Great American Stamp Show (GASS) 2028 will be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, August 24-27, 2028.The show is co-hosted by the American Philatelic Society, the American Topical Association, and the American First Day Cover Society, with the United States Postal Service serving as the official sponsor.
Michael Lake and James Tatum Jr. are the 2026 recipients of the American First Day Cover Society’s Glenn C. Michel Award for Service to the society.
Mike (on the right in the photo) is currently Chair of the Education Department of the AFDCS, recognized as an educational non-profit by the IRS. Among his accomplishments during his tenure are 
establishing the AFDCS YouTube Channel and coordinating the video presentations on it, and helping the AFDCS make available the Mellone cachet catalogues. In addition, he writes a regular column in First Days, the AFDCS journal, on ArtCraft cachets, a major influence on the FDC specialty. He is an elected member of the Board of Directors.
Jim (on the left) recently stepped down as Chair of the Honors & Awards Committee and for many years ensured that as many participants as possible at Americover, the annual convention and exhibition of the AFDCS, signed the envelopes which are placed in the AFDCS Archive. He also has served on the Board.
Most members do not know that as television-film editor Jim edited national television commercials and worked with Rankin/Bass Productions on animated movies such as “The Hobbit” and “The Last Unicorn” plus the “ThunderCats” and “SilversHawks” animated 
series. Mike was a college sports marketing and production executive at ESPN before opening a Signarama franchise, producing a different kind of communications media.
The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization. In addition to publishing its journal First Days, the AFDCS also publishes handbooks and catalogues, and promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as exhibiting FDCs. It offers awards for outstanding first day cover exhibits and an annual contest for cachetmakers, and is a co-host of the annual Great American Stamp Show.
For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.
[press release]
Steven M. Ripley of Florida has been elected chair of the Board of Directors of the American First Day Cover Society. He succeeds Cynthia Scott of Indiana, who held the 
position for a number of years. In an interesting development, she replaces Ripley as chair of the Honors and Awards Committee.
Ripley has held many roles in the society, but is best known as the innovative chair of its Americover show and convention. He received the AFDCS Distinguished Service Award, its highest honor, in 2005. In addition to being a Life Member of the AFDCS, he is also a life member of the American Philatelic Society, American Topical Association, and other philatelic organizations. His specialties include the Walt Disney issue of 1968.
Outside philately, he is a supervisor of transportation and parking for major events such as the Super Bowl, NASCAR auto races, the Kentucky Derby and concerts. He also provides management services for non-profit and start-up businesses.
The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization. In addition to publishing its journal First Days, the AFDCS also publishes handbooks and catalogues, and promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as exhibiting FDCs. It offers awards for outstanding first day cover exhibits and an annual contest for cachetmakers, and is a co-host of the annual Great American Stamp Show.
The Chair of the Board is elected by the members of the Board. Neither the chair nor other Directors are compensated in any way for serving on the board, although they may receive reimbursement for expenses not related to serving on the board or attending meetings.
For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.
The main 5″x7″ design of the Dragon Cards™; is printed but not yet cut, but the label cachets for the postcard combos are printed and cut. Note that the cachet labels for the postcards are two different sizes and slightly different designs. Scott UX52 and other 1965 postal cards (as they were called then) were smaller than 1978 issues like UX52. The building is Anderson Hall on the academy campus.
People often ask me what I collect. The answer is my own Dragon Cards, ZIP Block FDCs, cachets with an “official” tie-in of some sort, and “whatever catches my fancy.” My “fancy” is “caught” most often at shows, especially the American First Day Cover Society’s Americovers. I attended two shows in August 2026, Americover/BALPEX and NAPEX, and here are some of my “finds.” 
This one, for Sc. 6099 American Bison, was the talk of Americover. It’s by KSC Cachets (Kevin Colton) and “commemorates” the July 2026 incident where a bison at Yellowstone National Park, annoyed by a photographer, charged a 63-year-old man and his grandson. The grandfather got between the animal and the boy, and was thrown into the air. He suffered a broken leg and is recovering (or recovered by the time you read this), so we can make light of it — and Kevin did. 
As is often the case when I am at the AFDCS table, I see FDCs I like (and, yes, even though I’m the president, I pay for them. Most of the time.) This AFDCS cachet is by Doug George, using Artificial Intelligence. 
Until I looked up the Scott catalog number, I was calling this “Wetlands Runoff.” It was in boxes of common or uncacheted FDCs donated to the AFDCS and were free for the taking at Americover. The unusual stamp placement intrigued me. Someone in the AFDCS Facebook group explained the reason for it: The plate number strip of 5 would have overlapped with the cachet.
It is customary to collect the plate numbers on coil issues as strips of five and that is usually how they are collected on first day covers. The Wetlands stamp was valued at 5 cents, and the first-class rate in 1998 was 32 cents, so seven copies of the stamp were needed to meet the rate. Most FDCs used strips of four and three, or another stamp or stamps to “make the rate.”
Another Doug George (Wally Cachets” is his personal cachet tradename) for the AFDCS. I’m told he used an AI program that assembles a group of people into a party, although I imagine any AI program could do it if you write the prompt correctly.
All of those depicted were born on April 18. I recognize Conan O’Brien cutting the cake, but that’s it. How many can you name? 
And another Doug-George-for-the-AFDCS cachet. When AFDCS Sales has a table at a show where a stamp is being issued, it likes to have FDCs available for sale right away. That wasn’t easy for the “Encore” issue at Boston 2026, whose subject (Mister Rogers) was kept secret until the unveiling. AI to the rescue again, or actually, Doug’s imagination.
Flag stamp:
6107 pane stamp
6108 APU coil
6109 BCA coil
6110 BCA coil with liner paper
6111 APU double-sided pane
6112 BCA double-sided pane
6113 Summer Sunset
6114 Declaration of Independence
6115 Barbie:
a. 
registered nurse
b. surgeon
c. astronaut
d. firefighter
e. paleontologist
f. sign language teacher
g. robotics engineer
h. judge
i. soccer player
j. music star
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Announces Temporary Price Change for 2026 Holiday Shipping Season
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service filed notice August 25 with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) regarding a temporary price change for some package products for the 2026 peak holiday season. This temporary price adjustment is to help cover extra 
handling costs to ensure a successful peak season.
The planned change for peak season, which was approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would affect prices on the following retail and commercial domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM), USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select. No other products or services would be affected. Pending favorable review by the PRC, the temporary rates would go into effect at 12 a.m. CT on Oct. 4 and remain in place until 12 a.m. CT on Jan. 17, 2027.
This seasonal adjustment will bring prices for the Postal Service’s retail and commercial customers in line with competitive practices.
As a part of the Postal Service’s transformation plan, these temporary changes will support the organization in achieving our public service mission — providing a nationwide, integrated network for the delivery of mail and packages at least six days a week — in a cost-effective and financially sustainable manner over the long term, just as the U.S. Congress has intended.
The planned price changes include:
Retail:
Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4
$1.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.Priority Mail: Zones 5-9
Priority Mail Flat Rate:
USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5-9
Priority Mail Express: Zones 1-9
Priority Mail Express Flat Rate:
For commercial rates, see the complete USPS press release.
The complete Postal Service price filings with prices for all products can be found on the PRC website under the Daily Listings section at prc.gov/dockets/daily. For the Shipping Services filing, see Docket No. CP2026-10. The Postal Service provides additional resources to assist customers regarding the price changes. These tools include price lists, downloadable price files and Federal Register Notices. This information will be available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.
From the USPS Postal Bulletin:
On June 26, 2026, in Saint Augustine, FL, the U.S. Department of the Interior will issue the $25 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation stamp for the 2026-2027 waterfowl hunting season. The pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) stamp will go on sale nationwide June 26, 2026, and is valid through June 30, 2027.
Availability to Post Offices:
Item 337500, 2026-2027 $25.00 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Pane of One: Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic distribution to Post Offices.
Item 337600, 2026-2027 $25.00 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Pane of 20: The 2026-2027 $25.00 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation PSA Pane of 20 will only be distributed by Stamp Fulfillment Services
Technical Specifications:
Issue: Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp
Item Number: 337500
Denomination & Type of Issue: $25.00, Special
Format: Pane of 1 (1 design)
Series: Federal Duck
Issue Date & City: June 26, 2026, Saint Augustine, FL 32092
Art Director: Valerie Fellows, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Artist: James Hautman
Modeler: Daryl DeMont
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 1
Print Quantity: 1,432,180 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Invisible Fluorescent
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.7620 x 1.2890 in. / 44.7550 x 32.7400 mm.
Overall Size (w x h): 1.8900 x 1.4170 in. / 48.0060 x 35.9920 mm.
Full Pane Size (w x h): 6.1250 x 2.6250 in. / 155.5750 x 66.6750 mm.
Plate Size: 36 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: N/A
Marginal Markings:
Front: Selvage Text: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service • 2026-2027 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp • Celebrate the conservation of America’s wildlife and natural resources. • Artist: James Hautman, Bufflehead© • If applicable, sign your stamp.
Back: Verso-text • Ordering information • Barcode • U.S. Department of the Interior logo • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service logo
Issue: Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp
Item Number: 337600
Denomination & Type of Issue: $25.00, Special
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: Federal Duck
Issue Date & City: June 26, 2026, Saint Augustine, FL 32092
Art Director: Valerie Fellows, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Artist: James Hautman
Modeler: Daryl DeMont
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 47,600 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Invisible Fluorescent
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.7620 x 1.2890 in. / 44.7550 x 32.7400 mm.
Overall Size (w x h): 1.8900 x 1.4170 in. / 48.0060 x 35.9920 mm.
Full Pane Size (w x h): 8.2500 x 8.2500 in. / 209.5500 x 209.5500 mm.
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Selvage text: • Department of the Interior 20 x $25.00 (2 locations) • “Artist: 
James Hautman, Bufflehead©” (4 locations) • Plate number (4 corners)
Back: Verso-ut ytext behind each stamp • Four barcodes • Plate position diagram (9)
Note that these are not postage stamps and are not valid for carrying mail. There was also a Junior Duck stamp for 2026-2026, which was not valid for hunting:
The address to which to send FDCs for servicing is:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Duck Stamp Station
Postmaster
99 King Street
Saint Augustine, FL 32084-9998
but you might be better off sending them to:
FDOI Migratory Bird Stamps
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
This is the best (and only) image we have of the first-day pictorial postmark:
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
AAPE celebrates 40th anniversary at Chicagopex
The American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors this year is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its founding by a small group led by the late Randy L. Neil.
A celebration is planned for Chicagopex, one of America’s largest and best shows, on the weekend of November 20-22 at the Westin Hotel in Itasca, Illinois, near O’Hare International Airport.
Social events, discussion groups and member presentations are among the activities planned to mark the anniversary. A full schedule will be announced this fall.
“Just as when the AAPE started 40 years ago, it continues to encourage its members to try new ideas and approaches when exhibiting,” said Ken Nilsestuen, association 
president [right]. “As exhibiting continues its evolution from ‘Here are my stamps,’ to ‘Here is a really interesting story using my wonderful philatelic collection and related items,’ AAPE should still be there sharing these developments. We hope and expect that our members will continue to be leaders in philatelic exhibiting however it changes.”
The association was founded to provide a forum for exhibitors, judges and stamp show organizers and volunteers. Most of the major changes in the exhibiting craft as well as the greatly increased accountability and consistency in judging began as ideas discussed in the AAPE’s quarterly journal, The Philatelic Exhibitor.
AAPE has also smoothed the way for hundreds of new exhibitors by connecting them with mentors, free critiques and technical guidance through articles in the journal by experienced exhibitors who write about lessons learned.
Current membership is about 625 including gold medal winners and many who are developing their exhibits toward that level. Members have access to all back issues of the journal through an excellent website that includes widely diverse resources.
Anyone with an interest in joining the friendly and helpful ranks of exhibitors is welcome to participate in AAPE events. More information and membership details are online at www.aape.org.
Chicagopex is hosted by the Chicago Philatelic Society, which was founded in 1886 and is American Philatelic Society Chapter #1. Show information is online at www.chicagopex.org.
[press release]
The 1948 Wisconsin Statehood Centennial Issue: Making, Celebrating and Using the Stamp, by John A, Paré and Ralph H. Nafziger, is the 2025 winner of the American First Day Cover Society’s annual Philip H. Ward, Jr., Memorial Award for Excellence in First Day 
Cover Literature.
The 154-page book, published by The Collectors Club of Chicago, begins with a short history of Wisconsin, followed by the development of the stamp (Scott 957) from an idea to the finished product. It then traces the activities surrounding the first day in Madison and six cachetmakers whose first or only cachets were for this issue. It also includes a list of all known cachets for this issue and price ranges of their values, biographies of the cachetmakers and color illustrations of most of them.
Nafziger is a retired research chemist/research supervisor at the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Mines. He lives in Oregon and is Executive Vice President of the AFDCS. Paré is a retired U.S. Navy captain and high school vice principal who lives in Wisconsin.
The book, which won a Vermeil award at the Chicagopex 2025 literature competition, is available from the Collectors Club of Chicago, 1029 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610 for $45 (hard copy) or $15 (eBook). Visit www.collectorsclubchicago.org The book is also available on Amazon.
Mark Thompson’s book Women of the Black Heritage Series: from the Fields of Slavery to the Halls of Congress was the 2025 runner-up for the Ward Award. It is available from Amazon.
Philip Henry Ward, Jr., began servicing first day covers in 1909. An electrical engineer by trade, he wrote on new issues for The American Philatelist, Mekeel’s Weekly Stamp News and The Weekly Philatelic Gazette in the early 20th century.
The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization. In addition to publishing its journal First Days, the AFDCS also publishes handbooks and catalogues, and promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as exhibiting FDCs. It offers awards for outstanding first day cover exhibits and an annual contest for cachetmakers, and is a co-host of the annual Great American Stamp Show.
For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.
