[press release]
Free AFDCS Current Cachetmakers Directory Updated
A new edition of the American First Day Cover Society’s AFDCS Directory of Current Cachetmakers is now available. The February 2022 version can be downloaded for free at www.afdcs.org/resources/CM_Directory_202202.pdf . Printed versions are available for 
$5.00 postpaid from AFDCS Sales, PO Box 44, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 or may be ordered from the AFDCS website at www.afdcs.org/publications.html.
Compiled by John White of North Carolina, the directory seeks to list every individual or company currently producing cacheted first day covers, whether or not they are members of the AFDCS. There is no charge for listings; cachetmakers who wish to be included in a future edition should fill out the online form at www.afdcs.org/cmform.php
New editions of the directory are published when there are a number of additions or changes, so the next version may be next month or next year. The link to the latest edition — whatever it is — is on the home page. The February 2022 edition adds five cachetmakers, removes four and updates two.
The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization, with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status granted by the IRS. Established in 1955, the AFDCS also publishes handbooks, catalogues and its award-winning bimonthly journal, First Days. It also promotes first day cover exhibiting, both at Great American Stamp Show and at other stamp shows, and holds an annual cachetmaking contest.
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.
Are older (much older) versions available anywhere? I need to know who was making cachets in the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and ’10s.
I don’t know when the AFDCS started producing the “current cachetmakers” directory, and I’m not sure the early editions were open to all cachetmakers, including non-members. I’ll ask around. Early directories were sporadic and published as “inserts” in issues of First Days, then reprinted and sold. No inserts are in the digitized versions of the journal in the Digital Archives. Copies of the separately printed directories might be at the APRL or in the AFDCS Archives at the APRL.
Better resources might be one of the First Cachets catalogues produced by a group of collectors led by Richard A. Monty and published by FDC Publishing (probably available at the APRL) or searching the ads in the Digital Archives of First Days. The latter are basically .pdf files of every issue from 1955 to the present. You could search for articles and ads on specific issues, if that is your interest.
OK – That’s helpful. I’ll go the APRL route. Thanks!