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A new video presentation on YouTube looks at Whooping Cranes on stamps and first day covers for the U.S. issue of 1957. In her program, Susan Jones, calls Sc. 1098, “one of the most beautiful stamps the Post Office Department put out.”

The quickest way to “The Whooping Crane“ and other videos on the American First Day Cover Society YouTube channel is www.afdcs.org/videos.html

Jones presented a talk at a virtual meeting of the Claude C. Ries Chapter (Southern California) of the AFDCS in November 21. In addition to discussing and showing various cachets and postmarks, she also talks about the postmarks and poster stamps associated with the issue, and why it was issued.

Membership in the AFDCS is not required to view the videos, but with memberships starting at $24 for Internet-only access or $35 with the printed magazine, it is very affordable and a good asset for any first day cover collector, anywhere in the world.

The AFDCS also publishes handbooks, catalogues, directories and a bimonthly award-winning journal, First Days. The society also advocates for first day cover collecting and exhibiting, and is a co-host of Great American Stamp Show, which next will be held August 25-28, 2022, in Sacramento, Calif.

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.

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The APS Writers Unit #30 is honoring three philatelic authors this year, by inducting them into the WU30 Hall of Fame: Marjory J. Sente, Kevin Lowther, and Douglas A. Kelsey. The formal presentations will be made during the Unit’s annual meeting on August 28, at Great American Stamp Show in Sacramento, Calif., at 11 a.m. The APS Writers Unit #30 is an affiliate of the American Philatelic Society.

The choices were proposed by the Hall of Fame Committee, chaired by Cheryl Ganz and including Trish Kaufmann and Ken Trettin, all members of the Hall of Fame themselves.

Sente has been writing for philatelic publications for nearly half a century. Her articles have appeared not only in all the major stamp collecting periodicals, but also in mainstream publications such as Country Living, The Penn Stater, and DAR Magazine. She also has exhibited on subjects as diverse as the Grand Canyon, Washington Bicentennial and censored first day covers; given talks and seminars; and taught philatelic courses.

“Thank you for your kind words. I was pleasantly surprised, actually stunned,” she said when notified.

Lowther writes on a wide range of subjects, but especially postal history. In the past dozen years, he has published more than 170 articles in several philatelic magazines, including the United States Specialist, the American Stamp Collector & Dealer and Kelleher’s Stamp Collector’s Quarterly. More than a third of them explored the postal history of United States’ involvement in World War I, while his articles on the Washington-Franklins have led to several new listings in the Scott catalogue. He has also published two non-fiction non-philatelic books on history.

Although best known as the administrator of the American First Day Cover Society, Kelsey (1949-2020) wrote several hundred articles, columns, catalogs, and monographs. These showcased his diverse research and collecting interests, from Ohio metered mail to Egyptian definitives. He held offices in many philatelic societies and was honored for his service numerous times. He was also an accredited APS judge and helped bring the AFDCS’ Americover exhibition into the World Series of Philately.

The APS Writers Unit #30 is the organization for philatelic writers, editors, publishers and content producers, helping them exchange ideas. It publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Philatelic Communicator, and maintains the www.wu30.org website. It is APS affiliate number 30, because “-30-“ was how 19th and 20th century writers indicated the end of their articles and other works.

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APS/APRL Officers Elected
Final Results Certified by APS Board of Elections

The American Philatelic Society announced the results of the officers’ elections for the APS Board of Directors and the American Philatelic Research Library Board of Trustees. Ballots were mailed with the May 2022 issue of The American Philatelist or sent separately to those who do not receive the monthly journal.

Ballots Received
In 2022, 3,846 APS members cast ballots for the election, a 15 percent participation rate. By comparison, 1,986 members (7 percent) voted in 2019 and 3,961 members (13 percent) in 2016.

Start of the Term and Organizational Meetings
Newly elected APS and APRL Boards officers will take the oath of office following the annual membership meeting on Saturday, August 27, 2022, during the Great American Stamp Show held in Sacramento, CA. The APS and APRL Boards will hold an organizational meeting on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 1 pm.

Election Results
The election results were certified by the 2022 Board of Elections, APS members Rick Banks, Darlene Bloom, Leonard Bloom, and Tom Horn. Woodycrest United Methodist Church members in State College, Pennsylvania, assisted in counting ballots.

Vote Totals by Candidate (3,846 votes cast, 3,810 declared valid)

President: Robert Zeigler, 3,793 (14 votes for “Other”)

Board of Vice Presidents: The slate of Mark Banchik, Cheryl Ganz, and Yamil Kouri, 3,799 (6 for “Other”)

Secretary: Peter McCann, 3,775 (6 votes for “Other”)

Treasurer: Kathryn Johnson, 3,786 (4 votes for “Other”)

Directors-at-Large: Elizabeth Hisey (3,713), Matthew Kewriga (3,664), Michael Cortese 3,639), and Evan Siegling (3,622).

APRL Trustees elected by APS membership: John Barwis (3,718) and Charles Epting (3,705). (17 votes for “Other”)

APRL Trustee Founders/Patron/Vooys Fellow Representative: Rich Drews

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Wolfersberger Is 2022’s Top Topicalist

David Wolfersberger has been named the American Topical Association Distinguished Topical Philatelist for 2022. The association’s highest award will be presented at the awards ceremony at the Great American Stamp Show on August 27, 2022.

Wolfersberger has been instrumental in re-activating two topical study units and forming a new one. Study units are small groups of collectors of specific topics who want more information and opportunities to interact with others.

In 2003, he led the effort to activate the CartoPhilatelic Society, a group that studies maps on stamps, which had been dormant since 1995. Since then he has been vice president and president, and is currently editor of the group’s quarterly journal. In 2006, he initiated efforts to restart the Wine on Stamps Study Unit after a two-year hiatus. He is president and journal editor for that group.

In 2017, Wolfersberger worked with others in forming the Gastronomy on Stamps Study Unit, and is president and past journal editor of the unit.

“Today, three important study units are going strong, thanks to the tireless work of this ATA leader. As a life-long stamp collector, David has found stamp collecting to be an invaluable way to learn about his favorite topics and countries. His leadership skills have immeasurably expanded and improved topical philately,” said ATA president Dawn Hamman.

Register here. This program is available to anyone, including non-members.Register here.

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WE Fest Set for Rocky Mountain Stamp Show

Registration is now open for the Women Exhibitors semi-annual WE Fest, a series of exhibiting workshops. This year’s four-day event will be held in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Stamp Show 2022, in Aurora, CO, May 27-29, 2022. WE Fest VII features speakers who will provide educational, informative, and entertaining presentations on Thursday May 26.

Dawn Hamman will share her expertise in “Competitive Postcard Exhibiting,” Marjory Sente will present “Tips for researching covers on the internet,” Elizabeth Hisey will have an interactive activity in which those attending get to be a “Judge for a Day,” and Sherri Soraci Jennings will introduce participants to “Thematic/Topical Exhibiting.”

There will be opportunities for socializing and networking throughout the show, including a pizza party, WE hospitality room and a farewell breakfast.

Women Exhibitors and WE Fest VII are open to all. Both men and women exhibitors, and those interested in exhibiting, are invited to join and participate. More information and the registration form is available at American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors – WE – Women Exhibitors (aape.org). Early Registration is $75 if received by March 28, 2022, or $85 if received after. For further information contact womenexhibitors@gmail.com.

Gini Horn, the longtime chief librarian of the American Philatelic Research Library and the American Philatelic Society, has passed away at the age of 70. You can find her obituaries at on the APS website and that of a local newspaper.

Her coworkers and successors talk about her uncanny ability to find anything in the library’s collections, no matter how obscure.

In her 25 years as chief librarian, she not only grew the collection and staff, and oversaw the move to the new facility in Bellefonte, she was also a jack-of-all trades, often pitching in where needed. In the photo below, taken in 2004, she climbed onto the roof of “Building 1” and took photos of one of the dedication ceremonies for the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte.

I used to drive her crazy when I was on the APS board: She somehow was in charge of checking tickets for the banquets during AmeriStamp Expo and StampShow. I would never remember to bring them. “How will we know what entree to serve you?” “I don’t know. Pick one. Whatever you have too much of.” She wasn’t satisfied. I guess for professional librarians, everything has to be in its proper place and category.

I also remember one show where she was the designated APS staffer who was transporting the Inverted Jenny back from a show to headquarters. (In those days, a different staffer had the responsibility each time, and who it was was kept secret. Today, of course, a Brinks truck transports the stamp to the nearest military air base where Air Force Two is waiting.) I was walking through the airport with a group of APS staffers, including Gini, and every few steps, she would stop and check her pockets. Or stop and look around to see if anyone suspicious was following her.

— Lloyd A. de Vries

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ATA Names Miller Editor of Topical Time

The American Topical Association has selected Martin Kent Miller to serve as the association’s Content Manager and Editor for Topical Time.

In January, veteran editor Wayne Youngblood announced his retirement from Topical Time, after 12 years editing the journal. The announcement triggered a search for a new editor and a redefinition of the editor’s overall role. The Content Manager and Editor will serve as Topical Time editor, while also working to publish more digital content both through social media and the association’s web platforms.

Miller 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; The Philatelic Exhibitor, the journal of the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors; and The Pennsylvania Postal Historian, the journal of the Pennsylvania Postal History Society. He was former Chief Content Officer of the American Philatelic Society, which included editing its American Philatelist and Philatelic Literature Review.

Martin is an active topical collector with focused collections covering emus, heraldry, printing & graphic communication, penguins, and the art and life of Albrecht Dürer. He is married to Jennifer Miller [right], ATA Executive Director, and has supported ATA projects, including the new website, co-editing the ATA handbook Topical Adventures – A Guide to Topical and Thematic Stamp Collecting, and designing the new ATA logo.

“Martin brings a broad range of talents and is committed to the goals of ATA. For several years he has been an integral part of ATA, and we are delighted he will take on this expanded role,” said ATA president Dawn Hamman.

So far, none of the positions in the upcoming 2022 American Philatelic Society election are contested. The candidates so far are:

President: Robert Zeigler, Indiana (incumbent) (right)

Board of Vice Presidents: Cheryl Ganz, Illinois; Mark Banchik, California; Yamil Kouri, Mass. (Ganz is currently a vice president.)

Secretary: Peter McCann, Florida (currently a Director-at-Large and a former President)

Treasurer: Kathryn Johnson, Illinois (past Treasurer)

Directors-at-Large: 4 seats; candidates run individually

• Michael Cortese, New Hampshire
• Elizabeth Hisey, Florida
• Matthew Kewriga, California
• Evan Siegling, Ohio

APS-Chosen APRL Trustees: 2 seats, candidates run individually

• John Barwis, Michigan
• Charles Epting, New York

APRL Trustee (chosen by donors to the Library)
Rich Drews, Indiana

Update: As of March 28, none of the positions is contested. Nominations close March 31. You can see any updates to the slates of candidates here (although you must log in as an APS member to view this page), along with links to candidate statements. Voting closes on June 11, with results announced on June 14.

The upshot of the American Philatelic Society town hall meeting Tuesday, January 25, 2022, was: The APS is in very good shape. Executive director Scott English (in the inset window in the upper right of these screen shots) said the membership numbers are “moving exactly as I want them to.” That is, the trend is in the right direction. Note on the chart below, the “trend line” is below where the number of members has been since 2016. That is, the decline in membership has slowed and appears to be leveling off.

If there is a negative, English said that it has been hard to find tenants for the rental space in the American Philatelic Center (right). When the American Philatelic Research Library purchased the former match factory 20 years ago, it was with an eye toward renting office space to other organizations and businesses, to provide revenue. The pandemic and its effect on the economy have made that difficult in recent years. The APRL, as an educational institution, owns the property. The APS provides management services. English is executive director of both.

English admitted that when he became E.D. 6 years ago, he didn’t expect to stay this long. “You all have hooked me in.” However, the former congressional and gubernatorial aide did not indicate how much longer he plans to stay in the position.

About 110 people attended the virtual Town Hall, which was held using the Zoom conferencing system.