[press release]
AFDCS Bestows Long-Overdue Recognition On Strauss

The American First Day Cover Society has given one of its highest honors, the Distinguished Service Award, to Gerald Strauss, the first editor of its journal, First Days. The award is given for performance far above basic duties, to living current members.

The key to any national stamp collecting organization is a successful journal, and especially so for a new society. Strauss, then a college English professor, produced the first issue of First Days, September-December 1955. It was a four-page mimeographed newsletter, but within a year, had grown to a 16-page professionally-printed magazine.

Unfortunately, his workload at the college became too much, and he resigned. He later dropped out of the AFDCS, but continued his philatelic writing and editing elsewhere, particularly for the Washington Press

First issue of First Days

and its catalogues, newsletters and album pages. Although not a member of the AFDCS, he also served as a proofreader for First Days for most of the past decade. He rejoined in the past year.

While editor of First Days, Strauss recruited two young writers whose names are very familiar today: One was college student Alan Warren, whose “Question Box” column has appeared in all but one of the hundreds of issues since that first one in 1955. Warren also writes for many other publications and on other philatelic subjects.

The other was junior member Randy Neil from the Kansas City area, who went on to become a successful writer, editor and publisher, as well as American Philatelic Society president.

The DSA is voted upon only by past recipients of the award; the committee is currently chaired by Allison Cusick.

The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization. In addition to 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.

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 246, Colonial Beach, VA 22443-0246.

Dale E. Smith, immediate past president of the American Topical Association, has been selected for the ATA’s highest award, Distinguished Topical Philatelist. The award is presented each year to an individual who has provided outstanding service to philately, and especially topical philately — collecting stamps by subject.

Smith has served on the ATA board since 2011, becoming first vice president in 2012 and president in 2016. He is also membership secretary of the Gladstone Stamp Club, near Kansas City, and is active in the Midwest Philatelic Society, based in the city itself. He is a member of six ATA-affiliated study units and three ATA-affiliated chapters.

“Herbert Hoover said, ‘It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit,’” said ATA president Dawn Hamman. “That sums up Dale’s incredible contribution to ATA, philately and many other worthy causes in a nutshell. He operates under the radar. He does not seek recognition, and, in fact, gives it to others.”

During Smith’s tenure as ATA president, he invigorated fundraising and was able to secure the organization’s future with financial leadership and by adding to its reserves. He added key leaders to important positions in the group, and was part of the team that organized and implemented the moving of the ATA office from Illinois to South Carolina in 2019.

His wide-ranging interests: stamps on stamps, HIV/AIDS on stamps, pharmacy, winter scenes, Christmas seals, Pony Express and George Washington Carver. In 2002, Dale and his wife Andrea started their topical stamp dealership, Stamp Smith. The main focus of the business has always been topicals.

Smith’s leadership goes beyond philately. A graduate of the University of Missouri, Kansas City, Dale has served as president of its alumni association, and is currently on the dean’s advisory council and the LGBTQ Scholarship Foundation. He has served as president of 15 non-profit organizations over 45 years.

He was presented with the award at the Celebration Banquet of Great American Stamp Show 2021.

[press release]
APS Writers Unit 30 To Invite Online Content Providers

Writers Unit 30, the American Philatelic Society affiliate that has represented stamp collecting writers, editors and publishers for more than 50 years, is now encouraging membership for online content providers: The people who write and edit websites, blogs and social media.

Most philatelic writing these days is on the Web. Often, the same material is published in print, on a website and in social media at the same time.

“Writing is writing, whether it is for print, broadcast or the internet,” said WU30 president Lloyd A. de Vries. “The styles may change, but the purpose is the same: To communicate, inform, and exchange ideas. We think including internet content producers in WU30 will be mutually beneficial.”

The APS Writers Unit publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Philatelic Communicator; supports literature competitions; and maintains a “Hall of Fame” for outstanding stamp collecting writers, both in the past and those active today. In addition, new programs are being planned. WU30 was founded in 1967, and meets annually at APS StampShow’s successor, Great American Stamp Show.

TPC issues often include articles on writing itself, layout, opportunities and news.

“30” is the traditional mark that was placed at the end of newspaper copy to indicate to editors and typesetters that it was finished. Not coincidentally, the Writers Unit is Affiliate #30 of the APS.

Membership is open to all who write, publish or edit in philately, from periodical columns to research books, and now, explicitly, to those who write for digital media. Membership is $15 a year anywhere in the world for .pdf copies of The Philatelic Communicator, delivered via email. Membership with a printed journal is $20.

To join, or for more information, visit the WU30 website at www.wu30.org or write WU30 at PO Box 411571, Saint Louis, MO 63141-3571.

The American Philatelic Society’s 2021 Nicholas G. Carter Volunteer Recognition Awards
for National Service have been awarded to:

• Allison Cusick
• Joann Lenz
• Steve Lund
• Don Neal, and
• Felix L. Perez-Folch, Jr.

The Carter Awards for Local Service go to

• Ron Breznay
• Mike Komiensky
• Darlene Waterstreet, and
• Mary Ann Wenzelma

This year’s Outstanding Young Adult Philatelist (Age 25-40) is Casey Jo White (right)and Outstanding Young Philatelist (Under 25) is Ian Hunter (left).

The APS announcement on the Carter Awards, including their accomplishments, can be found here.

Bill Schultz is the recipient of the Kehr Award, presented “for enduring contributions that help guarantee the future of the hobby” over a period of at least five years. Details are here.

The American Philatelic Society has named this year’s inductees into its Hall of Fame, the most prestigious award that the APS can bestow upon philatelists who have passed away. This year, all three are women:

• Elizabeth Pope
• Elizabeth “Betty” Nettles
• Esper Hayes

Only photos of Pope and Hayes were provided by the APS. The APS Hall of Fame was established in 1940. Nominees must have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of national or international philately.Pope and Nettles, perhaps not coincidentally, were both active in the Webster Grove Stamp Club in the St. Louis area. Hayes founded the Ebony Society of Philatelic Events and Reflections, whose acronym, again perhaps not coincidentally, is ESPER.

The APS announcement including their accomplishments can be found here.

L-R, Lesher, Ertzberger, Frohlich

The American Philatelic Society has named this year’s winners of its Luff Award, the most prestigious award that the APS can bestow upon living philatelists.

• For Distinguished Philatelic Research – Dr. Ronald Lesher
• For Exceptional Contributions to Philately – Darrell Ertzberger
• For Outstanding Service to the American Philatelic Society – Alfredo Frohlich

The Luff Award was established in memory of John N. Luff, APS president from 1907 to 1909, who was considered the most prominent American philatelist of his era.

The APS announcement including their accomplishments can be found here.

Lesher spoke with The Virtual Stamp Club in 2013 about one of the more unusual aspects of his revenue stamp collection, Oleomargarine stamps! You can hear that feature here.

Martin Kent Miller has been named editor of The Philatelic Exhibitor, the journal of the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors (AAPE). He succeeds Randy L. Neil, a co-founder of the organization, who decided to retire. Neil will continue to write a column for the publication.

Miller’s 30-year career in the communications field, includes writing, editing and graphic design. He is the president of the Philatelic Press, a company that serves the communications needs of philatelists and philatelic organizations. He also edits The United States Specialist, the journal of the United States Stamp Society; First Days, the journal of the American First Day Cover Society; and The Pennsylvania Postal Historian, the journal of the Pennsylvania Postal History Society. He previously edited The American Philatelist, the journal of the American Philatelic Society. Miller has been a stamp collector since he was eight years old.

Last year, Miller edited Topical Adventures – A Guide to Topical and Thematic Stamp Collecting for the American Topical Association (ATA). He also designed a new logo and website for ATA.

“We sincerely thank Randy for many years of fine work for AAPE,” said Mike Ley, president. “We look forward to working with Martin as we meet the needs of both novice and experienced exhibitors.”

Founded in 1986, the AAPE offers publications, exhibiting awards and critique and mentoring services for philatelic exhibitors.

For more information on the AAPE, visit its website AAPE.org.

The 92nd AFDCS Fundraising Auction is now underway. The auction features 1,120 lots donated by our generous members.

This auction starts off with a rare set of 1930 Zeppelin first day covers with cachets by Roessler, postmarked on the back along delivery route with first on 4/19/1930 at Washington, DC, and serviced by none other than Egon Bernet! How often does a set in such a pristine condition come available?

Those who have an interest in autographed material will find several notable items:

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt

Stanton W. Salisbury, Chief of Chaplains, U.S. Navy

C. Everett Koop, U.S. Surgeon General

Robin Cook MD, medical novelist and author of ‘COMA’ and ‘PANDEMIC’

Richard Couch, Stealth Bomber Test Pilot

Paul Hubartt, Cachet Designer for Fluegel Covers

A large number of Walter G. Crosby 1940’s are featured, some lots as mini collections, including several not-so-common #10 cachets:

A variety of Cachetmakers are represented, notably:

This auction continues from the last, offering an assortment of Doris Gold items , including printed and hand-painted FDCs, original artwork, and working materials for production of printed cachets. All exhibitors should pay close attention to these lots!

Duck Hunting stamp FDCs are represented proudly with a good assortment:

Pickers will enjoy group lots on a variety of topics including hand-painted cachets, Circus, collection of JFK Aerogram FDCs, a Fleetwood presentation card album, FDR 1946 Fleetwood/Knapp combo, Obama Inauguration multiple stamp combination, Certified Delivery and Special Delivery covers, and much more:

Whatever you collect you’re sure to find something of interest.

Auction runs through June 20th. Convenient online credit card and PayPal payment available for winning bidders.

See all the lots here: https://www.afdcs.org/Auction92/92index.html

Thank you for supporting the American First Day Cover Society!

[press release]
ATA to Offer Two Courses

The American Topical Association is offering two courses via Zoom during the month of May.

Wondering How to Mount and Display Your Collection? Make Your Own Album Pages! is three sessions at 6:00 p.m. Eastern on May 4, 6 and 11. It will show how to design pages on a computer and print them or take them to be printed.

The course will be taught by Martin Kent Miller, owner of The Philatelic Press, a design and marketing firm geared to the needs of philatelists. Martin has worked as a graphic designer for 30 years and enjoys making album pages. Also teaching will be Jeff Hayward, ATA first vice president, who works in the computer field and assists ATA with its technology. He is an avid collector who designs album pages for his many topics.

Cost is $25 for ATA members, $40 for non-members. Registration is open on the ATA website at www.americantopical.org.

Thematic Exhibiting: Steps to Success is a five-part course is designed to give students practical information to use in planning and developing a thematic exhibit. The five-part course will be offered on May 15 (4 p.m. Eastern), May 18 and 20 (6 p.m. Eastern) and May 22 and 29 (4 p.m. Eastern). Cost is $35 for members, $50 for non-members.
ATA president Dawn Hamman will present the first session, an overview of the decisions students need to make in planning; writing the thematic story; and acquiring and describing material. There will be a discussion of resources to use along the way. She is a thematic exhibitor, writer and editor.

The second session, taught by Martin Kent Miller, will cover layout and design, including choosing paper, page design basics, matting, typefaces and size. The owner of The Philatelic Press, a marketing and design firm geared to the needs of philatelists, Miller edits numerous publications, including First Days and The United States Specialist. He designs many publications for ATA, and edited the 2020 book, Topical Adventures – A Guide to Topical and Thematic Stamp Collecting.

The third session will be a case study, in which prominent thematic exhibitor Phillip Stager will go through the steps he took in developing his award-winning exhibit, The Wonderful World of Bamboo. Stager has been exhibitjng since high school and has won many top awards for his thematic exhibits. He is a retired philatelic judge who served as chief judge for the National Topical Stamp Show several times. He wrote the chapter on thematic exhibiting for Topical Adventures – A Guide to Topical and Thematic Stamp Collecting.

Jean Wang will lead the class on May 22: How to Choose a Wide Variety of Philatelic Items for Your Exhibit. She is the grand award winning exhibitor for Blood: A Modern Medicine, CANPEX, 2019, and one of the foremost thematic exhibitors working today. She will describe how she selected a wide range of philatelic items to tell the thematic story.

The final session of the course will be a wrap-up for students to report on their progress and ask questions.

[press release]
Ronnei To Coordinate Exhibit Efforts for FDC Society

The American First Day Cover Society has chosen Todd Ronnei, a gold-medal exhibitor himself, to coordinate its exhibiting programs and promote FDC exhibiting.

Ronnei was awarded the Reserve Grand and a Large Gold medal for his U.S. Winston Churchill (Sc. 1264) exhibit at the AFDCS’s Americover 2018 and at Minnesota Stamp Expo in 2018. [One of the covers is shown below.] He has a number of other FDC exhibits, including the 1967 Urban Planning stamp (Sc. 1333) and 1970 Fort Snelling stamp (Sc. 1409), and is the Exhibit Chair for Minnesota Stamp Expo, a World Series of Philately show.

Ronnei and his family live in a Minneapolis suburb. He has been the AFDCS.org webmaster for a number of years and also served on its board of directors, five years as its chairman.

The AFDCS presents unique awards in special categories at its Americover shows, created by Kerry Heffner, and Randy Smith distributes a general AFDCS award to shows upon request. “Todd will pull together these efforts, while adding others and encouraging more FDC collectors to try their hand at exhibiting,” said AFDCS president Lloyd A. de Vries.

The AFDCS, a 501(c)(3) educational not-for-profit organization, also recently reorganized its Education Department and is putting more emphasis on those programs.

The society publishes its award-winning journal First Days six times a year, as well as handbooks and directories, and is a co-sponsor of the big U.S. summer philatelic event, Great American Stamp Show (Aug. 12-15 in the Chicago area) or its equivalent virtual show.

For more information on the AFDCS, visit its website www.afdcs.org, email afdcs@afdcs.org or write to the society at Post Office Box 246, Colonial Beach, VA 22443-0246.

Todd Ronnei’s Winston Churchill exhibit can be seen here.