Across the Fencepost Newsletter of the Wisconsin Federation of Stamp Clubs Newsletter Date

FEDERATION FOCUS December 2012 Volume 34, Issue 10 he WFSC Executive WFSC bylaws state that we tion to ideas for the meeting/ Board held its fall meet- must have an annual seminar room, the WFSC will T ing in conjunction with “convention,” but nowhere also be manning a society table TOSAPEX. The WFSC’s an- does it mention a mandatory for all four days of the show Chapter #350 Chapter #107 nual convention and exhibition exhibition. and ideas for giveaways at the known as WISCOPEX was one Plans include hosting meet- table are also solicited. www.wfscstamps.org for the topics for discussion. ings and seminars in a dedicat- Further details related to The Milwaukee Philatelic Soci- ed room during StampShow. participation at StampShow INSIDE THIS ISSUE: ety had stepped up and offered “The Wisconsin Connection,” will be announced in a future to host the event in April 2013. as it is temporarily referred to, issue of ATFP. Federation Focus 1 After further consideration, is intended to showcase any WFSC Board Meeting Clubs Are Trump 2 however, the WFSC Executive collector who was born or lived Want to see your society Board decided to forego the in Wisconsin at any time dur- officers at work? Have an idea Let’s Play Dominoes 3 WFSC’s annual exhibition and ing their life (regardless of the for a WFSC project or outreach The Lady With All the Toys 4 concentrate efforts on activities topic of their presentation), as program? You are invited to The Boston Tea Party 6 associated with a special four- well as anyone that might share attend the next WFSC Board day WFSC convention in con- a Wisconsin philatelic-related meeting to be held Saturday, Show Calendar/Ads 7 junction with APS StampShow topic. The idea is to showcase January 12, 2013, in Fond du 2013. The event is scheduled the rich philatelic heritage of Lac. You can be a part of the CORRECTION NOTICE: to be held August 8-11 in Mil- Wisconsin collectors and to team that guides the future of Ken Suess’s last name was waukee. The WFSC conven- show the world that there is philately in our state. Contact misspelled in the November tion will include the WFSC’s indeed “Something Special WFSC Secretary Ken Grant at issue of ATFP. 82nd Annual Business Meeting from Wisconsin.” [email protected] to Many apologies, Ken! of delegates and a Wisconsin If you have any ideas for receive an official meeting an- on the homepage of the Philatelic Hall of Fame reun- enhancing the participation of nouncement and details. WFSC website. Created by ion. the WFSC at StampShow, Wild Turkey PowerPoint our new editor, Aimee Those four days are a spe- please contact MaryAnn Bow- An easy-to-present Power- Devine, it uses material from cial opportunity for the WFSC man, P.O. Box 1451, Wau- Point program on the 3¢ Wild the collection of May Day to promote Wisconsin clubs kesha, WI 53187, email mar- Turkey stamp issued in 1956 at Taylor and the WFSC ar- and philately in Wisconsin. Our [email protected]. In addi- Fond du Lac is now available chives. I will honor The WFSC Welcomes a New Club! Christmas in

my heart, and The Bay de Noc Stamp and Coin Club try to keep it meets 6:30 p.m. (EST) the second Monday of all the year. each month at the Joseph Heiman Building, Charles Dickens Bay College, Escanaba, MI Contact Mark Kuehn (906)786-2105 or email [email protected] Read ATFP online in color and sooner. www.wfscstamps.org

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CLUBS ARE TRUMP find fewer fellow collectors to share our interests. ciation Chapter 5, uses a new commemorative But the same Internet that is eliminating the stamp and a related cachet on the envelopes. For By Maurice D. Wozniak, NE Region VP need for letters is also making it easier for us to the August mailing, which featured the Wisconsin

find and communicate with other like-minded Flag coil stamp, he noted, he had to buy 10 times The most recent mailing from the Northwest- collectors around the world. So in some ways the as many stamps as he needed. Similarly, the ern Mutual Stamp Club, Milwaukee, The Open hobby is stronger, not weaker. WFSC had to buy the whole Earthscapes pane for Album, features a cartoon of a guy presenting a Yes, we may have to change the ways we the first-day-of-sale Cherry Orchard covers at parcel to a postal clerk. “Oh, there’s no hurry,” he collect or even what we collect. Clubs for stamp Brussels in October. says. “Just so it arrives before you guys go out of collectors should be in the forefront of adaptation. business.” Don’t give in to the forces of negativity. Continue In a “Garfield” cartoon strip reproduced by a Information for Clubs Are Trump is gathered from to enjoy the hobby and reach out to others. Wisconsin dealer and handed to me, the man of club newsletters. Please send them to Maurice D. the house is showing his girlfriend his stamp col- Wozniak, 1010 Berlin St., Waupaca WI 54981. lection. She falls asleep. “Time?” the guy asks the Program Ideas cat. “Twenty-three seconds,” Garfield responds. “A new record.” The lead clerk at the Wauwatosa Post Office COUNTDOWN TO No. 1 on a list of things that will disappear in related to Milwaukee Philatelic Society members our lifetime, distributed via email by a fellow some anecdotes from his 40 years of experience. WFSC clubs board member: the post office be- The talk included the story of an attempted mail- STAMPSHOW 2013 cause of its staggering debt. It’s easy to pick ing of an anesthetized, 2-foot alligator, which apart our hobby and the system that it is built turned out to be four feet long, woke up, and es- in upon. But I remain optimistic that stamp collect- caped in the post office. ing will thrive for the foreseeable future even if Badger Stamp Club, Madison, had a presen- the postal service does not survive. tation on "German Colonies" given by a member. Milwaukee Part of the hobby does depend on a continuing Youth members of the Milwaukee-area supply of new issues, admittedly, but much of our American Topical Association Chapter 5, who interest is in the old stuff, which many of us praise won awards in a British North America Philatelic as the best of 172 years of philately. Consistently, Society contest, read their selections prior to a we collectors (as a group) say our favorite U.S. club meeting. stamp is one issued more than a century ago. Some of us specialize in postal history, some- What Others Are Doing thing that is largely archaic by its very nature. The project by Northwoods Philatelic Socie- Some of it predates 1840, when stamps were in- ty, Iron Mountain, Mich., to support an area ani- vented. mal shelter through sales of a cacheted envelope We collect old stuff today and celebrate prac- with a special cancel netted almost $400. tices that don’t exist – and we will continue to do Items donated to the Central Wisconsin it in the future. Stamp Club, Stevens Point, were passed around The economics of the hobby may change. at a meeting for members to take. The remainders Prices of old stamps may continue flat and even went to a silent auction at the club’s annual show, 9 Months down from the speculative high times. We may CENWISPEX. continue to lose dealers who can’t find justifica- Bob Mather, who prepares the newsy mailings tion for their effort and investment. We may even for the Milwaukee-area American Topical Asso-

Wisconsin Federation Of Stamp Clubs Officers Across the Fence Post is the official publication of the Wiscon- PRESIDENT: -Bay de Noc Stamp & Coin Club sin Federation of Stamp Clubs, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organiza- tion. WFSC also is a life member of the APS (since 1953). For Greg Schmidt -Green Bay Philatelic Society SE REGION VP: more information about WFSC, please visit the website, 1978 Fox Burrow Court -Northwoods Philatelic Society Art Schmitz www.wfscstamps.org. Neenah, WI 54956 (Iron Mountain) [email protected] ATFP is published monthly September through April, and [email protected] -Oshkosh Philatelic Society -American Topical Association every other month May through August (10 issues per year). VICE PRESIDENT: -Outagamie Philatelic Society (Chapter 5) News of Wisconsin collectors, club news and other gratis original -North Shore Philatelic Society Vacant -Wisconsin Postal History Society philatelic features are welcomed. The editor accepts submissions (Milwaukee) in any format, but prefers email if possible. The editor reserves SECRETARY: EAST CENTRAL REGION -Northwestern Mutual Stamp Club VP: the right to make editorial changes to submitted copy. Ken Grant -Waukesha Country Philatelic Material appearing in ATFP not carrying an individual copy- Darren Mueller E11960 Kessler Rd. Society right notice may be reproduced only by not-for-profit organiza- [email protected] -Wauwatosa Philatelic Society Baraboo, WI 53913 tions, provided the author(s) and ATFP receive credit or attribu- -Fond du Lac Stamp Club -American Air Mail Society tion. All materials carrying an individual copyright notice are the [email protected] -Kettle Moraine Coin & Stamp (Billy Mitchell Chapter) sole property of the author(s). TREASURER: Unless explicitly stated by an officer in conjunction with Club -Germany Philatelic Society Allen E. Vick -Manitowoc Philatelic Society official WFSC business, opinions expressed by the editor or (Chapter 18) individual authors are not necessarily endorsed by the WFSC. 2090 River Estate Lane -Sheboygan Stamp Club -Italian American Stamp Club Submission deadlines for editorial and advertising materials Stoughton, WI 53589 SW REGION VP: -Milwaukee Philatelic Society are the 1st of the month preceding month of publication (i.e. Jan. [email protected] John Pare CENTRAL REGION VP: 1st for Feb. issue). VP YOUTH DIVISION: [email protected] Mike Lenard Editorial matter should be sent to: Aimee Devine, Editor ATFP, 2111 E. Luther Road, Janesville, WI 53545. Phone: 608-758- MaryAnn Bowman -Badger Stamp Club [email protected] 1354 ([email protected]). Ad- P.O. Box 1451 -Baraboo Stamp Club -Central Wisconsin Stamp Club vertising material and payment should be sent to Dave Carney, Waukesha, WI 53187 -Janesville Stamp Club -Chippewa Valley Stamp Club Advertising Manager, ATFP, P.O. Box 55, Kimberly, WI 54136- [email protected] -Monroe Stamp & Postcard Club -Lakeland Stamp & Coin Club 0055. Phone: 920-687-9077 (dcarney @new.rr.com). For a complete list of advertising rates and policies (display, classified, NE REGION VP: SOUTH CENTRAL REGION -Wisconsin Valley Philatelic Society VP: Maurice D. Wozniak and listings), request a copy from the advertising manager. Vacant [email protected]

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Let’s Play Dominoes By Roland Essig

ominoes are small tiles traditionally carved from D ivory or bone with small dots inset in ebony. The word dom- ino comes from the French word for a priest’s hood which was black on the outside and white on the inside. The oldest domino sets date from around 1120 AD and are thought to be of Chinese origin. Dominoes did not arrive in Europe until the Polish Stamp Republic of Mali Stamp Brazilian Stamp early 1700s and first appeared in Italy. Their Domino Trivia: popularity quickly spread throughout Europe and they became a favorite —The oldest known domino set was found in King Tut game at pubs and in family parlors. tankhamen's tomb. Chinese dominoes are longer than — The dots on dominoes are called “pips.” European ones. The domino pieces themselves are not called dominoes, — President Lyndon Johnson often invited guests at his but rather bones, stones, or tiles. To- Texas ranch to play a round of dominoes. Some of day, dominoes are played all over the these included French President de Gaulle, British world, and are particularly popular in Prime Minister Wilson and Henry Ford II.

Cuban Stamp

Latin American coun- tries. Domino tourna- ments are held annually in many countries, and there are numerous local domino clubs in many cities around the Mayotte Stamp world.

Roland Essig, a retired printer by trade, has many topical/thematic collecting interests including this mini-topic on dominoes. He has exhibited competitively and won numerous awards over the years. He is a member of the Kettle Moraine Stamp and Coin Club (West Bend) and ATA Chapter 5. Cuban Souvenir Sheet Showing Traditional Toys

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FEATURE ARTICLE The Lady With All the Toys By Ann Selzer here are about 600 items in my (French for chalk) The 1930s sheet called, Depression, antique and modern toy collec- and the first part of Dustbowl, and a , contains a T tion. Some of them are small, but the word oleagi- Monopoly stamp many quite large and handsome. They nous (oily paraffin (Figure 7). An include a few pieces that belonged to my wax). The first box- unemployed man grandparents and parents, many of my es of crayons had from Pennsylva- own toys and a few that belonged to my eight colors and nia always gets own two sons. I have also purchased sold for 5¢. the credit for Figure 3 other toys adding items that either re- The second sheet inventing the minded me of toys that I was familiar for the decade of 1910s, was titled, game of Monop- with or that were attractive and histori- America Looks Beyond Its Borders. The oly. But in fact, Figure 7 cal. As I returned to the hobby of col- toy stamp (Figure 4) shows a boy play- he copied it from lecting stamps, I decided to combine my ing with an airplane made from an Erec- several other people. It was bought by toy collection hobby with my stamp col- tor Set. This toy Parker Bros. in 1935 and soon became lecting hobby. (Figure 5) was in- the best-selling board game in America. The USPS Celebrate the Century vented in 1913 and An estimated 500 million people have series, issued between February 3, 1998 was inspired by the played the game in and May 6, 2000, has provided stamps to construction girders one form or another. depict my toys quite effectively. I am not being used on a World War II going to describe every stamp of each railroad. The “S” Transforms America souvenir sheet but on the stamp is Figure 4 is the title of the will go in order and made of Tinker 1940s sheet. The toy discuss each stamp Toys. These were invented in 1914 by featured is the Slinky that depicts a toy an Illinois man after watching children (Figure 8). In 1943, that I own from that play with pencils, Richard James, a Figure 8 decade. sticks, and empty naval engineer, was The first sheet spools of thread. using a tension spring in an experiment. titled, The Dawn of The letter “Y” on The spring fell off the table and he noted the Twentieth Cen- Figure 1 the stamp is made how it “walked.” tury, features two pop- of Lincoln Logs, After showing it to ular toys from the 1900s, the which were invent- his wife, she came (Figure 1) and crayons. In ed in 1916 by up with the name America, the teddy bear got its start from Frank Lloyd “Slinky.” After Figure 5 a 1902 cartoon Wright’s son. He two years of work- drawing. On a trip got the idea from a building his father, ing on the toy, 400 to Mississippi, Pres- was designing in Japan. Slinkys were made Figure 9 ident Theodore The Roaring Twenties sheet features to sell in a depart- Roosevelt was taken a stamp with a little boy playing with a ment store right before Christmas on a bear hunting toy train (Figure 6). Making models of (Figure 9). They sold all 400 for $1 in 90 trip. He didn’t bag a railroad cars be- minutes. Since then, over 300 million Figure 2 bear, so his aides gan shortly after have been sold worldwide. captured one, tied it trains appeared in The Rebellious Sixties and Man on to a tree, and told Roosevelt to shoot it. the mid-18th cen- the Moon sheet shows a Barbie doll Roosevelt refused. This incident was tury. In 1891, the (Figure 10) which became very popular pictured in a cartoon which became fa- first complete in the 1960s. After noticing that her mous. A U.S. toy-maker couple saw the train system was daughter, Barba- cartoon and created a stuffed toy based made by a Ger- ra, gave her pa- on the bear. They named it “Teddy” in man company. It Figure 6 per dolls adult honor of the president (Figure 2). included tracks, engines, and other ac- roles, Ruth Han- Binney & Smith was founded in cessories. At first, the train models had dler suggested 1885 and made pencils, chalk, and other clock-work engines, then they were pow- the idea of mak- products. In 1903, they invented Cray- ered by steam. By 1914, electricity was ing adult dolls to ola Crayons (Figure 3). Binney’s wife used most often. her husband, who made up the name by combining craie was the co- Figure 10

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FEATURE ARTICLE (Cont’d.) founder of Mattel Toys. He was not im- in stores as parents fought to get a doll for cast models, post- pressed with the idea. While on a trip to their child. ers, drawings, and Germany, Mrs. Handler found a doll that No specific toys were featured on the models to put to- was exactly like the one she had tried to stamp sheet of the gether, among oth- persuade her husband to make. She 1990s, but there are er items became bought a couple of the dolls and used four images that the toys for another them as a model for the doll she named, became popular as generation of chil- “Barbie,” after her daughter. The doll toys. Steven Spiel- dren. made its debut at a New York toy fair in berg’s movie Ju- Figure 14 And finally, virtu- 1959. Ken, Barbie’s boyfriend, was rassic Park (Figure al reality (Figure named after the Handler’s son, Kenneth. 12) did more to 14) and the World A Cabbage Patch doll (Figure 11) is further popularize Wide Web (Figure one of the stamps Figure 12 dinosaurs as toys. 15) became incor- on the 1980s sheet, Books, CDs, models, porated into toys Space Shuttle coloring and drawing media made even the and games, and Launched, Berlin youngest child capable of identifying educational materi- Wall Falls. Cab- many of the known dinosaurs. The space al for all ages of bage Patch Kids shuttle Discov- children. Toy- Figure 15 were designed by ery (Figure 13) making was thrown an art student took John into the technological age. named Xavier Glenn up into Roberts in 1978. space again Ann Selzer is a retired physician and a Figure 11 They were made of and repopular- member of the Milwaukee Philatelic Socie- cloth and sold at local craft fairs. In 1982, ized the toys ty and ATA Chapter 5. Among her many a toy company started manufacturing made com- interests, Ann has a collection of antique them. The cloth heads were changed to memorating toys and games which she also collects on vinyl. By Christmas 1983, there were riots the space shut- Figure 13 stamps. tle design. Die-

Northwoods Philatelic Society

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YES- Youth Exploring Stamps

The Boston Tea Party- December 16, 1773

he Boston Tea Party happened because Britain was charging taxes on the Colonists’ tea. This was because T the East India Co., who made the tea, wasn’t doing so well; so Britain wanted to help them by charging taxes on the tea. The Colonists were enraged by this, especially since they had no say in the act. So one night a group of Colonists dressed as Mohawk Indians and raided three ships: the Dart- mouth, Eleanor, and the Beaver. They climbed aboard the ships and threw off every tea box. I chose this stamp because the Boston Tea Party was one of the actions from the Colonists that triggered the Revolu- tionary War, which led to America’s independence.

Olivia Keenan, Age 10, Wauwatosa

A woman went into a post office to buy some stamps for her Christmas cards. "What denomination would you like?" asked the clerk. "Good Heavens!" replied the woman, "Has it come to this? I suppose you'd better give me twenty Luthern and twenty Catholic.” Free Member Ads

Did you know that you are entitled to TWO free ads per year? Why not make use of that membership benefit today? Ad size is limited to 25 words and should be sent to the editor. (See p.7 for details.)

Future ATFP Issues Can you help with an article or illustration for one of these future issues of ATFP? Do you have an idea for a future topic/theme for ATFP? January - Benjamin Franklin February - Presidents March - Green April - Humor May/June - Military & Patriotic topics December - The Friendly Beasts (Christmas Animals)

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WFSC Show Schedule* *Some dates and details may be subject to change, and there will likely be additional listings. List your show, bourse, auction or other event here! Send to Karen Weigt, 4814 Rose Ct., Middleton, WI 53562. Phone: 608-836-1509 ([email protected])

Across the Fence Post Ad Rates February 10, 2013 December 8-9, 2012 TYPE SIZE COMMERCIAL CLUB JANESVILLE ANNUAL MSDA Winter Stamp Show EXHIBITION AND BOURSE Midwest Stamp Dealers Association RATE RATE Janesville Stamp Club Holiday Inn Express Lindner Conference Center 3100 Wellington Place 610 E. Butterfield Road, Lombard, IL A Full Page 7 1/4” x $42.00 $33.75 Contact: Gary Wentworth 9 1/2” (608)756-1380 [email protected] January 26-27, 2013 B Half Page 7 1/4” x $26.25 $21.00 MSDA WINTER STAMP SHOW 4 3/4” March 2 - 3, 2013 Midwest Stamp Dealers Association Checks C Large (1/4 4 3/4” x 6” $20.50 $16.50 STAMPFEST ‘13 Comfort Inn (formerly Wingate) For page) Milwaukee Philatelic Society 600 Milwaukee Ave., St. Aloysius Gonzaga Hall Ads Prospect Heights, IL D Medium (1/4 4 3/4” x $14.75 $11.75 1435 South 92nd St., West Allis, WI page) Should 3 3/4” Sat. 10 a.m. - 5p.m./Sun.10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Contact: Carol Schutta Sing hey! Sing hey! Be E 1/8 Page 2 1/4” x $7.50 $6.00 6814 Southview Cir., For Christmas Day; Made 3 3/4” West Bend, WI 53090 Payable F Econo 2 1/4” X 2 3/4” $3.75 $3.00 (262)388-1453 Twine mistletoe and holly. To [email protected] For a friendship glows G Reduced 2 1/4” X 1 1/4” $2.75 $2.25 WFSC. Business Card In winter snows, Other Major Thank H Back Page 7 1/4” X 9 1/2” $57.75 N/A Non-WFSC Shows In or Near And so let’s all be jolly! Wisconsin Author Unknown You! Revised January 2006. Please make checks payable to W.F.S.C.

December 1-2, 2012 MEMBERS ONLY FREE CLASSIFIED AD FROSTYPEX ’12 Maximum free ad 25 words twice a year. Must be WFSC member club, mem- St. Aloysius Gonzaga Hall ber-at-large (MAL), or individual belonging to a WFSC member club. Include 1435 South 92nd St., West Allis, WI club name, MAL status, or name of club in which you hold membership: not included in 25-word count. Deadline 1st of month preceding month of issue. Send to: Aimee Devine, Editor, ATFP, 2111 E. Luther Rd., Janesville, WI 53545, [email protected].

Please use stamps whenever possible on all your

mail!

1/13

WANTED:

HAPPY ANY STAMP AND COVER COLLECTIONS AND ACCUMULATIONS

BILL ROBINSON Stampbuyer-Wisconsin.com Free Ad Eligibility (Club/MAL/Membership): ______920-499-6886 ______1/13

6/13 12/12 1/13

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Merry Christmas

FROM- American Airmail Society, Billy Mitchell Chapter Badger Stamp Club Central Wisconsin Stamp Club Germany Philatelic Society, Chapter 18 Green Bay Philatelic Society Milwaukee Philatelic Society Oshkosh Philatelic Society Sheboygan Stamp Club Wauwatosa Philatelic Society

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