Hotchner: Collecting U.S. Abroad

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U.S. Stamps are Collected Abroad
American stamp clubs in Denmark and the UK
by John M. Hotchner

America’s stamps are a focus for some collectors in other countries. In at least two, Denmark and the United Kingdom, there are even organizations where such collectors can meet and exchange information and stamps. There are likely others.

I was reminded of this by the passing of the original sparkplug of the Danish club, Arne Rasmussen. We had been corresponding for over 30 years, and it was a real shock to receive an email from one of his sons saying that he had passed away in his sleep at the age of 95.

It’s one of the joys of our hobby that we can share it with other collectors. In addition to many friends in the U.S., I have philatelic friends in a dozen countries with whom I exchange information and stamps. It adds a pleasing dimension of international understanding; and knowledge of how others see us and our institutions in this country.

I am a long-time member of The American Stamp Club of Great Britain, and enjoy American Stamp Club of Great Britainits quarterly publication, The Mayflower, capably edited by John A. Edwards. It is a lively journal and one which moves me to contribute an occasional short article or bit of information.

There is little of the wailing and gnashing of teeth that is often found in our publications here. I suppose the membership to be more interested in what the USPS is issuing than in bemoaning what they have not chosen to honor, or critiquing USPS employees for their lack of interest in serving stamp collectors. Another benefit is the advertising by British dealers with American material to sell. I’ve acquired for my collection several covers that had been sent abroad with interesting, higher value frankings.

Corresponding members such as myself are also welcome to bid on desirable material in the quarterly auctions, and attend the yearly (in November) convention; which I hope to do one of these days.

The club now has a website where you can read sample copies of The Mayfower and get more information on how to join.

Should you wish to comment on this column, or have questions or ideas you would like to have explored in a future column, please write to John Hotchner, VSC Contributor, P.O. Box 1125, Falls Church, VA 22041-0125, or email, putting “VSC” in the subject line.

Or comment right here.

Nancy Clark Passes Away

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by Lloyd A. de Vries

Nancy B. Clark, president emeritus of Boston 2026 and a former treasurer of the American Philatelic Society, has died after a long illness. She was 77.

Nancy and her husband Doug were among the founders of Peachtree State Stamp Show in Georgia, which is now called “Southeastern Stamp Expo.” The 2024 edition was held this past weekend, and Doug attended. The couple chose the judges for the exhibit competition.

And Nancy was following news from the show on Facebook up until the end, “liking” and commenting on posts.

She ran for APS president in 2003 against Janet Klug, thus guaranteeing the U.S. national stamp federal would have its first woman president. Klug won. According to her candidate statement for Treasurer on The Virtual Stamp Club, she was president of Olymphilex 96, the American representative to the FIP Commission for Youth Philately, as a Commissioner for MLADOST `84, JUVALUX `88, DUSSELDORF `90, and CANADA `92. She earlier headed the Rochester (NY) Philatelic Association and the Athens (Ga.) Philatelic Society, was secretary to the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors, editor the Georgia Postal History Society’s Georgia Post Roads and president of the Georgia Federation of Stamp Clubs. She had retired from her “teaching and minister of music careers.”

For several years after her service on the APS board, she hosted the “APS Stamp Talk” internet radio program. Most of the time, she worked from home on the show, but in 2006, she hosted it live on the floor of the Washington 2006 international show. She hosted the show for about 17 years. “I’m an evangelist,” she told Linn’s Stamp News. “I want to share the word about this wonderful hobby. It’s given me so much joy that I want to share it with folks.”

Nancy headed the group that made the successful bid for the 2026 international show that will be held in Boston this May. “It’s going to be a fabulous gathering in Beantown,” she told me in my own radio interview in 2016. (You can hear the edited feature here.

She was an internationally- and U.S.-accredited judge and won the APS’ Luff Award for Exceptional Contributions to Philately in 2008.

In 2022, she was named one of U.S. philately’s “Most Influential People” by Linn’s. She told the newspaper that she began collecting as a child in Akron, Ohio, the daughter of two stamp collectors. “I’d be plopped on the floor with an album and my parents would bring me a couple packets of stamps” at the Rubber City Stamp Show, she said.

She and Doug moved to Cape Cod after his retirement from the University of Georgia, but they were still active in the Southeast Federation of Stamp Clubs: She was on its board and advised even on this year’s show.

Much more importantly that her philatelic curriculum vita, Nancy was a friend to everyone, and someone I looked forward to seeing at shows. Someone commented, “May her memory be a blessing.”

It already is.

Further details are not yet available. Check back for updates

Her Wikipedia listing.

From Boston 2026:

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Nancy Clark

It is with great sadness that the Boston 2026 team and the philatelic community as a whole mourn the passing of Nancy Clark, the founder, patron and president emerita of Boston 2026 World Expo.

Recognized most recently in the 2022 edition of Linn’s Stamp News Most Influential Philatelists and Their Epic Stamp Stories, Nancy’s story began in her home town of Akron, Ohio, where both her parents were stamp collectors and began encouraging her interest in the hobby at the age of 5. She became a music teacher and found employment in Rochester, New York. There she joined the Rochester Philatelic Association in the 1970s, taking an interest in exhibiting, judging, stamp show organization, and creating youth stamp programs in local grammar schools. Quoting Nancy, “When my kids were kids, that’s when I first began working with beginning collectors.”

Nancy’s talents in these areas became well known to national philatelic leaders at the time and she was tapped to lead youth activities at the 1986 Ameripex international exhibition in Chicago. However, there was a greater need for qualified judges at the time and she reluctantly agreed to turn youth responsibilities to others to judge instead. Around the same time, she received a grant from the Council of Philatelic Organizations to design and develop youth areas for national shows.

Moving out of the area in the early 1980s, she and her husband Doug Clark were the driving force behind the creation of the Georgia Federation of Stamp Clubs in 1990, eventually becoming the current Southeast Federation of Stamp Clubs that annually hosts the national WSP Southeastern Stamp Expo. An even bigger assignment awaited her as she was chosen to head the Olymphilex 1996 international exhibition taking place in conjunction with the 100th Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Nancy has always had strong ties with the American Philatelic Society, holding several committee positions and offices over the years, including Treasurer and Director at Large. She was accredited as an APS chief philatelic and literature judge and FIP international judge. Many will remember her for hosting “APS Stamp Talk with Nancy Clark” for more than 17 years, interviewing leaders from organized philately.

In more recent years Nancy was appointed Interpretive Master Planner for the Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History in 2010 before heading up Boston 2026 activities.

A recipient of many prestigious award from a variety of societies, Nancy’s philatelic recognitions include the APS 2006 Kehr Award for work with beginning collectors, APS 2008 Luff award for exceptional contributions to philately, the Philatelic Foundation’s 2018 Neinken Medal for distinguished service, and an appointment as a Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society of London for noteworthy contributions to philately.

Anyone who met her will always remember her smile, kindness and encouragement in whatever philatelic ventures awaited.

Dewey Sweeps Southeastern Stamp Expo Exhibiting

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Dewey sweeps! Anthony Dewey’s exhibits at Southeastern Stamp Expo won the multi-frame Grand Award (“The 3¢ Connecticut Tercentenary Issue of 1935 and its First Days”), the Reserve Grand (“The U.S. Alphabet-Denominated Rate-Change Series, 1978-1998”) and the Single-Frame Grand (“The War Rate: United States Postal Rates and Fees from February 1, 1815”). No one can recall a single exhibitor winning the top three awards at the same show.

Tony is shown above with his trophies and his wife Martha. Below, he accepts the SESE Grand from show chair Scott Marks and jury selection co-chair Douglas Clark.

All three exhibits won Large Gold Medals. The Connecticut exhibit also won the American First Day Cover Society award .and the U.S. Stamp Society Statue of Freedom Award.

We will post a link to the palmares (list of show awards) as soon as they are available.

AFDCS: Latest News about Americover/GASS 2024

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From the AFDCS:

Have you booked your hotel rooms yet? The initial block of rooms arranged by the APS at the adjacent Marriott is all but sold out — just like last year. The APS is working on more rooms — just like last year — and most are likely to be at another hotel nearby. And — just like last year — that second hotel will sell out and you’ll be on your own.

The APS prices are often better than what you can get on your own. Many of the early morning and evening events will be at the Marriott, the “show hotel.”

The AFDCS doesn’t get any benefit from where you stay; we just want our members to have a great time at the show, so reserve your rooms today. (You can always cancel or change later.) Start at www.stamps.org/great-american-stamp-show/travel

GASS 2024 Preregistration is now open. Save time (and get a better badge!) at https://stamps.org/great-american-stamp-show/preregistration

New Show Chair: Catherine O’Connor will steer our Americover efforts, after many years of great leadership from Foster Miller. You can still reach the committee at showinfo@afdcs.org Foster still heads our Sales and Membership Departments.

Chris Calle (right) will design the official show cachet and will be at the AFDCS booth during the show to autograph covers and chat with collectors. There will be at least two pictorial postmarks each day plus the first-day cancels for Pinback Buttons and Autumn Colors.

ATA is celebrating its 75th anniversary at the show. Like the AFDCS and APS, the American Topical Association is a cosponsor of GASS, and plans a two-hour celebration Friday afternoon.

Volunteer! We are looking for members to help staff the AFDCS booth. Shifts generally run about two hours. The tasks may include sales, talking about first day covers, and referring those with collections to an appropriate dealer. Contact Americover 2024 volunteer coordinator Ralph Nafziger, nafziger@peak.org if interested. The APS is also looking for volunteers, especially in putting up exhibits and working the registration booth, and has details on its website at www.stamps.org/great-american-stamp-show/volunteer

Connect Online: While the AFDCS website is undergoing reconstruction, visit us on Facebook, either the Americover page (search for “Americover”) or the AFDCS group, www.facebook.com/groups/afdcs

Current U.S. Postal Rates (as of July 2024)

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These are the current basic rates, as of January 21, 2023:

Product
Letters (1 oz.)
Additional ounces
Letters (metered 1 oz.)
Domestic Postcards
International Postcards
International Letter (1 oz.)
Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope
Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope
Large Envelopes (flats) (1 oz.)
Ground Advantage, starts at (by zone and weight)
Semi-Postal Stamps		 Prices
73¢
28¢
69¢
56¢
$1.65
$1.65
$30.45
$9.85
$1.50
$3.79
85¢

More rates can be found here, or use the USPS rate calculator.

Japanese Collectors Donate to Boston 2026

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
International Society for Japanese Philately Donates to Boston 2026 World Expo

The International Society for Japanese Philately (ISJP) is pleased to announce its $5,000 donation to Boston 2026 World Expo. Ed Kawasaki, the President of the ISJP, explains, “This donation signifies our commitment to bringing the beauty and excitement of Japanese philately to an international audience, while providing an opportunity for our members to network and share our passion.”

The ISJP will host a booth, hold a series of seminars, have a special networking event, and sponsor the Robert M. Spaulding Award for the best Japanese and related exhibit. “We are delighted to plan a fun and educational gathering while fostering fellowship in Japanese philately,” says Ken Kamholz, publisher of the group’s award-winning quarterly publication. “We are building on the experience of the ISJP’s participation at World Stamp Show NY-2016 and will offer a wonderful opportunity to connect, collect, and learn—whether a neophyte or expert.”

The ISJP was founded in Canada in 1945, now with 450 members from 28 countries and 47 states and territories, as well as strong chapters in London, England; Washington, DC; and Southern California. Members have access to a library, expertizing services, the complete run of JP online and much more. Its web site is at https://isjp.org.

To become a member of the ISJP, please contact Ken at publisher@isjp.org. For those with questions or ideas about making the ISJP’s participation at Boston 2026 a success, please contact ISJP Director Jeff Susman at jlsusman@UTMB.edu.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

GASS 2024 Hotel Rooms Going Fast!

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If you are having trouble booking your hotel rooms for Great American Stamp Show 2024 at the show hotel (Hartford Marriott), try again later this week. But, yes, the initial block of rooms is almost completely sold out! The APS is working to secure a block of rooms at a second hotel.

For the link to the hotel reservations at the Great American Stamp Show rate, go to www.stamps.org/great-american-stamp-show . Travel / hotel is the second item on the left, or go directly to www.stamps.org/great-american-stamp-show/travel

The show is August 15-18. It includes Americover 2024, the 69th annual convention of the American First Day Cover Society. Pre-registration is now open, too. It’s free and non-binding.

Beck Named to U.S. Advisory Panel

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[includes material from the USPS press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
New Member Appointed to Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today announced the appointment of business executive and stamp collector Graham Beck to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC). CSAC members are appointed by the Postmaster General to provide expertise in business, history, science, technology, art, education, sports and other areas of public interest. Working together, they make recommendations for future stamp subjects.

An avid philatelist, Beck began collecting stamps at 8 years old as a child in South Africa as a fun way to learn about the world. His philatelic interests are varied but mostly center around topical and thematic collections. Since 2016, he has promoted philately through a YouTube channel, Exploring Stamps [from whose first episode the photo here is taken], that has gained more than 32,000 subscribers and nearly 4 million views during the past seven years. He is a member of a growing online philatelic community, producing educational and entertaining content for all levels of collectors.

Beck is a member of the American Philatelic Society (APS) and the American Topical Association. He was honored with an APS Kehr Award in 2022 for making philately attractive to newcomers. Also that year, he was featured as one of the 76 most influential philatelists by Linn’s Stamp News, in a special issue that recognized individuals who have had a positive influence on stamp collecting. He was also a top recruiter for the APS in 2020, although he says he doesn’t actively try to get people to join the organization.

“I would think that the reason people might be listing me as a referral is probably because I show how useful the APS is,” he told the APS in an interview then. “Several of my videos indirectly demonstrate the value of an APS membership.”

He cites World Stamp Expo-New York 2016 with helping bring him back to philately after a lapse for college and his move to the United States. He then “decided to start my YouTube channel that would help me to learn more about the hobby and potentially meet other collectors.”

Beck is an associate director with Bristol Myers Squibb and has worked for many years in hotel management and the pharmaceutical industry. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in geography and economics and a master’s in business administration from Rutgers Business School.

Beck lives in Central New Jersey with his wife, Laura, and West Highland terrier, Jonty.

Submitting Stamp Suggestions
Due to the time required for research and approval in the stamp selection process, ideas for stamp subjects should be received at least three years prior to the proposed issuance. Each submission should include pertinent historical information and important dates associated with the subject. Proposals must be in writing and submitted by U.S. Mail. No in-person appeals, phone calls or emails are accepted. Mail your suggestion (one topic per letter) to the address below:

Stamp Development
Attn: Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3300
Washington, DC 20260-3501

Maryland Man Wins Boston 2026 Contest

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Boston 2026 Contest Winners

Three entrants have been named as winners of the “Boston Connection” contest organized by the Boston 2026 World Expo.

Announced in November, collectors were invited to submit lists of stamps and souvenir sheets related in some way with Boston, site of the next U.S. international philatelic exhibition.

Pedro D. Sarmiento of Fort Washington, Maryland, provided the greatest number of connections with 88. He is a fan of John F. Kennedy, and many of his submissions of US and overseas stamps dealt with aspects of the former president, born and raised in nearby Brookline and educated at Harvard University. Pedro is “90 years young,” an Air Force veteran and member of the APS and ATA, among other philatelic organizations.

The next two winners were selected at random.

Keith Christian of York, Pennsylvania, is also an APS member and just joined the ATA at the Great American Stamp Show in Cleveland this past August. His list included some interesting sports trivia. Willie O’Ree, featured on a 2023 Canadian stamp, was the first black hockey player in the NHL, called up from the minor leagues by the Boston Bruins in 1958. He identified five additional former Bruins players and several Boston Red Sox baseball stars depicted on stamps.

Frank Silviera of Wilmington, Massachusetts, will have a short commute to the Boston 2026 show. His U.S. and American Flag collecting interests were reignited during the Covid pandemic, now as a member of the APS and Waltham Stamp Club based in Weston, MA at the Spellman Museum. Among items he noted was that the first lighthouse built in North America was at Boston Harbor in 1716, and Dr. Martin Luther King received his PhD at Boston University in 1955.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

Holiday Joy (U.S. 2024)

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Reveals Holiday Joy Stamps for 2024

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Postal Service today announced four new stamp designs for the 2024 holiday season. Holiday Joy, along with other stamps announced last year, make up only a partial list, with more to be revealed in the weeks and months ahead. All stamp designs are preliminary and subject to change.

Holiday Joy: Four new art-inspired holiday stamp designs feature two colorful Christmas ornaments, a vibrant poinsettia surrounded by greenery, and a whimsical blue flower centered against green leaves and delicate scrollwork. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps and booklet of 20, using original digital illustrations by Michelle Muñoz.

Here are larger versions of the four designs:

Additional information will be posted below the line, with the most recent at the top.

Updated November 5th:
The Scott catalogue numbers for this issue are

  • 5941 Poinsettia
  • 5942 Red Pointed Ornament and Blue Flowers
  • 5943 Green Round Ornament and Pink Flowers
  • 5944 Blue Flower and Green Leaves
  • a. Block of 4, #5941-5944
  • b. Convertible booklet pane of 20, 5 each #5941-5944

Updated August 20th:
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service to Unveil New Holiday Stamps at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum

When: Saturday, Sept. 14, at 10:30 a.m. EDT

What: The U.S. Postal Service will host a special stamp dedication ceremony at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum to unveil the highly anticipated 2024 Christmas Madonna and Child stamp and Holiday Joy stamps.

These stamps capture the spirit of the season, celebrating both the traditional and contemporary aspects of holiday festivities.

The event will include remarks from prominent postal officials and be followed by the National Postal Museum’s Holiday Stamps Family Festival, with guest artist Katie Kirk.

Who: Sheila Holman, USPS vice president of marketing, and Mark Guilfoil, USPS vice president of supply management, will serve as the dedicating officials.

Where: National Postal Museum
2 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20002

Details: The Madonna and Child stamp has been a beloved part of the Postal Service’s holiday stamp offerings for decades, featuring iconic images of the Virgin Mary and Child from various artistic traditions. This year’s design continues that tradition, offering a beautiful representation of this timeless theme.

The Holiday Joy stamps, meanwhile, offer a vibrant and festive option for holiday greetings, with designs that evoke the joy and warmth of the holiday season.

The dedication ceremony will feature a first-day-of-issue event, where attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the new stamps and get them postmarked with a special first-day-of-issue cancellation.

The event is free and open to the public.
• Visuals: The unveiling of the new stamps
• Remarks from speakers
• A live holiday-themed family festival
• Attendees purchasing and cancelling their stamps
• Autographs by special guests and VIPs

RSVP: Attendees are encouraged to register at usps.com/holidaystampsceremony.

To ensure seating and access to interviews with event speakers and special guests, members of the media are encouraged to RSVP on the USPS media sign-in website.
About the Stamps

Christmas Madonna and Child features the serene Madonna and Child from the workshop of the 17th-century Italian artist Giovanni Battista Salvi, called “Sassoferrato” (1609-1685). William Gicker was the art director and Greg Breeding designed the stamp, which will be sold in booklets of 20.

Holiday Joy, four stamps inspired by Mexican folk art, were designed by Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, using original digital illustrations by Michelle Muñoz.

Christmas Madonna and Child and Holiday Joy are being issued as Forever stamps, which are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce rate.

Updated August 9th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.71″ x 1.25″ There is no pictorial postmark for this issue, just the FDOI “Killer Bar” hand cancel.

From the Postal Bulletin:

On September 14, 2024, in Washington, DC, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Holiday Joy stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in four designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) double-sided booklet of 20 stamps (Item 685000). These stamps will go on sale nationwide September 14, 2024, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

Four new folk art-inspired holiday stamps feature two colorful Christmas ornaments, a vibrant poinsettia surrounded by greenery, and a whimsical blue flower centered against green leaves and delicate scrollwork. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamps using original digital illustrations by Michelle Muñoz.

Automatic distribution.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office® or at The Postal Store® website at store.usps.com/store/home. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – Holiday Joy Stamps
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service™ will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by January 14, 2025.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Holiday Joy Stamps
Item Number: 685000
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Double-Sided Booklet of 20 (4 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: September 14, 2024, Washington, DC 20066
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Artist: Michelle Muñoz, Moreno Valley, CA
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 500,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.7700 x 1.0500 in. / 19.5580 x 26.6700 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.9100 x 1.1900 in. / 23.1140 x 30.2260 mm
Booklet Size (w x h): 5.7430 x 2.3750 in. / 145.8720 x60.3250 mm
Plate Size: 800 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: Header: HOLIDAY JOY 20 FIRST-CLASS FOREVER STAMPS • © 2024 USPS in peel strip area • Barcode • USPS Logo • Promotional Text • Plate number in peel strip area

Updated May 20th:
These stamps will be issued September 14 in Washington, DC.