Vol. XXXII No. 10 December 2010 www.WFSCstamps.org

Newsletter of the Wisconsin Federation of Stamp Clubs American Philatelic Society Chapter #350, American Topical Association Chapter #107 tary draft and earned the that thousands of copies of President’s corner nickname, “the Father of the his bill and 300,000 pieces of All-Volunteer Force.” He literature had been mailed Present also could be called the god- from Waupaca to people By Maurice D. Wozniak, President of WFSC father of the U.S. Christmas throughout the nation who My stamp files contain references to the stamp program because of were interested in the cause. efforts of Melvin R. Laird, a United States his dogged pursuit – starting USPOD opposition slowly congressman from in 1958 – of a postal com- softened. central Wisconsin, memoration of the birth of In 1962, the United States toward getting the Christ. broke tradition and released In fact, I found out, he The 1965 U.S. Christmas stamp its first Christmas stamp, United States Post depicted the , some- Office Department to wanted the “baptism” of the what of a compromise to which featured a decidedly release a stamp for Christmas stamp to be in Congressman Melvin Laird, who non-religious and can- wanted a . Christmas. Waupaca, where the dedicat- dles. It was wildly popular. But, until I ed agitation for a Christmas The stamp had an initial searched the Laird stamp began when a Catholic priest received printing of about four times the usual com- archives at the a from with a stamp memorative stamp production, but it wasn’t University of Wis- that portrayed the Nativity. enough. To fill the public demand, the Bureau consin-Stevens Point In his 1959 bill that called for a Christmas of Engraving and Printing sent it back to library, I stamp, Laird included a provi- press two more times. In all, nearly 892 mil- didn’t know the extent of that sion that the stamp be “placed lion stamps (861.97 million) were printed. effort or the role that Wisconsin on sale at Waupaca, Wis., one Production of the second Christmas stamp, people played in changing postal day before it is made available in 1963, exceeded 1.2 billion. The image this policy to introduce what has to the public elsewhere.” That time was the National on the become the most-awaited issue part of his wish list never took White House lawn, another secular subject. annually. place. President’s Message is continued on Page 2. Laird was a powerful politi- In fact, Laird’s initial efforts cian who served in the met with a stone wall. The bill Editor email address change Wisconsin Senate from 1946-52, never got out of committee, Effective immediately, please send all email in the House of Representatives and the USPOD told him, “It correspondence (letters, features and other has long been the practice of 1953-69 and as secretary of Our nation’s first Christmas communication) to the editor to the following defense 1969-73. He lives in stamp, released in 1962, fea- the Post Office Department to address: [email protected]. All other con- Fort Myers, Fla. tured a wreath. Although refrain from issuing stamps of tact information remains the same as that pub- During his term in the there was a “Christmas” a . . . religious nature.” lished on Page 2. inscription, the design was Later in 1959, Laird learned Pentagon, Laird ended the mili- decidedly secular. WFSC Correction and Notice: Inside this issue: 1...President’s Corner CORRECTION: 1...WFSC Notice and Correction It has come to the attention of the Wisconsin Federation of Stamp Clubs (WFSC) that much of the information provided to the author of an article regarding Greg Bokelman in the February, 2010 1...Editor email address change issue of Across the Fence Post is inaccurate. 2...Clubs are Trump 2...Call for Hall of Fame Nominations NOTICE 3...Exhibiting 101: Easy Entry – Non- Greg Bokelman does not represent WFSC in any way and is not authorized to solicit or accept competitive Exhibiting any donations of money, philatelic material or any other items on behalf of the WFSC. 4...It Just so Happened... WFSC encourages anyone interested in making donations to youth philately to make the contri- 5...Show Calendar and Registry bution or donation to WFSC’s long-time Youth Director, MaryAnn Bowman, P.O. Box 1451, 6...WFSC Stamp Club Holiday greeting Waukesha, WI 53187.

Page 1 Across the Fence Post December 2010 Clubs are Trump President’s Message, continued secular and from Page 1. Christmas stamps released. By Maurice D. Wozniak, President of WFSC Laird specifically wanted a It wasn’t the Nativity scene We are unable to present “Clubs are Trump” Nativity scene. he had fought for, but Laird this month. Please look for it in the January 2011 John Gronouski, a native of acknowledged it “certainly is issue. ATFP apologizes for the inconvenience. Dunbar, Wis., in Marinette an appropriate scene for a County, who had been Christmas stamp.” USPOD *** Wisconsin state commission- did, however, release our Hall of Fame Nominations er of taxation, took the office nation’s first nativity scene of postmaster general in stamp in 1970. Nominations are still being accepted for the 1963. He presided over the With his present from the 2011 Wisconsin Philatelic Hall of Fame, which release of the 1964 Christmas post office in hand, Laird recognizes prominent Wisconsin philatelists for stamps, the first se-tenant wrote in his office newslet- their contributions to the hobby. The deadline U.S. issue, which represented ter, “Much of the credit for for nominations is Dec. 31, 2010. seasonal foliage. Unlike the our success in this endeavor Qualifications required of nominees are: (1) previous two years’ stamps, goes to the women of St. Contributions of a purely local club nature shall the designs did not include Mary Magdalene’s Parish in not be the sole reason for selection to the Hall the label “Christmas.” Laird’s Christmas stamp wish Waupaca for beginning the of Fame; and (2) A deceased philatelist may not Laird was fed up with the finally came true in 1970, when process that brought this be nominated or considered for selection until creeping commercialism of the USPOD released a “fine art” stamp that depicts the Nativity. about.” three years after his/her death. the holiday and dismayed that Send your nominations(s), with a statement the reason for Christmas was ignored on this identifying the nominee, a short philatelic biog- country’s stamps. He resubmitted his bill and Across the Fence Post raphy and the reasons why that person should argued in a letter to Gronouski that issuing a be selected for the Wisconsin Philatelic Hall of Christmas stamp without religious signifi- Ad Rates (revised 1/06) Fame to Karen Weigt, Chair, Hall of Fame cance was wrong. Type Size Commercial Club Committee, 4184 Rose Ct., Middleton, WI Rate Rate The Christmas stamp in 1965 portrayed the A Full page (7 ¼"x( 9 ½") $42.00 $33.75 53562-4339 or [email protected]. Archangel Gabriel, “a symbol that is very B Half page (7 ¼' x 4 ¾") $26.25 $21.00 Only WFSC member clubs may submit definitely concerned with the birth of Christ,” C Large ¼ page (4 ¾"x 6") $20.50 $16.50 nominations, and each nomination must be Laird noted, because in the Christmas story D Medium ¼ page $14.75 $11.75 seconded by two other member clubs. The Gabriel announces to Mary that she will give (4 ¾" x 3 ¾") E 1/8 page (2 ¼" x 3 ¾") $7.50 $6.00 nominating club is responsible for making birth to the son of God. F Econo Ad (2 ¼" x 2 ¾") $3.75 $3.00 arrangements with the seconding clubs to pro- Sure enough, in 1966 the USPOD offered a G Reduced Business Card $2.75 $2.25 vide those seconds. The nomination and sec- fine-art Madonna and Child, a theme that has (2 ¼" x 1 ¼") onds should be sent to chairman of the Hall of become common on U.S. Christmas stamps. H Back page (7 ¼" x 9 ½") $57.75 N/A Fame Committee in one mailing. For many years following, there were both Please make checks payable to :W.F.S.C.

Across the Fence Post is the official publication of Wisconsin Federation of Stamp Clubs officers the Wisconsin Federation of Stamp Clubs, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization. WFSC also is a life PRESIDENT NE REGION VP SE REGION VP member of the APS (since 1953). For more informa- Maurice D. Wozniak Al Marcus Art Schmitz tion about WFSC, please contact the Central Office. 1010 Berlin St. [email protected] [email protected] AFTP is published monthly September through April, and every other month May through August (10 issues Waupaca WI 54981 Green Bay Phil. Soc. Am. Top. Assn. (Chap. 5) per year). News of Wisconsin collectors, club news and 715-258-2025 Northwoods Phil. Soc. (Iron North Shore Phil. Soc. (Milw.) gratis original philatelic features are welcomed. The [email protected] Mountain) Northwestern Mutual Stamp Club editor accepts submissions in any format, but prefers Outagamie Phil. Soc. Polish American Stamp Club VICE PRESIDENT email if possible. Editor reserves the right to make edi- Wisc. Postal Hist. Soc. Wauwatosa Phil. Soc. Jim Stollenwerk torial changes to submitted copy. American Air Mail Soc. (Billy 1020 Hazelwood Court Material appearing in AFTP not carrying an individual EAST CENT. REGION VP Mitchell Chapter) West Bend WI 53095 copyright notice may be reproduced only by not-for-profit Vern Witt Germany Phil. Soc. (Chap. 18) organizations, provided the author(s) and AFTP receive Home: 262-306-0829 Fond du Lac Stamp Club Italian American Stamp Club credit or attribution. All materials carrying an individual Cell: 262-305-1483 Kettle Moraine Coin & Stamp Club Milwaukee Phil. Soc. copyright notice are the sole property of the author(s). [email protected] Manitowoc Phil. Soc. Unless explicitly stated by an officer in conjunction with offi- SECRETARY Oshkosh Phil. Soc. CENTRAL REGION VP cial WFSC business, opinions expressed by the editor or individ- Judy Essig Sheboygan Stamp Club Mike Lenard ual authors are not necessarily endorsed by the WFSC. [email protected] [email protected] Submission deadlines for editorial and avertising SW REGION VP Central Wisc. Stamp Club materials are for the 1st of the month preceding TREASURER month of publication (i.e. Jan. 1 for Feb. issue). Valerie Cook Chippewa Valley Stamp Club Allen E. Vick All show calendar information and all other editorial mat- Badger Stamp Club Northwoods Stamp & Coin 2090 River Estate Lane ter and listings, should be sent to: Wayne L. Youngblood, Baraboo Stamp Club Club (Rhinelander) Stoughton WI 53589 Editor ATFP, P.O. Box 111, Scandinavia WI 54977-0111. Janesville Stamp Club Wisconsin Valley Phil. Soc. [email protected] ([email protected]) phone: 715-467-4416. Monroe Stamp & Postcard Club Advertising material and payment should be sent to VP YOUTH DIVISION Dave Carney, Advertising Manager, AFTP, P.O. Box 55, MaryAnn Bowman SOUTH CENTRAL REGION VP Kimberly, WI 54136-0055. ([email protected]) P.O. Box 1451 Art Gaffney phone: 920-687-9077. For a complete list of advertis- Waukesha WI 53187 [email protected] ing rates and policies (display, classified and listings), Waukesha County Phil. Soc. request a copy from the advertising manager.

Page 2 Across the Fence Post December 2010 Exhibiting 101: Easy Entry – Non-competitive Exhibiting Robert R. Henak receive the formalized critique For those of you who have con- generally given to competitive sidered exhibiting but are con- exhibits, it is rare that a judge is cerned about the work involved or unwilling to spend some time afraid of what the judges might with the non-competitive say, there is a simple and easy exhibitor. As such, the non-com- alternative: noncompetitive petitive showing of an exhibit exhibiting. What’s more, with may be a good trial run for an Wiscopex coming up in April, you exhibit that is intended ultimately will have a prime opportunity to to be shown competitively. show noncompetitively and plenty Finally, size can be a signifi- of time to get your exhibit together cant benefit to non-competitive over the long winter months ahead. exhibiting. Outside of youth There are a number of benefits exhibiting on a local level, adult to noncompetitive exhibiting. competitive exhibits generally are In a noncompetitive exhibit, you One of the author’s collecting areas includes Milwaukee Society Circus and Circus limited to multiples of 16 8½- by display whatever it is that you Parade covers. Although shown competitively once, this subject lends itself quite 11-inch pages, that being the size well to non-competitive exhibiting. want to show, whether it is your of a standard exhibit frame. collection of Mickey Mouse on itively or I just did not do a very technical rules for competitive However, the major Wisconsin C.T.O. (cancelled to order) stamps, good job with it. In any event, it exhibits. Even with the looser rules local shows (Wiscopex and early Wisconsin territorial covers received a certificate. While I for Display exhibits, in terms of Danepex), as well as Milcopex, or local stamp show ephemera. eventually plan to merge this into a using some non-philatelic material, allow for non-competitive exhibits Quite often, our interests do not fit comprehensive exhibit of MPS some exhibitors prefer to use more of four or eight pages, along with easily into established categories cachets and cancellations, I have than the 35% permissible for those in multiples of 16 pages. for competitive exhibits. higher exhibiting priorities right Display exhibits. An example would Some stories do not require a For instance, I have an exhibit now, so I will show it non-compet- be the stamp show ephemera exhibit full 16-page frame of material to of Milwaukee Philatelic Society itively for the near future. I mentioned earlier. Likewise, some tell. For some, there simply is not Circus and Circus Parade covers. Exhibiting on a non-competitive exhibitors wish to focus more on the the material available – or at least Although it clearly would qualify basis also can be attractive to those writeup, with a story line overshad- available to the collector – to fill as an Illustrated Mail exhibit, the who simply do not wish to be both- owing the philatelic material used to an entire frame. An example is a judges either did not know that the ered with – or constrained by – the illustrate it. In competitive exhibits, non-competitive exhibit I plan to one time when I showed it compet- of course, it is the philatelic material have at Wiscopex 2011 of that must be preeminent, with the Milwaukee Philatelic Society cor- writeup in a supporting role. Non- ner cards (pre-printed sender’s competitive exhibitors need not fol- address in the upper-left corner of low those rules. the envelope). It likely would fill Non-competitive exhibiting also only four pages. I may eventually allows the exhibitor to tell his or her get it up to eight pages, but doubt story to the world without fear of it would fill a frame even if I being judged. While competitive could imagine ever showing it exhibiting certainly has its benefits, competitively. Of course, I may not everyone who likes sharing merge it eventually into my future their particular love of philately MPS covers, cachets and cancel- publicly enjoys having a judge lations exhibit. looking over their shoulder and cri- So, even if you have not yet tiquing their work. been bitten by the exhibiting bug Nor is there any reason why to the extent of trying a competi- they should. Many of those tive exhibit, I would encourage attending stamp shows enjoy the you to at least try testing the water exhibits without concern for the with a non-competitive exhibit. rules or the medal level. If an You may find, as I did, that it per- exhibit is on a subject they find manently changes how you prac- interesting, they will enjoy it, and tice and enjoy your hobby. often marvel at the effort, appear- Wiscopex exhibit applications ance and content of even those will be available in January. If you exhibits that philatelic judges may have interest in this exciting but be less than enthusiastic about. less stressful form of exhibiting, At the same time, a non-compet- let me know and I will send you an itive exhibitor can request com- application when they are avail- ments and suggestions from judges able. Robert R. Henak, P.O. Box and other exhibitors regarding how 170832, Milwaukee, WI 53217, to improve the exhibit. While the 414-351-1519, henak8010@sbc- non-competitive exhibitor may not global.net. Page 3 Across the Fence Post December 2010 It Just so Happened... Roland Essig Three of the author’s Sept. 24 (the date of the cancel) is my birthday. Like many of you who favorite covers from Also, I was a printer at the time (now retired). a collecting area he got started on a new collect- happened into quite You guessed it, it got me started collecting ing area unintentionally, this by chance: those printing advertising covers, especially those happened to me as well. covers showing the picturing printing machinery and items used in Many years ago, attend- cornercards and the trade. Three of my treasured covers (shown equipment of printing ing our stamp club meeting, companies here) are from the Hamilton Manufacturing I came across an advertis- Company in Two Rivers, Wis. The company ing cover. At the time our manufactured wooden type used in printing club had a part-time stamp large items such as posters, where large metal dealer as a member and it was while looking type would have been too heavy and difficult to through his “junk” box I happened upon a work with. The company also produced type cover. The cover was from a printing firm using cabinets for the storage of wood and metal type. the design to promote their services. What The Hamilton Manufacturing Co. was started in caught my eye was the design in the corner. It 1880, and by 1891 was a line drawing of the envelope flaps you employed 200 workers. Through the years the company has been sold would see on the several times but is still in back side of an enve- existence. It maintains a lope. On each flap museum of the compa- was listed one of the ny’s wood type and services they offered equipment used to pro- (Figure 1). duce it. Upon visiting the As I recall, that museum several years ago I was told the firm cover cost me a dollar. Not until getting home still occasionally gets orders for wood type. that evening and looking more closely at my If you are ever in the area may I suggest you The chance purchase of this cover by the author at purchase did I discover it was canceled Sept. 4, a stamp club meeting led him to an entirely new col- take the time and visit their museum. lecting area. 1884. What made the cover special to me is that

Share your interests with fellow Wisconsin collectors. Write about a favorite item for the next ATFP!

Page 4 Across the Fence Post December 2010 Show Calendar and Registry List your show, bourse, auction or other event here! Calendar listings are free for one WFSC member-club event per year. Classified advertising rates apply for all non-mem- bers and other events appearing in this section. 2010-2011 WFSC show schedule* *Some dates and details may be subject to change, and there will likely be additional listings. Feb. 13, 2011 March 19, 2011 May 14, 2011 Annual Exhibition and Bourse Baypex ’11 Outapex ’11 Other major Janesville Stamp Club Green Bay Philatelic Society Outagamie Philatelic Society Holiday Inn Express, 3100 Wellington Pl. St. Matthew Catholic Church, VFW Post, 501 N. Richmond St., non-WFSC shows Janesville Multipurpose Rm., 2575 So. Webster Appleton, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact: Gary Wentworth - 608-756- Ave. (parking in rear), Green Bay Contact: Al Marcus, 920-725-0798 near Wisconsin 1380, [email protected] 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. [email protected] Contact: Ray D. Perry, 920-469-8925, (below left and below): [email protected] March 5-6, 2011 April 17, 2011 Danepex ’11 Stampfest ’11 April 2-3, 2011 Badger Stamp Club Milwaukee Philatelic Society Wiscopex ’11 Crowne Plaza Hotel Dec. 11-12, 2010 St. Aloysius Gonzaga Hall (Annual Convention and Philatelic 4402 E. Washington Ave. (across from Prospect Heights, IL 1435 So. 92nd St., West Allis Exhibition of the WFSC), hosted by: East Towne Mall), Madison MSDA Winter Stamp Show Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central Wisconsin Stamp Club 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Midwest Stamp Dealers Assoc. Contact: Carol Schutta, 10250 W. Holiday Inn Stevens Point, 1001 Amber Contact: Bob Voss, P.O. Box 35, Lindner Conference Center, 610 E. Sharon Ln., #5, Milwaukee, WI 53225 Ave., Stevens Point McFarland, WI 53558 - 608-838-1033 Butterfield Rd. 414-464-6994 Contact: Larry Glenzer —715-341-6767, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]) Jan. 15-16, 2011 Dec. 4-5, 2010 West Allis, WI U.S. West Allis, WI Polarpex ’11 Frosteepex ’10 St. Aloysius Gonzaga Hall, 1435 So. 1c Large St. Aloysius Gonzaga Hall, 1435 So. 92nd St., West Allis Bank Note 92nd St., West Allis Scott 156 05.10

While they last: (I have several) A fault-free, F-VF example, with virtual-

07.10 ly complete OG. There is a bit of d paper adhered, so w this cannot be con- u I collect the Wisconsin Statehood issue ...and I need your help sidered NH. Wanted: FDCs, first-day ephemera, USPOD However, unused Announcements, errors, color varieties, usages, OG price is $275; event covers or anything else that No-gum examples might enhance an exhibit. sell for $95. OG: $50 (or, small flts, John Pare $20)

405 Perimeter St. 04.11 No Gum: $15, post- Mt. Horeb WI 53572 [email protected] paid!

Wayne Youngblood, P.O. Box 111 Scandinavia WI 54977-0111 [email protected] Always buying, selling and accepting consign- ments for Regency- 02.10 Superior Auctions. 06.10

Page 5 Across the Fence Post December 2010 Happy Holidays!

WFSC Member Clubs

Season’s Greetings to all From: •G reen B ay P hilatelic S ociety • N or thwoods Philatelic S ociety •B adger S tamp Club •Sheboygan S tamp Club • W isconsin V alley Philatelic S ociety

Page 6 Across the Fence Post December 2010