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'I. /// WUA4W/ Off SPORTS PHILATELISTS INTERNATIONAL RE PUBUttOSTERRE I CM J 3 iJ^^^^_f_TaJ-^^J^f^reJ_f^f_f-J-f giareiarazraiajuaiaragjajagl jEmgJEJ_j-f-J-J-J-rEr-f-f-f-n uarararararaiararaiarajzjarajzjt Volume 25 November - December 1986 Number 2 OLYMPIC IMAGINATION by Vfi. Man^ftzd Bzngman "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Albert Einstein The curtain has come down on OLYMPHILEX '85. The first world sport- Olympic exhibition, patronized by the International Olympic Committee and its president, H. E. Juan Antonio Samaranch, was a tremendous success. The finest Olympic and sport collections - worldwide - were shown. Usually one reports and analyzes in detail the collections. In the case of OLYMPHILEX '85, this would be an enormous task, consuming much time and space and would not serve the purpose. When one writes, should one write everything? When one paints, should one paint everything? Have mercy on me, and leave something to your Olympic imagination. Consequently, I shall concentrate merely on the various trends of Olympic collecting, as expressed in this show. These trends prove the vitality of Olympic philately and the multitude of future de­ velopment and possibilities. As we shall see, all trends are valid and worthy of philately. 1. The classical approach, the pure philatelic studies of the Games of 1896 and 1906. This trend has been mostly developed by the Greek collectors. It encompasses proofs, cancellations of the first day (25 March 1896), cancellations of the various post offices, special cancellations (1906), cancellations of every day of the Olympic year (1896), postal rates, plate studies, varieties, etc.. In fact, ^ these collections have been shown in traditional exhibitions as well. This trend was demonstrated in an excellent way by Tsironis, Anghelopoulos, Dolianitis (all Greece) and Beinart (GB). 2. The documentary approach, which is the collection of Olympic documents of several Games/ The emphasis is on the documents, special cancellations, varieties proofs. The approach is purely philatelic 41 and with no thematic development. Nevertheless, it gives an excellent understanding of the postal facilities and involvement in the Olympic Games. The best collections following this trend were represented by Schreuder (Norway) for 1896-1952, Rosen (USA) for 1896 to 1932, Messmer (Germany) for 1896 to 1928. 3. The thematic history of the Games. This trend connects the _ • -s philatelic documents with the history and the events of the Games.•" v* In other words, philatelic documents are used to tell the "when", the f'where". the "how", and the "with whom" of the Olympic Games. However, philatelic documents are not neglected. This trend was presented to a large degree in the collection of Mannhart and to a lesser degree by Karel, both of whom are of Switzerland. It permits the person interested in the detailed history of the Games to obtain satisfac­ tion. k. The next trend is the development of one Game (excepting 1896). There are two possibilities. a. the postal history of one Game, meaning an accummulation of all philatelic items related to one Game. This trend was very well represented by the collection of German - West Germany (1936), Bowman - USA (l936), Borsody - USA (1984), Jonker - Holland (1956). Karpinsky - West Germany (1936), Podolsky - USA (Winter Games, 1932). b. the thematic and philatelic history of one Game. The trend details in a first part the history of the Game (propaganda, organi­ zation, financing, programme in general and daily events, the winners, the participants, the locations, the installations, transportation, other linked manifestations, etc. - and this by philatelic documents. In a second part, all the philatelic studies are shown (cancellations, varieties, proofs, etc. The best collections of this trend were shown by Rapkin - GB (l936) and Canepa - Italy (l924). I opine that this trend has a promising future. 5. The fifth trend is a specialized study of a. particular aspect connected with the Olympic Games: a. the Olympic flights: Bura - Poland, Koller - West Germany b. the Olympic torch relay: Nuyken - West Germany c. Olympic Games and sports through art - Furman (USSR) d. Olympic cancellations (postal propaganda) - Vidal (Spain) e. Olympic stadiums - Pritula (USSR) f. the IOC meter cancellations- Tecardi(ltaly) This last study certainly has a future, especially when extended to all Olympic meters. Teca di always surprises us with new ideas. 6. This is a highly specialized trend in the collection of blocks of four - unique in the world and shown by the president of the IOC and FLPO, H. E. J. A. Samaranch in the court of Honor of OLYMPHILEX '85. Any classical philatelist could be envious. 7. The history of one's country's link with the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement is the seventh trend. It made a timid appearance, represented by the Justyn (CSSR) collection: "Czecho­ slovakia and the Olympic Movement." In my opinion, this trend has large possibilities and is worthy of capturing the attention and IMAGINATION of more collectors. Imagine the following possibilities: 42 a. the USA and the Olympic Games and Movement. 1904, 1932, I960, 1980, 1984. b. Germany and the Games c. France and the Games etc. Of course, the collection should include not only material related to the Games that the specific country organized, but also matexialy <' showing its contribution to the other Games, other Olympic manifes­ tations, pre-Olympic meetings, issues for other Games, etc. Imagination paints, the mind compares, the taste chooses and the talent executes. This should be the maxim for this trend. 8. Last but not least, the "journalistic" approach, telling the story of the ancient Games and their revital. All this is written by philateli material as if it were a journalistic essay. Pellegrini (Italy) used this new approach: " 'In the Spirit of Olympia." His collection was awarded first prize of Olymphilex '85 (donated by H. E. J. A. Samaranch). I have tried to describe several approaches to Olympic collecting. I am sure that others exist. That is where our imagination should be put to work. The Olympic Games are. THE socio-cultural phenomena of this century. They were influenced by (and influence) outside circumstances (politics, doping, professionalism, etc.). They had ideological opponents (Workers' Olympiads, Spartakiads, etc.); they had social problems (Women's Olympics). All these aspects are still virgin. They can be developed philatelically. Imagina­ tion is all that is needed. The next OLYMPHILEX will take place in Rome in 198? and then in Athens in 1989. Let's imagine new themes, new ways of Olympic collecting, or put in more imagination in our actual collections. See you in Rome. ************** MEXICAN FEDERATION OF SPORT PHILATELY A letter dated April 28, 1986 reports the founding of Federacion Mexicana de Filatelia Deportiva. The president is Leopoldo Gonzales .Guerrero whose address is Apartado Postal 71-346, Mexico City 3, D. F., Mexico. An accompanying document seems to indicate the organization existed as early as 1984. Spanish- speaking members who know more about this organization are requested to report about it - its journals, membership cost, size of membership and services. Perhaps a member of this organization can give us a review of its journals and if there are any handbooks available, let JSP readers know. - Sherwin Podolsky, August 27, 1986 43 SPORTS PHILATELISTS INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT: John Osborne, 236 Bexley Lane, Sidcup, Kent, DAW 4JH, England VICE-PRESIDENT: Edward B. Epstein, Bd. of Education, 33 Church St., Paterson, NJ 07505 SEC-TREASURER: C. A. Reiss, 15415 Lake Ave., Lakewood, OH 44107 DIRECTORS: Glenn A. Estes, Box 451, Westport, NY 12993 Francis Daziniere, Residence Eurofac, Tout 3, Apt. 404, 33170 Gradignan, France Joseph M. Lacko, 1031 W. Chestnut St., Union, NJ 07083 David E. Lane, 329 Gells Rd., Richmond Hill, Ontario L4C 3A5 Canada Ward H. Nichols, P.O. Box 8314, Ann Arbor, MI 48107 Sherwin D. Podolsky, 16035 Tupper St., Sepulveda, CA 91343 Robert E. Wilcock, 24 Hamilton Cresent, Brentwood, CM14 5ES England Lester M. Yerkes, P.O. Box 40771, St. Petersberg, FL 33743 AUCTIONS: Lester M. Yerkes, P.O. Box 40771, St. Petersburg, FL 33743 MEMBERSHIP: Margaret A. Jones, 3715 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30319 SALES DEPT: Jack W. Ryan, 140 W. Lafayette Road, Apt. 3, Medina, OH 44256 Sports Philatelists International is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the study and collecting of postage stamps and related collateral material dealing with sports (including Olympics) and recreation and to the promotion of international understanding and goodwill through mutual interest in philately and sports. Its activities are planned and carried on entirely by the unpaid, volunteer services of its members. All members in good standing receive the bi-monthly issue of Journal of Sports Philately. The dues for regular U.S. membership are $6.00, foreign 58.00 (airmail is additional) per year plus a one time admission fee of $1.00. Membership applications.may be obtained from Margaret A. Jones, 3715 Ashford- Dunwoody Rd., N.E., Atlanta, GA 30319 USA. ISSN 0447 - 9S3X (U fD SPORTS PHILRTELSS EDITOR: John La Porta, 955 S. Sixth Ave., La Grange, IL 60525 ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Edward B. Epstein, Bd Qf Education, 33 Church it., Paterson, NJ 07505 Glenn A. Estus, Box 451, Westport, NY 12993 Margaret A. Jones, 3715 Ashford-Dunwoody Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30319 Joseph M. Lacko, 1031 W. Chestnut St., Union, NJ 07083 Dale Lilljedahl, 4815 Amesbury No. 226, Dallas, TX 75206 Sherwin D. Podolsky, 16035 Tupper St., Sepulveda, CA 91343 George A. Scheffel, 1971 Parkside Dr., Concord, CA 94519 Wayne Soderlind, 3026 45th Ave., N.E., Tacoraa, WA 98422 Dorothy E. Weihrauch, Nine Island Ave., Apt. 906, Miami, FL 33139 Brian G. Vincent, P.O. Box 1321, Wellington, New Zealand CIRCULATION: C. A. Reiss, 15415 Lake Ave., Lakewood, OH 44107 PUBLISHER: K-Line Publishing Co., Inc., P.O.

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