Monthly Archives: June 2019

U.S. Scott Catalogue Update (July 2019)

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5378 (55¢) Transcontinental Railroad, 150th Anniv. – Jupiter Locomotive
5379 (55¢) Transcontinental Railroad, 150th Anniv. – Golden Spike
5380 (55¢) Transcontinental Railroad, 150th Anniv. – No. 119 Locomotive
a. Horiz. strip of 3, #5378-5380

5381 Wild and Scenic Rivers pane of 12
a. (55¢) Merced River
b. (55¢) Owyhee River
c. (55¢) Koyukuk River
d. (55¢) Niobrara River
e. (55¢) Snake River
f. (55¢) Flathead River
g. (55¢) Missouri River
h. (55¢) Skagit River
i. (55¢) Deschutes River
j. (55¢) Tlikakila River
k. (55¢) Ontonagon River
l. (55¢) Clarion River

5382 (55¢) Art of Ellsworth Kelly – Yellow White
5383 (55¢) Art of Ellsworth Kelly – Colors for a Large Wall
5384 (55¢) Art of Ellsworth Kelly – Blue Red Rocker
5385 (55¢) Art of Ellsworth Kelly – Spectrum I
5386 (55¢) Art of Ellsworth Kelly – South Ferry
5387 (55¢) Art of Ellsworth Kelly – Blue Green
5388 (55¢) Art of Ellsworth Kelly – Orange Red Relief (for Delphine Seyrig)
5389 (55¢) Art of Ellsworth Kelly – Meschers
5390 (55¢) Art of Ellsworth Kelly – Red Blue
5391 (55¢) Art of Ellsworth Kelly – Gaza
a. Block of 10, #5382-5391

Moon Landing 50th Anniversary (Canada 2019)

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[press release]
Apollo 11 stamps celebrate first moon landing – and the significant Canadian contributions to the mission
Canadians played pivotal roles in landing humans on the moon

LONGUEUIL, QUE. – Canada Post today issued two commemorative stamps celebrating the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 mission that landed humans on the moon for the first time – and the Canadians who helped make it possible.

On July 20, 1969, more than half a billion people around the world were transfixed by grainy black and white television footage of astronaut Neil Armstrong taking humankind’s first steps on the moon. The mission was a giant leap for human space exploration and featured significant Canadian ingenuity and innovation. Canadian engineers working at NASA, and a company based in Longueuil, Quebec, that built part of the lunar lander, were instrumental in making the mission a success:

James (Jim) Chamberlin
Jim Chamberlin was a leading figure in aircraft design in Canada before moving to the U.S. in 1959 to work for NASA. He became head of engineering for Project Mercury, the first human spaceflight program for the United States, and project manager and chief designer for the Gemini spacecraft that preceded Apollo. He helped determine the type of spacecraft that would transport the Apollo 11 astronauts and was one of the first at NASA to recognize that flying directly to the moon wasn’t the best option. Instead, Chamberlin favoured having a smaller landing module travel to lunar orbit attached to the main spacecraft, then descend to the moon’s surface and later reconnect with the main spacecraft. This approach, known as lunar orbit rendezvous, became fundamental to the Apollo program.

Owen Maynard
One of Canada’s top aircraft engineers before being hired by NASA in 1959, Owen Maynard went on to head the Systems Engineering Division for the Apollo spacecraft program – effectively making him the chief engineer. He sketched early designs of the main Apollo command module and is credited as the person at NASA most responsible for the design of the lunar lander. He also served as Chief of the Mission Operations Division and was responsible for planning the sequence of missions that led to Apollo 11. Like Chamberlin, Maynard also played an important role in determining the safest way to reach and land on the moon.
Héroux-Devtek
The first legs to stand on the moon didn’t belong to Neil Armstrong – they were from Héroux Machine Parts Limited of Longueuil, Quebec. Now known as Héroux-Devtek, the company manufactured the spider-like landing gear legs on the lunar module to NASA’s specifications. The legs were also part of the launch platform that let Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin lift off from the moon and reconnect with the main command module. Those legs remain on the moon at the Apollo 11 landing site, in an area known as the Sea of Tranquility.

The stamp issue, designed by Matthew Clark of Subplot Design Inc. and illustrated by Mack Sztaba, was printed by Lowe-Martin and is available in a booklet of 10 stamps and a pane of six. The Official First Day Cover is cancelled in Longueuil, home of Héroux-Devtek.

The stamps and related collectibles are available at canadapost.ca/shop and at postal outlets across Canada. [en Francais]
Les timbres sur la mission Apollo 11 rendent hommage aux premiers pas de l’humanité sur la Lune et à l’apport important des Canadiens
Le Canada a joué un rôle de pivot dans l’atterrissage sur la Lune

LONGUEUIL, QUÉBEC – Aujourd’hui, Postes Canada a émis deux timbres-poste commémoratifs en l’honneur du 50e anniversaire de la mission Apollo 11 et des Canadiens qui ont contribué au succès du moment historique où l’humanité a fait ses premiers pas sur la Lune.

Le 20 juillet 1969, plus d’un demi-milliard de personnes ont les yeux rivés sur leur télé où apparaissent les images floues en noir et blanc de l’astronaute Neil Armstrong qui devient le premier humain à marcher sur la Lune. Grâce à la mission Apollo 11 et à l’ingéniosité et à l’innovation canadiennes, l’humanité fait alors un pas de géant dans l’exploration spatiale. Des ingénieurs canadiens de la NASA de même que l’entreprise de Longueuil chargée de construire une partie du module lunaire ont joué un rôle important dans le succès de cette mission.

James (Jim) Chamberlin
Jim Chamberlin a joué un rôle prépondérant dans la conception d’aéronefs au Canada avant de s’établir aux États-Unis en 1959 pour travailler à la NASA. Il est devenu ingénieur en chef du projet Mercury, le premier programme américain visant à envoyer un humain dans l’espace, et directeur de projet et concepteur en chef de la navette Gemini qui a précédé l’Apollo. Il a aidé la NASA à choisir le vaisseau spatial qui transporterait les astronautes de la mission Apollo 11 et a été un des premiers à reconnaître qu’un vol direct vers la Lune n’était pas la meilleure approche. M. Chamberlain préférait plutôt envoyer dans l’orbite lunaire un module d’exploration plus petit fixé à l’engin principal. Ce module descendrait seul jusqu’à la surface de la Lune et se rattacherait ensuite au vaisseau principal. Cette approche, mieux connue sous le nom de rendez-vous en orbite lunaire, est devenue fondamentale pour le programme Apollo.

Owen Maynard
Avant son embauche à la NASA en 1959, M. Maynard était l’un des principaux ingénieurs d’aéronefs du Canada. Il a dirigé la Division de l’ingénierie des systèmes pour l’ensemble du programme Apollo, ce qui a fait de lui l’ingénieur en chef. Il a tracé les premières esquisses du module de commande Apollo et est reconnu comme étant le principal responsable à la NASA de la conception du vaisseau lunaire. Il a également été chef de la Division des opérations de mission et était chargé de planifier la séquence des missions qui ont mené à Apollo 11. Tout comme M. Chamberlin, M. Maynard a grandement contribué à déterminer la façon la plus sécuritaire de se rendre et d’atterrir sur la Lune.

Héroux-Devtek
Les premières jambes à se tenir sur la Lune n’étaient pas celles de Neil Armstrong – elles étaient confectionnées par Héroux Machine Parts de Longueuil, au Québec. Maintenant nommée Héroux-Devtek, l’entreprise a construit les jambes du train d’atterrissage, semblables à des pattes d’araignée, selon les spécifications de la NASA. Elles étaient fixées à la plateforme de lancement qui a permis à Neil Armstrong et à Buzz Aldrin de quitter la Lune pour rejoindre le module de commande principal. Les jambes se trouvent toujours sur le site de l’alunissage d’Apollo 11, dans la mer de la Tranquillité.

Les timbres, conçus par Matthew Clark de Subplot Design Inc. et illustrés par Mack Sztaba, sont imprimés par Lowe-Martin. Ils sont vendus en carnet de 10 et en feuillet de 6. Le pli Premier Jour officiel est oblitéré à Longueuil, ville où est situé le siège social de Héroux-Devtek.

Les timbres et autres articles de collection sont en vente à postescanada.ca/boutique et dans les comptoirs postaux d’un bout à l’autre du pays.

Updated July 3rd:
Canada Post tells The Virtual Stamp Club that the booklet versions of these stamps are self-adhesive, while the sheet versions are water-activated. Other details from the CPC website:

Issue date: June 27, 2019
Stamp designer: Subplot Design inc.
Stamp value: Permanentt™ (domestic rate)

Booklet version:
Quantity products: 240,000
Dimensions: 30 mm x 45 mm
Product # 414116111

Sheet version:
Quantity products: 40,000
Dimensions: 160 mm x 180 mm
Product # 404116107

Australia Celebrates Equal Pay (Australia 2019)

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[press release]
Australia Post celebrates principle of equal pay

Australia Post is releasing a commemorative stamp to celebrate 50 years of the principle of equal pay for equal work in Australia.

Speaking on the stamp release, Australia Post Executive General Manager People and Culture Sue Davies said over the past two years Australia Post was proud to be one of the few large Australian organisations to have achieved gender pay parity.

“It’s important that people continue to have conversations about gender pay parity and we hope our commemorative stamp raises awareness amongst the Australian public of how, collectively, we can achieve this important goal,” said Ms Davies.

In 1969 the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) brought a case to the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission (CCAC) against the Meat and Allied Trades Federation (and others) arguing for “equal pay for equal work”. The ruling included the important principle that when women were engaged in the same work as men in traditional male roles they were entitled to equal remuneration.

While the principle of equal pay for equal work has now been around for 50 years, women are still fighting for equal pay for work of equal value. In 2019 a significant gender pay gap still exists at 14.1 per cent.

The commemorative stamp designed by the Australia Post Design Studio features the slogan current at the time, “Equal Pay for Equal Work”, with a photograph of demonstrators in front of Trades Hall, Carlton, Victoria in 1969.

Other products associated with this issue include sheetlet of 10 x $1 stamps, first day cover and maxicard.

The Equal Pay commemorative stamp issue is available from 18 June at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps, while stocks last.

Canada Post Proposes 2020 Rate Increase

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[press release]
Canada Post proposes new postage rates for 2020 – Price of a domestic stamp would rise to 92 cents

OTTAWA, June 14, 2019 /CNW/ – Canada Post is proposing to increase postage rates in 2020 by two cents for a domestic Lettermail item of 30 grams or less. For stamps purchased in a booklet, coil or pane, the rate would become $0.92 per stamp, up from the current rate of $0.90. Buying a single domestic stamp for the same item would cost $1.07, up from the current rate of $1.05. These rate changes would take effect on January 13, 2020.

While usage varies, the estimated impact of the rate increases on the average Canadian household would be well under a dollar a year, and the total increase for small businesses that use stamps would be estimated at about $6 a year. Canadians can avoid the increase by purchasing Permanent stamps at the current rate in advance, if the changes are approved for next January.

Canada Post is also proposing to increase rates for other domestic Lettermail, U.S. and international Letter-post items and domestic Registered Mail. The rate proposals will be published for public comment in Part I of the Canada Gazette on June 15, 2019.

Surprise! Incumbents Win in 2019 APS Elections

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Not surprisingly, the incumbents were all re-elected to new three-year terms in the American Philatelic Society elections.

They were the only candidates running.

Robert Ziegler of Indiana will continue as President. The three-person Board of Vice Presidents will again be Patricia Kaufman, Jeff Shapiro and Cherly Ganz. Stephen Schuman will repeat as Secretary, Bruce Marsden as Treasurer. And the four Directors-at-Large will again be Rich Drews, Peter McCann, Michael Bloom and Mark Schwartz. Less than 30 votes separated the four At-Large candidates.

Here is the APS press release:

BELLEFONTE, PA – Today (June 10), the American Philatelic Society announced the results of the officers’ elections for APS Board of Directors and American Philatelic Research Library Board of Trustees. Ballots were included in the May 2019 issue of The American Philatelist and mailed directly to members who do not receive the magazine.

For the APS Board of Directors, officers were elected to three-year terms beginning in August 2019 through August 2022. None of the 10 elected positions were contested in the 2019 Election. All of the elected officers were newly-elected in the 2016 cycle, so term limits did not affect any office. Stephen Reinhard, who serves in the Board’s Immediate Past President office, will remain on the Board for three more years. This position is not subject to vote by the APS membership.

The membership also elected candidates for two APRL Trustee positions to replace outgoing APRL Vice President Patricia Stilwell-Walker and Secretary Charles Wooster. One of the Board’s two Founders/Patrons/Fellows spots was up for election to replace outgoing Trustee Don Heller. The candidates will join Hugh McMackin, who was appointed by APS President Robert Zeigler to replace outgoing Trustee and past-APRL President Roger Brody. The terms of the incoming Trustees will expire in August 2025.

Newly-elected officers of the APS and APRL Boards will officially take office on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at the annual StampShow/National Topical Stamp Show held in Omaha, NE. The organizational meeting for both Boards will occur at 1 pm at the CHI Health Center Omaha Convention Center and Arena.

Total number of ballots cast in the election was 1,986 and 1,978 were declared valid. In the 2016 election, 3,961 were cast and 4,710 in the 2013 election. The 2019 Election was the least contested election in recent APS history, so low turnout was expected.

The election results were certified by APS members: Debbie Cleeton, Bill Lehr, and Gerry Robbins, who served as the Board of Elections for the 2019 Elections. Members of the Woodycrest United Methodist Church in State College, Pennsylvania again assisted in counting ballots.

According to analysis by APS member Dennis Gilson, only 7.3% of the members voted in this election, compared to 13.3% in 2016 and 14.8% in 2013.

Miller to Replace Felts At Topical Association

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[press release]
The American Topical Association has named Jennifer L. Miller of Greer, SC, as its executive director. An avid topical collector and ATA member, she is well-known in the hobby.

Miller has many years of customer service experience. She spent several years working for Disney, and most recently has 13 years of business experience with Starbucks. Many of the skills she used daily in those roles are essential to the ATA: customer service and creating customer experiences, managing finances, managing workflow and priorities, and participating in promotional activities. She has a degree in education and was a teacher at the beginning of her career.

“Jennifer comes to us with enthusiasm, creative ideas and a desire to help ATA continue its high level of ser- vice,” said ATA President Dale Smith. “We will be moving the office to Greer this summer with minimal interruption of ATA services.” ATA’s new address is: P.O. Box 2143, Greer, SC 29652-2143.

Miller will replace Vera Felts, executive director since 2009, who will be retiring. The opening was announced in April.

Miller is the wife of Martin Miller, the new editor of the U.S. Stamp Specialist, the journal of the U.S. Stamp Society, and former editor of American Philatelist. Felts had told VSC last year that she wanted to retire soon. Jennifer accompanied Martin to Southeastern Stamp Expo in January 2018 and helped staff the American Philatelic Society table with him.

Jennifer Miller and Vera Felts will both be at National Topical Stamp Show in Omaha this August. She will spend at week at Felts’ home office for ATA, and there will be an overlap in their employment, with no actual date of transition. In fact, Felts will remain a consultant. — VSC

Amos Offers Exhibit Page Protectors

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[press release]
Exhibit page protectors available from Amos Media Co.

Amos Media Co. is pleased to announce that Atlantic Protective Pouches exhibit page protectors are now available for purchase directly from Amos Advantage.

Two sizes are offered: 8½ inches by 11 inches (standard exhibit page), and 11 inches by 17 inches (large exhibit page). Both sizes open across the top, for easy insertion of exhibit pages.

These expertly crafted exhibit page sleeves, made from archival acid-free polyester, are designed to give your treasured exhibit the protection and professional appearance it deserves. All sleeve surfaces are 100% transparent and highly polished.

There’s no need to worry about damage to your collection because the sleeves are completely inert. They contain no adhesives, additives or coatings of any kind.

Atlantic Protective Pouches are available in convenient packs of 16 and eight, which correspond to the number of standard or large pages in an exhibit. Order yours today by visiting www.amosadvantage.com/exhibitpages or by calling 800-572-6885.

Mystic Buys ArtCraft Inventory

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[based on press release]
Mystic Stamp Company Buys Complete ArtCraft First Day Cover Inventory
Dissolution of ArtCraft makes Fleetwood America’s oldest surviving First Day Cover maker

Camden, NY. In May 2019, Mystic Stamp Company purchased ArtCraft’s complete inventory – over 5 million covers – after the company announced it was closing its doors. ArtCraft had been sending out Fleetwood First Day Covers since they stopped printing their own in 2015, so it’s only fitting Mystic – owner of Fleetwood – pick up ArtCraft’s inventory, too. This inventory includes historic covers from ArtCraft’s earliest days (1939) to 2015. Known for their exquisite detail, ArtCraft’s steel-engraving-style cachets have always been popular with collectors.

In the press release, Mystic president Don Sundman said, “My family has been collecting and selling covers for over 85 years, beginning with my father, Maynard, in the 1930s. [One of his covers, from 1935, is shown on the left.] At Mystic, we know what First Day Cover collectors want, and we design our cachets accordingly. Going forward, ArtCraft customers can expect to see the same high-quality First Day Covers they’ve been receiving since 2015.”

However, in e-mail to The Virtual Stamp Club, Sundman clarified that Mystic will not be continuing the ArtCraft line with new issues.

“I wish we could but we don’t have enough customers to justify the costs,” he wrote. “It’s really expensive to make engraved steel plates.  I’m told ArtCraft paid $2,000 just for the steel plate.  And there are lots of other costs too.”

However, when Washington Stamp Exchange stopped producing new ArtCraft designs, WSE purchased unserviced Fleetwood cachets from Mystic, serviced them, and sold them to its subscription customers.

“Late 2018 or early 2019, ArtCraft and Mystic agreed for Mystic to reach out to ArtCraft customers and offer to continue the collectors the opportunity to buy Fleetwood covers,” Sundman told VSC. “These are the same style of covers they bought from ArtCraft during 2015-2018.”

Sundman went on to say that Mystic is in the process of organizing ArtCraft’s inventory and will be making these classic covers available to collectors very soon.

About Mystic Stamp Company
Mystic Stamp Company was founded in the small town of Camden, NY, in 1923. Mystic has been serving stamp collectors nationwide for over 95 years and has evolved into America’s Leading Stamp Dealer. Employee owned since 2016, Mystic is known for personalized customer service and is committed to making collecting fun and easy. Mystic works closely with the National Postal Museum and American Philatelic Society to promote stamp collecting and bring new collectors into the hobby. In addition to its goal of providing products and services that exceed customer expectations, Mystic practices good citizenship by making contributions of time, money, and knowledge to the local community and beyond. For more information visit MysticStamp.com.

APS Chooses Loebig As Editor

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The Virtual Stamp Club has learned that the American Philatelic Society — the biggest stamp collecting organization in the U.S. — has chosen Thomas Loebig (pronounced “LO-big”) for Chief Content Officer. As such, he will be the editor of both American Philatelist and the American Philatelic Literature Review, as well as in charge of APS’ online outreach efforts.

Loebig and his wife live in State College, Pa., so having a CCO onsite won’t be the issue it was with his predecessors, although APS executive director Scott English tells VSC that was not a major consideration. He held a similar position at Accuweather, which is headquartered in State College.

He begins June 25th, which is during APS’ Summer Seminar. He also will attend APS StampShow in Omaha.

[press release]
American Philatelic Society Names New Chief Content Officer

BELLEFONTE, PA, June 5, 2019 – Today, the American Philatelic Society announced Thomas R. Loebig as its next Chief Content Officer. Loebig, an experienced digital media and broadcasting executive, most recently served as Vice President, Digital Media Content and Operations of AccuWeather.

The APS conducted a national search for a Chief Content Officer to serve as editor of the two award-winning journals of stamp collecting, The American Philatelist and the Philatelic Literature Review, the flagship publication of the American Philatelic Research Library. In addition, the Chief Content Officer will be responsible for leading the growth of digital content offered to members and non-members alike through the organization’s website, stamps.org.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to be so close to Penn State University and great corporate citizens like AccuWeather to draw new talent,” said Scott English, Executive Director of the Society, “Tom brings experienced leadership in the digital content field and will help lead the APS and the hobby to serving 21st century stamp collectors.

Loebig, a collector in his youth, has recently reignited his collecting interests and joined the APS. “I am excited to join stamp collecting’s preeminent organization, as an executive and member. Stamps have deep historical significance and are beautiful pieces of American art. I look forward to engaging our current members and introducing future members with amazing content that advances and promote the hobby.”

While with AccuWeather, Loebig successfully led the effort to increase web traffic through relevant news and video content, increasing time spent on the website and more than doubling the social media referral traffic within three months. “Our recently-adopted strategic plan emphasizes development of more relevant, shareable, and timely content for the hobby and we believe Tom will be a critical link in moving ahead,” said English.

Loebig served as news director for several television stations from Altoona, PA, Cincinnati, OH, Pittsburgh, PA, and Asheville, NC. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Penn State University. Loebig resides in State College, PA and will work from the APS headquarters in Bellefonte.

In the past six months, the APS has launched the virtual library, housing nearly 2,000 journals of philately dating back to 1887 and the online learning portal, Collecting and Connecting Central Academy (C3a).

Loebig will join [the APS Staff] on June 25, 2019, during the APS annual Summer Seminar. Loebig will be part of the APS team in Omaha, Nebraska for the joint StampShow/National Topical Stamp Show put on by the APS and the American Topical Association on August 1-4, 2019 at the CHI Health Center Omaha Convention Center.

We expect to expand this article as we get more information —VSC.

Major Sporting Venues, Part I (Australia 2019)

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[press release]
Major sporting venues celebrated on stamps

Issue date: 4 June

In the first of a two-part series, Australia Post is celebrating some of Australia’s most loved and recognisable sporting venues, each with a special place in the lives of many Australians.

Speaking on the stamp release, Australia Post Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said it was an opportunity to recognise the importance of sport as a big part of Australian popular culture.

“These popular venues play a role in shaping a city’s identity. We’re thrilled to shine a light on these iconic venues, with stamps to be enjoyed by sport lovers and collectors alike.”
The four domestic base-rate ($1) stamps, designed by Andrew Hogg Design, feature:

$1 AAMI Park, Victoria
The award-winning AAMI Park was welcomed to Melbourne & Olympic Parks’ precinct in May 2010, giving Victoria its first world-class pitch for elite-level rugby league, rugby union and football codes. The 30,050-seat stadium is defined by its distinctive bio-frame design, the roof of which provides covered seating for most of a capacity crowd enjoying the spectacle on the 136 x 82 metre playing field below.

$1 Optus Stadium, WA
Optus Stadium was opened in Perth in January 2018, and in its first 12 months of operation attracted more than two million fans. The 60,000-seat stadium can host AFL, rugby union, rugby league, football and cricket, as well as large entertainment events. From fence to fence the pitch covers 177 x 141 metres, with 165 x 130 metres for the AFL field of play.

$1 Sydney Cricket Ground, NSW
Located on the edge of the CBD, the Sydney Cricket Ground has a long and venerable history dating back to the mid-19th century. It hosted its first game of cricket in 1854, and has been home to major cricket matches since 1876. With a capacity of 48,000, in addition to hosting cricket in its various formats, it also regularly hosts AFL, rugby league and union, and football.

$1 Melbourne Cricket Ground, Victoria
Melbourne Cricket Ground, or the MCG or ’G, as it is fondly known, is considered by many to be one of the premium stadia of the world. Built in 1853, it was the main venue for the first Olympic Games held in the Southern Hemisphere in 1956, a centrepiece for the 2006 Commonwealth Games and host to two cricket World Cups, in 1992 and 2015. Primarily a ground for AFL and cricket, with a capacity exceeding 100,000, it sits fondly in the heart of many Victorians and Australians alike.

Products associated with this issue include first day cover, stamp pack, medallion cover, booklet collection pack, maxicard set and four booklets of 10 x $1 self-adhesive stamps.
The stamp and associated products are available at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794, and online at auspost.com.au/stamps, from Tuesday 4 June 2019 while stocks last.