[press release]
Steven M. Ripley of Florida has been elected chair of the Board of Directors of the American First Day Cover Society. He succeeds Cynthia Scott of Indiana, who held the position for a number of years. In an interesting development, she replaces Ripley as chair of the Honors and Awards Committee.

Ripley has held many roles in the society, but is best known as the innovative chair of its Americover show and convention. He received the AFDCS Distinguished Service Award, its highest honor, in 2005. In addition to being a Life Member of the AFDCS, he is also a life member of the American Philatelic Society, American Topical Association, and other philatelic organizations. His specialties include the Walt Disney issue of 1968.

Outside philately, he is a supervisor of transportation and parking for major events such as the Super Bowl, NASCAR auto races, the Kentucky Derby and concerts. He also provides management services for non-profit and start-up businesses.

The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization. In addition to publishing its journal First Days, the AFDCS also publishes handbooks and catalogues, and promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as exhibiting FDCs. It offers awards for outstanding first day cover exhibits and an annual contest for cachetmakers, and is a co-host of the annual Great American Stamp Show.

The Chair of the Board is elected by the members of the Board. Neither the chair nor other Directors are compensated in any way for serving on the board, although they may receive reimbursement for expenses not related to serving on the board or attending meetings.

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
AAPE celebrates 40th anniversary at Chicagopex

The American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors this year is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its founding by a small group led by the late Randy L. Neil.

A celebration is planned for Chicagopex, one of America’s largest and best shows, on the weekend of November 20-22 at the Westin Hotel in Itasca, Illinois, near O’Hare International Airport.

Social events, discussion groups and member presentations are among the activities planned to mark the anniversary. A full schedule will be announced this fall.

“Just as when the AAPE started 40 years ago, it continues to encourage its members to try new ideas and approaches when exhibiting,” said Ken Nilsestuen, association president [right]. “As exhibiting continues its evolution from ‘Here are my stamps,’ to ‘Here is a really interesting story using my wonderful philatelic collection and related items,’ AAPE should still be there sharing these developments. We hope and expect that our members will continue to be leaders in philatelic exhibiting however it changes.”

The association was founded to provide a forum for exhibitors, judges and stamp show organizers and volunteers. Most of the major changes in the exhibiting craft as well as the greatly increased accountability and consistency in judging began as ideas discussed in the AAPE’s quarterly journal, The Philatelic Exhibitor.

AAPE has also smoothed the way for hundreds of new exhibitors by connecting them with mentors, free critiques and technical guidance through articles in the journal by experienced exhibitors who write about lessons learned.

Current membership is about 625 including gold medal winners and many who are developing their exhibits toward that level. Members have access to all back issues of the journal through an excellent website that includes widely diverse resources.

Anyone with an interest in joining the friendly and helpful ranks of exhibitors is welcome to participate in AAPE events. More information and membership details are online at www.aape.org.

Chicagopex is hosted by the Chicago Philatelic Society, which was founded in 1886 and is American Philatelic Society Chapter #1. Show information is online at www.chicagopex.org.

Self-nominations are now open for the Board of Directors of the American First Day Cover Society, the largest not-for-profit FDC organization in the world. Each year, the membership of the AFDCS elects four people to serve on its board for three-year terms.

podium with microphone – vector illustration. eps 10

Those running for the board must be members in good standing and are expected to submit a statement of no more than 300 words and a photo. There is no other “qualifying process” for nominations: No 10-member petitions, minimum tenure in the AFDCS, nor the ability to recite cachet catalogue numbers from memory. Reasonable proficiency with email is expected.

Once elected, Directors are expected to attend the one in-person meeting a year (held the night before the convention, which in 2027 will be held at Great American Stamp Show in Albuquerque, NM) and ad hoc online meetings, participate in email discussions and vote electronically on matters that come before the board. The ballot and the candidates’ statements are mailed to members in the fall. The terms begin on January 1.

Bobby Liao of California is chairing the AFDCS 2026 Nominating Committee, aided by Steve Ripley of Florida and Chris Calle of Connecticut. Those wish to run, or who would like more information, should contact Bobby at bottlingcachet@yahoo.com.

The AFDCS Board of Directors consists of 12 elected members, plus three ex-officio members: the president, editor, and general counsel. (The Society’s complete bylaws are available at www.afdcs.org/bylaws). Directors are not compensated in any way for serving on the board, although they may receive reimbursement for expenses not related to serving on the board or attending meetings.

The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization, established in 1955. It publishes the award-winning bimonthly journal First Days, as well as handbooks and catalogues, maintains a YouTube channel, and promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as the exhibiting of FDCs.

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.