
Figure 22b. The duplexed datestamp seen in Figure 22.
Figure 22c. The red Exchange Office datestamp from Figure 22.
Flying Clothes Pins 3/18/1871 to 9/28/1872 Figure 23 shows a March 13, 1872, folded letter to France, carried on Guion line’s Nevada going via Queenstown on March 24, via Liverpool and London on the 25th, via Calais on the 26th, and arriving in Lyon on March 27. This is the sole recorded example out of 50 covers with the Flying Clothes Pins cancel also bearing a 15¢ orange yellow stamp (Scott 152). It also has a 1¢ ultramarine stamp (Scott 145). The 16¢ postage paid was for a double rate cover, over a third but less than half an ounce. However, it actually weighed less than one third of an ounce, so as a single rate cover, just 10¢ was due. This might be a “common” NYFM
cancel but to find it struck as on the copies in Figure 23a and 24a changes it from common to “rare.” Keep your eyes open! Figure 24 shows an April 4, 1872, cover to Turkey carried on HAPAG line’s Hammonia II going via Plymouth on April 15, via Hamburg/Cuxhaven on April 17, en route to Dardanelles. There are only two NYFM covers recorded to Turkey. The addressee, Henry Schliemann, had just discovered the ancient City of Troy from Homer’s Iliad and was excavating the site. The postage paid the 12-cent German Closed Mail rate via England per half an ounce, effective from October 1, 1871, to June 30, 1875. The affixed stamps are Scott 146 2¢ red brown (single) and Scott 150 10¢ brown (single). Although the Flying Clothes Pins cancel is in brown, there is no evidence that colors other than black or red were used in the Foreign Mail Department, so this example was probably an inadvertent mixing of inks. This cover exemplifies that there are other interesting facets to collecting these covers other than the postmark. This cover, for instance, involves a rare destination, addressed to a person of great historic interest, and an unusual cancel coloration.
Figure 23. A fairly common cancel used on the less-usual 15¢ bright orange yellow stamp. Figure 23a. The Flying Clothes Pins cancel on a 6¢ carmine and a 24¢ purple.
Figure 24. An unusual cover with a common Flying Clothes Pins cancel.
Figure 24a. The sole known use of this cancel on a 90¢ carmine stamp. NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 993
Quartered Circle 10/18/1872 to 3/2/1873
Figure 25. The Quartered Circle on a cover affectionately named the “King of NYFM cancels 1870-1875” for its unique 90¢ stamp.
Figure 25a. The Quartered Circle cancel on a 2¢ brown and 7¢ vermilion off-cover.
Figure 25 shows a November 23, 1872, cover to Rio de Janeiro leaving New York on the monthly American packet Érie, arriving in Rio de Janeiro on December 21. This is the sole reported cover bearing an 1870 United States non-grilled National Bank Note Company 90¢ stamp (Scott 155, carmine). The addressee, Charles Paul Mackie, a mining engineer, was the author of With the Admiral of the Ocean Sea, a Narrative of the First Voyage to the Western World, based on the diaries of Christopher Columbus. The postage of 105¢ paid the septuple 15-cent per half ounce rate, indicated by the red crayon “7.” The other stamp on the cover is Scott 152 15¢ orange yellow (single). There are 14 covers reported bearing this cancel. The two examples in Figure 25a are the best off-cover examples that I’ve found in 20 years of searching.
Is it so remarkable that just one 90¢ value remains on cover? In my collection alone I had over 80 examples of NYFM cancels on off-cover 90¢ stamps. My research indicates that many tens of thousands of 90¢ stamps were used on outbound foreign mail. The answer is probably that early collectors wanted to complete their off-cover Bank Note set of stamps with the top value, the 90¢. Many early stamp albums printed pictures of the stamps still to be collected so the temptation to fill the top spot must have been compelling. We must remember that collecting envelopes was historically less popular than collecting stamps (as it is to this day). During the period of 1870-72 we have just discussed, I note that the small size of the cancels dictated that most were hardly large enough to tie the stamp to the cover. In 994 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
fact if struck perfectly centrally on the stamp, often the cancels would not touch the cover. This was not a good situation for the post office, as having a stamp tied to the envelope proved that the stamp originated on the cover for which it was paying postage. In the upcoming Part Two of this article, covering the period 1873-75, it becomes clear the post office was determined to rectify this shortcoming. For one, the cancels are uniformly bigger. However, what will astonish many readers is the magnificent array of absolutely stunning geometric cancels which were used on outbound letters in the New York City post office. Part Two will show many of them in all their glory, on and off cover. They eclipse – by a military
Further Reading A new collector of the Large Bank Note series or of New York Foreign Mail cancels on Bank Notes will quickly find that resources – from books and articles, to governmental documents and archival materials, to exhibits – are plentiful, and for good reason! Much of the material that is available offers a highly specialized treatment of a single value in the series, or a single printer, rather than a more general overview. Regardless, if you want to begin learning, there’s no better place to start than the APRL, from which you can check out the following titles (and more): The Bank Note Issues of United States stamps, 1870-1893 (c. 1941) by Lester G. Brookman. The postage stamps of the United States (reprinted 1981) by John N. Luff. The postage stamps of the United States produced by the National, Continental and American Bank Note Companies, 1870 to 1893 (Volume II. 1870 to 1893) published by Stanley Gibbons, Inc. Selected records from the files of the 3rd. Assistant Postmaster General, 1869-1907 [papers on the large Bank Note period of 1870-1890] by Ronald Allen Burns. The New York foreign mail cancellations, 18701876 (c. 1942) by Edwin Milliken. New York foreign mail cancellations 1876 (1968) by Arthur Van Vlissingen.
1870-
mile – cancels produced anywhere else in the world, let alone in the United States, in terms of quantity, quality and imagination. Watch this space! All images are from the author’s collection.
T
he Author
Nick Kirke was born during the last German doodle bug raid on London in March 1945. He started collecting U.S. stamps in his school stamp club in an attic in Shropshire. After a career in the army serving in Bahrein, Singapore and Malta, he went into real estate development in Plymouth, buying his first house with the proceeds from the sale of an unused U.S.1893 Issue $5 Columbian stamp (Scott 245). At 45, he discovered he had a Czech father and went to Prague to find him. They had never met. He knocked on a green door in a tenement block holding some smoked salmon, a Commando dagger, and a letter from his mum. He never went back home. In 1993, he met an American real estate developer and together they ended up owning some of the biggest properties in Prague. You could not make this up. Nick is married to Kamila and has a dog called Karlie. One of his English brothers, Simon, is the drummer in Free and Bad Company rock bands. Nick is still obsessive about stamps but especially anything with a pretty cancel struck in the New York City post office from 1870-76.
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The Collector of Revenue BY RON LESHER
Revenues and Who Authorized Them
T
he philatelic definition of “revenues” is very simple, involving two necessary factors: authority and purpose. Revenues must be authorized by a federal, state, or local statute, law, or ordinance. Secondly, revenues are issued for one of the following purposes: to show that (1) a tax has been paid; (2) something is exempt from taxation; (3) a fee has been paid for a government service; (4) there is a credit with a government; or (5) the government’s revenue stream is protected (i.e., the tax or fee will, by necessity, be paid). The reference point for the beginning of this exploration will be U.S. federal, state and local revenues, but with a little examination this definition can be applied to any country in the world. Note that in the title and definition the word “stamps” was not used. This is because some of the examples that fall under the “revenue” umbrella do not look like postage stamps. Some are not even printed on paper. And while this definition of revenues is generous and includes count-
less designs and examples, not everything that looks like a revenue can claim that title. I will conclude with several examples of revenue look-alikes that were not authorized by a governmental body. Let’s begin with a deed (Figure 1) that shows stamps paying taxes to four different governmental bodies. The value of this sale of real estate on May 3, 1956, was $12,900.
A Welcome to “The Collector of Revenue” Series
F
irst, who is “The Collector of Revenue”? That was the title assigned by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton to the person who was responsible for collecting taxes in each of the first thirteen states in the 1790s. This ongoing column will begin with a philatelic definition of revenues, government stamps that show the payment of taxes, show that one has a credit with the government, or that a fee has been paid for a government service. Beyond the definition, we will explore the historical and social factors 996 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
that have led to these revenues. If you want a basic introduction to these fascinating stamps, I highly recommend two very basic introductions: (1) Richard Friedberg’s Introduction to United States Revenue Stamps, published as one of Linn’s Handbook Series, and (2) Bill J. Castenholz’s An Introduction of Revenue Stamps. Both were published in 1994 and cover the wide range of United States revenues without delving into highly specialized areas.
Figure 1. Deed for the 1956 sale of property in the borough of Brentwood, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, showing tax stamps for the federal documentary tax, the state real estate transfer tax, and the deed transfer tax of the borough of Brentwood and the school district of Brentwood.
In the same way as postal historians analyze a cover, we can determine whether the proper amount from each of the governmental units has been affixed. First, we need the tax rates and to add up the tax paid: Unit Federal Pennsylvania Borough of Brentwood Brentwood School District
Rate 55¢ per $500 1% 1/2 of 1% 1/2 of 1%
Tax Paid $14.30 $129.00 $64.50 $64.50
The federal tax on real estate transactions ended Decem-
ber 31, 1967. But the Pennsylvania and the local borough and school district taxes continue to the present and in some cases the local rates have increased. To the best of my knowledge, revenue stamps have been discontinued by Pennsylvania and all of its local jurisdictions in the twentyfirst century. One might note that local real estate transfer taxes in Pennsylvania date back to 1948. Abington Township School District in Montgomery County, northwest of Philadelphia, was one of the earliest local jurisdictions to enact the maximum allowable tax rate of 1%, as set by state law (Figure 2). NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 997
Figure 2. Abington Township School District deed transfer tax stamps for the 1% tax that were issued first in 1948.
Figure 3. Beginning in 1957 the Abington Township School District and Township Board of Commissioners shared the 1% real estate tax and issued new stamps to show the tax was paid.
Figure 4. Federal half barrel beer stamp from the Series of 1947 and a Kansas half barrel beer stamp used in 1948 by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
998 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
The school district collected this rate until July 1, 1957, when the township board of commissioners also wished to collect some of the tax. As the maximum rate for all local real estate transfer taxes was at 1%, the township and the school district had to share the 1%. So a new set of stamps was issued in Abington that included “School District” and “Board of Commissioners” in the design (Figure 3). Another example of taxation by two governmental units is the taxation of beer in Kansas (Figure 4). Your first reaction to the stamps shown here may be that they are in terrible condition. However, when you consider how these stamps were used, placed over the bung where the half barrel of beer would have been tapped in the local tavern, maybe we should say that it is little short of a miracle that these two stamps have survived together. In addition, they survived without the hole that the tap would have produced if the barkeeper had tapped the keg of beer, as intended by the governmental instructions on the use of these stamps. Perhaps the barkeeper was a stamp collector! The perfin cancels on the federal beer stamps were required by federal regulation, in this case 1948. As shown in this example, most of the joint uses collectors encounter are
Figure 6. An example of a Pitney-Bowes cigarette meter used by the state of Delaware in the mid-1940s. The state tax on a pack of 20 cigarettes was 2¢.
Figure 5. Paper federal cigarette tax stamp from 1943 with Pennsylvania water-activated decal, each showing that the respective taxes on a pack of 20 cigarettes has been paid.
federal and state revenues. For those who have collected only the stamps listed in the Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue, you may be surprised that some revenue stamps are not printed on paper. This is especially true of state cigarette stamps, which came into use by the mid-1930s. By this time, packs of cigarettes were sometimes encased in cellophane, although this did not become a universal practice until the end of World War II. From the period beginning in the early 1930s, you can find state cigarette tax stamps that are water-activated decals, which were sometimes adhered to the paper federal cigarette tax stamps (Figure 5). As cellophane use was becoming universal, the PitneyBowes Postage Meter Company began approaching states with an easier way to show that the state taxes on cigarettes had been paid. The company offered to supply a meter machine that could place a tax paid impression on each of the ten packs per carton in a single operation. This machine offered a time and labor saving option that was more effi-
cient than wetting a pane of 10 water-activated decals and sliding one each onto the ten packs of cigarettes in a carton. Delaware was just one of many states that used meters in the 1940s to show that the state cigarette tax on a pack of 20 cigarettes, in this case 2¢, was paid (Figure 6). The water-activated decals and cigarette meter impressions are not the only non-paper materials used by the various levels of government to show the payment of revenue. From 1862 to 1867, domestic cotton was taxed. In order to show that the tax was paid, brass bale tags were used. The brass bale tag shown in Figure 7 was patented by Henry Mears and manufactured by his company. The initial tax on cotton was a half cent per pound. In 1864 this was raised to 2¢ per pound; in 1866 the tax was again raised to 3¢ per pound. The final four months of the tax the rate was reduced to 2 1/2¢ per pound and after 1867 all domestic cotton was tax free. The definition of revenues has been carefully crafted to encompass stamps (and similar non-paper items) that were “authorized.” Why not “issued” by a governmental body? Not all revenues were issued directly by a government body, making “authorized” a more accurate definition. In the next example, the state authorized but was otherwise uninvolved with the revenue that proved that the tax was paid. In Figure 8, a bottle cap from Pennsylvania has a keystone-shaped indicium, manufactured and applied privately but authorized by the state government, that proves that the tax on bottled beer had been paid. Many states like Pennsylvania instituted a process by which, when a brewery ordered metal bottle caps for their product, they could prepay the tax and have the manufacturer include tax paid indicia on the bottle caps. To order these bottle caps, the brewery had to post bond that they would pay the tax upon receiving their order of bottle caps. The bottle caps are usually called “tax crowns” by collectors of state revenues. Needless to say, such revenues do not find an easy space in traditional stamp albums. The plot thickens. During World War II, metal was rationed for the war effort and breweries began reusing bottle caps! So much for using caps to show that the state tax on beer was paid. Pennsylvania came up with a creative solution. Instead of prepaying the tax when ordering the NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 999
Figure 7. Brass cotton tag used to show that the tax on domestic cotton was paid during the 1860s. The amount of tax is not shown on the brass tag.
Figure 8. Bottle cap or tax crown used by the Henry F. Ortlieb Brewing Company of Philadelphia showing the keystone that signifies that the Pennsylvania tax on beer has been paid.
bottle caps/tax crowns, the breweries prepaid the tax when ordering the bottle labels, which incorporated the keystone tax paid indicia. In Figure 9, we see an example of this emergency measure for showing the tax had been paid on a quart bottle of beer from the Henry F. Ortlieb brewery in Philadelphia. By late 1946, there was a return to the use of the metal caps/tax crowns. As I hinted earlier, not all stamps that look like revenues meet the requirement of having been authorized by a governmental body. Let’s begin with a genuine U.S. revenue, one that was created for the use of a single company, Od Chemical Company. The Bureau of Engraving & Printing (BEP) did the design work for the company, whose trademark product was Genuine Sanmetto, a proprietary medicine (Figure 10). The denomination was 2 1/2¢, which paid the Spanish-American war tax on a product retailing for a dollar. But because the revenue contained its trademark, its use was confined to the Od Chemical Company. Such stamps are called “private die proprietary stamps,” a popular collecting area with countless specialties. The non-revenue example came after the Spanish-American war tax on proprietary items ended on June 30, 1901. Private dies were no longer necessary, but the Od Chemical Company began printing a similar design on a slightly larger piece of paper that they used as the package enclosure (Figure 11). Instead 1000 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Figure 9. World War II emergency measure where the keystone indicia became part of the bottle label design of the Henry F. Ortlieb Brewing Company of Philadelphia showing that the Pennsylvania tax on beer was paid. This change from the tax crowns was because metal bottle caps were being reused. This label is from April 1944.
of removing the words “two and one half cents” and “Internal Revenue” seen in the Figure 10 revenue, Od Chemical Company replaced the text with “VICTORY” at the top and “WAR SPAIN SCAR” at the bottom. “Scar” has no specific meaning to the Od Chemical Company. Od Chemical Company was not the only company in this era that created such trademark facsimiles of the previously used private die proprietary stamps. Multiple companies saw the value of continuing their trademarks, to prevent others from counterfeiting their product. These facsimiles are clearly not revenue stamps, but their similarity in design makes them popular with revenue stamp collectors, a nice piece of collateral ephemera to accompany the government tax stamp on the album page. Let’s take a look at one other example of something looks like a revenue stamp but does not satisfy the criterion of authorization by a governmental body. Figure 12 shows a receipted bill from a farrier or horse shoer that was submitted to Rieger & Gretz, a brewer in Philadelphia. It appears that the horse shoer had on five occasions shod horses for the brewery during the month of February 1918. The bill comes to a total of $21.50 for the month. The bill has on it two 10¢ stamps and one 2¢ stamp, adding up to 1% of the bill. Rieger & Gretz subtracted the tax from the bill total and paid the shoer $21.28, for which W.F. Sellers has
Figure 10. Od Chemical Company’s private die proprietary stamp (Scott RS302) in use in 1900 and 1901.
Figure 11. Facsimile trademark stamp used by Od Chemical Company after the federal tax was eliminated on June 30, 1901.
marked Rec[eived] payment. The stamps were issued by the Allied Manufacturers & Dealers Association of Pennsylvania, a subsidiary of the National Association of Commerce and Labor, which was headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. This association of brewery interests was formed almost a decade earlier to combat the Prohibition movement. Member breweries made contributions to the national association by asking other businesses for discounts and showing the discount with the use of these stamps, which obligated the brewery to make the contribution to the association. The breweries were able to negotiate these small discounts with the argument that if they were not successful in combating the Prohibition movement, the breweries would close and the other companies would lose the brewery’s business. The stamps in Figure 12 seem to perform the same function as tax stamps (or perhaps discount stamps), but were not authorized by a governmental body. Thus these are not revenue stamps, but again are a nice collateral item to the story of the taxation of beer, the threat that the Prohibition movement posed to the breweries, and the threat of Prohibition to a source of tax revenue for the federal government. This completes our survey of the “authority by a government body” component of revenues. As we continue in this series, we will look to the various purposes of revenues.
T
he Author
Figure 12. Bill from March 1918 to the brewery of Rieger & Gretz for shoeing horses with a discount paid to the National Association of Commerce & Labor with association stamps showing the one percent discount.
Ron Lesher was introduced to stamp collecting by a friend three years younger when he was in ninth grade. He was given an album with a few stamps in it, and they went out to a local store and bought a few packets of stamps. A year later, the husband of Ron’s mother’s friend told him that he liked the stamps he found in local factories on barrels of industrial alcohol. That was Ron’s introduction to the world of revenue stamps not listed in the Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue. His lifelong pursuit of stamps beyond the Scott listings has never been quenched. Ron’s curiosity about these stamps has led to many research efforts, leading to articles in The American Philatelist, The American Revenuer, The State Revenue News, American Philatelic Congress yearbooks, and The American Stamp Dealer and Collector. Ron’s articles probably number near a thousand. In addition, he is a frequent exhibitor at the national level and an accredited judge at the national and international levels. NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1001
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COLLECTING COAST TO COAST BY WAYNE YOUNGBLOOD
Events Surrounding 1940 Studio Opening Reveals Real “Pony” Express
IT
all started as publicity to promote a 1940 movie, but actions taken by a director ended up building a lasting “town” and revealing an existing and functional government-operated “pony express” of which most collectors of the day were completely unaware, and one that remains unknown to all but a few modern collectors. But let’s not put the pony before the cart. Eighty years ago, in 1940, the United States was busy celebrating the 80th anniversary of the inauguration of the short-lived Pony Express service. Numerous post offices across the country staged re-enactments of Pony Express rides – despite few of these locations having real ties with the heavily romanticized, short-lived, cross-country service. This excitement also was, no doubt, spurred on by the release of the 3¢ Pony Express commemorative stamp on April 3, 1940 (Scott 894), which is shown in Figure 1. April 3, of 1004 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Figure 1. The 3¢ Pony Express commemorative, released 80 years ago, celebrated the 80th anniversary of that service.
course, was chosen for the release of that issue, since that was the date of the inauguration of Pony Express service, but why celebrate the 80th anniversary instead of the 75th? Although we may never know for sure, President Roosevelt was heavily involved with the stamp’s release. The 75th anniversary would have been in 1935, which was, incidentally, at the height of backlash to the so-called “Farley’s Follies” (the favor items and released imperforate and souvenir sheet types of the National Parks and other issues); perhaps they recognized that 1935 would not be the best time politically for yet another stamp. But that’s the subject of another story. In 1939, film director Wesley Ruggles read Clarence B. Kelland’s new novel, Arizona. Although Kelland, who described himself as “the best second-rate writer in America,” is largely forgotten now, he was popular at the time, and his work resulted in about 30 movies. Ruggles was so taken by Arizona that he immediately set upon the task of securing movie rights and making it into a full-length motion picture of the same name, with the desire to make it as realistic and authentic as possible – as soon as possible. He proposed that Columbia Pictures film the movie in Tucson, Arizona. There was no movie studio there, so one would have to be built. Briefly: if you, like most, are unfamiliar with this movie, for which a poster is shown in Figure 2, it’s a busy plot, indeed, involving a beautiful young and entrepreneurial pioneering woman (Jean Arthur), a rugged man who’s “just passing through” (William Holden), several villains, the Union and Confederate armies, a false-faced dandy, hostile Indians, bad guys disguised as Mexican bandits, a long cattle drive, a shootout and a wedding between our heroine and her slightly worse-for-wear hero. Whew! Cut to the present day.
Figure 2. A movie poster promoting the 1940 movie Arizona .
Figure 3. A July 17, 1940, cover from Copper Creek, Arizona, to Sombrero Butte, a distance of about 3½ miles. The cover bears a Sombrero Butte receiving backstamp, as well as the collector’s return address.
Figure 4. This July 17, 1940, cover from Sombrero Butte, Arizona, to Copper Creek bears a slightly trimmed 1939 Railway Express World’s Fair label as a cachet. It also has a Copper Creek receiving backstamp. NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1005
Figure 5. The full version of the commemorative Railway Express label, which was created specifically for the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Its use as a Pony Express cachet is creative.
Over the years I’ve found a number of different 1940 (and later) Pony Express re-enactment covers, ranging from those tracing the actual trail from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California (through Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, the edge of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California), to those seemingly random runs I mentioned before. It’s some of these other covers that have aroused my curiosity. Shown in Figures 3 and 4 is a pair of covers posted on the same day – July 17, 1940 – from Copper Creek and Sombrero Butte, Arizona. Each bears the receiving mark of the other’s post office. The cachet on each is a slightly trimmed promotional Railway Express Co. label created for the 1939 World’s Fair that features a stagecoach, steam locomotive, Pony Express rider, diesel locomotive and Douglas DC-3 airplane, with a hand-lettered “Via Pony Express” notation below the label. The full label, as created for the 1939 World’s Fair, is shown in Figure 5. Its use as a cachet for these Pony Express covers is truly creative and appropriate.
1 mile 1006 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Figure 6. The Apache Kid was thought to have robbed the short “pony express” mail run at least twice during the 1886-94 time period.
I’ve seen additional examples of this particular Pony Express run with different dates (ranging from May 15 to July 17, 1940) and created by other collectors, which is what made me wonder about this particular route and why it had multiple dates – particularly since it is an extremely short run (about 3½ miles). Most re-enactment covers were created for a specific date to mark a certain event. Now, about those towns. Both Sombrero Butte (named for a nearby mountain that looks like a Mexican hat) and Copper Creek were founded in 1880 by William N. Miller and his partners as mining camps high in the Galiuro Mountains of Arizona, about 60 miles northeast of Tucson in Pinal County. Although there was mining activity in the area as early as 1863, it was sporadic enough that there was no need for “permanent” settlements. Although initially there were no post offices at either location, mail “runs” by (usually) pack mule started shortly after the settlements’ founding, according to a later reminiscence by Miller. Both towns were in the same mining district, about 3½ miles apart, divided by extremely steep and treacherous mountain trails, with switchbacks and high cliffs. This already dangerous trail, at least from 1886-94 or so, was also thought to be subject to at least two mail depredations by “The Apache Kid,” shown in Figure 6. “The Kid,” as Haskay-bay-nay-ntayl was known, was a famous Apache Indian scout turned renegade near the end of the 19th century. While many attacks attributed to him were real, many others were not. On March 6, 1906, a post office was established at Copper Creek, which in its heyday sported 50 buildings and several hundred residents. The establishment of Sombrero Butte’s post office was much later – August 6, 1919. The town never had more than a handful of buildings, yet received mail continuously from Copper Creek.
Figure 7. Bernard “Snow” Whiting, the final mule-riding “Pony Express” carrier between Sombrero Butte and Copper Creek, Arizona, a route he rode for about 14 years.
What is a “Star Route?” By Wayne Youngblood
Although Star Routes were phased out as of 1970, they were a significant part of U.S. postal history. Simply put, Star Routes were mail delivery routes serving thinly populated areas where traditional mail service was too expensive to provide. They were served by private carriers working under contract who would take mail from one post office to another, or from a railroad station to a remote post office, as well as deliver mail to private mailboxes along the route. Prior to the designation of Star Routes, this remote transportation and delivery of mail was given to stage and coach services that secured the most attractive bid. The name comes from an 1845 Act of Congress (March 3) that abolished these contracts. Under the new act, the postmaster general was to lease contracts to the lowest bidder that tendered “sufficient guarantee of faithful performance, without any conditions, except to provide for due celerity [swiftness], certainty and security of transportation.” These “celerity, certainty and security bids” were designated on official USPOD route registers by three stars: *** (Hence the name “star routes.”) As of 1970, all Star Routes became “Highway Contract Routes,” although many are still referred to by locals as Star Routes. Between rural and newly created urban areas, there are still several thousand of these routes, which provide, as the USPS refers to it, “Contract Delivery Service.” NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1007
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OFFER #9538 INDIA - JIND #145-50 , MINT NH OUR PRICE $678-
OFFER #9541 NETHERLANDS #278-81 MINT NH OUR PRICE $226-
OFFER #9539 - IRAN #999-1014 , MINT NH OUR PRICE $1,000-
OFFER #9543 - NEWFOUNDLAND #61-74 , MINT LH OUR PRICE $199-
OFFER #9548 NORWAY #B1-3 , MINT NH OUR PRICE $126-
OFFER #9547 NORWAY #218 MINT NH, BLOCK OUR PRICE $1,200-
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OFFER #9544 NEWFOUNDLAND #C13-17 , MINT LH OUR PRICE $105-
OFFER #9545 NEW ZEALAND #274-78 , MINT NH OUR PRICE $500-
OFFER #9542 NEW BRITAIN #31, MINT NH, BLOCK OUR PRICE $375-
OFFER #9546 NORTH BORNEO #48-9 MINT LH OUR PRICE $480-
OFFER #9549 - PAKISTAN #1-19 , MINT NH OUR PRICE $125OFFER #9550 PAPUA NEW GUINEA #C5-9 , STAMPS NH HINGED IN BOTTOM SELVAGE ONLY, INSCRIP. PAIRS OUR PRICE $150-
OFFER #9552 PORTUGAL #534-39 , MINT NH OUR PRICE $210OFFER #9551 POLAND #C26Cd , MINT NH OUR PRICE $195-
OFFER #9555 RUSSIA #857-58 , MINT NH OUR PRICE $180-
OFFER #9537 - GREAT BRITAIN #173a-75b , MINT LH OUR PRICE $2,070-
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OFFER #9557 ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON #408-11 MINT NH OUR PRICE $120-
OFFER #9553 QATAR #839a , MINT NH OUR PRICE $105-
OFFER #9554 - ROMANIA #166-72 , MINT LH OUR PRICE $217-
OFFER #9558 - SARAWAK #135-54 , MINT NH OUR PRICE $300-
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OFFER #9560 U.S. NORTH DAKOTA STATE DUCK STAMP #1 . FIRST PANE SOLD TO A COLLECTOR. THIS ONE WENT TO OFFER #9559 U. S. #505 , PAIR IN FULL PANE OF 100 MNH, SOME PERF SEN. BRYCE STREIBEL W/LETTER FROM N.D. GAME + FISH DEPT. (INCLUDED). SHEET OF 30 SEPARATION AT RIGHT SIDE (AWAY FROM ERRORS) CV FOR STAMPS ONLY IS $3,600OUR PRICE $995OUR PRICE $2,750-
OFFER #9562 U.S. NATIONAL PARKS ORIGINAL ENGRAVINGS (10) OUR PRICE $225-
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OFFER #9561 U.S #C18 , USED SHEET OF 50, SOME SEPARATION OUR PRICE $1,995-
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Figure 8. A comic from James B. Trapp’s 1936 book Postal Oddities celebrates “Snow” Whiting’s “Pony Express” route.
With the establishment of the automobile, roads were cut to both camps and a three-time-weekly Star route was established in May 1920, between Mammoth and Sombrero Butte (16 miles and several hours to drive). But due to the dangerous mountain conditions (hazardous heat and frequent washouts, among other things), this auto route was short lived; Sombrero Butte remained largely inaccessible by automobile. The U.S. Post Office Department, eventually realizing that delivery of mail to Sombrero Butte was far more expedient by animal than by vehicle, officially authorized the “Pony Express” Star Route between the two towns and, it is assumed, maintained the trail, as well as paying the rider, who made the trip three times a week. Postal records show a number of changes to this route over the years, but never specifically names it a “pony” route. The clue is contained in the July 23, 1934, Postal Bulletin, in which service to Sombrero Butte from Mammoth is discontinued and superceded by “an extension of Star Route 68160,” which created Copper Creek as the official intermediary office (“Mule Express” route by default), effective August 1, 1934. On that date, the final rider, Bernard “Snow” Whiting (1883-1956), shown in Figure 7, was hired as official USPOD courier to the difficult town. He had already been deliver1010 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
ing the mail unofficially for several years. Whiting frequently took two burros or mules along the steep trail, which was worn – at some points - almost three feet deep into the steep mountainside by the ore mules that preceded his mail route. “Three times a week I make the trip,” he said in a 1939 interview. “I leave my home in Sombrero Butte, ride over to Copper Creek and ride back over the mountain again. I’ve been carrying the mail here for 10 years, but it was only six years ago that the government figured it would be smarter to ride that three and a half miles.” Whiting kept Sombrero Butte as home base for his difficult animals, as it was easier to motivate them to go “home.” By this time there were roughly 50 inhabitants of Sombrero Butte, and most of his mail loads ranged between 50 and 200 pounds, except during “catalog season,” when it became much more burdensome. He continued to officially carry the mail between the two towns until at least 1942 (August 31), when the Copper Creek post office was discontinued. Ironically, the much smaller, more remote, Sombrero Butte post office wasn’t shuttered until May 31, 1945. Commercial postmarks from either town are rarely encountered. The claim was made that expedited service to Sombrero Butte was always possible with little delay. Thus, if a piece of
Figure 9. A commemorative cover marking the official name change of the movie studio’s rural post office branch to “Old Tucson.”
airmail intended for the tiny town arrived in Tucson, it would be “rushed to Copper Creek,” where it would then be added to Whiting’s mule load destined for the 1½-hour ride to the mountainous town on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, with usually little delay getting it to the recipient. Now, grab your popcorn and let’s get back to the movie. In 1939, when Ruggles established the studio to film Arizona (at that time the largest film set ever built outside of Hollywood), he wanted to do so with a splash. His first move was to build the studio and set. Not content to simply construct building fronts, Ruggles insisted on building an actual town, complete with hand-built adobe buildings. He also hired archaeologists to study the aging of the ancient adobe so that it could be effectively recreated on the new buildings, utilizing sand blasters and fire hoses. He leased the land from Tucson for $10 and promised to leave the “town” behind. It is this set and studio that later became the popular “Old Tucson” studio and theme park. Another of Ruggles’ promotional ideas was to “revive the
Pony Express for a day,” the idea of which appealed to many. Ruggles soon found out about Whiting’s very real pony run – the perfect vehicle to tie the old with the new in a fashion similar to what he was doing with the movie. The pieces of the puzzle came together with the establishment of the studio’s rural branch post office that would serve the movie community of several hundred, ranging from actors to props people, lighting technicians and other film and set professionals. (The on-site post office wasn’t officially named “Old Tucson” until 1968.) Notice was given to the philatelic press regarding the new post office and pony express run and, on May 4, 1940, Whiting took off on “Dice,” a famous trick horse that was used in the film, leading a parade from Old Tucson through Tucson to the town’s main post office. He was followed by Indian “runners” and even the old Reno stagecoach. Most mail was then sent on to recipients. But some of the mail was headed for Copper Creek (via auto), then on to Sombrero Butte (on a mule) to complete the mail run, carrying souvenir covers for executives and collectors. From what I
NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1011
Figure 10. The infamous and redesigned Legends of the West sheetlet (Scott 2869), picturing the actual Bill Pickett, was issued October 18, 1994.
can discern, all went off without a hitch. As for the movie studio’s post office, it was kind of onagain, off-again for a number of years, depending upon traffic and demand. On Dec. 2, 1968, it was officially named “Old Tucson,” as shown on the Figure 9 cover. This, too, was fairly short-lived, as the post office was closed permanently on February 24, 1975. Old Tucson was, however, one of three official locations for the release of the 1994 Legends of the West sheetlet seen in Figure 10 (simply canceled “Tucson”), and two pictorial cancels for temporary postal stations with “Old Tucson” in the device: one was October 21, 1999 (Nightfall VIII Station), and the other on October 9, 2004 1012 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
(Catalina Council Showdown). As for the real Pony Express run, after a short burst of popularity in 1940, when many collectors wrote asking to have their covers carried by “Pony Express,” the run and the mules plodded along for another dozen or so years. Both Sombrero Butte and Copper Creek are now little more than memories and a few ruins, but they do live on through the artifacts of their momentary fame. The photo in the header is Sombrero Butte as viewed from the north side; Copper Creek road, East of Mammoth, Arizona. Courtesy of Lon&Queta, Flickr. http://aps.buzz/ SombreroButte.
ADVENTURES IN EXPERTIZING BY KEN MARTIN APS director of expertizing | kpmartin@stamps.org
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Answering Your Questions
hank you for your feedback to the September 2020 “Adventures in Expertizing,” my first as the director of the APS Expertizing service, APEX. One of the highlights of the column was the certificate archive, an online archive of all certs issued since July 2004. The archive has many purposes for collectors, but one of these is a resource to help you manage your expectations about the stamps in your collection. Yes, you may have found one of the very few unaccounted-for Inverted Jennys, but as the archive shows, counterfeits and reproductions are common. In the weeks since the column’s publication, I’ve heard from a lot of disappointed individuals who want to understand how we know that their item is not the valuable stamp of their dreams. If expertizing were simple, there would be no need for our service, nor would we be the only service guaranteeing our opinions. However, that does not mean stamp owners cannot take steps to reduce the likelihood of submitting stamps that turn out to be poor cousins of what they hoped.
Look out for manipulated perforations Earlier today, I replied to a member who said she would never use our service again because we told her that all five items she submitted had clipped perforations. How could we possibly know that? The first four stamps, which were submitted as used Scott 316s, were an obvious red flag. An unused Scott 316 is Figure 1. This stamp valued in the Scott catalog was determined to be a at $160,000 – the used 316 is Scott 300 with clipped perforations to make it look not valued at all. However, as like the more valuable Scott remote a possibility as it was, 316. the issues still went through the full expertizing process. The experts found that the stamps were narrower than the coil should be – most of them by a full millimeter or more – indicating the perforations had been clipped (Figure 1). In fact, the Scott catalog issues a warning to collectors directly above the Scott 316 listing: “Imperforate stamps
are known fraudulently perforated to resemble coil stamps and part-perforate varieties. Fully perforated stamps and booklet stamps also are known with perforations fraudulently trimmed off to resemble coil stamps.” I can confirm that Scott’s warning is accurate: it is common for APEX experts to find clipped perforations, as above, or that perforations have been added to stamps, usually to make a natural straight-edged stamp more desirable or to make a coil or imperforate stamp appear to be a more valuable stamp.
New discoveries and earliest documented uses? The member’s other stamp was supposedly an unissued coil (Figure 2). This is one of at least two recent submissions where the owner claims they have identified a previously unknown United States stamp. APEX treats all such submissions seriously and is proud to have had our work lead to several new listings in the Scott catalog. However, U.S. stamp printing is a high security operation, similar to the printing of currency. Detailed records are kept of when and how stamps are printed. The likelihood of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) failing to record a stamp’s production is not high.
Figure 2. This pair was submitted as a potential unissued coil, but was not found to be genuine.
Similarly, if a cover has a postmark that is dated before the stamp on the cover was issued, the cover’s owner might guess A) that they have found a new earliest documented use for that stamp or B) that the postmark is not genuine. This topic was discussed in the July 2020 “Adventures in Expertizing” column. As Figure 3 from that column shows, the postmark might be genuine, but the year may be wrong, NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1013
Figure 4. This Scott 24 stamp has a genuine red notary overprint, but the Black Osmanli Postalari overprint was forged with a laser printer. Figure 3. This cover, courtesy of APEX expert committee member Kenneth Pitt, was endorsed with the date January 9, 1887, but the stamp used was issued in February 1887. The conclusion? The sender miswrote the date, which should be 1888.
especially if the cover is sent in early January, right after the new year. The average member may not have access to original printer’s records from the BEP, but there are secondary resources that are more available. For example, if you have a Washington-Franklin stamp with a plate number in the selvage, consider checking the newly released 2020 Durland Standard Plate Number Catalogue to see what catalog numbers are shown for this plate number.
Make your own reference collection Collectors and non-collectors alike are always on the lookout for valuable stamps. Many compare their stamps to images on the internet, not taking into consideration differences such as paper, watermarks, and grills, which are not always distinguishable to the naked eye. Even collectors who can recognize paper differences will often use the internet for color identification. While printed color guides are not always helpful, comparing your stamp’s color to the color of a stamp on the internet is usually even worse. Assuming that the image has not been “enhanced” by an image editor, there are still potential issues related to the scanning or photographing process, which can introduce discrepancies in shade. Additionally, the same image may appear dramatically different on different screens and monitors. In July, I received an email from a member who wanted to know the best option for determining stamp colors: “Can you please recommend a readily available color chart – primarily for U.S. stamps? Some of these colors drive me crazy.” For collectors who want to begin specializing in a certain area, the best advice I can give you is to develop a reference collection of known-genuine stamps. These will give you a reference point to determine the color, perforations and the 1014 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Figure 5. U.S. Large Banknotes Identification Guide by Stephen Einhorn and Robert Pipes is available for purchase at http://stamps. org/publications.
Figure 6. The 1¢ Franklin identification table from the Identification Guide, created to give readers a handy tool for determining the Scott catalog number of their stamps.
size (which may be used to differentiate flat plate and rotary press) of the stamps in your collection. For the purpose of comparison, damaged stamps or space fillers are just as useful as a superb centered gem. For United States stamps, the only color “gauges” that have been used by the Expertizing department in recent months are stamps from our reference collection and Roy White’s The Encyclopedia of the Colors of United States Stamps. We’ve found that comparing stamps side by side under the same light conditions produces the best results. But fair warning – stamp colors can change
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Careful with your overprints I also hear this common question: why is an overprint or surcharge deemed illegitimate? Sometimes a client points out that the overprint on their stamp exactly matches that shown in the Scott catalog. Yes, it may be so, but is the ink
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Figure 8. Scott 156, highly similar to Scott 134, with a small mark on a bottom left pearl as the distinguishing difference.
Figure 7. Scott 134, a 1¢ ultramarine Franklin stamp from the Large Bank Note series.
the correct color and the printing method correct? An overprint done by a laser printer on a 1920 postage stamp is not going to be genuine (Figure 4). The above represents just a small sample of the questions most frequently asked over the past months. To be an expert on an issue of stamps you need to collect and examine many stamps over a long period of time, as well as focus on your philatelic library. For example, collectors who want to focus on the Large Bank Note series that is discussed in this issue should pick up issue-specific publications such as the U.S. Large Banknotes Identification Guide and articles (Figure 5). APEX receives countless stamps from the Large Bank Note series for expertization. Luckily, most of the patients we receive are not forgeries but rather come in as misidentifications. Unless you know what to look for, this can be quite easy to do! A quick glance through U.S. Large Banknotes Identification Guide demonstrates that many issues in this
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series look very similar, with secret marks, grills, color and paper type making the difference between catalog numbers. For example, the chart in Figure 6 shows that Scott 134 (Figure 7) and Scott 156 (Figure 8) have the same color and paper type (ultramarine and hard white wove paper), but only Scott 134 has a Grill on the reverse, and Scott 156 has a small secret mark. As mentioned in my last column, our online certificate archive is available to help you (http://aps.buzz/APEXArchive). And as you’ve seen above, if you are aware of some of the basics of stamp printing, you will be better equipped to spot clipped perforations and differences in paper or grill. However, no one can be an expert in every stamp issue. This column may help you identify some potential pitfalls in your own collection, but the APEX expert committee is also here to help, with tools and centuries of combined experience.
BRIDGES
BY KATHLEEN EDWARDS
education coordinator | kedwards@stamps.org
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Collaboration in Education
ne of the best things about the stamp collecting hobby is the value that collectors hold for education and their commitment to life-long learning. Every collector I have met is always excited to learn more, whether they have been collecting for two years or fifty. While this is what the APS Education department is all about, it’s even better when we have the opportunity to improve our educational content through collaboration with APS members. With your knowledge and abundant generosity, there are so many ways that you can contribute to the Education department.
Stamp albums Stamp albums are vital to a collector. In my youth programs, kids love themed stamp albums – it gives them a collecting goal, when otherwise they might stare at a box of stamps with overwhelming possibilities available. A great resource on stamps.org has always been our free album pages (https://stamps.org/stamp-albums). You can click on an album featuring all of the 2017 USPS stamp issues, or fill up an album with Hawaii stamps. Even military history and national parks are album subjects. The Education department has put much time and care into creating these albums over the years but we can always use help. Enter Dan Pattison. A retired school administrator and Page 23 from the Civil War History album, contributed by Dan Pattison. APS member, Mr. Pattison created a Civil War history stamp album for his grandson. Hours of research and care went into the album, which is a great historical resource for collectors and students. Mr. Pattison graciously offered to 1018 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
provide this album to collectors and educators for free, and you can find it on the free album webpage.
Lesson plans for educators With more parents becoming homeschool educators for the 2020-2021 school year, the free educator resources on stamps.org and C3a have been getting more traffic than usual. StampsTeach requests have also increased, indicating that stamps and stamp collecting are popular enrichment activities for new-to-teaching parents and caregivers. This means that it was perfect timing when APS member Kris McIntosh sent over a dozen stamp- and coverrelated lessons plans, ranging from Jane Addams to the Transcontinental Railroad, Women in World War II to Sojourner Truth. Ms. McIntosh wanted to share these lessons plans to help educators incorporate stamps and covers in history lessons. And the lessons do not disappoint, offering thoughtful approaches to each subject. They are posted as a free resource on C3a, our online learning platform (http://aps.buzz/C3aPlatform) in the folder “BridgesActivities for Sharing.” They can also be found as a link on the Educator Resources page on stamps.org. With the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment just a few months behind us, make sure you check out the lesson plans focused on women’s history! Interested in working with the Education department to create content for collectors and educators? Email education@stamps.org, subject line “Bridges.”
The following lessons by Kris McIntosh are available for educators to download for free from C3a.
BUY AND SELL BY WENDY MASORTI sales director | wendy@stamps.org
Your Questions Answered Questions from our customers….
Q. Why do you allow sellers to mount in the circuit books with magic tape? Recently there has been a trend to use “magic tape” instead of hinges in the circuit books. Contrary to what the manufacturers and advocates claim, it does leave a residue, especially on used stamps. I have regularly had to “wash” the back of stamps with lighter fluid to remove the tape residue so the stamp doesn’t stick to others. Can the APS deter this use? A: We agree! We do encourage our sellers to use either the clear mounts now offered through Clearbags.com (recommended for MNH items) or to use quality hinges. Mystic Stamp Company sells pre-folded stamp hinges made of top-quality glassine paper – 1,000 for $2.75 (a very affordable option). These are manufactured by Prinz and are transparent and specially treated to prevent curling. While we make these recommendations, enforcing them can be more difficult as some feel the tape works just fine. Perhaps hearing how a buyer feels will change their minds.
Q.
Is it really worthwhile to allow cheap material on StampStore.org?
I am surprised that so many people are listing stamps for around $1. With an APS minimum commission fee of 50 cents plus 20 cent listing fee, not much is left for the seller. Also, these low priced lots clog up the store and discourage viewing by collectors looking for better items. I personally stop looking when I see too many of these $1 lots. I am not sure how many stamps you sell that catalog $1.40 and the seller wants $1.20. I cannot see how it is worthwhile for your staff and/or volunteers to handle these small sales. I would think that these should be sold in circuit books. I would think that the stamp store should increase a minimum selling price of at least $3. A: With the minimum commission, listing fee, and cost of mounts/forms, you are correct that it certainly is not cost effective for a seller to list items under $2.50. This is the type of material we usually recommend for the circuit books. We did consider setting the minimum to $2.50, but our reports show that there is a market for the lower priced material. In 2019, StampStore sold 25,000 items priced under $2.50. Therefore, if a seller is willing to move it for very little profit, we will continue. Additionally, we were concerned that if we set the minimum higher, some sellers would still list cheap material and simply price it higher – therefore being overpriced and not moving. Tip: To avoid seeing all the cheaper material, on the search page set the “Sale Price Minimum” field to $3 or whatever amount you prefer to avoid seeing. This will then eliminate the cheaper material from view.
Q.
When will the APS again offer free shipping on StampStore orders?
I noticed the free shipping no longer applies to member orders over $100. Will the APS offer this again in the future? A: The FREE shipping on U.S. orders over $100 was a special promotion that we had been running for a long period. While that promotion has ended, we will occasionally offer member specials throughout the year. For the upcoming holiday season, we will offer a Black Friday special as well as a special offer in December. Watch the website and our APS Newsletter for these offers. If you are not currently receiving our weekly newsletter (sent by email each Monday morning), please make sure to sign up (Call 814-933-3803 or email membership@stamps.org.) We share important membership information, upcoming events, member specials and more! NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1019
APRL NOTES BY SCOTT TIFFNEY
librarian & director of information services | stiffney@stamps.org
P
“Time has told me not to ask for more, someday our ocean will find its shore.” - Nick Drake
atience can sometimes be a difficult thing for all of us, especially in the new normal that we are now all experiencing. It’s hard to believe that it’s November already in what has been a very unique and challenging year for everyone, including the APRL. Starting back in early spring, the library was closed for a little over two months; then the library staff came back on a limited basis; to now, where we can provide full library service again. But as of this writing the library is still not completely back to 100 percent as we remain closed to our members and the public. As we patiently await the day when we can once again re-open the library in order to serve visiting members and researchers, we have remained busy with a number of projects designed to provide greater access to the library’s collections.
APRL Digital Continues to Grow As mentioned in previous library columns, we have been busy reaching out to various clubs, societies and organizations inviting them to be a part of the library‘s digital collections database, APRL Digital (stamps.org/library). Following previous invitations, we now have 23 journals that are in various stages of digitization in our queue for
1020 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
upload to the database: Airpost Journal (American Air Mail Society) The Bay Phil (Friends of the Western Philatelic Library) Runner Post (Bechuanaland-Botswana Society) British Caribbean Philatelic Journal (British Caribbean Philatelic Study Group) Bulletin of Germany Philatelic Society, Post World War II Study and Research Group (Germany Philatelic Society Post World War II Study and Research Group) BWI Study Circle Bulletin (British West Indies Study Circle) Cape and Natal Philatelic Society Journal (Cape & Natal Study Circle) Cursores (Associazione Italiana di Storia Postale) The Danzig Report (Germany Philatelic Society, Danzig Study Group) First Issues (First Issues Collectors Club) Forerunner (Philatelic Society for Greater South Africa) Journal of the United Nations Philatelists (United Nations Philatelists, Inc.) La Posta (La Posta Publications) The Magnifying Glass (Wyoming Valley Stamp Club) Philamath (ATA Math Study Unit) Philateli-Graphics (Graphics Philately Association) Post Boy (Nevada Stamp Study Society) Posthorn (Scandinavian Collectors Club) Stampin’ Around (Mid-Cities Stamp Club) Third Reich Study Group Bulletin (Germany Philatelic Society, Third Reich Study Group) Watercraft Philately (ATA Ships on Stamps Unit) U.S.C.S. Log (Universal Ship Cancellation Society) As in the past, we invite our APS affiliates and member organizations to consider making their philatelic organs, journals and newsletters available to an even wider audience of philatelic readers through APRL Digital. As part of the library’s APRL Digital database, journals are full-text searchable and provide a greater online presence for those participating clubs, societies and organizations. This wider exposure creates a recruitment opportunity for potential new members of these organizations. The benefits of exposure and recruitment for affiliates is clear, but APRL Digital is more than a useful service for clubs and researchers alike. The APRL has a mandated
APS volunteer Bob Ceo helping the APRL’s digitizing project during Volunteer Work Week 2019.
responsibility to record, capture and preserve the history of the hobby as documented in the countless newsletters, journals and other publications produced by member organizations, both big and small. Some of these affiliates and their publications are available online, while many are not. Still others have come and gone without being preserved for future readers and researchers. The digital collections database of the APRL offers the opportunity to preserve these unique and specialized philatelic publications and make them accessible for present and future generations of interested readers. If you are interested in further promoting your organization or preserving its history through the inclusion of your publication in the APRL Digital database, please contact the library at stiffney@stamps.org and we can assist you in having your publication made accessible to a larger audience of philatelic readers and potential new members.
Giving Tuesday: Adopt-A-Book Back in April, the APRL began a campaign titled “Adopt-A-Book” created in order to assist with funding for the further growth and development of the library’s digital collections database, APRL Digital. By contributing to the Adopt-A-Book campaign, donors can support the library’s digitization
efforts by selecting and “adopting” a favorite book or resource from the APRL collection. With the donation to the Adopt-A-Book campaign, donors can select a book or resource that will receive a bookplate in honor of the donation and the donor, recognizing their contribution in support of the library. Donors will also receive a letter acknowledging their donation. All donations to the Adopt-ABook campaign directly support the library’s continuing efforts to digitize the APRL collection in order to provide worldwide access to its vast and unique resources. This year on Giving Tuesday (December 1, 2020) the APS and the APRL are highlighting the AdoptA-Book campaign. For just $50, you can support the ongoing digitization efforts of the APRL as we grow the library’s collection of digital resources. For Giving Tuesday, with a $50 donation, your donation assists the library in the scanning and uploading of the journals mentioned above as well as other items in the APRL collection. Check it out at http://aps.buzz/AdoptABook Support the American Philatelic Research Library and its digital collections database, APRL Digital, this holiday season by donating on Giving Tuesday!
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• Start collecting Haiti! • Inexpensive. Even the rarities are affordable and available. • Meet other Haiti collectors and experts. • Exclusive auctions. • Membership includes quarterly journal.
Join HPS www.haitiphilately.org NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1021
APS Cares: Krystal Harter
IN
March, over six months ago, we announced the temporary closure of the American Philatelic Center, and quickly received emails and calls from members encouraging the staff and expressing appreciation for their work for the APS. One member wrote, “Please tell them the APS cares!” APS Cares was born because you, the members of the APS, want the staff to be supported during this time. We offer our sincere appreciation to everyone who has reached out in kindness. What is APS Cares? As of May 29, 2020, the American Philatelic Center has joined the rest of Centre County, Pennsylvania, in the Green Phase of reopening. Since then, those who are able continue to work remotely, and all staff members have been working hard to make sure that you can keep enjoying every service the APS has to offer without delays. APS Cares will go directly to support APS staff salaries during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or, if we’re able, to reward them at the end of the year for their hard work. From your extended family at the American Philatelic Society, thank you for staying connected with us. We hope you enjoy this interview, conducted by Development Assistant Erin Seamans. Other staff interviews and videos may be found at stamps.org/news. ~~~~~~
Meet Krystal Harter Erin: What is your job title and what do you do at the American Philatelic Society? Krystal: For the past several years, I’ve worked as the Expertizing Coordinator and Library Assistant. In July, I began working full-time in the Expertizing department. How long have you worked for the APS? I’ve been with the APS for 40 years. What is something that has changed here since you started 40 years ago? Oh my, what hasn’t changed. My biggest change has been that I no longer have to do everything manually. I would handwrite entries into a log book to keep track of all submissions; physically type on a typewriter - using triplicate form copy paper - the lists of items that were being sent to each committee member for review; take photographs, using a 35mm camera, of each item submitted; take the film to Walmart to be developed; then after picking up the photos, use a paper cutter to cut down the two photos of each item and tape them, using double-stick tape, onto the each certificate and APS record. What are the best part or fun parts of your job? While working in the library, I enjoyed assisting clients in finding and obtaining any research and/or reference material to further their knowledge of the subjects that most interest them. I also enjoy being a part of events hosted at the APC, which bring in many collectors beaming with enthusiasm for the hobby. Krystal Harter I most enjoy my interactions with the clients and the Expert Committee members while items are going through the expertizing process. Assisting in determining if stamps they have are genuine, forged and/or misidentified is rewarding. While it is not a regular occurrence, I truly enjoy representing the APS at stamp shows, which allows me to physically meet some of our clients and many of our experts whom I haven’t already met. To put a face with a name is always a good thing. Can you share a fond memory about your previous supervisor, Mercer Bristow? I wouldn’t even know where to begin with Mercer as he and I worked side by side for over 30 years as “work husband & wife.” The one funny thing he did say to me at one point was because he had to listen to me nagging and complaining at work, that was reason enough to not get married and have to endure the same thing from a wife at home. (Laughs) 1022 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Krystal representing the APS at a New York show in 1998.
Serving the APS membership for nearly 40 years has been a privilege. Is there one resource on the website you’d like to highlight for members that is connected to your job? One valuable resource on the website is our Dealer Directory (http://stamps.org/Dealers). When clients have more than just a few items they are wondering about, it is a good starting point to reach out to a dealer located close to them for advice on whether or not any of their items warrant the formal expertizing process. This directory allows them to search for local dealers to contact who are recognized, reputable dealer members of the APS. The Philatelic Union Catalog (http://catalog.stamplibrary.org) is a truly amazing search engine for reference material. I do recommend that people use the “Advanced Search Options” feature, which allows searching from more variables. Are you a stamp collector? If so, what do you like to collect?
No, after almost 40 years, the philatelic bug has not bitten me. However, I believe this is due to the fact that every single day I am physically handling clients’ stamps, which allows me access to an amazingly vast variety of philatelic material. What is a fun fact about you that you’d like to share with our members? Most fellow employees and collectors to whom I am well known will argue the fact that I am truly shy, timid and a little backwards. HOWEVER, once I get to know someone and feel comfortable around them, look out – everything is a go and I hold nothing back! Tell me something you enjoy about APS/APRL members? Or a memory you have with a member? I enjoy most the events at APC that enable me to reconnect with both members whom I’ve met before and new members visiting and/or meeting for the first time. Over the years I have formed many friendships with both clients and Expert Committee members. Is there anything else you’d like to share about your job/ APS to members? Serving the APS membership for 40 years has been a privilege. The APS is a wonderful, amazing place to work and I am very fortunate to have spent the biggest part of my life doing so.
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If you would like to support APS Cares, you can send a check to:
American Philatelic Society 100 Match Factory Place Bellefonte, PA 16823 c/o APS Cares Or Support the APS Staff Online: stamps.org/support Krystal in the Expertizing office during Summer Seminar 2019, with APS member Carl Faulkner.
Please select APS Cares in the Gift Designation. NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1023
My Stamp Story: Steven Vastola
A
s an active member of the Bristol (CT) Historical Society, I was invited into the tail end of an estate liquidation to take any items that might be of use for us for our collection or fundraising. The home was pretty well picked over but had some interesting items. While digging through a pile of papers I discovered some WWII-era photos and correspondence. I took these items to give to the Memorial Military Museum, a tenant within our building. While in possession of these items I studied them and became fascinated. In chronological order, the items are as follows: a photo of arFigure 1. mored vehicles, dated August 25, 1943 (Figure 1), a Valentine’s Day card postmarked February 2, 1944, from Indiantown Gap, PA (Figure 2), an Easter card dated March 17, 1944 (Figure 3) and a first anniversary card dated June 20, 1944 (Figure 4), both postmarked by Army Postal Service 255. Additionally, there were photos of Joe the sender and Blanche the recipient (figures 5 and 6). Upon investigation, I learned that Indiantown Gap is the home of an important training base, and that the APO 255 was the postal service for the 5th Armored Division of the United States Army. While reading about the 5th Armored
Figure 2.
1024 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Division I found that they were stateside until reaching the United Kingdom on February 23, 1944. They landed at
Utah Beach on July 24, and began combat on August 2. Comparing the information I found about the 5th Armored Division with the correspondence, I learned that Joe sent Blanche the Valentine’s Day card three weeks before reaching the UK. Joe sent Blanche the Easter and anniversary cards while in the UK. The anniversary card was sent only two weeks after D-Day. These must have been tense times for these newlyweds. I don’t know what Joe experienced while in combat, but I at least know he made it home to his bride because I have a picture of them together in Miami, Florida, in October of 1945 (Figure 7). A remarkable story? Not really when compared to things I have read in The American Philatelist. What I find more noteworthy is what came before and after my discovery. Sometime in 2015, I was in a thrift shop that gave away magazines for free. I found an old copy of Linn’s Stamp News and took it. I read it cover to cover and thoroughly enjoyed it. I looked in my attic to make sure I still had my old childhood stamp col-
Figure 3.
Figure 4.
lection. I decided I wanted to go to a show and looked online, finding advertising for the World Stamp Show 2016 in New York City. My then six-year-old daughter and I attended and we had a blast. While there, I met people from the American Philatelic Society who promptly mailed me information on how to join, which I did. Then I started receiving The American Philatelist, which I now read cover to cover every month. The magazine began to convert me from a stamp collector to a bit of a postal historian. Then came the day that Joe and Blanche’s photos and correspondence came into my possession. My instincts would have told me the stuff was
worth saving, but had it not been for the APS I would not have known how to coax a story from them. With excitement I showed the vice-president of the Memorial Military Museum, Carol Denehy, what I had and what I learned from it. It turned out the real estate agent selling the house had brought the Museum a shadow box with a flag, Joe’s decorations and some other memorabilFigure 6. ia (Figure 8). Carol had asked the agent about Joe, but the agent had no story for her. Carol felt that my discoveries had added much needed detail to Joe’s story, and asked me to collaborate with the military museum to exhibit these items and other philatelic materials, which I gladly accepted. Rediscovering stamp collecting has been the most intellectually stimulating thing to happen to me in a long time. Help others discover it! Leave your old stamp magazines where others might get ahold of them. Approach younger generations about philately with enthusiasm and excitement. Collaborate with other historic-minded people and show them how philately can add to their understanding of events past and present. The hobby is much more fun when shared.
Figure 8.
Figure 7.
Figure 5.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL YOUR STAMP STORY? Please send us yours, in 500 words or less. Please include a picture of yourself and your stamp collection. Email your submission to aparticle@stamps.org or mail a typewritten copy to: American Philatelic Society, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823 Attn: Stamp Story NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1025
Membership Moments BY THOMAS LOEBIG aps director of membership | tloebig@stamps.org
AS
APS Services are Growing – Renew Your Membership Now
we are in the middle of the fall season, APS is looking for you to continue your membership through 2021. By now, you should have received your renewal packet in the mail. If you have not, please call us at (814) 933-3803 or email membership@stamps.org. No changes in membership fees as our annual rate remains $45 — less than $4 per month. We appreciated your ongoing support in 2020; it’s been a year for the history books. Sometimes it felt like things changed minute by minute as all of us were faced with the devastating impact of COVID-19. Although the American Philatelic Center was closed to the public, the APS team never stopped connecting with members and the stamp collecting community. Here are a few examples of how APS brought philately to you when you could not venture outside: • Pivoted to provide the free “Virtual Stamp Show” when the annual in-person show was canceled. One week with 3205 registrants, 62 dealers, 76 exhibitors, 112 exhibits, 3,361 exhibit pages, 14 keynote addresses and two first day of issue ceremonies. • Created “Summer Seminar Online,” a month-long online education series featuring 58 sessions, 28 presenters and 1520 attendees. • Initiated the “Stamp Chat” video series, with more than 70 hours of programming, to engage and educate collectors on many philatelic topics. • Offered members-only access to 100 free videos on the C3a learning platform, with a 50% discount on other content purchased. • Increased the articles available on the APS website stamps.org, resulting in record viewership growth. • Engaged thousands of members and potential APS members on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn). • Invested in video by partnering with the “Exploring Stamps” YouTube franchise. • Connected with more than 2,000 students and their teachers with activities and homeschool lesson plans through StampsTeach. 1026 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
In late 2019 to early 2020, the APS StampsTeach program connected K-12 classrooms with stamp-based educational material.
• Offered over 500,000 searchable pages for members to view through the American Philatelic Research Library’s digital initiative, APRL Digital. • Helped members buy and sell 90,000 stamps online through StampStore, providing members with a safe environment to buy and sell their stamps. We’ve worked hard to earn your support and hope you will continue for another year. If you can, please consider two member upgrade options. For an additional $30, you can become a Sustaining Member. For an additional $80 you can become a Contributing Member. (Any amount you give above the basic membership fee may qualify as a tax deduction.) Our membership team is available to answer your questions and help you renew. Please reach out to any of us at the phone number and email listed at the beginning of this article.
In memoriam The philatelic community lost a respected exhibit judge and two APS Life members with a combined 133 years of APS membership. Tom Myers was a member of the Lincoln NE Stamp Club for many years, until he relocated to Virginia. He was an accredited judge, exhibitor and World Series show organizer. Raymond Johnson of Columbia, California, was a dedicated APS member for 69 years. C.R. Snyder of Ann Arbor, Michigan, was a loyal member for 66 years. Our thoughts are with their families.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT
NEW MEMBERS
No. 9, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
Note: the August 2020 report in the October 2020 issue incorrectly stated the application numbers of those accepted. Applications 231788-232001 were accepted.
NEW APPLICANTS The following applications were received during September 2020. If no objections are received by the Executive Director (814-933-3803) prior to November 30, 2020, these applicants will be admitted to membership and notice to this effect will appear in the January 2021 issue. Aguiar, Daniel (232375) Atherton, CA US-Antarctic Territories Amos, J. David (232331) Jarrettsville, MD Mint US Stamps; 83 Arellanes, Charles (232430) Ontario, CA Worldwide; 73; Retired Ball, Darla J. (232392) Aurora, CO Commemoratives-DefinitivesAir Mails-Imperforates-US; 61 Bassett, Chris (232382) Vancouver, WA French Colonies-French Africa-BirdsGabon; 54 Bello, Ramon R. (232379) Hialeah, FL US-First Day Programs-Joint Issues (US & Foreign)-CubaFrench Colonies-Officials/Official Mail; 59 Bernens, William (232353) Summit, NJ Prexies-20th Century-Classics-19th CenturyAir Mails-Postage Dues; 50 Betancourt, Javier (232419) Redlands, CA Air Mails-Plate Blocks-CommemorativesClassics-Revenues/Tax Paids (Federal); 46 Blanco, Theresa M. (232347) Souderton, PA Covers; 51 Bohn, David G. (232433) W. Redding, CT US; 55; Executive Britton, Rachael (232434) Village Mills, TX Religion-FlowersBirds-First Day Covers; 69; Retired Carpenter, Peter S. (232418) Hopewell Junction, NY 19th Century-20th Century-Civil War Covers-New York-War Covers/ Stamps-Postal Stationery Chapman, Josh (232415) Rantoul, KS Kansas-Parcel Post-Mobile Post Offices-War Covers/StampsBooklets/Panes-Coils; 40 Claflin, Larry (232303) Leesburg, FL Air Mails-Definitives-USParcel Post-Plate Blocks-SeTenants; 84; Retired
Clark, Stephanie M. (232307) Taylorsville, KY China-KoreaUSSR-Africa; 54; Warehouse Worker Cook, David L. (232435) Mooresville, IN Covers19th Century-Air MailsCommemorativesCommemorative Panels-First Day Programs; 51 Day, James W. (232443) Spokane Valley, WA US-China-Nature; 78; Optical Tech Dhaliwal, Gunwant S. (232323) New Port Richey, FL; 59; Physician - MD Donovan, Paul F. (232293) Niantic, CT US; 73; Retired Downs, Michael (232393) Hope, AR Covers-Commemoratives20th Century; 65 Edelman, Jonathan H. (232404) Grand Rapids, MI Commemoratives-DefinitivesAir Mails-Flight Covers-Coil Line Pairs-Plate Blocks; 77; Economist Etter, William (232302) Irvine, CA Plate Blocks-Foreign Postal History-US Postal History-Cats; College Professor Fleagle, John R. (232412) Falling Waters, WV USCommemoratives-Duck StampsIsrael-Worldwide To 1955; 73; Retired Fredriksen, Daniel (232321) Tigard, OR Definitives-Air Mails-Commemoratives-Duck/ Hunting/Fishing Stamps-Parcel Post-Possessions-Back Of The Book-Revenue Stamps; 74; Retired Fusilero, Michael (232441) New York, NY Commemorative Panels-Vatican City-PhilippinesUsed Worldwide-ImperforatesHawaii-Great Britain Machins; 51; Medical Research Godsall-Myers, Stephen E. (232431) Harleysville, PA Commemoratives; 70; Retired Pastor Gottschalk, K. (232414) Fortuna, CA; 70; Priest Monk Groves, Joshua B. (232440) Carbondale, IL Coins-Foreign Classics-Former/Dead CountriesWorldwide-Stamps On StampsLots & Collections Gudema, Marc (232376) Newton, MA Massachusetts-19th Century-20th Century; 72 Halliday, Christopher P. (232401) Montreal, QC Canada ; CanadaClassics-British CommonwealthScandinavia-Animals-Trains; 58
Harmer, Joan (232425) Yorktown Heights, NY Consultant; British ColoniesFakes & Forgeries-Foreign Covers-Us & Foreign ClassicsForeign Postal HistoryTechnical Philately; Hart, Thomas M. (232312) Bogue Chitto, MS Retired; 20th Century; 65 Herron, Clifford W. (232342) Mesquite, TX ; Commemoratives-Souvenir Sheets-Duck/Hunting/ Fishing Stamps-Texas-UsConfederate States; 79 Hinman, David A. (232297) Washington, DC ; Commemoratives-First Day Covers-Souvenir Cards; 74 Hunwick, Thomas R. (232346) Port Saint Lucie, FL Retired; Blocks/ Guideline Blocks-Coils-AustraliaAustralasia-Aviation; 79 Irlanda, Angel R. (232389) Riverview, FL Retired; US; 77 Jackson, Terri Hardin (232399) Burbank, CA Artist, Sculptor, Puppeter; Cachet Making; 63 Johnson, Ken (232352) Knightdale, NC ; North Carolina-Errors, Freaks, Oddities19th Century-First Day CoversFlorida-Classics Johnston, Michael D. (232370) Albuquerque, NM Retired; Music/Musicians/InstrumentsCommemoratives-FranceGermany-Great BritainCzechoslovakia Kielbania, Thomas J. (232402) Chicopee, MA Retired Printer; Aden-Poland-DefinitivesCommemoratives-British Commonwealth-Massachusetts; 73 Kohlbecker, Vincent (232438) Buckeye, AZ West Virginia; 81 Laufle, David (232371) San Ramon, CA Germany-UsAustralia-Austria-Russia/USSR/ Independent Republics-Danzig; Librarian Lekostaj, Robert (232357) Henderson, NV 20th CenturyCommemoratives-Covers; 70; Retired Lindsay, Thomas C. (232391) Montrose, CO US Mint; 70; Retired Geologist Lomax, Richard (232295) Sarasota, FL Florida-Stampless Covers-Revenues/Tax Paids (State/Local)-Advertisting/ Illustrated Covers; 66 Mackell, Rosalyn (232334) Hickory, NC; 65; Retired
Applications 232002 through 232122 as previously published have been accepted for membership by the Board of Vice Presidents.
SUMMARY Total Membership August 31, 2020.....................26956 New Members 118 Reinstated 32 Deceased 15 Resignations 1 Total Membership September 30, 2020..............27173 (Total Membership, September 30, 2019 was 27,815, a difference of -642) Maris, Joseph R. (232339) Carnation, WA 19th Century (Foreign)-Classics-Errors, Freaks, Oddities-First Day Covers-USStamp Design Errors; 49 McAnallen, Charles A. (232452) Washington, PA US; 72; Retired Meninger, Mark (232296) Townsend, MA 19th CenturyCivil War Covers-US-Revenues/ Tax Paids (Federal/State/Local)Air Mails; Retired Milne, Donald D. (232386) Saginaw, MI 1962 Used Stamps; 67; Retired Molkenthin, William E. (232408) Yucaipa, CA 19TH CenturyGerman Colonies-British Colonies-Air Mails-20th Century; Retired Myers, James (232305) APO, AP 20th Century-Booklets/PanesCivil War Covers-Sheets/Small Panes-Souvenir Pages-Germany; 31 Natarajan, Aravind (232410) Dublin, CA Worldwide; 35 Nicosia, Guy (232325) Saint James, NY 19th Century-20th Century-US; 67 Osborn, Michael (232327) Grand Junction, CO Great BritainDuck/Hunting/Fishing StampsNaval Covers-Colorado-War Covers/Stamps-Manchukuo; 48 Pilat, Gregory L. (232436) Naperville, IL Commemoratives-Coils-First Day Covers-Booklets/Panes; 69; Retired Potter, James B. (232335) Houston, TX Cancelled Sinlges Usa & World; 73; Retired Cpa Ray, Mrinal Kanti (232333) Kolkata, India British IndiaPostal History Of Calcutta (PreStamp Era); 53; Service Rees, Andy (232361) Weatherford, TX Commemoratives-20th CenturyCommemorative Panels-Liberty Series-US Mint; 73
NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1027
Riker, David W. (232299) Newport News, VA 19th Century-Air Mails-First Day Covers-Bureau Issues-Confederate StatesMachine Cancels-US-GermanyGreat Britain; 69 Ryder, Philippa J. (232395) Dublin, Ireland 19th CenturyAustria-Embroidery-Christmas; Government Employee Santry, Rob (232426) Grants Pass, OR Air Mails-19th CenturyCancels-Civil War CoversCommemoratives-US Postal History; 65; Retired Schmidt, Kenneth A. (232336) Aurora, CO US-Canada-First Day Covers; 78; Retired Seamans, Jeff (232301) State College, PA TechnologyAgriculture-History; 62; Retired Teacher Silvers, David K. (232337) Norfolk, VA 19th Century-Confederate States-Match & Medicine-Locals & Carriers-20th Century-US; 64
Smelser, Susie (232324) Eureka, CA Utah-Israel Tabs-JapanSweden-Coins-Geology/Gems/ Minerals; 57; IT Coordinator Steger, Cassandra L. (232427) Janesville, WI Mint Commemoratives-German 3rd Reich; 52; Registered Nurse Stratton, Trevor R. (232450) Columbia, MO History-Air Mails-Antarctic TerritoriesCommemoratives-Arctic/ Antarctic-Aviation; 19 Tavakol, Ardi (232372) Rancho Palos Verdes, CA; 58 Tessmer, Raymond G. (232387) Chattanooga, TN Plate Blocks; 80; Retired Thompson, Stephen (232448) San Diego, CA CaliforniaAutomobiles-Architecture Tomaro, John B. (232373) Chapel Hill, NC 19th Century-20th Century-France-Cuba-German 3rd Reich/Occupations-Italy; 78; Retired Vaidyanathan, Ravi S. (232309) San Francisco, CA San Francisco; 39
StampLister
Vargas, Jose A. (232360) Clifton, NJ Used US-First Day CoversCommemoratives; 63 Weller, Christopher X. (232362) Humble, TX 19th CenturyRevenues/Tax Paids (Federal)Cut Squares-Covers-First Day Covers-Match & Medicine; 74; Systems Engineer Wetzel, Norman R. (232417) Lac Du Flambeau, WI Commemoratives-DefinitivesAir Mails-19th Century-20th Century-Wisconsin; 73; Retired Williams, Paul T. (232340) High Point, NC Pitcairn Islands-Isle Of Man-First Day Covers-Scott 1827-1830 First Day Covers; 73; Retired Williamson, Jeff D. (232446) Advance, NC US; 60; College Professor Wimberley, Kevynne (232320) Des Moines, IA Reptiles-Space Covers-Astrology-Mourning Covers-Dogs; 27
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1028 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
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BRITISH COMMONWEALTH
www.StampsAustria.com (1440)
BRITISH EMPIRE – Extensive stock with emphasis on pre-1960. Advise us of your wants. TOGA ASSOCIATES, Box 396, Fairfield, CT 06824 203-255-8885 e-mail: tbansak@aol.com (1455) www.commonwealth-stamps.com (1458) GREAT BRITAIN & Channel Islands, Request list from GG Campman, 10608 Rio Puerco Tri, SW. ABQ, NM 87121 or Email: glencampman@ yahoo.com (1440) www.triple-sonline.com 25,000 WORLDWIDE COVERS (1458) 20-33% OF SCOTT $1,000,000 WW inventory. Lots of GB & cols. Catalog avail. www.BillsStamps. com Many finer sets & singles up to $1,000 Unconditional money-back guarantee doctoryes007@aol.com 214-213-8066 (1440)
AFRICA BELGIAN CONGO. Good prices. Send wantlist. W Kelly, 3060 Braeloch Cir. E, Cleawrater, FL 33761 wnkelly@ earthlink.net (1437) PITICAIRN ISLAND – selling complete, MNH collection thru April 5, 2018 in archival, transparent stock sheets, $5900. – danchaij@epbfi.com (14??)
ARMENIA
BALKANS WANT LISTS FILLED, Year Sets, Extensive stock www. buyhungarianstamps.com, HSE, POB 4028, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, 888/868-8293 (1438)
BALTICS WANT LISTS FILLED, Year Sets, Extensive stock www. buyhungarianstamps.com, HSE, POB 4028, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, 888/868-8293 (1438)
BELGIUM www.StampsBelgium.com (1440)
BRAZIL www.castlerockstamps.com (1442)
CANAL ZONE JOIN: www.CanalZoneStudyGroup. com (1444) www.canalzonestamps.com (1440)
CHINA BUY STAMPS at www. ChinaStampSociety.org (1441) stampsforcollectors.net (1447) CHINA TOP $. jon@ chinesestampbuyer.com
www.ArmenianStamps.com (1440)
www.chinesestampbuyer.com (1443)
AUSTRALIA
www.Stamps-China.com (1440)
www.stampstore.org Seller ID 738268 (1437) stampsforcollectors.net (1447)
AUSTRALIAN STATES stampstore.org Seller ID 502981 (1440)
AUSTRIA AUSTRIA AND RELATED AREAS — Ask for our free price lists.
www.castlerockstamps.com (1442) BUY/SELL, washingtonstamps.com (1445)
COLOMBIA www.castlerockstamps.com (1442) JOIN: www.COPAPHIL.org (1443)
CUBA www.stampstore.org Seller ID 738268 (1439)
GET NOTICED WITH CLASSIFIED ADS Classified advertising in The American Philatelist is a cost-effective way to get the attention of nearly 30,000 American Philatelic Society members around the world. Call or email Chad today for more details (CCowder@ stamps.org). Payment in advance. No change of copy. No refunds.
1 line 2 lines 3 lines 4 lines 5 lines 6 lines 7 lines 8 lines 9 lines 10 lines 11 lines
1030 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
1 month $ 3.94 $ 7.88 $ 11.82 $ 15.76 $ 19.70 $ 23.64 $ 27.58 $ 31.52 $ 35.46 $ 39.40 $ 43.34
6 months $ 21.28 $ 42.55 $ 63.83 $ 85.10 $ 106.38 $ 127.66 $ 148.93 $ 170.21 $ 191.48 $ 212.76 $ 234.04
12 months $ 37.82 $ 75.65 $ 113.47 $ 151.30 $ 189.12 $ 226.94 $ 264.77 $ 302.59 $ 340.42 $ 378.24 $ 416.06
To calculate the number of lines for your ad, count all letters, numerals, punctuation and blank spaces between words. Divide the total by 34 and round up to the next whole number. Advertising is restricted to current APS members; please include your APS number. All classified ads must be prepaid. The best way to submit classified ads is online at www.stamps.org/ Classified-Ads. Classified ads are also
accepted via mail by sending your ad text and payment to AP Advertising, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823. When submitting your ad, please include your card number (VISA, MasterCard or Discover only) and expiration date. Checks must be drawn on a U.S. bank. Renewal Notice: If (1437) appears after your ad, it expires after this issue. Deadline for the December issue is October 25.
www.ilastamps.com (1441) www.castlerockstamps.com (1442)
ALL PERIODS, washingtonstamps. com (1445)
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
FRENCH COLONIES
WANT LISTS FILLED, Year Sets, Extensive stock www. buyhungarianstamps.com, HSE, POB 4028, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, 888/868-8293 (1438)
EASTERN EUROPE stampsforcollectors.net (1447)
FRANCE www.StampsFrance.com (1440) stampsforcollectors.net (1447)
www.disler.com (1441)
GERMANY GERMAN AREA ON APPROVAL. See it before you buy it. Philatelic Friends, Box 802, Bear, DE 19701 (1442)
stampsforcollectors.net (1447)
ICELAND
stampsforcollectors.net (1447)
stampsforcollectors.net (1447)
www.stampstore.org Seller ID 738268 (1437)
www.Stamps-Germany.com (1440)
stampsforcollectors.net (1447)
GREAT BRITAIN
20-33% OF SCOTT $1,000,000 WW inventory. Lots of France & cols. Catalog avail. www.BillsStamps. com Many finer sets & singles up to $1,000 Unconditional money-back guarantee doctoryes007@aol.com 214-213-8066 (1442)
POB 4028, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, 888/868-8293 (1445)
IRAN/IRAQ www.stampsofIRAN.com (1440)
www.british-stamps.com (1458)
ITALIAN COLONIES
HUNGARY
20-33% OF SCOTT $1,000,000 WW inventory. Lots of Italy & colonies Catalog avail. www.BillsStamps. com Many finer sets & singles up to $1000 Unconditional money-back
Want lists filled, New Issues, Extensive stock of all Eastern European countries..www. hungarianstamps.com, HSE
Send for Our United States Current Catalog in Full Color! 125-page catalog now. If you collect SUPERB, X F or V F stamps, This Catalog is a MUST! U.S. Stamps from 1847–1938 Over 1,000 graded STAMPS from the PF, PSE and PSAG!! ALL in full Color!!
Check out our Catalog on the web: century-stamps.com Send $4.00 Catalog Sent Priority Mail! !! es
125 Pag
Outside the U.S. enclose $10.00. Limit 1 catalog per request.
CENTURY STAMPS 43 Years of Quality & Service P.O. Box 69, Dept. A Huntington Station, NY 11746 Phone: 631-385-4647 Fax: 631-385-4699 E-mail: centurystamps@hotmail.com
Please rush my catalog to: Name: _________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________ City: ___________________________________________ Zip: State: ___________________________________________
NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1031
guarantee doctoryes007@aol.com 214-213-8066 (1440)
ITALY www.StampsItaly.com (1440) www.gdgphila.it sell at 10% of Sassone Catalogue on your wantlist (1440)
JAPAN https://myjapanstamps.com (1441)
LATIN AMERICA ALL LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES. Sets, singles, mint, used. Guy Shaw, P.O. Box 27138, San Diego, CA 92198 www.guyshaw.com (1441) www.castlerockstamps.com (1442)
ROMANIA WANT LISTS FILLED, Year Sets, Extensive stock www. buyhungarianstamps.com, HSE, POB 4028, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, 888/868-8293 (1438)
RUSSIA / USSR / INDEPENDENT REPUBLICS WANT LISTS FILLED. Extensive stock. www.buyhungarianstamps. com. HSE POB 4028, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. (888) 868-8293 (1448)
UNITED NATIONS U.N. PRICE LIST, Wm. Henry Stamps, POB 150010, Kew Gardens, NY 11415 www.allunstamps.com (1445)
MEXICO stampsforcollectors.net (1447) www.castlerockstamps.com (1442)
NEW ZEALAND stampsforcollectors.net (1447)
PANAMA JOIN: www.COPAPHIL.org (1444)
PERU www.castlerockstamps.com (1442)
PHILIPPINES www.stampstore.org Seller ID 738268 (1440)
POLAND POLAND SPECIALIZED: Classics to New Issues, Year Sets, Back of Book. Lubelski Philatelic LLC 111 Helen Drive, Rossford, Ohio 43460 Ph: 419-410-9115, Web: www. Lubelskistamps.com Email: Dan@ Lubelskistamps.com (1440) WANT LISTS FILLED, Year Sets, Extensive stock www. buyhungarianstamps.com, HSE, POB 4028, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, 888/868-8293 (1438)
PORTUGAL www.StampsPortugal.com (1440) stampsforcollectors.net (1447)
WORLDWIDE www.philbansner.com (1456) www.dickkeiser.com (1439) stampsforcollectors.net (1441) www.stampconnections.com (1442) COLLECTOR FRIENDLY Foreign Packets & Special Monthly Offers! Order Now! www.Lake-EdgeStamps.com (1439) 1840/1960 SETS, SINGLES, NH/H 60%-80% off Scott cat. Classic 2020. Later period cat 2018. USA, Canada/Newfoundland, Britain/Col. Many European Countries Strong: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Netherland. S. Cal, CP 864 Succ B, Montreal, Que, H3B 3K5 Canada (1438) 1840/1940 60%-80% off Scott cat. Used stamps, covers, labels, US, Canada, Britain & Col, Europe. S. Cal, CP 864 Succ B, Montreal, Que. H3B 3K5 Canada (1439) 60% OFF SCOTT 2019-20, WW pricelist, early to modern, many topicals, Quality stamps, Les Timbres J&M, 1200 Louis-Cyr, Joliette, QC, Canada, J6E 7B2, breaultjg@videotron.ca (1440) 20-33% OF SCOTT $1,000,000 WW inventory. Lots of Euro cols. 19th century. US, Russia (1920-70), Japan, Iceland, Liech., Souv. Sheets Catalog avail. www.BillsStamps. com Many finer sets & singles up to $1,000 Unconditional money-back
Most of my stock has been scanned Click on “New Material” on my website USA Postal History Colonial to Prexies: Transatlantics, Destinations, Expos, Inland Waterways, Railroads, Confederates, Express, Possessions & Military
STEPHEN T. TAYLOR
5 Glenbuck Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 6BS England Phone: 011-4420-83909357 info@stephentaylor.co.uk https://stephentaylor.co.uk
Your American Dealer in Britain 1032 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
guarantee doctoryes007@aol.com 214-213-8066 (1440) WORLDWIDE MINT, H/NH, USED @ ½ Cat. Ebay.com/str/spsc (1438) gardencitystamps@yahoo.com, worldwide, M @ U USA, 1st Day Covers. (1442) www.triple-sonline.com 25,000 WORLDWIDE COVERS (1458) US/UN Collections Stamps & extras from old collection & newer set, For CD of items, 2buystamps@gmail. com HH PO Box 4 Scotland CT 06264 Prices 1/2 Scott 2020. (1441)
ALBUMS SEARCH “MAC’S ALBUM SUPPLEMENTS” on eBay, U.S. 2017-2019; Ducks 2010-2020; White Ace topical blank pages (1441)
AUCTIONS www.auctions.sterlingstamps. com (1442)
CENSORED www.dickkeiser.com (1439)
COVERS www.philbansner.com (1456) http://www.postalhistory.com/ (1437) www.dickkeiser.com (1439) www.triple-sonline.com 25,000 WORLDWIDE COVERS (1458)
DEAD COUNTRIES SELLING PRE-1940 STAMPS deadcountrystamps@gmail.com or call (505)879-2395 RASLAD Enterprises (1438)
APPRAISALS
DONATIONS
WORLD WIDE STAMP APPRAISALS Valuation and written report provided. Sellers agent services info@hungarianstamps.com (888)868-8293 HSE PO Box 4028, Vineyard Haven MA 02568(1446)
BOYS TOWN invites donations of U.S. and foreign stamp collections, coins, currency, and mint U.S. postage. Help us help kids! Leon Myers Stamp Center, 13628 Flanagan Blvd., Boys Town, NE 68010. Email stampcenter@ boystown.org Phone 402-498-1143 (1441)
APPROVALS WORLDWIDE APPROVALS DISCOUNT 66 2/3% from Current Scott. Send APS# to Robert Ducharme, C.P. 592, St. Jerome, QC J7Z 5V3, Canada (1441) US AND WORLDWIDE. See it before you buy it. Philatelic Friends, Box 802, Bear, DE 19701 (1442) US AND WORLDWIDE. GREAT PRICES BEGINNER TO ADVANCED. Sets and Singles. State interest. Larry Serenari, 766 Nestle Quarry Rd., Falling Waters, WV 25419 (1445)
EXCHANGE TRADE BETTER QUALITY STAMPS mounted in books with advanced long-time collectors. Pete’s Exchange, 4470 Chippewa, Boulder CO 80303 (1439)
INTERNET BLUE MOON PHILATELIC WW selection w affordable pricing Fast & Friendly Service BMAStamps2. com (1439)
LITERATURE
GREAT STAMPS FAIR PRICES Personal Service, Global sets & singles. Emporium, 10 Wilmington Ave., Apt. 109W, Dayton, OH 45420 (1442)
www.philbansner.com (1456)
CUSTOMIZED WW APPROVALS Strong collections, Pick @ 50% All countries & levels to advanced AKM PO Box 30010, Mesa, AZ 85275 kenstampneb@cox.net www.akmstamps.com (1447)
100 COLLECTORS sell discounted packets, country collections on pages/sets in 36 page free newsletter. Great description. Alfins, 168 Eaglecrest Drive, Buffton SC 29909 (1444)
MAIL BIDS SALES
FREE CATALOG. US, British, Europe, W/W. Many Starter Collections. Various Sized Lots. No Buyers Fee. Jarema PO Box 359100, Gainesville, FL 32635 (1441)
MILITARY www.dickkeiser.com (1439)
NEW ISSUES ALWAYS FUN getting new stamps from your favorite countries. Free info, radio97208@gmail.com Dave Becker, 731 NW 209th St. Ridgefield, WA 98642 (1439)
POSTAL HISTORY www.philbansner.com (1456)
http://www.postalhistory.com/ (1437) www.dickkeiser.com (1439) www.triple-sonline.com 25,000 WORLDWIDE COVERS (1458) www.mgjpostalhistory.com +ephemera (1446) www.castlerockstamps.com (1442)
REVENUES www.dickkeiser.com (1439)
SUPPLIES SHOWGARD MOUNTS BIG SAVINGS – Double packs of 44 strips rather than 22 strips. Save
up to 50%. Both black and clear mounts. Many sizes. For list of sizes and prices and to place order go to my web store at www. stampmountseconds.com (1438)
Lighthouse SELECT S3 stock sheets (now out of production)... will pay a premium. Contact Bob Dix at dixiex22@gmail.com (1440) DC AREA Stamp Collections; Alex: 301-309-3622; ARogolsky@gmail. com (1444)
TOPICALS EJstamps@gmail.com (1442) www.CollectibleStampsGallery. com (1437)
WANTED
WANTED Clipper airmail to or from Shanghai 4th Regiment – jonpac@ aol.com 954-547-0544 (1442)
FOREIGN POSTAL STATIONERY. I can use almost anything in foreign postal stationery. Steve Schumann, 2417 Cabrillo Drive, Hayward, CA 94545 stephen.schumann@att. net (1439)
Duck Sheet. I am needing a RW-6 sheet. Please call or email Gerald R. Forsythe, 847-541-6215 or gforsythe@newmidwestgroup. com (1442)
Many Graded Stamps from 80–100
QUALITY U.S. STAMPS
HB Philatelics
Proofs & Essays • Federal & State Hunting Permits
Guy Gasser
P.O. Box 2320 • Florissant, MO 63032 Phone 314-330-8684 E-mail: guy@hbphilatelics.com
www.hbphilatelics.com Official APS Web Sponsor
Faroe Islands Stamps New September 2020 Stamp Issues
FØROYAR 12KR
FØROYAR 27KR Ludwig van Beethoven 250 Yrs
The Faroese artist, Heiðrik á Heygum has designed the mini-sheet. He has dressed the great composer up in the Faroese national costume, placed him in quintessential Faroese surroundings. Also available as a poster - A3.
FØROYAR
Faroese Chess Traditions
26KR
125 Years of Motion Pictures
In the Faroe Islands, the chess tradition also gained its local characteristics and these stamps describe two of them: the “Rook” and “Four-Player-Chess”. Design: Ole Wich.
Buy Faroese Stamps at www.stamps.fo
2020 marks the 125th anniversary of the first public motion picture screening. The stamps display 2 movies by a Faroese film director, Bye Bye Blue Bird and Ludo.
Our agent in the US: Nordica Inc./ David Bein E-mail: nordicad@optonline.net
Posta Faroe Islands - one of the smallest Postal Services in the world, yet known for its unique, beautiful and creative stamps, which have gained worldwide recognition since 1976. Posta Stamps, Óðinshædd 2 Tel. +298 346200 FO-100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands stamps@posta.fo
NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1033
Canada Revenues
We Sell & Buy Stamps
Massive Inventory
CKstamps U.S. & Worldwide
P.O. Box 300-P Bridgenorth, ON, Canada K0L 1H0 toll free phone 1-866-382-6326
42-14 Union St. #2A Flushing, NY 11355 ckstampsLLC@yahoo.com
E.S.J. van Dam Ltd
from $0.01 on eBay
ck stamps LLC
www.CKstamps.com
www.canadarevenuestamps.com
New Zealand’s Leading Auction House offers you free monthly postal auctions with 3000+ lots! Join our mailing list NOW!
Year 2019 2018
VATICAN CITY YEAR SETS Mint $100.00 $105.00
Year 2017 2016
Mint $91.00 $97.00
Entire Vatican catalog is stock; 1929 to today Please add 3% postage & shipping, minimum $0.75
PENNY BLACK STAMP COMPANY P.O. Box 78, Dexter MI 48130-0078 Phone: (734) 424-3043
FREE price list.
APS #216955
www.pennyblackstamp.com
Mexico
www.mowbraycollectables.co.nz Private Bag 63000, Wellington, New Zealand 6140 Ph: + 64 6 364 8270 • mowbray.stamps@xtra.co.nz
Stamps Auctions
New and Lower Prices
www.greggnelsonstamps.com 707-894-5273
ALL
INDIA
HAWAII
AUCTION . RETAIL . PRIVATE TREATY
www.stampbay.com PO Box 50848, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Ph: (650) 387-3885 Email: info@stampbay.com
U.S. Revenues R1 to RZ18, Telegraphs, Savings Whether you want that elusive issue to complete a set or sell your collections. Free price list.
FSDA ASDA
Vogt Stamps 1301 Broadway • Burlingame, CA 94010 650-344-3401 Full website www.vogtstamps.com
FRANK BACHENHEIMER
6547 Midnight Pass Rd., #89, Sarasota, FL 34242 • Ph: 941-349-0222 www.astampdealer4u.com • frankb@astampdealer4u.com
When in Naples (Florida) stop in and examine our large stock of U.S. and Foreign Stamps, Covers, Collections, Wholesale Lots
NEW ENGLAND STAMP 4987 Tamiami Trail East Village Falls Professional Ctr., Naples, FL 34113 Ph: 239-732-8000 Fax: 239-732-7701
E-bay I.D. Gary.NES
Established 1893
U.S. Possessions CZ, Cuba, Guam, Hawaii, PR, Philippines, & Spanish Era Whether you want that elusive issue to complete a set or sell your collections. Free price list.
FSDA ASDA
FRANK BACHENHEIMER
6547 Midnight Pass Rd., #89, Sarasota, FL 34242 • Ph: 941-349-0222 www.astampdealer4u.com • frankb@astampdealer4u.com
RUBBER STAMPS
TRADITIONAL & SELF-INKING CUSTOMER SERVICE & ORDERS CALL TOLL-FREE
1-877-373-1212
MOST ORDERS SHIP WITHIN 24 HOURS Visit us online: SHOP.WCP-NM.COM
Remember the APS and APRL in your Will Call (814) 933-3803 for info on estate planning 1034 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
215rubber01.indd 1
buyers and builders of great stamp collections visit
www.columbianstamp.com
11/25/2014 9:10:16 AM
Quality U.S. Stamps Competitive Prices New Issue Service Available
Scott A. Shaulis
P.O. Box 549 • Murrysville, PA 15668 scott@shaulisstamps.com • www.shaulisstamps.com
Index of Advertisers Amos Media—www.linns.com —www.amosadvantage.com
1041
Frank Bachenheimer —www.astampdealer4u.com
1034
Antonio M. Torres —www.antoniotorres.com
1034
Gary Posner, Inc. — www.garyposnerinc.com
973
APS Cares —stamps.org/support
1023
Gary J. Lyons — www.garylyon.com
974
APS Giving Tuesday —aps.buzz/Adopt-A-Book
964
Gregg Nelson Stamps — www.greggnelsonstamps.com
1034
APS Estate Advice —www.stamps.org/Estate-Advice
1034
Haiti Philatelic Society — www.haitiphilately.com
1021
Argyll Etkin Limited —www.argyll-etkin.com
1036
HB Philatelics — www.hbphilatelics.com
1033
Hipstamp — www.hipstamp.com
959
Hugh Wood Inc. Insurance — www.hughwood.com
1047
Hungarian Stamp Exchange — www.hungarianstamps.com
968
James E. Lee — www.jameslee.com
995
Auktionshaus Christoph Gärtner GmbH & Co. KG—www.auktionen-gaertner.de C3 Century Stamps —www.century-stamps.com
1031
Champion Stamp Co., Inc. —www.championstamp.com
1008-1009
CK Stamps —www.CKstamps.com
1034
Columbian Stamp Company —www.columbianstamp.com
J.R. Mowbray, Ltd. —www.mowbrays.co.nz
1034
1034
Kay & Co. — www.kaystamps.com
1036
Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions —www.kelleherauctions.com
962-963
Kelleher & Rogers, Ltd. — www.kelleherasia.com
962-963
1034
Lawrence J. Mozian — www.mozianstamps.com
1036
Markest Stamps—www.markest.com
1029
Davidson’s Stamp Service —www.newstampissues.com D&P Stamps —www.dpstamps.com
1016
Martin Winter
1015
Denali Stamp Co. —www.denalistamps.com
1034
Michael Eastick & Associates Pty. Ltd. — www.michaeleastick.com
1034
974
Miller’s Stamp Company — www.millerstamps.com
1034
Deveney Stamps —www.deveneystamps.com Don S. Cal —www.DonSCal.com
1036
Downest Stamps —www.destamps.com
Mountainside Stamps, Coins & Currency— — www.mountainsidestamps.com 995
1040
Mystic Stamp Company — www.mysticstamp.com
970
New England Stamp — www.NewEnglandStamp.com
1034 1036 955
Dutch Country Auctions —ww.DutchCountryAuctions.com Dr. Robert Friedman & Sons —www.drbobfriedmanstamps.com
965
E.S.J. van Dam, Ltd. —www.canadarevenuestamps.com
Northland International Trading, LLC — www.northstamp.com
1034
ebay —www.ebay.com/philately
1017
Palo Albums Inc. — www.paloalbums.com
Eric Jackson— www.ericjackson.com
1028
C2, 957
Paradise Valley Stamp Company, Cornerstamp, Inc.—www.stamp-one.com 1033
Patricia A. Kaufmann —www.trishkaufmann.com 1015 Penny Black Stamp Company —www.pennyblackstamp.com 1034 Philasearch.com — www.philasearch.com 969 Posta Faroe Islands — www.stamp.fo 1033 Postal Stationery.com — www.postalstationery.com 1040 Randy Scholl Stamp Co. Have Tongs Will Travel — www.randyschollstampcompany.com/ have-tongs-will-travel.asp C4 Rasdale Stamp Company — wwwrasdalestamps.com 1016 Rising Sun Stamps — www.risingsunstamps.com 1028 Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. — www.siegelauctions.com 1034 Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library — http://rmplauctions.org 974, 1015 Rubber Stamps —shop.wcp-nm.com 1034 Scott A. Shaulis — www.shaulisstamps.com 1034 Space Cover Store — www.spacecoverstore.com 1034 Stampbay, Inc. —www.stampbay.com 1034 Stamp Lister — www.StampLister.com 1028 Stamps Inc. —www.stampsinc.com 1032 Stephen T. Taylor — www.stephentaylor.co.uk 1032 Steve Malack Stamps — www.malack.com 971 Tropical Stamps, Inc. — www.tropicalstamps.com 974 United States Postal Service — www.USPS.com 1037 Universal Philatelic Auctions —www.UPAstampauctions.co.uk 1002-1003 Vance Auctions Ltd —www.vanceauctions.com 1040 Vogt Stamps —www.vogtstamps.com 1034 Whitman Publishing —whitman.com 960
About the Index of Advertisers This index is included to help readers find advertisers included in this edition of The American Philatelist. The support of these dealers and services is very important to the APS and to The AP. Advertising is a privilege of membership and each business represented here is a member in good standing of the Society. Some postal organizations, like the U.S. Postal Service, are not directly members, but are afforded the opportunity to advertise because of their standing, reputation and impact on the hobby. Advertising is open to any member of the American Philatelic Society. For any advertiser that maintains a website, that web
address is listed with their information above. Additionally, the online version of the journal includes clickable links for each of these companies and individuals. These links make visiting the advertisers’ websites easy and avoids the possibility of mistyping the web address from these listings. As you interact with these advertisers, please tell them you saw their ad in The American Philatelist and let them know that you appreciate their support of the journal and the hobby in general.
NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1035
SHOW TIME
stampshow@stamps.org
S
ince the COVID-19 outbreak, public assemblies have been canceled by order of state and local municipalities throughout the United States and around the world. At time of publication, there was no indication that “Stay at Home” orders would be relaxed, so we have chosen not to publish a schedule of upcoming events in this issue of The American Philatelist. The APS Events Calendar (aps.buzz/Calendar), while currently fairly sparse, will be regularly updated with future cancellations and postponed show dates. We encourage readers to stay updated on the status of future shows on the stamps.org website. This is an opportunity for stamp clubs to consider how they can gather for events and meetings, using video conferencing tools like Zoom or GoToMeeting. The American Philatelic Society is presenting a series of Stamp Chats, engaging dozens of APS members to discuss collecting. We are happy to offer our expertise and the APS video conferencing platforms to help clubs connect. Please reach out to APS Community-Grassroots Specialist Heidi Lauckhardt-Rhoades for more information at heidi@ stamps.org.
COLLECTIONS SALE – 10% OFF Take 10% OFF prices listed below and view FULL DESCRIPTION and PHOTOS of each collection at our website or call our office for additional information.
Palestine Covers ......................$750 Aland ($2,580)..........................$495 Denmark ($4,718) .................$1,395 Iceland Num. Cancels ($6,500) Australia/AAT ($3,069) ...............900 Denmark ($4,332) ......................800 ........................................... $1,950 Portugal & Col ($13,000) ........3,900 Austria/Hungary Postcards........500 Denmark FDC ($4,200) .............995 Iceland Cancels.......................2,200 Rhodesia ($620).........................175 1939-1945 Barbados ($29,992) ................9,950 Denmark Cancels ($7,253) ....2,100 Iceland ($26,638) ....................7,100 Rhodesia ($851).........................240 BOHEMIA & Barbados ($2,010) .....................410 Dominican Rep. ($554) ..............139 Iceland ($5,599) ......................1,395 San Marino ($2,636) ..................750 Brazil ($6,021) .........................1,495 Falkland Is. ($1,565) ...................625 Iceland ($22,725) ....................6,400 Scandinavia ($12,528) ............1,950 MORAVIA Brazil ($3,688) ............................795 Faroe Is. Sheets ($10,118) .....1,950 Iceland ($11,044) ....................2,600 Scandinavia ($6,000) .................995 Complete (181 different) British Comm. ($88,877).......23,500 Faroe Is. Sheets ($3,037) ..........875 Iceland Revenues ......................150 Scandinavia Postal Sta. ..........1,350 181 diff Mint NH $190.00 British Comm. ($22,142).........5,900 Faroe Is. FDC ($3,055) ..............650 Ireland ($2,281) ..........................650 Sweden ($42,996)...................8,500 181 diff Mint $125.00 British Caribbean ($9,766)......3,100 Finland Semi Postal ($848) .......225 Isle of Man ($856) ......................195 Sweden Booklets ($6,183) .....1,350 British Area Errors ......................425 France & Colonies ($13,500)..3,500 Israel Interim Period ($6,675) ..2,400 Sweden Booklets ($1,800) ........575 181 diff Used $250.00 Canada ($3,400) ........................925 France ($8,825) .......................2,495 Israel ($9,184) .........................3,200 Sweden Ring type ($4,930)....1,500 Canada ($9,774) .....................2,750 France ($3,925) ..........................800 Israel Plate Nos .......................1,500 Sweden ($3,066)........................575 Canada ($2,403) ........................695 Italy ($49,439)..........................9,200 Sweden Oscar/Numeral .........2,500 France ($7,700) .......................2,100 Don S. Cal Canada ($5,302) ........................995 Italy ($4,250)...............................950 Sweden Cancels ........................175 FDR Topical ($2,312) .................675 PO Box 1732 • Port Angeles, WA 98362 Canada ($4,295) ........................750 Italian Colonies ........................1,250 Switzerland ($5,047) ..................995 Germany ($11,783).................3,100 Canada & Prov. ($9,851) ........2,995 Japan ($4,019) ........................1,200 Tel: 250-383-6211 • E-mail: dcal@victoriastamp.com Switzerland ($2,200) ..................450 Germany ($7,703)...................1,950 Canada ($4,348) ........................750 JFK Topical .................................395 Dealer member APS since 1985 Switzerland ($3,200) ..................975 Canada ($1,718) ........................425 Germany ($2,058)......................495 Liberia .........................................425 Canada & Newf ($1,890) ...........450 Germany & States ($11,161) ..1,450 Liberia Sports ..........................1,600 Togo ($568) ................................145 Chile ($2,536) .............................750 Great Britain ($2,569) ................750 Liberia Ovpt Study......................425 United Nations FDC ...................695 Stamps, stationery, postal history, Cook Is. ($1,441) ........................395 Great Britain ($1,270 face) ........875 Liberia Proofs Etc ....................1,400 United Nations Inscr. Blks. 215CAL10 Bohemia Moravia.indd 1 around the World. 8/27/2015 3:37:54 PM die proofs from ($3,719)...................................720 Cuba ($7,571) .........................2,350 Greenland Sheets ($55,000) 13,750 Liechtenstein ($6,320) ............1,900 Send a note of your interests and we’ll Danish West Indies ($25,575) 5,900 Greenland Pl. Blocks ($2,856)...900 Luxembourg ($3,120) ................895 United States ($19,874)..........5,300 advise you of suitable items we have. Danish West Indies Cancels......675 Greenland ($7,735).................2,200 Luxembourg ($1,431) ................325 United States ($2,696) ...............845 If in London, please visit our Denmark & DWI ($6,092) .......1,400 Greenland Cancels/Covers ....1,250 Malta ($842) ...............................285 U.S. Ducks RW1-73 ($5,779) ...2,495 offices and browse our stock. Denmark ($22,249).................5,850 Hungary ($4,530) ....................1,150 Norway ($2,754).........................750 U.S. Ducks RW1-52 ($3,578) ..1,250 Denmark ($10,749).................2,900 Hungary ($3,100) .......................600 Norway #6-10 ($6,786) ...........1,850 U.S. Ducks RW40-75 Pl. Blks Have you visited our DELCAMPE STORE? ($3,690)................................1,750 Denmark ($4,119) ......................850 Hungary ($8,800) ....................1,250 Norway #11-15 ($1,740) ............575 Denmark ($4,478) ......................895 Hungary Souv. Sh. ($1,100) ......125 Norway ($6,393)......................1,650 U.S. Precancels ..........................650 Denmark ($19,403).................5,500 Iceland ($17,250) ....................4,995 Olympic Topical .......................1,150 U.P.U. Topical ($900) ..................195 Denmark ($11,593).................2,700 Iceland/Postcards.......................850 Pacific Is. ($823) .........................195 Vatican City ($905) .....................220 1, Wardour Street Shipping cost will vary depending on weight and destination. London W1D 6PA Great Britain Box 34 • Verona, NJ 07044 Phone: 011-44-20-7930-6100 Fax: 011-44-20-7494-2881 800-950-0058 E-mail: philatelists@argyll-etkin.com Website: www.argyll-etkin.com Since 1975
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UNITED STATES, POSSESSIONS, BRITISH, FOREIGN Lawrence J Mozian PO Box 5774 Williamsburg, VA 23188 E-mail lmozian@cox.net Phone (757) 220-2007 Serving philatelists since 1901
1036 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
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BOOKS & CATALOGS BY GARY WAYNE LOEW gary@stamps.org
Specialized Stamp Catalogue of The Falkland Islands and Dependencies, Including Postal History and Cancellations, 1800-2020 7th Edition by Stefan Falkland Heijtz, FRPSL, available from jaysmith. com for $49 postpaid in the U.S. Philatelic catalogs are published in many forms and serve many different philatelic purposes. At the one extreme are the massive multivolume worldwide stamp catalogs published annually by Scott, Gibbons, Michel, Yvert & Tellier and others. At the other extreme are the highly specialized catalogs such as Melvyn Philpot’s Specialised Machin Catalog of stamps or David Horry’s The Encyclopædia of Ceylon Postmarks, King George VI”. Somewhere in between those extremes lies a compact, comprehensive catalog of philatelic artifacts from the Falkland Islands and associated areas. Stefan Heijtz’ latest publication is partially described by its lengthy title: Specialized Stamp Catalogue of The Falkland Islands and Dependencies, Including Postal History and Cancellations, 1800-2020 with
1038 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
British Antarctic Territory and also Paper Money, Coins and Telephone Cards. I say partially described because the chapter titled “Miscellaneous” includes fifty topics ranging from Air Mail to Whale Mail. This catalog begins with introductory information about catalog numbers for stamps and covers, explanations of the dates recorded, catalog prices, papers, perforations, and watermarks. Each is explained in non-technical language. It is significant that the bibliography expanding upon each topic is located immediately following the material itself. The reader is not required to flip back and forth for references. A significant challenge to documenting so many diverse topics is to organize them in a consistent and accessible manner. Heijtz succeeds with great alacrity. There are chapters for the Falkland Islands, the Dependencies, and the British Antarctic Territories. Within each are listings of the frankings, stamps and covers in chronological order. Each listing is fully described as to denomination, color, watermarks, and valuations. Applicable postal rates are a valuable addition to this catalog. Profuse color illustrations represent an important enhancement to this edition. Also included are thorough notes on specimens, proofs, printers’ samples, print quantities, and varieties. The author also provides detailed historical notes where necessary. As a single reference, it is difficult to envision a more comprehensive gathering of practical, useful information. To cite one example of this edition’s deep explication, consider the 1935 King George V silver jubilee set of four stamps. Heijtz fits into a two-page listing all the basic information for the basic stamp and the eight printing varieties, including valuations. Each variety’s image is clearly reproduced. References to specialized references and websites are within the description. As another example, one might expect to see a complete
listing of Falklands Revenue stamps, which is to be found, appropriately, at the back of the book. But this catalog also contains a fully illustrated six-page listing of all the reported Registration Labels, including the Dependencies. I have identified no aspect of Falklands philately that is not addressed or referenced. I suppose I must mention my one discontent with this excellent catalog. For a philatelic populous with unlimited age and limited visual acuity, the catalog’s type size is too small! But that is the price one must pay for having a compact yet complete reference to take with one while shopping at stamp shows. To state that this is an obvious labor of love and dedication would not sufficiently differentiate it from numerous philatelic publications. However, Heijtz has used his many decades of collecting and studying Falklands philately to create a definitive work that is designed to be an essential tool for Falklands collectors and students at all levels of experience. And, indeed, this is both an essential and a definitive work. The APRL lists 205 entries for the philately of the Falkland Islands. The first place to look should be Heijtz’ 7th edition of the Specialized Stamp Catalogue of The Falkland Islands. The power of this edition is that, should you need more information, Heijtz tells you exactly where to look next. Topical Adventures – A Guide to Topical and Thematic Stamp Collecting edited by Jack R. Congrove, Dawn R. Hamman & Martin Kent Miller, available from americantopical.org for $44.50 (ATA members) and $4950 (nonmembers). A typical philatelic library might consist of general and specialized catalogs, advanced studies of stamps and varieties, volumes of research guides, and perhaps some postal history tomes - all weighty and serious works of philatelic profundity. Where, in such a library, might there be a place for the latest publication of the American Topical Association (ATA)? Topical Adventures – A Guide to Topical and Thematic Stamp Collecting belongs on the most convenient shelf, available for when the collector needs to lighten up and return to the real purpose of the hobby: to have fun! Few aspects of philately attract groups of fun loving philatelists as does the “specialized” area of topical collecting. As this practical and joyous book confirms, topical collecting can be an offshoot of any philatelic discipline or of no
established philatelic discipline at all. If you want to branch out from your current specialization, topicals just might be the branch for you. And Topical Adventures will show you the many paths that you might take. The ATA itself is comprised of nearly fifty Study Units that encompass the broadest range of human interests. But to put a perspective on this range, the ATA offers nearly 1,500 checklists of topics to collect. And, as the book points out, if you do not see the checklist you need, the ATA can assemble a custom list just for you. Both the Study Units and the check lists are designed to support individual collectors in their pursuits. The book in designed to assist you is utilizing these and other ATA resources. Topical Adventures is organized into eight chapters, three appendices and a bibliography. Within those chapters are 58 separately authored articles. The key to the book’s usefulness is the blending of approaches that comprise these articles. There is a descriptive section, introducing the chapter’s purpose. But it is the vignettes that personalize the chapter themes and illustrate how the authors approach their own topical collections. These are both educational and serve to NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1039
humanize the explanation of individual topical pursuits. need to improve your results. Chapter Five, Expanding Your Horizons, serves as an Another important highlight of Topical Adventures is the excellent example. The chapter starts with a piece by Dawn use of high quality images. The book is profusely illustrated R. Hamman and Jack André Denys, current and past ATA with relevant and helpful scans and photographs. Eloquent presidents, respectively. From there, the chapter explores Erwords notwithstanding, it is the pictures of stamps, covers, rors, Freaks and Oddities; Revenues; Postal Stationery; Covephemera, and people that drive home the book’s message: the ers and similar themes. Interwoven throughout the chapter hobby of collecting topicals is diverse, interesting, challenging, are personal stories such as “How I Became a Topical Collecand exciting. tor” or “When a Stamp is Not a Stamp”. Topical Adventures succeeds because it is thorough, propFun, it must be noted, does not suggest a lack of serious erly organized, well written, and scrupulously edited. Oh, purpose. Topical collectors are known for their dogged foyes, and F-U-N! cus on obtaining the stamps and covers that will enhance their collections. And the research incorporated into topical collecting can be as intense as Extensive online listing anywhere in philately. Here, we see litof Postal Cards tle difference between topicals and any www.postalstationery.com other branch of the hobby. Consistent with all of philately, if one seeks to competitively exhibit their collection, then there are most assuredly rules, procedures and guidelines to be followed. If you might be considering exhibiting, then both Chapter PO Box 1006, Alton, NH 03809 Seven and Appendix B are just what 603.875.5550 email: const@tds.net you need. These will either help you get started or provide the boost you
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NEW U.S. ISSUES BY JEFF STAGE
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September Stamps Kick Off Holiday Season
wo major holidays – Thanksgiving and Christmas – were acknowledged with separate stamp issues in September, with both releases giving mailers plenty of time to obtain and use the stamps in the appropriate timeframe. At mid-month, a single stamp was issued in historic Plymouth, Massachusetts, where the Pilgrims landed their ship, the Mayflower, and established an important colony in the New World. The original artwork on the stamp, issued to mark the 400-year anniversary of the ship’s arrival, recreates the ship moored in Plymouth Harbor and Pilgrims heading to shore in a landing boat. A set of four bright and cheery Christmas stamps feature iconic holiday images – such as a stocking and Christmas tree – in traditional colors of red and green. Both stamps are self-stick, Forever first-class domestic stamps with a current rate of 55 cents. The stamps will forever be valid postage for a first-class 1-ounce domestic letter. Due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, neither stamp enjoyed a live first day ceremony. Both stamps did, however, receive virtual dedications via the Postal Service’s media outlets on Facebook and Twitter. The U.S. Post Office Department, forerunner to the Postal Service, issued its first Christmas stamp in 1962 and has issued new stamps for the holiday every year since. A Madonna and Child stamp, along with stamps for the year-end holidays of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, are scheduled for release this month. Also, a winter-themed issue is scheduled this month. All will be examined in the December issue of The American Philatelist.
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Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor
he Dutch cargo ship floats quietly in the calm coastal harbor, its sails furled tight as the British flag flutters atop the mainmast. There’s an overcast sky and the breezy air is icy crisp; but the sun begins to cast a hopeful orange-red dawn glow. The light reveals gentle slopes of low trees, shrubs and grasses partially covered by snow. Nearly three dozen weary, but excited, passengers cram into a 21-foot open boat on this autumn morning and begin rowing to shore to explore the New World for the first time. This is the scene revealed on the new Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor postage stamp issued nationwide September 17 via a virtual ceremony created by the Postal Service. The official first day postmark is Plymouth, Massachusetts (named for the ship’s English port of departure), where the first day ceremony would have been held if it had not been canceled due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Several local groups planned ceremonies. Plimoth Plantation, a living history museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts, that was founded in 1947, was the stamp’s original first day site. The museum is home to the Mayflower II, a 1957 and recently refurbished replica of the original ship, which sailed in September 1620 from England for the New World. The stamp, in panes of 20, is offset printed by AshtonPotter, but also includes a small engraving – a simple flower image on the right-hand side that represents a stylized hawthorn flower, known in England as a mayflower for the month in which it blooms. Greg Harlin, of Annapolis, Maryland, created original 1042 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
artwork for the stamp using a combination of watercolor, gouache and acrylics, with some digital refining to convey a scene of desolate beauty at the end of the Pilgrims’ harrowing journey. Greg Breeding served as art director for the stamp and pane and added the image of the flower. Greg Harlin’s work is becoming familiar to modern U.S. stamp collectors. He created original artwork for three stamps commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812, along with an issue for the Repeal of the Stamp Act, 1766, issued in 2016. Breeding was art director on all of these stamps. “(What makes Greg Harlin) exceptional (is) his insatiable curiosity for historic detail, but what (makes) him so exceptional (is) his extraordinary felicity for recreating authentic narrative,” wrote Breeding in a story about the Mayflower stamp’s creation on the website Medium.com.
Scott 548, a 1920 issue honoring the 300th anniversary of the Mayflower’s arrival.
Technical details for the Mayflower issue of 2020 are available at http://aps.buzz/USPSMayflower.
Breeding and Harlin both conducted research – reading known as the Mayflower Compact, an important cornertexts, reviewing artworks – on the Mayflower’s arrival in the stone document in American democracy. At the 300th anNew World. niversary of the arrival of the Mayflower, future President “What were the features of the landscape in 1620? What Calvin Coolidge said: time of day did the Mayflower first drop anchor? And given “The compact which they signed . . . was the foundathe winter context, would there have been tion of liberty based on law and order, and snow on the ground …,” wrote Breeding that tradition has been steadily upheld. They about the questions Harlin investigated. drew up a form of government which has As we know, the story of the Mayflower been designated as the first real constitution and its 102 passengers and crew of about 30 of modern times. It was democratic, an acis rich in important history and carries many knowledgment of liberty under law and orstory lines: bravery and pioneering spirit, reder and the giving to each person the right ligious freedom, cooperative government, to participate in the government, while they the triumphs and trials faced by all after first promised to be obedient to the laws.” contact with indigenous people, and the root The stamp’s focus, however, is the ship’s of the American holiday of Thanksgiving. arrival at the harbor, the first step toward Bound for Virginia in September 1620, new lives in the New World. Harlin prothe men, women, children, and their aniduced five pencil sketches of the Mayflower mals and stores survived the 10-week jouranchored in the pristine 17th-century harney (there was only one fatality during the bor, with the smaller boat heading to shore voyage) in quarters just 80 feet long and 20 Scott 1420, a 1970 issue in four of them. honoring the 350th anniversary feet wide. “We agreed that the ship anchored in of the Pilgrims’ landing in The ship’s passengers – who became Plymouth Harbor. Plymouth Harbor – with its small envoy known as Pilgrims – included a group of pushing out toward shore – had the most 37 English Puritans, separatists from the potential for being hauntingly beautiful,” Church of England (and considered illegal Breeding wrote. radicals), who had first fled to Holland in 1608 and now The original color study didn’t include all of the elements sought the “Promised Land.” Before their arrival in the New that appear in the final version, including the sunrise and the World, 41 male members of the party signed what became engraved sketch of a mayflower. Studies went back and forth NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1043
with little changes here and there before the artist submitted a final rendition that included the “gash of rising sun, illuminating the harbor and reinforcing the sense of anticipation we had been aspiring to achieve.” Relatively late in the process, Breeding added the image of the flower, which was missing when early publicity images of the stamp were first released. Upon their arrival in the New World, the Pilgrims’ story becomes intertwined with that of the native people of the area – the Wampanoag — People of the First Light, who occupied nearly 70 villages in the area. Though the interpretation of the mingling of these two groups has changed with research, most historians would agree that the Pilgrims likely would not have survived long without vital aid from the Wampanoag. After spending the winter aboard the ship, the Pilgrims disembarked the ship for good in March 1621. The Wampanoag taught the newcomers survival and agricultural skills. A fall feast of thanks for a successful first harvest, and the inclusion of the Wampanoag (albeit under unusual circumstances) became the inspiration for modern Thanksgiving. In an interview with Wicked Local/Plymouth (a website owned by Gannett Media) shortly after the stamp was announced, organizers of the Plymouth 400 celebration expressed some disappointment. “We have been asking that any stamps they produce include not only the European side of the story, but also the Native American perspective,” said George McKay, a Plymouth 400 Inc. volunteer who headed the philatelic effort. “Unfortunately for us, they chose to only produce one stamp for 2020, which does not include the other side of the story.” “While tangled and troublesome questions permeate the story, the landing of the Pilgrims in Plymouth Harbor is nevertheless a monumental occasion for the ensuing history of the United States,” Breeding wrote. The Mayflower has been seen on previous U.S. stamps as well as those from other countries. In 1920, the U.S. issued three stamps known as the Pilgrim Tercentenary Issue. Those stamps depict the Mayflower (1¢ green), Landing of the Pilgrims (2¢ carmine rose) and the Signing of the Mayflower Compact (5¢ deep blue). These are the only U.S. stamps that don’t display the country of origin. A stamp in 1970 marks the 350th anniversary of the Mayflower’s landing.
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Holiday Delights
hey are folk art and tradition with a very modern vibe; iconic images touched by whimsy; and, of course, cheery and bright. The eye-catching Holiday Delights set of four postage stamps issued September 24 can’t help but bring a smile to your face. With a traditional palette of red, green and white, award-winning illustrator Kirsten Ulve channeled her love of Christmas, vintage ornaments and Scandinavian folk art 1044 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
Technical details for the Holiday Delights issue are available at http://aps.buzz/ USPSHolidayDelights.
to create unique digital illustrations of four holiday icons: a prancing reindeer with antlers; an ornament tied with a bow and ready to hang; a tree topped with a star; and a stocking holding a teddy bear and a sprig of holly. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamps. The Forever stamps issued September 24 are being sold in a pressure-sensitive adhesive, double-sided pane (booklet) of 20 stamps. The stamps were originally scheduled to be issued in Frankenmuth, Michigan, but were instead dedicated in a short virtual ceremony available online via Facebook at http://aps.buzz/HolidayDelightsFDC. Ulve is an illustrator and designer living in New York City. Her work has appeared on the covers of magazines, in international ad campaigns, on the sides of buses, on Broadway marquees, in animated cartoons and television commercials, and in the form of games, watches and toy figurines around the globe. Ulve’s diverse list of commercial clients include the New York Times, Fisher-Price, Target, Godiva, Volvo, Adidas, Land’s End, the American Heart Association and the Guggenheim Museum. These are her first postage stamps. Her work can be found at www.kirstenulve.com. The illustrator and designer offered insight into the creation of these stamps with a Q and A via email:
Q and A with artist Kirsten Ulve and art director Antonio Alcalá When did you start working on this stamp? Kirsten: In December of 2018. I am so excited that they’re finally printed and available! I see you (Kirsten) have many wonderful clients. Had you ever worked on a postage stamp? Kirsten: No, and I was thrilled to do so. Designing a stamp for the USPS is definitely a career highlight. Every art-
ist considers this a dream assignment, and I am so grateful to Antonio: Many other designs were explored but I felt have had the opportunity. these were the strongest set of four. Kirsten, how did you get into art and illustration? Where Kirsten: We did explore the possibility of doing the last did you study? four birds from “The 12 Days of Christmas” using the aforeKirsten: I couldn’t see myself doing anything else, except mentioned partridge as one design (four calling birds, three maybe studying dance. I always loved making and drawFrench hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree). ing things and studied drawing and graphic design at the But the USPS felt that the possibility of someone receiving a University of Iowa. I also worked in the student-run graphic card with the three French hens stamp would design studio at the school where we did all be a bit too off brand. We agreed and I went the advertising, design and illustration for back to the drawing board. I sent several more the school’s various businesses, restaurants traditional Christmas sketch ideas: candy and events. This was valuable real life work canes, bells, holly, a country church, an angel, experience. After graduating, I spent a few Santa, elves, a polar bear. The present designs years as a graphic designer and art director, and eventually focused solely on freelance ilare what resonated most with the team at the lustration after moving to New York City in USPS, and I think they chose wisely. 1996. Were there many adjustments in the deYou have quite a unique and fun illustrasigns of the stamps during the creation tion style. How did you and the Postal Serprocess? vice get together for this issue? Antonio: Almost every design requires Kirsten: Thank you! Art director Antonio some adjustments to make sure it Alcalá, from Studio A in Alexandria, works well at stamp size, and these Virginia, first contacted me about dewere no different. These included signing a set of stamps for the USPS how the bear and holly fit in the right before Christmas in 2018. He stocking, the exact patterning on the had seen one of my Christmas card tree, the number of antlers, etc. designs featuring a partridge on my website and reached out about makKirsten: The stocking was origiing it a stamp and possibly doing a nally a heeled boot, but evolved into series of four . Naturally, I got to a more traditional stocking with bear. work right away and spent the holiThe tree also began as more of an andays dreaming about and sketching gular linear pattern, but the current up stamp designs. quilt-like design felt more charming. What prompted you to settle on the I also added the bow to the deer in three-color scheme – bright tradithe last round of edits. tional red, white and green? (The From a creativity standpoint, which specific colors, according to the of the designs was the most chaltechnical details published by the lenging? USPS, are Pantone 2035 Red, PanAntonio: The tree may have been tone 1765 Light Red and Pantone Artist Kirsten Ulve tried out several holiday the most difficult. I think the changes 355 Green.) designs as she developed this year’s Holiday Antonio: That was a parameter Delights Christmas stamps. Courtesy of Ulve’s here [involved] a lot of explorations website, www.kirstenulve.com. from the beginning. It helps enhance to see how the different patterns and the holiday flavor of the design. color combinations could work, to Kirsten: I really like the bold simplicity of this tradiprovide a nice variation and not distract too much from the tional palette. This was also the color scheme of the original impression of the overall tree. partridge design that prompted Antonio to reach out. Kirsten: The tree presented a bit of an issue at one point: Did anything specific give you the inspirations for these the red and green were too concentrated in one area and designs? created a dark point when printed small. It was really helpKirsten: I think they’re a blend of three things I am pasful to test them at actual stamp size during the process so sionate about: Vintage ornaments from my grandmother (I we could catch these issues. This is definitely the smallest ADORE Christmas), Scandinavian folk art from my own Norprinted image I have ever worked on, and I am amazed by wegian heritage, and classic mid-century graphic design. the print quality of these stamps. You can see the eyelashes Did you propose any other designs, or just the four used on the stamps? on the reindeer! NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1045
Was the entire process done on computer or were other media used? Kirsten: Everything started with pencil sketches, and then I created the stamps in Adobe Illustrator on my computer. Is there anything else interesting you would like to add about the creation of this stamp? Antonio: Kirsten was terrific to work with, as she enthusiastically embraced any requests and provided lots of options for me to consider. Kirsten: When we first started the design process, I was told that these stamps would be released in 2022. It was hard to think about waiting that long, but the USPS works well in advance and has a very thorough development process. When I got the news a year ago that they were bumped up to 2020, I was thrilled. Little did I know how poignant the timing would be during a global pandemic, a heated political battle, with people struggling and worried. Sending Christmas cards feels more important than ever this year. When I think of these stamps flying across the country and maybe across the world to bring a smile to family and friends, I am just overwhelmed with happiness. There is no greater mission in my life than to bring joy to people in some small way with my work.
ing the change, including “continued interest in the sale of a previously offered discretionary semipostal stamp” and that the USPS “possesses unsold inventory” for the stamp. The change also allows the USPS “greater flexibility” in managing a program initially meant to circulate as many as five semipostals during a 10-year program. The price of a semipostal stamp – currently 65 cents – includes the first-class mail single-piece postage rate in effect at the time of purchase (currently 55 cents), plus an amount to fund Alzheimer’s research. By law, revenue from sales of the Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp — minus the postage paid and the reimbursement of reasonable costs incurred by the Postal Service — is distributed to the National Institutes of Health, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. When the Alzheimer’s stamp was withdrawn from sale, 8.2 million had been sold, raising more than $1.06 million to help fight the degenerative brain disease. At the time of the stamp’s issuance, the Postal Service noted that 500 million of the stamps had been printed. Ethel Kessler served as art director for the stamp, while artist Matt Mahurin created the design. Three of the five other U.S. semipostals are currently sold Return of the Alzheimer’s Semipostal through the Postal Service’s website. Breast Cancer Awareness, the first U.S. semipostal, which was issued in 1998, has he U.S. Postal Service announced a major change been the most successful, with 1.06 billion sold and $91.4 in rules involving semipostal stamps, which has million raised for research as of July 2020. Others still on sale rekindled sales of a stamp that had gone off sale for are the Save Vanishing Species stamp (issued 2011; 53.5 mil11 months. lion; $6 million raised) and Healing PTSD (issued DecemThe Postal Service resumed sale of the Alzheimer’s funber 2019; 8.2 million; $829,000 raised). The first two were draising postage stamp on October 5, based on rule changes authorized by Congress, while the announced in the September 4 Federal Healing PTSD semipostal is a Postal Register, the daily journal of the U.S. GovService discretionary stamp. ernment. The Semipostal Authorization Act Semipostals that are now off-sale grants the Postal Service authority to issue are Heroes of 2001 and Stop Famand sell semipostal fundraising stamps ily Violence. The Heroes stamp was to advance causes deemed to be “in the issued in 2002 and was available national public interest and appropriate,” through 2004. It sold 133 million according to its rules. stamps and raised $10.7 million to Before the September 4th change, the provide emergency relief to those Postal Service was permitted to offer only who were injured or to the families one discretionary semipostal stamp of its of those killed in the 2001 terrorist choosing for a two-year period, in addiattacks. The Stop Family Violence tion to any semipostal stamps mandated semipostal was issued in 2003 and by Congress. The Alzheimer’s stamp was sold through 2006. It sold more than the first semipostal chosen by the Postal 42 million stamps and raised $3.1 Service. (It was not mandated by Conmillion. gress.) The change eliminates this two-year Technical details for the Alzheimer’s semipostal are available at http://aps.buzz/ The Postal Service accepts suggesrestriction, allowing the Postal Service to USPSAlzheimers. tions for semipostal stamps through resume the sale of the Alzheimer’s semiits office of Stamp Services. The mailpostal, which debuted November 30, 2017, ing address for submitting suggestions and specific guideand initially ended sales on November 30, 2019. The Postal Service noted a couple of reasons when seeklines can be found at http://aps.buzz/SuggestASemipostal.
T
1046 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
NEW WORLD ISSUES
BY WILLIAM SILVESTER
CHINA (TAIWAN) – Taiwan Can Help
On July 21, 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan issued a pair of stamps with a printed gutter to remind people around the world about the measures that can be taken against the spread of the virus. The 13 and 15 yuan stamps depict health care workers in masks, sanitizing, taking temperatures, hand washing and following other measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The stamps and a set of postcards are available from http://aps.buzz/TaiwanNov20.
FINLAND – Courtyard Visitors
Stiina Hovi is the artist responsible for these two depictions of small mammals found in Finland. The se-tenant stamps were issued in a booklet of ten domestic self-adhesive stamps as part of the joint Nordic series of Postal Administrations, which has the 2020 theme of mammals. The red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) and European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) are shown in their natural environments and can be found online at http://aps.buzz/FinlandNov20.
CROATIA – TOURISM - Rovinj-Rovigno
Croatia Post issued a pair of stamps on June 25, 2020, to promote tourism in Rovinj-Rovigno, located on the coast of the North Adriatic Sea. Many of the city’s houses are located on the high rocky cliffs protecting the area, as shown in the panorama on the horizontal €8,60 stamp. The fishing town is known for its unique batana boats and its favorable climatic features. The €3,10 value shows Balbi’s arch, built in 1678-9 on the site of the old town gate. The stamps were issued in sheets of ten and are available from http://aps.buzz/CroatiaNov20.
FRANCE - Geography and Tourism
The small medieval village of Rodemack is featured on the latest in La Poste’s Geography and Terrain series. The 700 meters of city walls are pierced with loopholes and enhanced with round defensive towers. The issue, known as a Green Letter stamp, allows delivery to be processed within 48 hours and is intended to be an environmentallyconscious choice, as letters with this franking are not transported by air within France. Issued on June 29, 2020, the stamp was printed in sheets of 15 and is available from http://aps.buzz/FranceNov20.
GREAT BRITAIN – Sherlock
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman starred in the one of the newest adaptations of the Sherlock Holmes saga. Titled simply Sherlock, the hit series ran for only 15 episodes from 2010 to 2017. Royal Mail issued a set of stamps and a miniature sheet featuring the main characters from six of the most popular episodes. The stamps were printed with overlaid text and symbols from the shows that can be seen under an ultraviolet light. The miniature sheet contains four stamps with scenes from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s literary works including two First Class and two £1.68 stamps depicting The Adventure of the Speckled Band, The Red-Headed League, The Adventure of the Second Stain and The Adventure of the Dancing Man. The stamps and sheet are available from Royal Mail online at http://aps.buzz/GBNov20. 1048 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
GUERNSEY – 100 Years of Rupert Bear
Rupert Bear first appeared in the Daily Express newspaper in November 1920. Created by artist Mary Tourtel, wife of the newspaper’s editor, Henry Tourtel, Rupert began life as a brown bear with grey trousers and soft blue jumper. To cut expenses he was later changed to a white bear. The style of comic strips at the time was called “text comics,” in which the story is told beneath the illustrations instead of the “speech bubbles” used in modern strips. Rupert Bear is still produced in the original manner. The stamps and miniature sheet depict Rupert Bear and his friends Podgy Pig, Edward Trunk, Bill the Badger and Algy Pug. The issues are available online in various formats from http:// aps.buzz/GuernseyNov20.
LIECHTENSTEIN – Environmental Protection
To draw attention to environmental protection, specifically the recovery of recyclable materials from waste, Liechtenstein Post arranged to recycle 3,100 600-ml Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into a high quality polyester yarn. The resulting three million meters of recycled thread was then used by embroidery manufacturer Hämmerle & Vogel in Lustenau, Austria, to produce 40,000 five-centimeter self-adhesive stamps in the shape of a globe. Each blue and green stamp, issued in September 2020, required 75 meters of thread, and has a face value of CHF 6.30 (Swiss Francs). These recycled issues are available from http://aps.buzz/LiechtensteinNov20.
NEW ZEALAND - Māori Language Week
The Māori are indigenous to New Zealand and many of their words have become commonly used by all New Zealanders. New Zealand Post issued a set of four stamps and a souvenir sheet with the same stamps on September 2, 2020, to encourage daily use of Te Reo Māori words and to celebrate Māori Language Week. A single word is featured on each stamp: Aroha (respect, love, affection) on the $1.40; Whānau (family) on the $2.70; Tāne (husband, man, male) on the $3.50; and Wahine (wife, woman, female) on the $4.00. The stamps are available online from http://aps.buzz/NZNov20.
SLOVENIA – 75th Anniversary of First Slovene Stamp
Istria and the Slovene Coast were occupied by Italy shortly after the First World War and in 1920 became a part of the Kingdom of Italy. The Second World War changed the area’s status again and after the war, Yugoslavia and the Allies divided it into administrative zones. Zone B issued its own stamps, the first of which were designed by architect Miroslav Oražem and issued on August 15, 1945. The stamp issued for the anniversary of these first Slovene issues shows a map of the two zones and an olive-brown stamp (Scott 27) featuring an olive branch. This stamp-on-stamp is available from http://aps.buzz/SloveniaNov20.
• • • • •
New worldwide stamps are presented for information and are not necessarily shown at the correct scale. The quality of images available at the time of release varies widely and we resize to achieve the best possible reproduction. NOVEMBER 2020 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 1049
WORLDWIDE IN A NUTSHELL BY BOB LAMB • AP Columnist
Democratic Republic of the Congo ZAIRE Status: Presidential Republic in Central Africa Population: 101,780,263 (2020 est.) Area: 905,355 sq miles Currency: 1968 Congolese Francs = $1 US (2020)
W
hen Leopold II acceded to the Belgian throne in 1865, he declared that “Belgium must have a colony.” In 1876, he called a conference of geographers and explorers to discuss international cooperation in opening Africa for scientific purposes. A second conference in 1878 established an association to set up a band of trading stations a along the Congo River. An administrator in Boma oversaw the stations and coordinated the mails. In 1884, the administrator created etiquettes inscribed “Homeward” (to Europe) and “Inland” to facilitate correspondence. Leopold II’s activity drew challenges from other states. The Portuguese and Dutch revived long dormant claims to lands around the mouth of the Congo. The French explorer, de Brazza, purchased trading rights along the Congo’s eastern banks. The Berlin Conference of 1885 settled the disputes and recognized a vast area in Africa’s heart as the “Congo Free State” (CFS) with Leopold as its sovereign. The new state joined the UPU and in January 1886 it released five stamps, produced in Belgium, depicting the King using the design from the 50c Belgian stamp of 1875 (Scott 38). The Congo Free State was the personal domain of King Leopold, not of the Belgian government. Financial deficits and the expensive Arab War led to increasingly brutal and repressive measures and even atrocities against the native population. This caused outrage in the international community. Bowing to international pressure, the Belgian parliament reluctantly agreed to assume responsibility for the colony. On November 15, 1908, the CFS unceremoniously became the Belgian Congo. At the beginning of the new year, ten current CFS pictorials overprinted “Congo Belge” were released in the colony. CFS stamps ceased to be valid after August 1909. The Congolese independence movement grew in the 1950s. After deadly Leopoldville riots in 1959, Belgium promised independence without delay. The independent Republic of the Congo came into existence on June 30, 1960. The occasion was marked by ten stamps showing a map of the Congo and the word “Independence.” In addition, about thirty colonial stamps were overprinted “Congo.” Peaceful independence lasted one week. The army mutinied and order broke down. Several regions rebelled. Three, Katanga, South Kasai, and a revolutionary government in Stanleyville, issued stamps. The rebellions were suppressed with UN and foreign help, though stability remained elusive. In 1965, Gen. Joseph Mobutu seized power. He Africanized names, including his own. In 1971, the country became the Republic of Zaire. Since Congolese stamps are printed abroad and many do not appear to be sold in the Congo, the name Zaire was not immediately reflected on the country’s stamps. Mobutu’s rule, burdened by corruption, mismanagement, and neglect, was attacked by Laurent Kabila in 1997, who forced Mobutu into exile. Kabila, associating the name Zaire with Mobutu, restored the “Democratic Republic of the Congo” on May 17, 1997, as one of his first official acts. 1050 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / NOVEMBER 2020
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