[press release]
AMERICOVER 2014 CELEBRATES ARTCRAFT CACHETS’ 75TH ANNIVERSARY
Americover 2014, the annual first day cover show and convention, celebrates the best of stamp and cover collecting in the New York/New Jersey area, and marks an important anniversary at the same time.
Americover 2014, sponsored by the American First Day Cover Society, will be held August 15-17 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Somerset Hotel & Conference Center, 200 Atrium Driver, Somerset, NJ 08873. A special Americover 2014 room rate of $97 – the 23rd year in a row with an Americover hotel rate of less than $100!
The theme of Americover 2014 is the 75th anniversary of ArtCraft Cachets, the oldest line still producing first day cover envelopes today.
Thursday’s pre-show tour begins with a tour of the Washington Press, home of ArtCraft, as well as White Ace albums. The Americover visitors will also meet current ArtCraft artist Susan Jorritsma.
The Americover 2014 bus will then take the visitors to New York City, for a quick tour of the Financial District, Nassau Street (once the greatest collection of stamp businesses in the world), and the Collectors Club of New York. The tour then goes to the famed Katz’s Deli, where lunch may be purchased, before heading to the World Trade Center site and then Champion Stamp Company, the only street-level stamp store left in New York.
Sunday evening, after the show closes, Americover visitors will go out to dinner at the Stage House Tavern, with rustic American fare and hearty portions. This event is limited to just 30 people, so register early!
During the show, the annual President’s Banquet will be held Friday evening, featuring the Taste of Tuscany Buffet with three entrees: tortellini carbonara, chicken marsala or fillet of sole with a spicy tomato sauce. (Special dietary needs can be accommodated if specified before June 30.) Following the meal, the results of the annual AFDCS Earl Planty Cachet Contest will be announced, as will the winners of the polls for cachetmakers of the 20th century, (fourth) quarter century, and decade (2000-2009).
Unlike other World Series of Philately shows, Americover’s exhibit awards are not presented at its banquet (which is held Friday night), but at the AFDCS Business Meeting Saturday morning.
Saturday evening’s “food event” will be held late – about 9 p.m., after the Cachetmakers Night Owl Bourse. The fare at the post-bourse party includes pizza, crudité platters (vegetables) and more.
Americover 2014 events may be purchased individually or as part of a discounted package. There is also a discount for purchasing event tickets before the end of June. There is an order form in the April 2014 issue of First Days and on the AFDCS website, www.afdcs.org/register .
Besides these events, Americover 2014 will also have two bourses (commercial dealers and cachetmakers), WSP competitive exhibits meetings, a youth table, a hospitality suite, live and silent auctions, seminars, and possibly a U.S. first day ceremony. A forum by a postal official involved with first day covers is also on the schedule.
For more information on Americover 2014 and the AFDCS, contact the AFDCS at P.O. Box 16277, Tucson, Ariz. 85732-6277, email showinfo@afdcs.org or visit www.afdcs.org.
