Emrick’s Palmer FDC Takes Cachet Honors

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Emrick Cachets’ hand-painted/hand-drawn first day cover for the Arnold Palmer stamp took top honors as the best cachet of the year, in the American First Day Cover Society‘s annual cachetmakers contest. Bob Emrick‘s design was also the winner of the HP/HD category.

For the first time, a junior member of the AFDCS, 17-year-old Arianna Calle, won an adult category. In fact, Arianna won both first and second place in Category 3 Hand-Painted/Non-Original Art.

The results, announced at the President’s Banquet during Great American Stamp Show/Americover 2021, covered issues released during 2020. You can see all the winners here on The Virtual Stamp Club.

Emrick, who lives in a suburb of Dallas-Fort Worth, also creates hand-drawn pencil-sketch and printed cachets, all from original art. He also uses “the knowledge gained from a great career in commercial printing.” His printed covers make at least three passes through the printer which “creates a much fuller color gamut with deeper shadows and richer color,” he says. “I think the extra time and effort this requires is well worth the results.”

Bob was previously honored in the AFDCS Court of Honor in 2016, which each year features an outstanding cachetmaker’s work on a first day cover for the holiday issues. His first cachet was in 2005 for 50s Sporty Cars.

Arianna Calle is the daughter and granddaughter of professional artists Chris and Paul Calle, both of whom have designed U.S. stamps. Her covers have won first or second in the junior categories more than a dozen times previously, dating back to 2009. Her father Chris is also a past Top Cachet winner. [Arianna is shown below receiving her award from Contest Chair Rick Gibson, while AFDCS President Lloyd de Vries looks on.]

You can see the first- and second-place winners in each category here.

The AFDCS Cachetmakers Contest is held annually for the previous year’s issues, with more than fifteen categories. Besides media and production methods, they include Foreign, Events, Esoteric and Rookie of the Year. Three anonymous judges, representing collectors, dealers, and artists judge each category, then choose the best of the best for the Top Cachet honor. The cachetmaker, by the way, is not eligible for Top Cachet the following year.

The Society publishes its award-winning journal First Days six times a year, as well as handbooks and directories, sponsors philatelic exhibit awards, advocates for FDC collecting and co-hosts the big national stamp collecting show each summer. The 2022 Great American Stamp Show will be held in Sacramento, Calif.

For more information on the AFDCS, visit its website www.afdcs.org, email afdcs@afdcs.org or write to the society at Post Office Box 246, Colonial Beach, VA 22443-0246.

U.S. Scott Catalogue Update (August 2021)

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5598 (55¢) Sun Science – Coronal Hole
a. Imperforate
5599 (55¢) Sun Science – Coronal Loops
a. Imperforate
5600 (55¢) Sun Science – Solar Flare
a. Imperforate
5601 (55¢) Sun Science – Active Sun
a. Imperforate
5602 (55¢) Sun Science – Plasma Blast
a. Imperforate
5603 (55¢) Sun Science – Coronal Loops, diff.
a. Imperforate
5604 (55¢) Sun Science – Sunspots
a. Imperforate
5605 (55¢) Sun Science – Plasma Blast, diff.
a. Imperforate
5606 (55¢) Sun Science – Solar Flare, diff.
a. Imperforate
5607 (55¢) Sun Science – Coronal Hole, diff.
a. Imperforate
b. Block of 10, #5598-5607
c. Imperforate block of 10, #5598a-5607a

5608 (55¢) Yogi Berra
a. Imperforate

5609 (55¢) Tap Dance – Max Pollak (buff “TAP”)
a. Imperforate
5610 (55¢) Tap Dance – Michela Marino Lerman (rose “TAP”)
a. Imperforate
5611 (55¢) Tap Dance – Derick Grant (greenish blue “TAP”)
a. Imperforate
5612 (55¢) Tap Dance – Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards (light blue “TAP”)
a. Imperforate
5613 (55¢) Tap Dance – Ayodele Casel (bister “TAP”)
a. Imperforate
b. Horiz. strip of 5, #5609-5613
c. Imperforate horiz. strip of 5, #5609a-5613a

5614 (55¢) Mystery Message
a. Imperforate

RW88 $25 Lesser scaup Hunting Permit Stamp, self-adhesive
RW88A $25 Lesser scaup Hunting Permit Stamp, self-adhesive, souvenir sheet of 1

APS Recognizes Service

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The American Philatelic Society’s 2021 Nicholas G. Carter Volunteer Recognition Awards
for National Service have been awarded to:

  • Allison Cusick
  • Joann Lenz
  • Steve Lund
  • Don Neal, and
  • Felix L. Perez-Folch, Jr.

The Carter Awards for Local Service go to

  • Ron Breznay
  • Mike Komiensky
  • Darlene Waterstreet, and
  • Mary Ann Wenzelma

This year’s Outstanding Young Adult Philatelist (Age 25-40) is Casey Jo White (right)and Outstanding Young Philatelist (Under 25) is Ian Hunter (left).

The APS announcement on the Carter Awards, including their accomplishments, can be found here.

 

Bill Schultz is the recipient of the Kehr Award, presented “for enduring contributions that help guarantee the future of the hobby” over a period of at least five years. Details are here.

APS Inducts 3 Women Into Hall Of Fame

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The American Philatelic Society has named this year’s inductees into its Hall of Fame, the most prestigious award that the APS can bestow upon philatelists who have passed away. This year, all three are women:

  • Elizabeth Pope
  • Elizabeth “Betty” Nettles
  • Esper Hayes

Only photos of Pope and Hayes were provided by the APS. The APS Hall of Fame was established in 1940. Nominees must have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of national or international philately.Pope and Nettles, perhaps not coincidentally, were both active in the Webster Grove Stamp Club in the St. Louis area. Hayes founded the Ebony Society of Philatelic Events and Reflections, whose acronym, again perhaps not coincidentally, is ESPER.

The APS announcement including their accomplishments can be found here.

APS Honors Lesher, Ertzberger, Frohlich with Luff

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L-R, Lesher, Ertzberger, Frohlich

The American Philatelic Society has named this year’s winners of its Luff Award, the most prestigious award that the APS can bestow upon living philatelists.

  • For Distinguished Philatelic Research – Dr. Ronald Lesher
  • For Exceptional Contributions to Philately – Darrell Ertzberger
  • For Outstanding Service to the American Philatelic Society – Alfredo Frohlich

The Luff Award was established in memory of John N. Luff, APS president from 1907 to 1909, who was considered the most prominent American philatelist of his era.

The APS announcement including their accomplishments can be found here.

Lesher spoke with The Virtual Stamp Club in 2013 about one of the more unusual aspects of his revenue stamp collection, Oleomargarine stamps! You can hear that feature here.

No Stamp? No Problem!

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by Lloyd A. de Vries

Don’t see a major event that should be commemorated in the current U.S. stamp program? Have an upcoming anniversary that you know will never get a postal memorial? There is a solution for it, although it won’t be a “first day cover:” You can request a special cancellation from the Postal Service.

Shown on the right is a Dragon Card I produced for the centennial of the birth of John Glenn. Rumor is rights issues prevented a stamp for this American hero. Another collector and I collaborated on ordering a postmark for the 100th anniversary of Glenn’s birth and his birthplace, Cambridge, Ohio.

The cost is $25, and the city and state in the postmark must actually have a post office. (No Dogpatch USA for my Jubilation T. Cornpone covers!) Requests must be submitted within 30 days after the date requested, and deadline extensions will not be granted. The postmark is round, 1¼ inches in diameter, and there is a minimum of 50 pieces. Covers must have at least first-class postage, currently 55 cents. The special cancellations are not available for APO or FPO addresses.

The cost of the cancellations is the same as for first day covers: The first 50 are free, and additional ones are 5 cents each. Orders should be sent to

USPS SFS Cancellation Services
8300 Underground Drive, Pillar 210
Kansas City, MO 64144-9998

Don’t need or want 50 covers commemorating an event? Look for other collectors who may want to service some, too. That’s what I did to produce 18 of the Dragon Cards shown here for the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Postal Service. And you’ll notice the Amtrak card above has the same postmark, even though Amtrak officially began May 1, 1971.

You can use this to fill in the gaps in the stamp program.

[This is a modified excerpt from my First Day Covers column in the January 4, 2021, issue of Linn’s Stamp News.]

The Dragon Cards shown here can be purchased, while supplies last, on the Dragon Cards website.]

Miller to Edit Exhibitors’ Journal

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Martin Kent Miller has been named editor of The Philatelic Exhibitor, the journal of the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors (AAPE). He succeeds Randy L. Neil, a co-founder of the organization, who decided to retire. Neil will continue to write a column for the publication.

Miller’s 30-year career in the communications field, includes writing, editing and graphic design. He is the president of the Philatelic Press, a company that serves the communications needs of philatelists and philatelic organizations. He also edits The United States Specialist, the journal of the United States Stamp Society; First Days, the journal of the American First Day Cover Society; and The Pennsylvania Postal Historian, the journal of the Pennsylvania Postal History Society. He previously edited The American Philatelist, the journal of the American Philatelic Society. Miller has been a stamp collector since he was eight years old.

Last year, Miller edited Topical Adventures – A Guide to Topical and Thematic Stamp Collecting for the American Topical Association (ATA). He also designed a new logo and website for ATA.

“We sincerely thank Randy for many years of fine work for AAPE,” said Mike Ley, president. “We look forward to working with Martin as we meet the needs of both novice and experienced exhibitors.”

Founded in 1986, the AAPE offers publications, exhibiting awards and critique and mentoring services for philatelic exhibitors.

For more information on the AAPE, visit its website AAPE.org.

London 2022 Show Has Hotel Deals

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[press release]
Visiting London 2022

Special arrangements have been made for those visiting London 2022, the international stamp exhibition that will take place on 19 to 26 February next year at the Business Design Centre in Islington in London (nearest Underground Station: Angel).

Visit london2022.co and click on ‘Visits/Hotels’ to find details of the special arrangements that have been made with HotelSmart to secure the best deals at convenient hotels.

By simply clicking for more information, you will be provided with details of selected hotels, plus the opportunity to make further enquiries. HotelSmart can also be found at hotelsmart.co.uk or contacted by telephone on +44(0)1202 533363.

Those who used HotelSmart to make a booking for London 2020 should have had their original booking cancelled, and a fresh booking will need to be made. Please check with HotelSmart for more information.

All the latest news about London 2022 can be found at london2022.co

Wild Coasts (UK 2021)

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[press release]

Wild Coasts

Issue Date: 22nd July 2021 Product Range Summary
Set AS7400 £8.50 4
Sheet MZ165 £5.10 5
First Day Envelope AE430 / ME157 £0.30 11
Presentation Pack AP493 £14.50 1
First Day Cover – Stamps AF475 £10.85 7
First Day Cover – Stamp Sheet MF161 £6.80 8
Press Sheet PZ055 £78.55 12
Collector’s Sheet AT128 £9.70 3
Souvenir AW191 £10.85 13
Stamp Sheet Souvenir AW192 £6.80 15
1st Class Stamp Book UB445 £5.10 6
Framed Stamps N3259 £29.99 2
Framed Collectors Sheet N3261 £29.99 9
Postcards AQ309 £6.75 10
Full Sheet (x50) -NG AS7400AFS £42.50 14
Half Sheet (x25) – NG AS7400AHS £21.25 17
Full Sheet (x50) – TLSS AS7400BFS £42.50 16
Half Sheet (x25) – TLSS AS7400BHS £21.25 18

Reason and Inspiration
Nowhere in the UK is more than 70 miles from the coast, and our waters team with incredible marine life. This stamp issue celebrates the beautiful and surprising animals of our coastal seas and shores, with the UK waters and British Isles providing unique habitats for a multitude of species.

Stamps
A ten-stamp stamp set showcasing wildlife across the UK’s coastlines; from mammals (Grey Seal, Bottlenose Dolphin, Orca), to fish (Long-snouted Seahorse, Cuckoo Wrasse), anemones (Fried-egg Anemone), crustaceans (Spiny Spider Crab), birds (Northern Gannet), molluscs (Common Cuttlefish) and Cold-water Coral Reef.

All 1st class stamps

  • Northern Gannet
  • Common Cuttlefish
  • Grey Seal
  • Bottlenose Dolphin
  • Spiny Spider Crab
  • Long-snouted Seahorse
  • Orca
  • Fried-egg Anemone
  • Cuckoo Wrasse
  • Cold-water Coral Reef

Technical details – stamps
Number of stamps: Ten
Value of Stamps: 1st class
Design: Steers McGillan Eves
Acknowledgements: Northern Gannet © Tim Slater/Alamy Stock Photo; Common Cuttlefish © Alex Mustard/2020VISION/ naturepl.com; Grey Seal © Robin Chittenden/naturepl.com; Bottlenose Dolphin © Graham Eaton/naturepl.com; Spiny Spider Crab © Sue Daly/naturepl.com; Long-snouted Seahorse © Alex Mustard/naturepl.com; Orca © Hugh Harrop; Fried-egg Anemone © Sue Daly/naturepl.com; Cuckoo Wrasse © Scotland: The Big Picture/naturepl.com; Cold-water Coral Reef © Prof J Murray Roberts, University of Edinburgh
Stamp Format: square
Number per sheet: 25/50
Stamp Size: 35mm x 35mm
Printer: International Security Printers
Print Process: lithography
Perforations: 14.5 x 14.5
Phosphor: bars as appropriate
Gum: PVA

Miniature Sheet
A four-stamp miniature sheet showcasing the Marine food chain; the transfer of energy from algae to top predator, beginning at Level 1; Photoautotrophs (e.g. Phytoplankton) to Level 4; Secondary Carnivores (Harbour Porpoise).

  • 1st class Phytoplankton
  • 1st class Zooplankton
  • £1.70 Atlantic Herring
  • £1.70 Harbour Porpoise

Number of stamps: Four
Value of Stamps: 2 x 1st, 2 x £1.70
Illustrations: Maïté Franchi
Stamp designs: © Royal Mail Group Ltd 2021
Sheet Size: 192mm x 74mm
Format: landscape
Size: 41mm x 30mm
Perforations: 14.5 x1 4
Printer: International Security Printers
Print Process: lithography
Format: landscape
Phosphor bars: as appropriate
Gum: PVA

First Day Cover – Stamps
The First Day Cover is a unique time-limited and personalised collectible which includes the Wild Coasts stamp set postmarked on its first day of issue – 22nd July 2021

The envelope can be personalised with a name & address of the customer’s choice.

  • Includes the ten-stamp set
  • Postmarked on the stamp set’s first day of issue
  • Personalised with name and address of customer’s choice
  • Choice of 2 postmark designs; Coast, Achnasheen or Talents House, Edinburgh
  • Includes an information card that includes brief insight into the coastal and marine wildlife found in the UK, key facts and the impact of human behaviour of marine life.

First Day Cover extension: Royal Mail is extending the First Day Cover deadline for this issue due to the uncertainty and restrictions on movement arising from COVID-19. This applies until further notice to First Day Covers ordered directly from Royal Mail as well as to those submitted from Post Office® branches for cancellation at a Special Handstamp Centre.

First Day Cover – Miniature Sheet
The First Day Cover is a unique time-limited and personalised collectible which includes the Wild Coasts miniature sheet postmarked on its first day of issue – 22nd July 2021 The envelope can be personalised with a name & address of the customer’s choice.

  • Includes the four-stamp miniature sheet
  • Postmarked on the miniature sheet’s first day of issue
  • Personalised with name and address of customer’s choice
  • Choice of 2 postmark designs; Coast, Achnasheen or Talents House, Edinburgh
  • Includes special edition envelope for the issue
  • Includes an information card that includes brief insight into the coastal and marine wildlife found in the UK, key facts and the impact of human behaviour of marine life.

First Day Cover extension: Royal Mail is extending the First Day Cover deadline for this issue due to the uncertainty and restrictions on movement arising from COVID-19. This applies until further notice to First Day Covers ordered directly from Royal Mail as well as to those submitted from Post Office® branches for cancellation at a Special Handstamp Centre.

Presentation Pack
The double-sided presentation pack dives into the wild coasts of British waters. With the UK fringed by a patchwork of unique and beautiful marine habitats, the pack explores the places that support the incredible diversity of wildlife, as well as some of the species that interact in complex and often fascinating ways.

The pack expands on the wildlife chosen for the ten stamps, with a special carrier card for the miniature sheet that details the four levels of Marine food chain; from Photoautotrophs to Secondary Carnivores.

The pack includes both Wild Coasts stamp set & miniature sheet on a separate carrier.Postcards
A set of 15 postcards featuring enlargements of each of the stamps in the collection, including one of the composite miniature sheet (1 of the 15 images is shown here).