PS Me POSTAGE STAMP MEGA-EVENT

StampExpo400.org

Stamp HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN Insider www.nystampclubs.org September / October 2009

Plan To Attend The Stamp Show of the Year

Journal of the Federation of New York Philatelic Societies Colorful… Historical UNITED STATES Commemorative Album Pages by

Featuring illustrated display frames for singles of all commemoratives since the 1893 Columbians, this sectional album also has background stories that place the stamps in their historic perspective. And, to highlight the stamps, there’s a distinctively designed border with the multicolored pictorial illuminations that have become a White Ace trademark. There’s more to White Ace than meets the eye: the heavy album page card stock is acid-free — your assurance of long lasting freshness; and the looseleaf style provides flexibility, so the album can grow with your collection. What’s more, with annual supplements it will always be up-to-date. Choose this White Ace album for your U.S. Commemorative Singles or one of its com- panion albums for blocks or plate blocks. Albums are also available for U.S. Regular Issues in all three formats. You will be opting for America’s superlative stamp albums. White Ace Albums are published by The Washington Press — makers of ArtCraft first day covers and StampMount brand mounts. Visit our website at www.washpress.com to order; or for information on recent & future album supplements, & new US & Commem. Singles (1893-1939) Part 1 ...... $28.85 UN issues. Use our information Commem. Singles (1940-1949) Part 2 ...... 21.60 Commem. Singles (1950-1970) Part 3 ...... 52.75 request web page today to receive Commem. Singles (1971-1979) Part 4 ...... 46.95 complete pricing for White Ace Commem. Singles (1980-1986) Part 5 ...... 49.10 Commem. Singles (1987-1992) Part 6 ...... 54.20 Stamp Albums, StampMount Commem. Singles (1993-1995) Part 7 ...... 52.00 Mounts, & Artcraft First Day Commem. Singles (1996-1997) Part 8 ...... 40.45 Commem. Singles (1998-1999) Part 9 ...... 54.20 Covers. Commem. Singles (2000-2001) Part 10 ...... 44.80 Commem. Singles (2002-2004) Part 11 ...... 50.55 Commem. Singles (2005-2006) Part 12...... 47.65 Available at your favorite Commem. Singles (2007) Part 13 ...... 24.60 stampshop or order direct. Matching Border Blank Pages Pack of 15 ...... 7.75 Gold-Stamped Deluxe Binder...... 23.50 Binder Dust Case ...... 16.95 ON MAIL ORDERS White Ace album pages are available for commemorative … please add $6.50 packing blocks, plate blocks, regular issues and many other nations. charge (foreign by weight) Ask for a complete White Ace Price List. The Washington Press PUBLISHERS FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY 07932 Toll Free: (877) 966-0001 • Internet: www.washpress.com September / October 2009 Contents Vol. 26 No. 1 o ion f Ne President’s Viewpoint...... 4 at w r Y e o Editor’s Perspective...... 6 d r e k F George Fekete’s Pondering Philately:

S ta m p . . P . An Application You Can Afford...... 8 h c i n la I George McGowan’s Collecting: t s, el ie Insider ic Societ Collecting New York Flag Cancels...... 10 www.nystampclubs.org Alfred Carroccia’s Seen at Auction: A Couple of Bargain Inverts...... 12 Editor H. James Maxwell: Albert W. Starkweather Preparing an Exhibit Title Page...... 16 5520 Gunn Hwy. Apt. 1406, Tampa, FL 33624-2847 Countdown To StampExpo 400 813-962-7964; [email protected]

www.starkweatherdesign.com Stamps Open Pages of History...... 22 The 1909 Hudson–Fulton Issue...... 30 Associate Editor Heather Sweeting About the Cover 14329 Victory St., Sterling NY 13156-3172 This is the obverse of the antique gold ver- 315-947-6761; [email protected] sion of the StampExpo 400 medallion Contributing Editor Estus Edits The Vermont Philatelist...... 34 George T. Fekete 111 Dale Road, Rochester NY 14625-2009 Book Review: Delivering Hope...... 36 585-381-6233; [email protected] Daniel A. Piazza: NYS@NPM A Farley Hometown DPO Cover...... 38 Advertising Manager Glenn A. Estus’ First Day Coverage: George McGowan P. O. Box 482, East Schodack, NY 12063-0482 Saving the Lake A Postmark at a Time.....39 518-479-4396; [email protected] Ruth L. Sabo’s Exploring Deltiology: A Card With a Hidden Message...... 42 Webmaster Jim Hannah the Frugal Philatelist: Thomas M. Fortunato It’s the Berries...... 44 28 Amberwood Place, Rochester, NY 14626-4166 585-225-6822; [email protected] Robert Finnegan’s Youth & Philately: Learning About “Me”...... 45 Financial Communications...... 46 John J. Nunes Club Pages...... 47–72 80 Fredericks Road. Scotia, NY 12302-5727 518-399-8395; [email protected] Shows & Bourses...... 74–75 Stan Burdick: Philateli-Calamity...... 76 Subscriptions / Secretary Heather Sweeting’s The Last Words: Ronald K. Ratchford A Short StampExpo 400 Quiz...... 78 1105 Union St.. Schenectady, NY 12308-2805 518-374-3776 ; [email protected] Advertiser Index...... 76 Subscriptions, Copyright, Advertising Rates, Deadlines Stamp Insider™ is published six times per year by the Federation of New York Philatelic Societies for the Federation of Central New York Philatelic Societies, Inc., a non-profit organization, at 1105 Union St., Schenectady, NY 12308-2805. Subscriptions: $10 per year; inquire of Subscriptions. Content ©2009 Federation of Central New York Philatelic Societies Inc.; Design ©2009 Albert W. Starkweather / Design on Demand. Stamp Insider and the magnifying glass logo are trademarks of the Federation. Any portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent, provided credit is given. Written expression or opinions of the writers are their own and not necessarily those of the Stamp Insider or Federation. Some product names and images may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation, without intent to infringe. Every effort is taken to ensure accuracy, but validity is not guaranteed. Articles by readers are encouraged. Manuscripts cannot be returned without a large SASE. Electronic submissions are preferred. Dimensions (In inches) Per Insertion Contract Per Year Save Small Business Card (2 1/5 × 1) One-Year Contract Only $ 85.00 — Super Business Card (3 × 2 1/4) One-Year Contract Only $170.00 — 1⁄2 Page (4 1⁄2 × 3 7⁄16) $ 65.00 $330.00 ($ 55.00) $60.00 Full Page (4 1⁄2 × 7 1⁄2) $ 90.00 $480.00 ($ 80.00) $60.00 Full Page Inside Front or Back Cover $100.00 $540.00 ($ 90.00) $60.00 Full Page Outside Back (4 1⁄2 × 7 1⁄2) $150.00 $800.00 ($133.33) $100.00 Centerfold (two full pages) $190.00 $960.00 ($160.00) $180.00

Albert W. Starkweather illustration Albert W. Editorial & ad deadlines for the two months following are Feb. 1, April 1, June 1, Aug. 1, Oct. 1, Dec. 1 President’s Viewpoint John J. Nunes 80 Fredericks Road Scotia, NY 12302-5727 518-399-8395; [email protected]

I Love It When A Plan Comes Together tampExpo 400 in Albany is approaching liftoff and will Sbe one of this decade’s premier national exhibitions and bourses with your attendance and support. I encourage you to participate on behalf of the Federation of New York Phil- atelic Societies and its member clubs. Come to the show, bring friends, view the exhibits, support the dealers, enjoy the lectures and society meetings, StampExpo400.org inquire about membership and benefits, and patronize the HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN many social events. Please volunteer to help us. Our editor is designing the collectible show program. Visit the show’s web site, www.stampexpo400.org, to get information on hotels, travel, parking, activities, limited edition souvenirs, dealers, societies, and exhibitors. StampExpo 400 takes place September 25–27 at the Empire State Plaza Concourse. Don’t miss out on the opening day ceremonies with postal and state dignitaries; UN and St. Vincent & the Grenadines FDC ceremonies; daily show cancels and cachets; talks on philatelic topics; USPA and UN Postal Administration; 100 stamp, cover, post card, coin, ephemera and supplies dealers; appraisals; 240 frames of exhibits and a literature competition; court of honor displays; Hudson–Fulton 1909 Collection and other notable collections; more than 30 philatelic societies; Stamp Camp USA kids camp and adult leader workshop; cachet makers bourse; exhibit award ceremonies (top awards shown above); Pete Seeger’s Clearwater / Steve Suffett concert; and more.

4 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue you’re invited GREAT SHOWS! Each one with Millions in U.S. & worldwide stamps, covers & collections from 10¢ to $Thousands filling more than 50 tables in congenial, relaxed ballrooms! Sept. 11-13, 2009 MetroExpo NY: Dec. 11-13, 2009 Midtown Holiday Inn, 440 West 57th St. Within walking distance or a quick cab ride to scores of NY attractions! Retail Hours: Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4 PLUS: Dealers-only bourse: Fri. 10-Noon September 18-20, 2009 A GREAT NEW SHOW! SEPAD.TWO

Park Ridge Hotel, Valley Forge, PA Co-Sponsored by CASDA & MetroExpos

Collectors: go to www.metroexpos.com for details & updates Dealers: SIGN UP NOW ! FOR DEALER SPACE IN NY OR PA: Dick Murphy, 508-393-9732, [email protected] John Nunes, 518-399-8395, [email protected] FOR SHOW INFORMATION: Elaine Dunn: 800-635-3351, [email protected] or go to www.metroexpos.com Editor’s Perspective Albert W. Starkweather 5520 Gunn Hwy 1406 Tampa, FL 33624-2847 813-962-7964; [email protected] We’re Ready and Now It’s Up To You verything is in place for StampExpo 400 Eexcept for one key element — you! The Hudson–Fulton–Champlain Quadricenten- nial Stamp Exposition Committee would like to invite every member of the Federa- tion and its clubs to attend and participate in the signature event of the 2009 celebration from September 25–27. We would also like to invite all readers of the Stamp Insider whether they are members of Federation clubs or not, whether they are newcomers to the hobby or veteran philatelists. This is the culmina- tion of several years of planning by many of the country’s leading philatelists, organizations, and dealers. Thinking about taking up the hobby — come on by! The show will offer something for everyone, young and old — a host of deal- I WANT YOU AT ers offering exciting new and old items STAMPEXPO 400 for your collection, inspiring philatelic exhibits and literature, first day ceremonies, educational programs for youngsters and adults, and much more. Antiques Journal Highlights Stamp Insider Series The August issue of the Journal of Antiques and Collectibles (www.journalofantiques. com) has combined the “Lighthouses and Philately” series by John S. Babbitt into a single article. The series originally ran in the January–February, March–April, May–June, and July–August 2008 of the Stamp Insider. The antiques journal’s publisher, Jody Young, graciously appended a long item about the Federation and StampExpo 400 to the article. I highly recommend the Journal of Antiques and Collectibles to anyone interested in those areas and history. Subscription and content information for the Sturbridge, MA- based publication may be found in its advertisement on page 77.

6 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue Great Venues by John J. Nunes Stamps • Post Cards • Covers • Ephemera Supplies • Free Admission & Parking See me at StampExpo 400

StampExpo400.org StampExpo400.org

HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN September 25–27! HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN RS Stamp Show 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday, November 1 January 3, 2010 Diplomat Banquet Center & Hotel, 1956 Lyell Ave., Gates, New York Thruway Exits 45 or 47; take I-490 to I-390 north to Route 31 (Lyell Avenue). From the east go right onto Lyell. From the west take Mount Read Boulevard north. Turn left onto Lyell. Capital District Stamp Show 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday, September 20 & October 18 December 20 & January 17, 2010 Ramada Latham (formerly Holiday Inn Express) 946 New Loudon Road, U.S. 9, Latham, New York Northway (I-87) Exit 7; go east to Route 9; 1/4 mile north on left. Mania Shows Cover Mania 12 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday, January 30, 2010 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday, January 31, 2010 Clarion Hotel, 3 Watervliet Ave., Albany, New York Post Card Mania 10 Will return in 2010! NunesNook 80 Fredericks Road, Scotia, NY 12302-5727 518•399•8395 ★ E-mail [email protected] Pondering Philately George T. Fekete 111 Dale Road Rochester NY 14625-2009 585-381-6233; [email protected] An Application You Can Afford arbara Boal, editor of the APS’ American Philatelist, and I taught the Computers & Phi- Blately course at the 2008 APS Summer Seminar. She led the scanning and graphics modules, while I led the office productivity modules. I used Microsoft Office to demonstrate how to create album pages, exhibit pages, and inventory databases because it is robust and the most widely used productivity suite. In a class like ours where there is no computer lab and students bring their own laptops, it is inevitable there are different versions of MS Office being used. When demonstrating an operation, significant extra time is required to help students find menu items in versions different from the one used for the lessons. To capture this lost time, we asked 2009 APS Summer Seminar registrants to download the latest version of OpenOffice (known alternately as OOo and OO.o for OpenOffice.org, at www.openoffice.org) on their laptops and familiarize themselves with it before arriving at the American Philatelic Center. They did, and the differing menu issue was eliminated. Boal and I used OOo to create our presentations and handouts. Although I had known about OOo for quite some time, I hadn’t familiarized myself with it. To prepare for Summer Seminar this year, I put OOo through its paces. It did not disappoint, so I would like to share some observations with you. At this writing, MS Office Home and Student 2007 is offered on the Microsoft web site for $149.95, but is deeply discounted by Amazon and other vendors. Its components are Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Word is an excellent app for creating very nice album and exhibit pages. Simple and so- phisticated inventory modules can be created using Excel. OOo Writer, Calc, and Impress are functionally equivalent to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. OOo also includes Draw and Base. As the names suggest, Draw is designed to create shapes (album / exhibit pages) and Base is a database program (inventories). A database program, as well as Publisher and Out- look (a mail client), is included in MS Office Professional 2007 for $329.95 on the Microsoft web site. This version is also deeply discounted by Amazon and other vendors. If you feel comfortable with the look and feel of MS Office, your OOo learning curve will be gentle. As you might expect, the computer skill levels of students in our Summer Seminar 2009 class varied considerably. As far as I know, none of the students was an OOo user prior to the class; by the end of the week, several of them told me they intended to transition to OOo. OOo can open and save as the various versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Windows and Mac versions of OOo are available. And, did I mention it is free? Disclaimer: I have no stake in either Microsoft or OpenOffice.

8 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue MAIL SALES FRENCH SOUTH ANTARCTICA Engravings, Varieties, 1956–1986 MAIL SALE ◆ 276 Varieties Topicals, Worldwide ◆ Imperfs including Blocks of 4 Items for ◆ Trial Color Strips of 5 Award-Winning & Full Sheets Collections ◆ Deluxe Sheets WRITE FOR CURRENT ◆ Deluxe Collective Sheets LISTS AND BID SHEETS ◆ Die Proofs OR Closing Date 10/31/2009 Full lists on request or view on the web VIEW ON OUR WEB SITE E. JOSEPH McCONNELL, INC.

T H G E W I N O V R R L E D

n P. O. Box 683 • Monroe, NY 10949-0035 Americaan TTooppiiccaal Al Asssosocicaiatito ion

Y F L T E H T E A M L A I T I C P H Phone 845-783-9791 • Fax 845-782-0347 [email protected] • www.ejmcconnell.com

Syracuse Stamp, Coin & Collectibles Show Central New York’s largest philatelic show. Dealers to buy, sell, trade stamps, coins, covers, post cards, paper collectibles. 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 Holiday Inn Thruway Exit 35 — Carrier Circle Syrapex 2009 Coming November 7 & 8 Shows in 2010: February 14 and April 11 Contact Ed Bailey P. O. Box 2338, Syracuse, NY 13220-2338 Phone 315-452-0593

September / October 2009 9 Collecting George McGowan P. O. Box 482 East Schodack, NY 12063-0482 518-479-4396; [email protected] Collecting New York Flag Cancellations n his fourth edition of the Flag ICancellations Encyclopedia, Fred- erick Langford lists New York as having 178 towns (minus New York City) using a flag cancel. He also lists 341 varieties (also minus New York City). Featured here is one of Elmira’s seven total varieties dated November 12, 1897. Elmira has the distinction of having the very first flag cancel in New York State, that being in 1895. The American Postal Machine Company of Boston, MA developed and introduced this popular cancel in October 1894. Flag cancels were in continuous use for 47 years and nearly 3,200 different towns used American flag canceling machines. The last flag machine in regular use in the U.S. was from Sidney Center (Delaware County) ending in 1941. Illustrated is a February 22, 1934 cover canceled with a Sidney Center flag, the only variety listed. Flag cancel collectors realize that collecting all examples known would be a monumental task, so they collect by state, or city, or by county. Assembling a New York State collection with or without New York City, although rather large, would make a manageable and attractive collection, in that, one would always be able to add to your accumulation for many many years without reaching completion or loosing interest. Finally, for your viewing pleasure, a May 16, 1901 flag cancel from Niagara Falls, one of its six varieties listed, canceling a two-cent Scott No. 295.

10 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue Buy & Sell With Conﬁdence Whether you're looking to start a new collection, ﬁnd a unique specialized item for your exhibit, or just save some money on postage, you've come to the right place! Henry Gitner Philatelists offers three convenient ways to buy — mail order, online from our Web site, and at our eBay store: http://stores.ebay.com/Henry-Gitner-Philatelists.

Contact us today with your speciﬁc needs … and when it comes time to sell your collection, accumulation, or dealer stock, you can be assured we pay top dollar.

Buying United States and the World No one pays more for collections, lots, and accumulations of lots and covers! You are always welcome to visit us, but please call ﬁrst so that we can devote our time to you. We have 6,500 square feet of stamps! Henry Gitner Philatelists, Inc. Philately — The Quiet Excitement! P.O. Box 3077 / 53 Highland Ave. Middletown, New York 10940-0800 www.hgitner.com e-mail [email protected] 1–800–947–8267 845–343–5151 Fax 845–343–0068 We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Amex Seen at Auction Alfred Carroccia 152 Windmill Road West Seneca, NY 14218-3776 716-674-0302; [email protected] A Couple of Bargain Inverts t is not often that a unique and exciting collection of Istamps comes up for sale. On June 18–19 Spink Shreves Galleries auctioned the Robert H. Cunliffe collection of inverted error stamps. Cunliffe was a Pittsburgh stock broker who assembled the most comprehensive collection of inverted stamps ever formed. His collection consisted of more than 5,000 inverts from the U.S. and the world when he died in 2008. The sale realized more than $5 million, not including the 15 percent buyers’ commission. It is unlikley that a collection of this magnitude ever will be brought to auction again. The auction was a success as it featured elusive material that has rarely been in the auction spotlight. Several lots had strong showings including those that featured proofs and revenues. Inverts from countries other than the United States had strong realizations. It was these lots that received the most attention in the press after the auction. Neglected were the more famous inverts. It was interesting to read about lots that exceeded estimates, but most collectors were interested in how the more famous inverts fared. Among the more famous gems offered was Cunliffe’s example of the 24 cent Jenny invert (Scott No. C3a) offered as lot 46. The stamp was from position 90 and described as fine-very fine with a straight edge at the right. It was once part of a vertical pair with the stamp at position 100 and was purchased by Cunliffe in 1964. The pre-auction estimate for this lot was $500,000, which is the value Scott assigned for a very fine, unused, hinged example with perforations on all four sides. The lot sold for $170,000 well below the estimate. The CIA invert (Scott No. 1610c) was also auctioned off. It was described as being “well centered, unusually full and even perforations all around, immaculate o.g., n.h., extremely fine. A pristine never hinged example of this well-known and popular modern error — the so-called ‘C.I.A.’ Invert. “ It was definitely a perfect specimen with an estimate of $21,000. Looking at the scan one would guess this stamp would exceed the estimate. It sold for $11,000! Looking at the prices realized for this auction it is clear that there were bargains. Even though most of us cannot afford most of these stamps those who can were able to add some neat gems to their collections.

12 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue POSTAGE STAMP MEGA-EVENT ™ PS Stamps • Covers • Postal History • Stationery • Literature • Supplies Me

ATTEND OUR 60TH ANNUAL FALL CLASSIC AT THE New Yorker Hotel 34th Street and 8th Avenue New York City October 8–11, 2009 National & International Dealers, U.S. & UN Postal Administrations, Agencies, Societies & Clubs! Show Hours Thursday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ✓ USPS & UN First Day of Issue Ceremonies ✓ Souvenir Show Cards & Special Cancels ✓ Treasures in Your Attic (Free Appraisals) ✓ Raf es and Free Gifts for Participants FREE ADMISSION! BRING A FRIEND! www.asdaonline.com • 516-759-7000

September / October 2009 13 SHOWGARD Made of oriented polystyrene, containing no agents that might be harmful to postage stamps. Special foil will not shrink or discolor, is 100% waterproof and is proven safe for stamps. Showgard’s functional design keeps stamp securely in position while permitting free passage of air around the stamp. Showgard mounts are America’s favorite stamp protection. Available with Black or all Clear Backs. For all Clear Backs add “C” to product codes. (Example: Size 20mm, black back SG-20, clear back SG-20C). Showgard Mounts are pre-gummed on the entire back. Moisten top half lightly and affix on page. Strips 215mm (81/2”) Long Pre-Cut Sizes: Singles 40 Mounts Per Pkg. Sizes 20-33 mm pkg-22 U.S. Jumbo-Horiz C 50/31mm To Fit Size Same-Vert CV 31/50 U.S. Mini’s 20mm U.S. Commem.-Horiz J 40/25 U.S. Narrow Airs 22 Same-Vertical JV 25/40 Early U.S., Canada 24 U.S. Semi-Jumbo-Horiz AH 41/31 U.S. Commems 25 U.S. Semi-Jumbo-Vert AV 31/41 U.S. Fam. Amer. 27 U.S. Definitive-Vertical E 22/25 Foreig Issues 28 Same-Horizontal EH 25/22 U.S. Jamestown 30 U.S. Famous Americans T 25/27 Semi Jumbos 31 U.N., Germany U 33/27 U.S. Clark, Misc. 33 United Nations N 40/27 Sizes 36-61 mm pkg-15 Canada, Great Brit, Def. KV 21/24 To Fit Size U.S. Ducks DH 52/36 Foreign 36mm Celebrate the Century S 31/31 Foreign Issues 39 $3.85 per pkg. U.S. Comm.-Vert. 41 Pre-Cut Sizes: Blocks., FDC’s U.S. Hatteras 44 Regular Pl. Blk. pkg. of 25 57/55mm Blocks of 4 48 Comm. Pl. Blk. pkg. of 20 106/55 Comm. Blks of 5 50 Comm. Pl. Blk. pkg. of 20 105/57 Plate Blks. of 4 52 Jumbo Pl. Blk. pkg. of 10 127/70 Plate blks. of 6 57 Coil Plate Strip pkg. of 30 67/25 Souvenir Sheets 61 Postcards pkg. of 10 140/89 (fill in mm size) ZSG-____ First Day Covers pkg. of 10 165/94 $8.75 per pkg. $7.25 per pkg.

Strips 240mm (93/4”) Long Sizes 63-84 mm pkg-10 U.N. Chagall SS 82mm Overrun Flag Blk . 63mm Israel Tab Blks. . 84 Israel Pl. Blks. . . . 66 U.N. IB-6 ...... 89 Souvenir Sheets . 68 Sizes 100, 120mm pkg-7 U.N. IB-4 ...... 74 U.N. IB-6 ...... 100 Souvenir Sheets . 80 Mini Sheets . . . . 120 ZSG-____(fill in mm size) $10.95 per pkg. MOUNTS

Pre-Cut Sizes: Souv. Sheets World Expo (3) WSE $2.50 Columbian (6) 111/91mm 4.50 DEDUCT 20% World War II (5) 229/131 9.85 U.N. Flags (10) 187/144 17.50 Bicent. W.P. (5) 204/153 10.25 OVER $100 DEDUCT AN Saratoga M/S (5) 265/188 15.25 ADDITIONAL 10% Country Music (5) 259/198 15.95 Legends of West (5) 192/201 12.50 Showgard Strip Sets Presidents (4) 120/207 5.95 This set contains 5 each of the 15 Celebrate Cent (5) 191/229 14.50 most used mount sizes (22 thru U.S. Full Sheets (5) 265/231 21.25 52mm), 75 strips in all. Plus a U.S. Souvenir Sheets thru SIPEX except practical indexand refillable tray White Plains (11) AB 7.65 ZSG-US3 $39.95 Trans-Mississippi (11) TM 4.75 1994 Assort.(5) GR94 9.75 A smaller version of the showgard Pacific ‘97 (8) GR97 4.75 strip set. Contains 5 strips of each, Space Explor. (5) SP 6.50 sizes 22, 24, 25, 27, 31, 36, 41, Washinton (4) GR06 7.75 44, 48 ,52-50 strips. ZSG-______(Fill in mm size or code) ZSG-PAC $20.50

Miscellaneous Assortment Showgard J-E-T Set Packs Contains 8 pkgs. of the most popular 22 thru 41mm, (12) pre-cut sizes in a refillable storage tray. ZSG-MPK $7.15 Additional pkgs. under “Pre-Cut sizes Singles” 76 thru 171mm, black back only, ZSG-US2 $27.50 pkg of 15 ZSG-MPK2 $28.50

VISIT US AT STAMPEXPO 400 SEPTEMBER 25-27, 2009 EMPIRE STATE PLAZA, ALBANY NY

America’s (and the World’s) Largest Stamp Collecting Supply Company SHIPPING CHARGES By MAIL/UPS *: $6.50 Min. Orders over $54 ADD 12%, Over $100 ADD 10%, Over $250 ADD 8% * Some Remote Areas Carry Higher Shipping charges. PA Residents: ADD 6% Sales Tax ADD $5/$10 Per Parcel on high weight/low cost orders shipped to the 11 Western States & TX Ask for Shipping Charges to AK, HI, P.R., APO’s, FPO’s, Foreign Phone: 1-800-221-9960 Fax: 1-888-221-9960 Not Responsible For 2121 Beale Ave, Altoona PA 16601 Typographical Errors Email: [email protected] Phone: 814-946-1000 Fax: 814-946-9997 Preparing an Exhibit Title Page By H. James Maxwell Part I or this series appeared in the May June issue of the Stamp Insider; Part II appeared in the July–August issue. he title page is the final Tone to prepare. As your exhibit evolves, the information for the title page may change. Save each page you create in a computer folder. Do not number these pages as you may want to change the sequence later. You may find new pages are similar to ones you have saved, meaning you can use an older page as a template to save time. Do not mount stamps and covers yet; the text and headlines may change before you are done. I use a three-ring binder for each exhibit, enabling me to determine missing items and forcing me to think how the material is positioned. In a traditional exhibit, the order of presentation fol- lows the sequence of events An Elegant Title Page in the design, production, A title page prepared by Andrew McFarlane dem- and use of a stamp or set: onstrates optimum design — a clear title, concise original artwork; essays; die, descriptive text, an exhibit plan, and a bonus point- trial color, and plate proofs; ing out the highlights. A designer-autographed specimens; special print- plate block adds eye appeal to the page. ings; shades; watermark, paper, plate, and production varieties; postal markings; and usages on cover. Postal history exhibits have a subject-dictated sequence. For example, in a rate exhibit you might consider having an ordinary letter, a registered letter, an acknowledgment of Continued on Page 18

16 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue We’ll be there! Saratoga County’s Most Interesting 400.org

• CHAMPLAIN ON T

• FUL Collectibles Headquarters

StampExpoHUDSON Azusa Stamps and Collectibles Visit Our Store at 3 Curry Road, P. O. Box 745 Round Lake, NY 12151-0745 (518) 899-3027 [email protected] www.azusacollectibles.com Store Hours Wednesday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. • Qualified estate appraiser Thursday 11 a.m.–8 p.m. • Philatelics Friday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. • Comic books Saturday 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Additional Hours by Appointment • Sports / Non-Sports cards *Want Lists Filled • Paper ephemera *U. S. Mint and Used Stamps, • 30+ years experience and First Day Covers, Plate Blocks, store ownership on Long Booklets and Booklet Panes, Island and in Round Lake Back-of-Book, Possessions • Insurance appraisals and Trust Territories *Canada and Provinces • Dealer Member American *Israel mint tabs *Vatican mint Philatelic Society (#94747) *United Nations 28 years Also a Selection of: • Member Ephemera Society Great Britain, including Channel Islands • Member Long Island British Colonies Postcard Club France and Colonies • Comic book seminars and Germany and Colonies appearance on TV’s Other European Asia, Central and South America Antiques Show and Sell Program Full line of stamp and cover supplies • Show promotions and An old fashioned personal service store with appearances a comfortable atmosphere and free coffee. And we’re air conditioned!

To Saratoga Springs I-87  Route 9

Exit 11 Round Lake Road / Curry Road

Azusa To Albany Exhibiting — Continued from Page 16 receipt, a registered express, and an ordinary express for each rate period. You may not wish to exhibit each, but you might consider their inclusion when assembling your exhibit book. I assemble the materials on stock pages, enabling me to see postal markings I have failed to explain. It also provides a rough image of the finished page. If a set of stamps looks crowd- ed on a stock page, it will not look good in an exhibit. This process of laying out pages is beneficial, giving you an opportunity to experiment. It is much easier to move things around on stock pages than to redo finished pages with items inside mounts. Stock pages come with different numbers of slots per page and are perfect to test hypothetical layouts. I put my most recent draft of each printed page behind the stock page that holds the material. You can lay out a printed page, or 16 printed pages, on a table and position the stamps and covers to see how it will work together. The first page of every exhibit, positioned in the upper left corner of the first frame, is the title page. It is important to understand the difference between this and a synopsis, which is submitted to the judges when you enter your exhibit in the show. It is prepared only for the judges as a way to tell them things they should know in order to better evaluate your exhibit. Unlike the synopsis, the title page is seen by all who view am exhibit and is the first impres- sion they will get. It must concisely inform viewers of the what, when, where, how and why of the exhibit in such a way that they will be want to keep looking. It must explain the purpose of the exhibit — what story is it trying to tell? Ordinary viewers, who have not seen your synopsis, rely on the title page for basic information such as title, purpose, treatment, research / knowledge, background, and exhibit plan. Most title pages also feature a philatelic item. Choosing a Title The title must provide a complete explanation of the subject and scope of the exhibit. If the title is Chinese Airmails, the viewer and the judges may expect to see all the issues from 1921 to date issued by the Republic of China, the Peoples Republic of China, and the Re- public of China Taiwan. If the subject is only the first three sets of airmails. the title should be something like China’s First Three Airmail Issues or China’s Airmails: 1921–1937. One of my exhibits, Keeping Pace With Inflation: the Post-War Chinese National Currency Issues, is limited to stamps that appeared during a particular time period. This title explains the nature of the story being told and why it is philatelically significant. A properly worded title explains the scope of the exhibit and its boundaries (its beginning and end). The title page should explain why these are logical. What Goes on a Title Page The first paragraph below the title must inform the viewer of the type of exhibit (traditional, postal history, thematic, etc.), the purpose of the exhibit, and why it is philatelically important. The paragraph should also briefly give an overview of the exhibit. It is often necessary to divide the material into sections or chapters. Breaking the story into components makes it easier for the viewer, and the judges, to comprehend. This also gives you an opportunity to start each section/chapter with something of interest to the viewer. Continued on Page 20

18 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue 3 YEARS FOR 1! WE DELIVER ON THE WEB! With Stamp News Magazines Online You Get: Access to Back Issues, Full-Color Images, Print, Zoom, Download & Email Capabilities, Links to Advertisers and More! Visit the StampNewsNow.com Homepage to link to free sample online editions!

Get 3 Years of Mekeel’s & Stamps Online or 1 Year of Print for $41.25 (Or 1 year of M&S Online for just $13.75) Get 3 Years of U.S. Stamp News Online or 1 Year of Print for $19.95 (Or 1 year of USSN Online for just $6.65)

To subscribe to USSN & Mekeel’s Online – Give us your email address & send a check, money order or charge card data (incl. expiration date & 3-digit sec. code) to: Stamp News, 42 Sentry Way, Merrimack, NH 03054 Phone: 800-635-3351 • Fax: 603-424-7556 • [email protected] Exhibiting — Continued from Page 18 In my rate exhibit, I begin each section with a table that shows the phenomenal rate in- creases during the period covered by that section. The use of sections necessitates headings and subheadings to tell the viewers where they are in the exhibit and in the story. You can study the variety of uses of headings in award- winning exhibits and see how they have cleverly been used to move the viewer along. The difference between exhibiting and merely showing album pages lies in three elements: (1) research done to develop the story, (2) text that demonstrates you have knowledge, and (3) imparting that knowledge to the viewer. While it is extremely important to cover these points in your synopsis, they also should be touched upon on the title page, which is available to all viewers. You should briefly explain your original research, while at the same time communicating the essential information viewers will need to understand the exhibit. Although you are not writing a history book, it is necessary to explain the background within which the stamps were issued or the covers transported. Basically the explanation should be confined to only that which is necessary to understand the story. Exhibit Plan The table appearing on the sample title page is an example of an exhibit plan. It packs a great deal of information into a small space, enables you to visually display the treatment of the subject, and concisely shows how the story will unfold. Sections or chapters lend themselves to this bullet or number treatment, but not all stories do. Sometimes it is necessary to use text to explain the plan. In any event, keep it brief. Philatelic Items If space permits, the title page is a good place for an illustration or map that helps ori- ent the viewer. The title page can be used to display an important philatelic item, an item that will both command the attention of the viewer and be recognized as truly important philatelically. You mist be careful not to move something to the title page that will create a hole later on in the exhibit or detract from the story by being out of position. The important point to remember is that “first impressions are lasting impressions.” The title page and the synopsis are the two pages you submit with your application to enter your exhibit in a show. These two items represent your sole opportunity to speak directly to the judges before they evaluate your exhibit. Make the best possible use of this opportunity. The next article in this series will be on preparation of a synopsis.

About the Author H. James Maxwell is president of the China Stamp Society (www.chinastampsociety.org). This is the first in a series of articles being prepared for the China Clipper, the society’s magazine. Additional information is available on the society’s web site in the Exhibits section. Maxwell’s Rates During the Post-War Chinese National Currency Era, a postal history exhibit, has received a U.S. national reserve grand award and an international large vermeil.

20 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue UPSTATE’S LEADING UNITED STATES DEALER For over twenty years STEVE MALACK STAMPS has been in business BUYING and SELLING Quality U.S. Stamps and Coins. Whether you are BUYING or SELLING contact STEVE MALACK STAMPS today! SEE OUR WEBSITE with over 15,000 FULL-SIZED COLOR PHOTOS and 3,000 AUCTION LOTS WWW.MALACK.COM INTEGRITY – VALUE – SERVICE – QUALITY STEVE MALACK P. O. Box 5628 • Endicott, NY 13763-5628 607-862-9441 (phone / fax) [email protected] BUYING / SELLING U.S. STAMPS and COINS

STAMPS ◆ COVRS ◆ POSTCARDS ◆ SPORTS CARDS See Me at StampExpo 400 George McGowan’s

StampExpo400.org Nassau Street Stamps

HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN & Collectibles R 5 W R / O B B 4151 US 20, S, NY (½ R 9 20) Store Hours: A T Tuesday & Friday noon–5 p.m., R. 4 ursday 5–8 p.m. Saturday by appointment. R . 9 Please call ahead to be sure we are open. & 20 I-90 E 11 Mailing Address: P. O. Box 482 R 20 East Schodack, NY 12063-0482 T P [email protected]  R 9 ✪ T H (518) 479-4396 or 573-5457

September / October 2009 21 ——— Countdown To StampExpo 400 ——— Stamps Open Pages of History; Many Collectors are Specialists By Bill Buell / Schenectady Daily Gazette Reporter onday, July 27, 2009 — Stamp collectors come in all Mdifferent types, but one thing they have in common, according to John Nunes, is an interest in history. “There’s a story behind every stamp, so if you’re any kind of student of history, those little images will be of interest to you,” said Nunes, president of the Federation of New York Philatelic Societies. “I’ve always loved collecting, and StampExpo400.org there are a myriad of ways you can build and design your HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN collection. It’s a great hobby.” For Nunes, it has developed into a business. He runs a show the third Sunday of every month at the Ramada Inn in Latham and is currently preparing for the Albany StampExpo 400 Quadricentennial Philatelic Exhibition set for September 25–27 at the Empire State Plaza. More than 100 dealers from the U.S., Canada and Great Britain will be in attendance, and nearly 200 frames [Editor’s note: 240 frames] of competitive exhibits will be on display. “It’s being hosted by a group commissioned by [former] Governor [George] Pataki and endorsed by both his successors,” Nunes said of the Albany exhibition. “It will be the biggest show of the decade.” Boy Scout Project His interest in stamps began at the age of 10 in an endeavor to earn his first Boy Scout merit badge. He has remained a collector since then, although raising a family and a long career as a nuclear ceramist at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory would often put his hobby on the back burner. “But when I retired a few years ago, I really got back into it, and then it kind of blossomed into a business,” said Nunes, a Rochester native who went to Alfred University before getting his doctorate in nuclear ceramics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. “It’s been a lot of fun.” Now a Glenville resident, he has totally immersed himself into his hobby. Along with being president of the state society, he is treasurer of the Schenectady Stamp Club and the Uncle Sam Stamp Club in Troy, and serves on the board of the Fort Orange Stamp Club in Albany. “It is declining as a hobby for people, but in the Capital Region we do seem to be in a hotbed of philately,” he said, pointing out that there are also active stamp clubs in Round Lake and Glens Falls. “We have five stamp clubs in the area and probably around 60 serious collectors who will join a society and take part in all the programs. Then we have the closet collectors; people who don’t belong to clubs, but will just go to the post office and buy stamps and then buy and sell them on the Internet.” Continued on Page 24

22 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue TREASURE�CHESTS EACH FILLED WITH A FANTASTIC ASSORTMENT OF STAMPS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

FIVEIVE VALUES TO CHOOSE FROM! BRONZE 0,1,080 &$7$/2* 9$/8( )25 SILVER 0,1,080 &$7$/2* 9$/8( )25 GOLD 0,1,080 &$7$/2* 9$/8( )25 WORLDWIDE ONLY! PLATINUM 0,1 &$7$/2* 9$/8( )25 TITANIUM 0,1 &$7$/2* 9$/8( )25

YOU CHOOSE THE AREA! WE CHOOSE THE STAMPS! PLEASE CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING AREAS: • AFRICA • ASIA • BRITISH • BRITISH AMERICA • BRITISH PACIFIC • EUROPE (EAST OR WEST) • SCANDINAVIA • WORLDWIDE • 19TH CENTURY WORLDWIDE • 19TH CENTURY BRITISH

$// /276 :,// %( &867200$'( :+(1 25'(5(' ($&+ /27 :,// %( 81,48( /276:,// &216,6721/<2)67$036 0,17 25 86(' 6(76 6,1*/(6 12 025( 7+$1 %/2&.6 2) 2) $1 ,7(06289(1,5 6+((76 &$1 %( ,1&/8'(',)<28 '(6,5( $// 67$036 $5( 6&277 /,67(' ,'(17,),('($&+ /27 :,// &217$,1$683(5 6(/(&7,217+( /$5*(5 7+( /27 7+(025( (;7(16,9( 7+($662570(17 81,7(' 67$7(6863266(66,21681,7(' 1$7,216 127 ,1&/8'('

7HUPV3+21(0$,/)$;25(0$,/25'(56 3/($6(0$.(685(7263(&,)<:+,&+$5($ $1':+$7 6,=(/27 <28$5(,17(5(67(',1 6$7,6)$&7,21*8$5$17(('25021(<5()81'('XSRQUHWXUQRIPHUFKDQGLVH:,7+,1'$<6 3$<0(17 0867$&&203$1< 25'(59,6$0&RU'LVFRYHU$&&(37(' &5(',7&$5'25'(560867 ,1&/8'(1$0(21&$5'(;3'$7($OO&+(&.60867 %('5$:12186%$1.6 1< 5(6,'(176$''VDOHV7$; %URQ]H6LOYHU*ROG3ODWLQXP7LWDQLXP $//25'(56$''6+,33,1* +$1'/,1* 432 West 54th St., New York, NY 10019 Tel: (212) 489-8130 ~ Fax: (212) 581-8130 E-Mail: [email protected] STORE HOURS: Monday-Friday 10AM-4PM & Thursday 10AM-7PM shop online at: www.championstamp.com Stamps Open Pages of History — Continued from Page 22 Much More To Do Those people, according to Nunes, are missing a lot. “Our clubs put on some great programs with great speakers and the closet collectors out there don’t get to take ad- vantage of that,” he said. “You can learn a lot from listening to other people, and it’s just fun to sit around and see what other people have and what they’re doing with their collection.” Glenville’s John Nunes, president of the Typically, most philatelics don’t have Federation of New York Philatelic Societ- broad and all-encompassing collections. ies, goes through a portion of his stamp Rather, they are specialists. They might col- collection that is currently stored in the lect only presidential or railroad-related back of his van. stamps, or stamps from a certain time period. Nunes’ specialty has actually taken him away from the traditional postage stamp. “My interests have changed over the years, and lately I’ve been covering a lot of postal history collecting envelopes with stamps on them,” he said, referring to cinderellas, a stamp-like label that is not a postage stamp. “It’s fun to look at the history of a time period, say during a world war, and see how the mail was handled and cen- sored and the rates that were applied. There are so many aspects to stamp collecting you can take it anywhere you want to. You can collect postmarks, and I know people who collect cancellations from towns within Saratoga County. It’s endless, and there’s always more to learn.” Reaching the Young Nunes is hopeful that Albany StampExpo 400 will inspire new people to become collectors and join a local club, particularly young people. “There isn’t that much today to draw young people into the hobby,” he said. “Hopefully, we can get them interested a little bit when they’re young, and then when they get older they can come back to it. It can be expensive, but for elderly people with a large degree of disposable income, it’s a great hobby.” But, if you don’t have that much disposable income, you can still enjoy collecting. “It’s fun just to set them out and look at them and see what you have,” said Nunes. “There’s also always the thrill of the hunt, but you don’t want to go into it thinking you’re going to find that one stamp that’s worth a million dollars,” he said. “There is that one in a million chance, but most of the material on the market today has passed through several hands. You’re not going to make a lot of money.”

This story on stamp collecting is the second in a three-part series in the Gazette.On September 26, it looked at cards. The series concluded on September 28 with a story on coin collecting.

24 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue View of Albany from the East by Jim Flosdorf, Professor Emeritus of The Sage Colleges (www.jfpan.com) StampExpo 400 Beckons You … Be a Part of Living History! This one-time APS-recognized national exhibition is your once in a lifetime opportunity to attend a once in a lifetime show with more than 100 dealers, 240 frames of exhibits, great souvenirs, ﬁrst day of issue ceremonies, society meetings, and thousands of visitors. For more information and accommodation details, visit our web site or contact: Show Treasurer Ronald K. Ratchford 1105 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308-2805 [email protected]

September 25–27, 2009 Empire State Plaza, Albany o ion f Ne at w r Y e o d r e k

. . P . h c i n la I t s, el ie ic Societ ExploreNY.com StampExpo400.org HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN Exploring the 1909 Hudson-Fulton Issue he Hudson–Fulton Celebration stamp commemorated two events — Tdiscovery of the Hudson River in 1609 and the first demonstration of a viable steamship in 1807. The central vignette is based on a photograph of reproductions of Henry Hudson’s Half Moon and Robert Fulton’s Clermont. This and the other two 1909 commemoratives were the first to be issued at the request of special-interest groups, single commemoratives rather than a set, and in imperforate form. •

Meet the Stamps Scott No. 372, left, and No. 373 display siderographer’s initials. The imperforate stamp was ill-suited for most private vending machines.

Vending Coil This U.S. Automatic Vending Machine Co. pair is among eight private perforated coils issued by four companies.

Mobile Memorial Betsy Bianchi of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois, displays her personalized license plate. Her late husband, Don, collected the gold medal Hudson–Fulton material illustrated here. A portion of the collection was offered by the Robert A. Siegel Galleries in its Fall 2003 U.S. Rarities auction. A portion of the collection, provided by Mrs. Bianchi will be exhibited in the Court of Honor at StampExpo 400. The collection will be offered for sale after the show.

26 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue

StampExpo400.org

HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN Exploring the 1909 Hudson-Fulton Issue

Earliest Known Uses Although the stamp was officially issued on September 25, the earliest known use (EKU) is on a mourning cover mailed in Troy, PA on September 23, left. Another cover was posted in Glastonbury, CT the following day, left top.

Double Transfer Scott No. 373 exhibits double transfers on plates 5393 and 5494. The inset is from the left edge of the second stamp at the top of the block.

Freaks & Oddities Both versions have some interesting varieties. Among the more eye-catching are paper folds and blind perforations.

Continued on Page 30

September / October 2009 27

StampExpo400.org

HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN See Me at StampExpo 400 BEJJCO of Florida, Inc. StampExpo400.org

HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN Arnold H. Selengut U.S. & WORLDWIDE Stamps and Covers FDCs, Flights, U.S. & Foreign Postal History All Continents, All Countries From 20¢ to $100s, Mint and Used Let us help you fill those empty spaces. See us at a Stamp Show, or send us your Want List. E-mail: [email protected] P. O. Box 16681 Temple Terrace, FL 33687-6681 (813) 980-0734

What can’t you live without? • U.S. STAMPS: Major stock of better pre-WW II • REVENUES: Among the largest stocks in the U.S.A. • POSSESSIONS: From Canal Zone to Puerto Rico Request price list (specify which) or shop online at: www.astampdealer4u.com FRANK BACHENHEIMER P. O. Box 230 Glenview, Illinois 60025-0230 E-mail: [email protected] 847-480-1880 • Fax 847-480-7461

28 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue S T E P E X 2 0 0 9 Southern Tier–Elmira Philatelic EXhibition STAMP EXHIBIT & BOURSE For 32 Years a Popular Regional Show for the Southern Tier of New York and Northern Tier of Pennsylvania — Second Year at New Location — AMERICAN LEGION POST 45 South Olcott Road, Big Flats, New York (Just Off I-86 Exit 49, Go South) 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday, October 16 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. Saturday, October 17 Up to 60 Frames of Competitive Exhibits • 12–15 Area Stamp Dealers U.S. Postal Service • Pictorial Cancel & Show Cachet • Junior Activities Free Admission & Parking • Sponsored by Elmira Stamp Club. Dealer Info: Wayne Nyre, P. O. Box 147, Watkins Glen, NY 14891 (607) 535-2625, [email protected] Exhibitor Info: Alan Parsons, 809 Holley Road, Elmira, NY 14905 (607) 732-0181, [email protected] P C S Byron Sand eld 6440 North Central Expressway, Suite 316 • Dallas, Texas 75206 For Appointment: 214-361-4322 • e-mail: [email protected] Buyer of Carriers and Locals

72L3 N Y Well stocked in Postal History, U.S., Classics, Revenues, and Locals

September / October 2009 29 ‘Covering’ the 1909 Hudson-Fulton Issue See the stamps in detail on Pages 26–27

Cancels & Corner Cards Flag cancel postmarks and corner cards add interest to the collection. One of the most unusual is a National Stock Yards cancel when Chicago was “hog butcher for the world.”

Paying the Registered Fee A registered letter mailed from Hanover, PA on November 12, 1909 seems rather ordinary until one discovers a strip of six No. 372 was added to the reverse. The 14-cent rate is perplexing as the domestic letter rate was two cents and the registered letter fee was 10 cents, having been raised from eight cents on November 1. The total cost should have been 12 cents. Also of note is the fact that the originating post office socked the registry fee strip on the nose and neither it nor the arrival office used a postmark to seal the flap.

30 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue

StampExpo400.org

HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN ‘Covering’ the 1909 Hudson-Fulton Issue

Postcards and Letters to Foreign Destinations The two-cent stamp paid the foreign postcard rate. The card to England was mailed at Astoria Station in Long Island City on October 1, 1909. The card to Belgium was mailed at Hudson Terminal on October 20, 1901 arriving 10 days later. To pay the five-cent overseas letter rate, a letter to Zurich was franked with a pair of Hudson–Fulton stamps and a one-cent Franklin, while one to Berlin received a Hudson–Fulton, a two-cent Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition (Scott No. 370), and a one-cent Columbian Exposition (Scott No. 230).

When Is a Postcard Not a Postcard? This postcard sent to London required the five-cent letter rate as it was not a single card, but rather a pack of cards. The use of three two-cent stamps overpaid the rate by a penny.

— Conrad Novick, Heather Sweeting & Albert W. Starkweather

September / October 2009 31

StampExpo400.org

HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN Harmer–Schau Auction Galleries, Inc. BUY•SELL•AU ION stamps • postal history • postcards • ephemera We’re Coming to e Big Apple … See us at the ASDA’s 60th anniversary Postage Stamp Mega-Event October 8–11, 2009 at the New Yorker Hotel 34th Street and 8th Avenue, New York City … and Then Hopping Off to London! We hope to see you at the biannual Philatex November 5–7, 2009 at the Horticultural Halls, Lawrence Hall, Greycoat & Elverton Street

Contact Our Northeastern Representative Today! John J. Nunes [email protected] 518-399-8395 H www.harmerschau.com S Stamp Collections Wanted By Cape Cod BuYer I am a long-time dealer and ASDA member, and am interested in buying U.S. and worldwide stamps, whether you have one good album or a room full. I’ll come to you or you can come enjoy beautiful Cape Cod while I examine your stamps. Fair, prompt, and courteous treatment — always. Charles W. Deaton P. O. Box 2836, Orleans MA 02653 Cell Phone 713-927-9948 e-mail: [email protected] From November–May contact me at: P. O. Box 2465, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

For Worldwide Postal History Cash Paid and Historical Letters. We seek 19th century or earlier, but will consider anything pre-1960, including family correspondences and WWI, WWII soldiers’ and war- related mail, individual letters, diaries, ship logs, documents, manuscripts, broadsides, and accumulations of all kinds. We also buy postcards (Pre-1940 U.S. & Worldwide). Also: stampless covers and autographs. Free appraisals, quick decision, and we pay you immediately! We also cover all postage costs. www.fredschmitt.com WE BUY HISTORY ON PAPER!

Member: Manuscript Society, ASDA, Fred Schmitt APS, PTS (London), CSDA (Canada)

Since 1953 SchmittSchmitt Investors Investors Ltd.Ltd. International Postal History Specialists Since 1953 P.O. Box 387-Ins • Northport NY 11768-0387 Phone: (631) 261-6600 (24 hours) Fax: (631) 261-7744 • E-Mail: [email protected]

September / October 2009 33 Lincoln Coin and Stamp Co., Inc. Complete Line of Coin & Stamp Supplies We Buy Stamps, Coins, Picture Post Cards, Old Envelopes, Pan American Expo Material Come In and Look Around Free Parking 33 West Tupper St. at Pearl Street Buffalo, NY 14202-1710 Phone 716-856-1884 Estus Edits creative illustrations by Vermont Philatelist lenn A. Estus has be- Write To Us At: Gcome editor of The [email protected] Vermont Philatelist, quarterly [email protected] journal of the Vermont Phil- See us online At: atelic Society. He succeeds WWW.GeorgeWildman.com editor and printer John Lutz Single Sketch Designs — of Hartford, VT, who is retir- Multiple Themes For Your First Day Covers! ing. Estus is also president of the Vermont organization. Estus has resigned as editor of the quarterly Bul- Douglas Weisz U.S. Covers letin of the Empire State Postal History Society after 15 years, FDCs, Flights, Events, but will continue as web Postal History & Stationery master of the ESPHS web site — www.esphs.org. P.O. Box 1458 The 28-page Vermont Phil- McMurray, PA 15317-4458 atelist has a heavy leaning 773-914-4332 toward postal history, reflecting the interest of the www.douglasweisz.com society’s membership. It is [email protected] delivered in both print and electronic format.

34 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue SUNDAY STAMP BOURSE 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. September 20 Holiday Inn Arena & Convention Center 2–8 Hawley Street, Binghamton, New York Conveniently located in the heart of the Southern Tier near I-81 and I-86 (Rt. 17) Stuart’s Stamps, Philadelphia, PA 215-722-2614 • www.stuartstamps.com

LARGEST PHILATELIC & DELTIOLOGIC AUCTION IN UPSTATE NEW YORK www.covercrazy2.com Thousands of covers Held Every February / May / August / November — Free Catalog not yet on the Internet! www.btradeco.com • [email protected] Please send your want list to: (518) 465-3497 Elwyn & Anne Doubleday B. Trading Co. P. O. Box 119, Alton, NH 03809 Covers? 603-875-1808 114A Quail St., Albany, NY 12206-2405 Crazy About [email protected]

R.J. ASSOCIATES Print & Web Design Stamps & Covers Dealer Always Delivered on Time! Buying • Selling • Appraisals Ô Design on Demand Specializing in U.S., Topicals, German Albert W. Starkweather RONALD J. YEAGER 5520 Gunn Hwy #1406, Tampa, FL 33624-2847 P.O. Box 774 • Bradford, PA 16701-1318 [email protected] 814-362-4471 • E-mail: [email protected] www.starkweatherdesign.com

ILAT H EL P I • C

EST. •

N 1886 S

A Calling All Writers & Editors

I C

I R

T M Y A

• APS Writer’s Unit #30 welcomes writers, editors, publishers, and anyone interested in philatelic writing. Whether you write in-depth research articles, prepare news releases, or edit a newsletter, a journal, or books. You’ll bene t from a membership that includes:

✒ Quarterly issues of the award-winning The Philatelic Communicator featuring — ✎ Informative articles to improve your writing, editing, and design skills ✎ A critique service for your newsletter, journal or other publication ✎ Web site and software information and reviews ✎ Book, journals, and newsletter reviews, and much, much more! ✒ Writing and literature exhibitions ✒ Biannual breakfasts at APS StampShow and AmeriStamp Expo ✒ Writers Unit #30 Hall of Fame Join today and begin reaping the bene ts! Dues are only $15 per year and include the journal. Contact: WU #30 Secretary George B. Griffenhagen, 2501 Drexel St., Vienna, VA 22180-6906 [email protected] • WWW.WU30.ORG

September / October 2009 35 Review: Accompanying the Exhibit Delivering Hope: FDR & Stamps of the Great Depression by Cheryl R. Ganz and Daniel Pi- azza. 40 pages, 8A/b × 11 inches, saddle stitched. ©2009 Smithsonian National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, MRC 570 P. O. Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013- 7012. Price $20 (less 10 percent for museum members, plus $5 U.S. shipping or $9 international shipping; www.postalmuseum.si.edu/DeliveringHope/booklet.html. he NPM has mounted a major exhibit of material associat- Ted with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his self- promoting postmaster general, James A. Farley that opened on June 9 and continues through June 6, 2010. Its intent is to show how FDR through Farley used postage stamps to com- municate with the American people, while promoting his and Farley’s personal interests. The booklet is lavishly illustrated with sketches by FDR for suggested stamps, die proofs, uncut press sheets, and other philatelic artifacts that point up the president’s and postmaster general’s agendas. Delivering Hope is divided into three main sections — “Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Stamp Collecting President,” “James A. Farley: Postmaster General,” and “Optimism and Progress.” “End of an Era” concludes the booklet, which features minimal text to support the illustrations. The first section displays some of Roosevelt’s stamp collecting tools and his sketches for the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, Mothers of America, Susan B. Anthony, Virginia Dare, six-cent eagle airmail, and 50th anniversary of statehood issues along with die proofs of the finished stamps. It concludes with stamps conveying his personal interests. Also included inside the back cover is FDR’s suggested change to the 1942 Win the War issue. Fifteen of the 20 original uncut imperf press sheets — autographed by FDR and Farley — that spurred the Farley’s Follies scandal are shown together in full color for the first time. Each is overlaid with an oversized single stamp that displays the beauty of the engravings. One only wishes that all 20 sheets were included. “Optimism and Progress” addresses FDR’s influence in modernizing stamp design, which is particularly evident in the presidential series begun in 1938. Ever wonder why U.S. stamps of the 1930s were printed in light violets, blues, and greens? The answer is here. While Chi- cago’s A Century of Progress is highlighted under American World’s Fairs of the 1930s, little attention is paid to the 1939 New York World’s Fair. “End of an Era” reproduces a rare single cover postmarked at Honolulu at 8 a.m. on December 7, 1941 — minutes after the Japanese attack began at 7:48. This marked the end of the Great Depression and FDR’s involvement in the stamp program. Farley had resigned in 1940 after a public rift with the president who had decided to run for a fourth term, quashing his own presidential aspirations. Delivering Hope provides a tantalizing glance at what must have been a far more extensive collection of “insider” material accumulated by FDR and Farley. — Albert W. Starkweather

36 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue JoinJoin UNPAUNPA at at the the Quadricentennial Quadricentennial StampExpo Stamp Expo 400 400 in Albany,Albany, New New York York on on 25 25 September September 2009 2009 for for its itsfirst first day dayof of issueissue ceremony on on the the theme theme “Millennium “Millennium Goals”. Goals”.

OBJECTIFS DU MILLÉNAIRE POUR LE DÉVELOPPEMENT « L’élimination de l’extrême pauvreté demeure l’un des grands défis de notre temps et constitue l’une des principales préoccupations de la communauté internationale. Pour mettre fin à ce fléau, les gouvernements, les organisations de la société civile et le secteur privé devront unir leurs efforts dans le cadre d’un partenariat mondial plus étroit et plus efficace pour le développement. Les objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement sont assortis de cibles à atteindre dans des délais précis, de façon à mesurer les progrès accomplis dans la lutte contre la pauvreté monétaire, la faim, la maladie, l’absence de logements adéquats et l’exclusion — tout en promouvant l’égalité des sexes, la santé, l’éducation et le respect de l’environnement. Ils consacrent également les droits fondamentaux de la personne humaine — le droit de chaque être humain à la santé, à l’éducation, au logement et à la sécurité. Ces objectifs ambitieux mais réalisables indiquent la voie à suivre par la communauté internationale pour faire reculer l’extrême pauvreté d’ici à 2015 dans le cadre du programme global de l’ONU pour le développement. » MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS “Eradicating extremeBAN Ki-moon,poverty continues secrétaire to général be one de of l’Organisationthe main challenges des Nations of ou rUnies time, and is a major concern of the international communit scourge will require the combined efforts of all, governments, civil society organizations and the private sector, ein Hauptanliegen der internationalen Gemeinschaft. y. Ending this MILLENNIUMS-ENTWICKLUNGSZIELEglobal partnership for development. The Millennium Development Goals set time-bound targets, by which progres in the context of a stronger and more effective „Die Beseitigung extremer Armut ist nach wie vor eine der großen Herausforderungen unsererF.s. Zeit und n und der Privatsektor,F.s. im Rahmen einer stärkeren F.s. F.s. sziele unterliegen zeitgebundenendisease, lack Vor ofgaben, adequate anhand shelter and exclusion—while promoting gender equality, health, education and en s in reducing income poverty, hunger, Um dieser Geißel ein Ende zu bereiten, müssen wir alle, Regierungen, zivilgesellschaftliche Organisatione1,10 1,10also embody basic human rights—the1,10 rights of each person on the planet1,10 to health, education, shelter and security. The Go und wirksameren weltweiten Entwicklungspartnerschaft zusammenarbeiten. Die Millenniums-Entwicklung angemessenen Unterkünften gemessen Nations vironmental sustainability—can be measured. They together withZu den the Zielencomprehensive United Nations development agenda, set the course for the world’s efforts to alleviate e deren die Fortschritte bei der Bekämpfung von Einkommensarmut, Hunger, Krankheit, Ausgrenzung und Mangel an als are ambitious but feasible and, werden können, während zugleich Gesundheit, Bildung, Gleichstellung der Geschlechter und ökologische Nachhaltigkeitd Sich geförderterheit. Diewerden Ziele. sind hochgesteckt, xtreme poverty by 2015.” gehören auch grundlegende Menschenrechte wie das Recht jedes Menschen auf Gesundheit, Bildung, Unterkunft un Unies ONU ONU ONU ONU 2009 United Nations Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon aber nicht unerreichbar, und sie stellen gemeinsam mit der umfassenden2009 Entwicklungsagenda der Vereinten2009 Nationen die Weichen für die weltweiten2009 2009 Bemühungen, der extremen Armut bis 2015 ein Ende zu setzen.“ Ban Ki-moon, Generalsekretär derPromouvoir Vereinten l’égalitéNationen des sexes Réduire l’extrême Assurer l’éducation 44c Réduire la mortalité infantile pauvreté et la faim primaire pour tous et l’autonomisation des femmes 44c 44c e 0,65 44c e e 0,65 e 0,65 0,65 F.s. F.s. Vereinte F.s. F.s. United 1,10 1,10 1,10 1,10 Nations UN 2009 Nationen UN 2009 UN Nations 2009 2009 UN UN Eradicate extreme 2009 2009 UN 2009 Achieve universal primary UN Unies 2009 Promote gender equality and UN 2009 poverty and hunger 2009 2009 ONU ONU Senkung derONU ONU education 2009 Förderung der gleichstellung2009 2009 2009 empower women Reduce child mortality Beseitigung der extremen Verwirklichung der allgemeinen der geschlechter und ermächtigung kindersterblichkeit grundschulbildung der frauen Combattre le VIH/sida, Assurer un environnement Mettre en place un partenariat armut und des hungers Améliorer la santé maternelle 44c la malaria et autres maladies durable mondial pour le développement44c 44c e e 0,65 44c e 0,65 United e 0,65 0,65 © UN 2009

Vereinte Nations UN 2009 2009 UN 2009 UN 2009 UN UN 2009 UN 2009 Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and Nationen UN UN 2009 Improve maternal health Ensure environmental 2009 2009 Develop a global partnership 2009 Aufbau einer weltweiten other diseases sustainability Bekämpfung von HIV/AIDS, Sicherung der ökologischen for development Verbesserung der nachhaltigkeit entwicklungspartnerschaft gesundheit von müttern malaria und anderen krankheiten © UN 2009

United Nations Postal Administration First day of issue ceremonies StampExpo 400 and ASDA Mega-Event

JoinJoin UNPA UNPA atat thethe ASDA ASDA FallFall PostagePostal StampStamp Mega-EventMega-event inin New New York York onon 8 October 20092009 forfor its its first first dayday of of issueissue ceremony ceremony onon the themetheme “Indigenous “Indigenous People”. People”. e t e t e t n ONU f.s. 1,30 n ONU f.s. 1,30 n ONU f.s. 1,30 e n e n e n B B B S t e p h n UN 44c S t e p h n S t e p h n

UN 44c t é e n i e UN 44c e UN b i b i € i i nett tpe Bennett Stephen 0, e - G u 65 l m m UN a

a € tpe Bennett Stephen

v e l 0, N N 65 u UN

o € d e d e

tpe Bennett Stephen 0,65 Stephen Bennet e e n Bennett e - N u u q q s i i i Stephen Ben a b l b l u

Stephe p o 2009 2009 2009 P a R é p u R é p u Peuple autochtone Peuple autochtone Peuple autochtone lik Tansania

2009 e t e t e t n n n

Australia ONU f.s. 1,30 ONU f.s. 1,30 ONU f.s. 1,30 e n e n e n B B 2009 2009 B Malaysia Indigenous People

Seychelles Indigenous People Vereinigte Repub 2009 S t e p h n S t e p h n S t e p h n

Indigenous People Indigene Menschen Australien 44c UN 44c 2009 e

Namibia i Indigene Menschen

t UN n 2009 a

z Indigene Menschen

UN 44c n a UN d e

T € n

tpe Bennett Stephen 0,65 a tt l s e

d e UN ï i € a tpe Bennett Stephen e 0, i 65 ç h a

n UN n T €

a tpe Bennett Stephen 0, r 65 Stephen Bennet f d e e - U u e e q

Stephen Bennett i m é s i u b l n a y

y Stephen Benne l 2009 2009 2009 P o R o R é p u Peuple autochtone Peuple autochtone Peuple autochtone

2009 Nations

2009 of Republic United Tanzania © UN 2009 ische Emirate

2009 Indonesia Indigenous People Unies Thailand

Indigenous People Indonesien 2009

Indigenous People Indigene Menschen Namibia United 2009 Indigene Menschen Vereinigte Arab 2009 Nations Indigene Menschen © UN 2009 © UN 2009 Vereinte

Nationen www.unstamps.un.org NYS @ NPM Daniel A. Piazza, Assistant Curator of Philately National Postal Museum, MRC 570, P. O. Box 37012, Smithsonian Washington, DC 20013-7012 National Postal Museum 202-633-4737; e-mail [email protected]

A Farley DPO Cover from His Hometown rassy Point in northeastern Rockland County was a small community of 50 or so GIrish–American families, the descendants of immigrants who came to work in the area’s brick industry. When James A. Farley was born there in 1888, the industry was at its peak, fed by abun- dant deposits of clay and easy access to the Hudson River. Farley’s grandfather and father were both involved in brick making and transportation, and young Jim also worked in the kiln yards from the age of 12. In 1937, as postmaster general, Farley was informed that Grassy Point’s post office had become unprofitable and needed to be closed. Post Office Department revenues had been declining steadily throughout the Depression, and Farley agreed to the closure. He arranged for some letters on his official stationery to be cancelled on December 15, the last day of operation. In the letter, Farley notes that the Grassy Point Post Office was “first opened on April 14, 1871.” This was actually its third incarnation; the first post office named Grassy Point operated briefly in July and August of 1834 and the second from 1836 to 1846. Usually unsentimental in his political and business dealings, Farley was genuinely grieved by the decision to close his hometown post office. Instead of autographing the Grassy Point last day covers in his signature emerald green ink, he used mourning black. Delivering Hope: FDR & Stamps of the Great Depression is on view at the Smithsonian

National Postal Museum until June 6, 2010. Smithsonian National Postal Museum Collection

38 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue First Day Coverage Glenn A. Estus P. O. Box 451 FIRST DAY OF ISSUE Westport, NY 12993-0451 [email protected], 518-962-4558

Saving the Lake One Postmark at a Time n keeping with the theme of the New York Quadricen- Itennial and Vermont Champlain 400 celebrations, this month’s column does not strictly deal with first day covers. However, FDCs usually have cachets and this item has a beautiful cachet design. The Lake Champlain Basin Program (www.lcbp.org) is an initiative to restore and protect Lake Champlain and its StampExpo400.org surrounding watershed for future generations. The water- HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN shed is huge, extending into both New York and Vermont as well into Quebec. In 2006, the LCBP sponsored the International Samuel de Champlain Stamp Can- cellation Day. Five post offices had special pictorial cancels. The ones from New York (Rouses Point and Champlain) and Vermont (Alburgh and Isle La Motte) were one day only cancels. The one from Quebec (Lacolle) was a pictorial handstamp used throughout 2006. The LCBP is headquartered in Grand Isle, VT and in 2006 sponsored a special ceremony at Ste. Anne’s Shrine in Isle LaMotte, the only place that Champlain is believed to set foot on Vermont soil. On September 14, Governor Jim Douglas helped to introduce the Vermont Champlain 400 logo to the philatelic world. After a short ceremony in the morning, a similar ceremony was held in Champlain, NY at the site of the first statue in the U.S. dedicated to Champlain. Then a group of collectors traveled 10 miles to Lacolle. The LCBP printed a special cacheted card in an edition of 100 which was given out to participants at the Isle LaMotte ceremonies. The bilingual card shows the northern section of the lake with the location of one post office in each of the three states and provinces. I was not able to travel to the Lacolle post office but sent the card there a few days later and received a backdat- ed handstamp.

September / October 2009 39 BA1040 10x7.5:BA1040 7/30/09 7:21 AM Page 1 “I Will Recommend Mystic to One and All” We’re Looking For All Kinds of Stamps! Mystic’s service was excellent. I am • Worldwide new-issue stamps sorry I didn’t sell all of my collection to • Entire stamp dealer stocks, store inventory, you, not just the last remaining boxes. I show dealer and mail order dealer stocks will recommend Mystic to one and all. • High-quality stamps, both U.S. and George P. worldwide • Rare stamps, both U.S. and worldwide Ellsworth, PA • Your Stamps!

You Can Also Benefit from We Pay More for Your Stamps Mystic’s Excellent Service Call 800-835-3609

Dear Reader, Name ______Street______Trust the advice of experienced collectors – call Mystic when it’s time to sell your stamps. City______State ______Zip______You’ll appreciate the professional service of our Phone Number (include area code) ______expert buyers and the generous prices we pay. � United States � Worldwide � Collection � Accumulation

And there’s no waiting for your money – we’ll Approximate value ______write your check “on the spot.” Just return this coupon or call our toll-free number. Like George, you’ll Based on ______be glad you did! Brief description of stamps ______

______Mystic Stamp Company Attention: Buying Department 9700 Mill Street, Camden, N.Y. 13316 Mystic Phone: 1-800-835-3609 Fax: 1-800-385-4919 We Pay More For Your Stamps [email protected]

Copyright © 2009 by Mystic Stamp Company, Inc. BA1040 BA1040 10x7.5:BA1040 7/30/09 7:21 AM Page 1 “I Will Recommend Mystic to One and All” We’re Looking For All Kinds of Stamps! Mystic’s service was excellent. I am • Worldwide new-issue stamps sorry I didn’t sell all of my collection to • Entire stamp dealer stocks, store inventory, you, not just the last remaining boxes. I show dealer and mail order dealer stocks will recommend Mystic to one and all. • High-quality stamps, both U.S. and George P. worldwide • Rare stamps, both U.S. and worldwide Ellsworth, PA • Your Stamps!

You Can Also Benefit from We Pay More for Your Stamps Mystic’s Excellent Service Call 800-835-3609

______Mystic Stamp Company Attention: Buying Department 9700 Mill Street, Camden, N.Y. 13316 Mystic Phone: 1-800-835-3609 Fax: 1-800-385-4919 We Pay More For Your Stamps [email protected]

A Card With a Hidden Message ll the celebrations this year commemorating the Hud- Ason–Fulton–Champlain quadricentennial, highlighted of course by the StampExpo 400 in Albany, provide me the opportunity to write about one of the most unusual postcards I ever purchased. At first glance it appears to depict beautifully drawn portraits of Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton, the Half Moon, StampExpo400.org an eagle and a large banner stating “Life of H. Hudson and R. HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN Fulton Celebration 1909,” as well as a small banner stating “Discovery Hudson River 1909.” It is signed and copyrighted by someone named Rotblat and was published by the French Art Post Card Co. of New York, no doubt in 1909. However, upon turning the card over one sees the following words on top, “Read the other side with a microscope which enlarges every word visible and clear about hudson & fulton biographies.” Sure enough, under a magnifying glass the hair and clothing and eagle and boat and waves of water emerge as words recounting the lives of these two explorers, and not the simple lines one expects. It is difficult for me to envision the incredible amount of pa- tience and uncountable hours it must have taken to complete this amazing postcard. Al- though the condition is poor, the card is very rare — I have never seen another — and it is a treasured addition to my collection. We might not rank with Hudson or Fulton, but we never know what discoveries we will make when we trot off to a bourse or click onto eBay. What fun to be addicted to the collecting of ephemera! I wish you all happy hunting and look forward to seeing you in Albany the end of September.

42 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue The Syracuse Stamp Club wants to see you at

SStampY ExhibitionRAP andE 20 DealerX ’0 Bourse9 Commemorating Syracuse Stamp Club’s 90th Anniversary Saturday, November 7 — 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, November 8 —10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Holiday Inn, Thruway Exit 35, Carrier Circle Special Show Cover & Daily Cancellation U.S. Postal Service • Free Admission &Parking

Organized 1919 Contact Ed Bailey — 315–452–0593 APS Chapter 50

OCTOBER IS STAMP COLLECTING MONTH Olean Area Stamp Club Annual Stamp Show • Displays • Dealers • U.S. Postal Service Saturday, October 3, 2009 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 491 209 West State Street, Olean (2 blocks west of the intersection where Rts. 417 & 16 meet) OPEN TO THE PUBLIC — FREE ADMISSION & PARKING

Route 417 (West State Street) Rt. 16

Elks Lodge 1st Street 2nd Street 

September / October 2009 43 The Frugal Philatelist Jim Hannah 158 Fisher Ave. Staten Island NY 10307-1310 718-984-5378; [email protected]

It’s the Berries surprisingly complex issue when we begin to consider A face and edge varieties in the used stamps is the U.S. berries. Issued in 1999 and 2000, there were four different berries pictured: blueberry, raspberry, strawberry and blackberry. All told, there are 50 different easily identifi- able berry stamps. The first issue was a booklet pane of 20 stamps issued April 10, 1999 (Scott No. 3294–3297). This resulted in five blueberry stamps (lt, tr, r, l, a)*, five different raspberry stamps (t, r, b, l, a), three strawberry stamps (r, l, a), and four blackberries (r, bl, l, a). The stamps carry a 1999 year legend. The reason there are only three strawberry varieties is that one position on the pane was taken up by a label. A second issue was Scott No. 3294a-3297a. These were issued in the same format but the issue date was March 15, 2000 and the year legend, accordingly, was 2000. The edge varieties were the same, resulting again in 17 distinct stamps. Both this and the previous issue have 14 teeth on the serpentine cut vertical stamp sides. Just to make things interesting, a third booklet was issued in 2000. This again contained 20 stamps but the format was different and produced fewer edge varieties; two per berry for a total of eight. The blueberries were lt and l, the raspberries were tr and r, strawberries bl and l and blackberries r and rb. The vertical side tooth count was 12 for these stamps, a noticeably coarser cut. Finally, there were two coil issues. The 1999 issue was serpentine vertically while the 2000 issue was serpentine horizontally. This resulted in four stamps per issue. So all up, we have a surprisingly large number of individual stamps from a total of five issues. There have been other recent multiple design booklets such as the toys issue which are also available in quantity in mixtures. Stamp collecting is the berries, right? *Indicates serpentine-cut edges. t = top, r = right, b = bottom, l = left, a = all.

44 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue Youth & Philately Robert Finnegan 10 O’Neill Drive Oneonta, NY 13820-1154 607-432-8141; [email protected]

Learning About ‘Me’ tudents today are being taught continuously within the school system how to organize Stheir ideas in a multitude of ways, especially in relation to note taking. One strategy employed by many school teachers comes in the form of webbing. The web emanates from a center, based upon a main idea or central theme. As a former educator, I would usually use the first week of school learning about my students and each of my students learning about each other by developing simple webs about themselves. With this webbing concept so much part of the organization of ideas, I thought that it could easily be used within the context of a stamp activity whereby new collectors could learn about each other through the development of a stamp web depicting interests of each collector. You would need to have an ample supply of stamps of numerous topics at hand for students to dig through to make this work. Collectors could go through this material or stamps in their respective collections to fill in a web that would enable others to learn about them. The webs you design for your collectors can be simply four strands as the one below or as intricate as the level of students you may be working with. The web could easily be designed to look something like a spider’s web:

Favorite Animal Favorite Sport John Kibler Favorite President Favorite Place To Visit

This particular activity bodes well as an introductory activity when you all meet. You also could introduce the usage of hinges at the same time for the sake of mounting onto the sheets you design.

September / October 2009 45 Communications Share your opinions! Send to: Albert W. Starkweather 5520 Gunn Hwy 1406, Tampa, FL 33624–2847 e-mail [email protected]

Philatelic Quiz Error here was an error in question two of Terrill Miller’s philatelic quiz in the July–August TStamp Insider. Gen. Nicholas Herkimer was not killed at Fort Stanwix. The following comes from online information: In 1777 in the Saratoga campaign, Herkimer was leading a relief party to Fort Stanwix which was under siege by Col. Barry St. Leger.They were ambushed by a force of Loyalists and Indians at Oriskany Creek. Herkimer received a mortal leg wound. The brigade surgeon dressed the wound in the field. It quickly became infected, but the decision to amputate the leg was delayed by about 10 days. The operation was performed by an inexperienced surgeon because the brigade surgeon was wounded in this battle and was not available. Herkimer died of the injury on August 16. — Paul R. Davis, by e-mail $300.00 REWARD!

FOR ANY QE1a, 2a or 3a SPECIAL HANDLING DRY-PRINT ON THE FIRST COVER SENT TO ME SHOWING LEGITIMATE USAGE DURING PROPER TIME PERIOD. FINE–VERY FINE CONDITION, SUBJECT TO PF, PSE OR APEX CERTIFICATION. DETAILS: [email protected] • 302-998-9298

46 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue Glens Falls, New York www.asc-stampclub.org Adirondack Stamp, Meets at 7 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday at Moreau Community Center, 144 Main St., South Glens Falls Post Card & Joseph Kopczak, 44 Surrey Fields Dr., Queensbury, NY 12804-8708 Ephemera Club [email protected], 518-792-1659

Club Events Chris Lynch, left, speaker at June meeting, with guest Ruth Knoblock and member Thel- ma VanDerzee. Conrad Novick supervises young stamp designers at the GE Kids Day. Club Has Busy Schedule of Activities he ASC has been busy with some interesting programs this year to the benefit of local Tcollectors. Our June meeting had a program on early balloon covers and the background on how they were created. The presenter was Chris Lynch, one of our members and a licensed balloon pilot. His experience as a pilot added a lot to the subject and keeping us informed on the challenges of some of the early balloon flights. Our main July meeting was one of our fun auctions. We had enough members present to make the bidding spirited on many items and the club treasury benefitted from the sellers commission. Lots sold from 50 cents to $29, with all 36 lots offered finding new homes. On July 12, Joe Kopczak and Conrad Novick were part of the GE Kids Day at the Empire State Mall in Albany to publicize stamp collecting in general and to encourage participation in StampExpo 400. Chil- dren were encouraged to design stamps that will be on display at the show from September 25–27. Our September meeting will be busy with preparations for StampExpo 400 by

club members. NY Ashleuy St. Lous, 11, Greenfield Center,

September / October 2009 47 NEW YORK T H CHAPE T ER N G W I O New York, New York V R R L E D S Meets at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday, except July AmericanTopical Association and August, at The Collectors Club, 22 East 35th St.

Y F Caroline Scannell, 14 Dawn Drive, Smithtown, NY 11787-1761 L T E H T E A M L [email protected] A I No. T I C P H 3

Meeting at Stamp Shows lthough the chapter does not meet during the summer because the Collectors Club is Aclosed, we do get together at the various stamp shows in New York City. Since most of our members live in Brooklyn, which I tend to refer to as a separate entity apart from New York City, we got together at the home of one of our members during August. Our next regular meeting will be September 10 at the Collectors Club from 6 to about 8:15 p.m. As usual, our first meeting of the season will be a Show-And-Tell Night. Every member brings something unusual they obtained over the summer. September 9 will see the first day of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Stamp, and an event sponsored by Macy’s Financial. Darn! I didn’t get a look at the proposed cancel design, but I managed to be a fly on the wall and got enough information during the early planning stages. Other Federation Member Clubs The Putnam Philatelic Society of Carmel, Fulton Stamp Club of Fulton, St. Law- rence International Stamp Club of Massena, and the Family of Buffalo Family Life Stamp Club of Cheektowaga are also members of the Federation of New York Philatelic Societies. Drew A. Nicholson, 18 Valley Drive, Pawling, NY 12564-1140, danddn@comcast. net, is the Putnam club contact. Meetings are on the first and third Fridays at 7 p.m. in the third floor cafeteria of Guideposts, Seminary Hill in Carmel. John A. Cali, P. O. Box 401, Fulton, NY 13069-0401, phone 315-592-4441 is the Fulton Club contact. Meet- ings are on the third Wednesdays except July and August at different locations. Patrick R. Rourk, 3 Morton St., Norwood, NY 13668-1100, [email protected], is the St. Lawrence Club contact. John L. Leszak, P. O. Box 173, Niagara Square Station, Buffalo, NY 14201-0173, [email protected], 716-822-1951 is the Family of Buffalo club contact. The club meets at noon on Tuesdays at the Masonic Community Center, 2379 Union Road, Cheektowaga.

48 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue Buffalo, New York Meets at 7:30 p.m. on the 1st & 3rd Fridays, except June, July, and August, at VFW Leonard Post, 2450 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga Alfred Carroccia, 152 Windmill Road, West Seneca, NY 14218-3776 [email protected], 716-674-0302

Board Sets Calendar, Elects Officers he 2009–2010 club calendar was set at the Board of Director’s meeting on July 24. TDates of note include the Autumn Stamp Festival on Saturday, November 21, and Bufpex 2010 on Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7. Both shows will be held at the Leonard Post. Programs The 2009–2010 calendar, subject to change, is: Sept. 11 — Auction Jan. 22 — Exhibiting program Sept. 18 — TBA Feb. 5 — Auction Oct. 2 — Auction Feb. 19 — Tim Carey presentation Oct. 16 — Larry Cherns presentation March 5 — Bufpex setup Nov. 6 — Auction March 19 — Auction Nov. 20 — Bourse setup; pest philatelic April 9 — Auction story prize award April 23 — Show and Tell presentation Dec. 4 — Auction and Christmas social May 7 — Auction 2010 May 21 — Irv Tesmer presentation Jan. 8 — Auction June 4 — End of year auction New Officers Alan Davis was elected president and Bob Meegan was elected vice president by the Board of Directors, reversing their roles from the previous year. Reëlected were Alfred Carroccia, secretary; Tim Carey, treasurer; and Casey Kielbasa. membership chairman. Membership Report Kielbasa reported that membership remained the same for 2009. At the end of the club year there were 98 paid members, 10 being dropped for nonpayment of dues. Finances Report Tim Carey reported that finances remain strong with the club posting a modest profit through strong auction realizations and from the Autumn Stamp Festival. Ideas were solic- ited as to what to do with some of the money for the benefit of members. Because of the financial health of the club, dues remain at $12. Merit Badge Program Proposed A Boy Scout Stamp Collecting merit badge program was proposed, possibly during Bufpex, to help with getting youth involved in stamp collecting. The club picnic was to be held at Meegan Manor, the home of Vice President Bob Mee- gan, on August 15. A report and pictures will appear in a future issue.

September / October 2009 49 Stamp Club Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Meets at 1:30 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month at the Ryerss Museum and Library, 7342 Central Ave. Stuart Geisler, 1105 Bleigh Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-3619 [email protected], 215-768-5735 The Burholme

Our Club is Growing t our last meeting in AJune, our club grew to 48 members, with 25 attending the meeting. Al Weinstein, club member, gave us a lecture, complete with a slide show presentation, on Cinderellas, from charity seals to Christ- mas seals, from propaganda labels to political labels. Stu- art Geisler supplemented this lecture with a slide pre- Burholme Club Kids sentation of his own on his Junior members of the Burholme Stamp Club get to dig personal collection of vin- through the Burholme Stamp Bucket at each meeting to tage zeppelin Cinderellas. search for treasure to add to their collections. Summer Programs Club Vice President Dan Browning was to give a slide talk, on French semipostal issues at the July 25 meeting. Semipostals are stamps that in addition to being good for postage also have a surcharge for charity. Richard Erat, visiting stamp dealer from Syracuse, was also give a short talk on how to begin as a stamp dealer. Because we have so many beginners and children in our club, we also planned to give a short seminar on the basics of identifying and mounting stamps for beginners. Outdoor Club Show On Saturday, September 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., our club is sponsoring an outdoor show on the porch of the Burholme Museum and Library, which coincides with the Ry- erss Fall Flea Market on the same date. It is open to club members who want to sell their doubles, which presents them with a unique experience to learn how to deal with stamps. The rain date for this event is September 19. Our club will also have an informational table about stamps in the flea market. Beginners Corner Cinderellas are stamplike pieces of paper which are not good for postage, but decorate a cover or envelope, or postcard. Christmas seals are a good example of cinderellas.

50 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue Hamilton, New York Meets at 7:45 p.m. on the 1st Monday March–December at Hamilton Public Library on the Green, 13 Broad St. Braden Houston, 2063 Spring St., Hamilton, NY 13346-2259 [email protected], 315-824-2237

Braden Houston’s USPS Trivia Quiz an you answer these USPS trivia questions and then locate them on a map? I have Cacquired a cover from each location. 1. Where is the smallest free-standing post office in the United States? 2. How long is the longest rural route? 3. How long is the shortest rural route? 4. Where is the westernmost post office facility located? 5. Where is the southernmost post office facility located? 6. Where is the easternmost post office facility located? 7. Where is the northernmost post office facility located? 8. Where is the post office with the highest elevation located? 9. Where is the post office with the lowest elevation located? 10. What is the coldest area in the postal system? 11. What is the hottest area in the postal system?

12. What is the lowest zip code number? Answers

Scottown, OH Scottown, 15.

13. What is the highest zip code number?

Newton Falls, OH Falls, Newton 14.

14. Where is ZIP code 44444 located?

Wrangler, AK, 99929 AK, Wrangler, 13.

15. Where is ZIP code 45678 located? Agawam, MA, 01001 MA, Agawam, 12.

92328

Death Valley, CA, CA, Valley, Death 11.

Wainwright, Ak, 99782 Ak, Wainwright, 10.

Mecca, CA, 92254 CA, Mecca, 9.

Leadville, CO, 80461 CO, Leadville, 8.

Barrow, AK, 99723 AK, Barrow, 7.

Line), 96960 Line),

International Date Date International

Islands (near the the (near Islands

Majuro, The Marshall Marshall The Majuro, 6.

Also Pago Pago, Somoa, 96799 Somoa, Pago, Pago Also 5.

Pago Pago, Somoa (near the International Date Line), 96799 Line), Date International the (near Somoa Pago, Pago 4.

2.41 miles, located in La Grangeville, NY, 12540 NY, Grangeville, La in located miles, 2.41 3.

173.75 miles, located in George West, TX, 78022 TX, West, George in located miles, 173.75 2.

It is the size of a well-house (7’x8’), located in Ochopee, FL, 34141 FL, Ochopee, in located (7’x8’), well-house a of size the is It 1.

September / October 2009 51 t C cu ov i e t r c New Haven, Connecticut e C

n l Meets at 9:30 a.m. on the 3rd Sunday

n u

b at the Super Stop and Shop, 112 Amity Road

•

Joseph Connolly, 571 Treat Lane, Orange, CT 06477-2739

o 6 0

o 0 0 [email protected], 203-795-3718 n 2

d d u e 0 nded 2 Secrets of a Postmark Collector By Andrew Mitchell n May I was asked to make a presentation to the club on my collecting specialty, U.S. Ipostmarks and their history. I have been a postmark collector for almost 50 years, so it was a pleasure to assemble both general postal items reflecting postmark collecting as well as some of my stories on special postmarks that I have found over the years. In my early collecting years during the 1960s and 1970s my reference checklist for current post offices was the Post Office Department (and later the USPS) Directory of Post Offices. How- ever, over the years this publication devolved into a ZIP code directory with less and less attention paid to post offices until it was finally discontinued altogether earlier in this decade. One of my favorite philatelic groups, the Postmark Collectors Club (www.postmarks. org) quickly came up with the idea of producing new lists of currently operating U.S. post offices that would fill this need for collectors and postal historians. Today the PMCC Directory of Post Offices is the world’s only source for a complete list of operating post offices. During this period other philatelic writers and state postal history societies produced books documenting the closed and / or discontinued post offices in the various states. This combined effort provides today’s postmark collector with a valued source of reference materials. Postmark collector interest has generally focused on collecting using the DPO (dead post office) books, but postal rarities are occurring more and more frequently. The difference in the rarities is found between the old classic postmarks that are relatively well known and the modern postmark rarities which are often just under the radar, and may be even scarcer for the collector. Here are examples of an old classic postmark and the new item lying just under the radar: Cedarville, Connecticut — I found this cover in a dealer box about 20 years ago. It was mailed on November 9, 1891 from Greenville, AL to Chester, CT. Chester is crossed out and Cedarville written in pencil. Flipping over the cover we see an indistinct Chester received cancel from Nov. 12, and a Cedarville cancel from the same day. Looking at the two Connecticut DPO reference books, Connecticut Post Offices and Postmarks by Arthur E. Warmsley and Continued on Page 58

52 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue Poughkeepsie, New York Meets at 7:30 p.m. on the 1st & 3rd Mondays at the Friends Meeting House, corner of Hooker Avenue & Whittier Boulevard Cliff Foley, 3 Short Court, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590-3515 [email protected], 845-297-1875

City Takes Things Into Its Own Hands uring the 1909 Hudson–Fulton celebration the United DStates issued a postage stamp to commemorate the event. Scott No. 372 (perforated) and 373 (imperforate) featured Hudson’s Half Moon and Fulton’s Clermont. One hundred years later we are marking the accomplishments of Hudson, Fulton, and Champlain and there is no U.S. postage stamp issue for the quadricentennial. Editor’s note: The 400th anniversary is being marked StampExpo400.org HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN with a souvenir sheet being issued by St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the opening day of StampExpo 400. A Stamp of Our Own But have no fear. Poughkeepsie, New York, has risen to the occasion. With the help of Franc Palaia, a local artist, a special cover and postmark were created. He even created his own quadricentennial stamp (inset). Palaia, who owns G.A.S. Gallery on Main Street, designed the cover and stamp. On May 15, 2009, a pictorial postmark was applied during a ceremony at the downtown Poughkeepsie post office. Local officials, including the mayor, were present and the public was invited to join the festivities. Stamps and covers were available for purchase. Palaia has been a moving force in revitalizing downtown Poughkeepsie. This has included large murals on the sides of local buildings. He has also exhibited at the Metropoli- tan Museum of Art, the White House, and the Smithsonian Institution.

September / October 2009 53 Elmira, New York Meets at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6) the 3rd Tuesday at Steele Memorial Library, 101 E. Church St. Stamp Circuit Available Alan Parsons, 809 Holley Road, Elmira, NY 14905-1212 Elmira Stamp Club [email protected], 607-732-0181 Stepex 2009 Help Needed elp is needed for Stepex 2009 at the Big Flats American Legion Post, 45 South Olcott HRoad, at 7 p.m. on October 15, to bring in and assemble exhibit frames, starting at 7:30 a.m. on October 16, to organize floor layout and mount exhibits, and beginning at 5 p.m. on October 17, to take down the show. We also need two people at all times to staff our table . There will be a sign-up sheet at the September meeting. Programs Sept. 15 — Auction Sept. 26 — Elmira College Octagon Fair — members staff club table Oct. 16–17 — Stepex 2009 club-sponsored show Oct. 20 — APS slide program: Trans-Mississippi Issue of 1898 42nd Elmira College Octagon Fair: The club will have a table at the event on September 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Judy Stewart coördinates our participation and needs help with set-up between 8 and 9 a.m., staffing the table during fair hours, and tear down after 4 p.m. Contact her at 330 Washington Ave., Elmira 14901, marjuretired@ aol.com, or 607-732-7075. Cover Article Author: Member Bob Barron has a one-page article, “Crazy for Covers” in the July 15 issue of the American First Day Cover Society journal, First Days. It pictures a 1929 Sul- livan Expedition FDC addressed to an individual at “Mental Hospital, Retreat, Pa.,” and speculates as to whether the addressee, was a patient, nurse, or other employee at the hospital. Award Winner: Bill Sammis of Ithaca, a long-time member and collector of carriers and locals, won the grand award at Napex, the Washington area National Stamp Show June 5-7 with his 10-frame exhibit, The Expresses of Maine — Private and Postal 1840–1865. Bill has had remarkable success as a first-time exhibitor this year, achieving reserve grand, gold, and then grand in that order in his first three shows, all national level. Meeting Notes June — 15 attended. President Mike Breed paid tribute to Harold vonHagn and called for a moment of silence in his memory. First display of the Glenn Curtiss first day covers donated to the club by Bob Barron resulted in sales of $78. The meeting ended with the APS slide program, Maritime Mail 1907 to 1980: Commercial Markings. July — 20 attended. Treasurer Don Dolan delivered 2009 second quarter financial report. Al Parsons emphasized the need for Stepex 2009 exhibits. Dolan and Mike Breed called an auction of 32 lots, selling 29 for $137.45. Of the lots sold. 20 were club lots realizing $112. Adding its commission of $2.55 on the non-club lot sales of $25.45 resulted in a total of $114.55 going to the club treasury, a record for 2009.

54 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue APS Unit 28 . P. H . . S S . EMPIRE STATE www.esphs.org E Meets twice annually FOUNDED POSTAL HISTORY Membership info: George McGowan P. O. Box 482, E. Schodack, NY 12063-0482 1 SOCIETY [email protected], 518-479-4396 9 6 7

New Yorkers Palmer & Clark he following excerpt is from Bob Payne’s Tbook, U.S. Classic Machine Cancels 1871– 1991, Volume I. “In the year 1875, Timothy G. Palmer of Shultzville, NY and Dr. Henry F. Clark of Poughkeepsie, NY began to develop a machine to cancel letters they hoped would be acceptable to the Postal Dept. and secure a lucrative contract. “The Post Office Library has a letter written March 30, 1876 by the Postmaster General Mar- shall Jewell to Timothy G. Palmer that authorized him to furnish the Post Office Dept. with … “‘ten postmarking, stamping and cancel printing machines of the same kind as the one exhibited in this Dept. on the 29th (March) inst., but of perfect mechanical construction and with such improvements as may suggest themselves’ “Palmer was to be paid $100.00 for each machine upon its delivery and acceptance. Each machine was to be furnished with a full set of dates, including year, month, day, and hour blocks. Ten of the canceling machines were to be constructed and shipped to: New York (2), Boston (2), Philadelphia (2), Albany (1), Cleveland (1), Hartford (1) and Washington D.C. (1).” Payne speculates that the machine at Albany was transferred from Washington DC. He further reports that, of the units delivered, only the Albany cancel had a year date. Evidently, the first machine went to D.C. in December of 1876, and was never perfected to the satisfaction of Jewell and the contract was canceled. Payne lists the Albany machine as only being evaluated from January 10 to 17, 1877. Poughkeepsie was not on the original PMG list, but was Clark’s residence, and the last city known to have used one of these machines, known from January 30 to March 27, 1877. Enter the postal card pictured above. It has an Albany cancel dated March 8th 1877, clearly outside the seven day period that was thought to be the only Albany dates of use. A query to Mike Ellingson of the Machine Cancel Society brought this reply; “This machine was well traveled (i.e. Washington D.C., Centennial Expo, Baltimore, Al- bany, and Poughkeepsie). … it was thought to be in Poughkeepsie on March 8th, 1877 … I will do some digging.” We could draw some new conclusions from all of this, but I felt they would be premature. Enough to say that New York Postal History still offers a fertile field for new discoveries.

September / October 2009 55 R L G E A N K Geneva, New York I E F S Meets at 8 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at the Sawdust Café, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station S James Darnell, 136 Lock St., Clyde, NY 14433-1117 T B A U M P C L [email protected], 315-923-7355

Braverman Presents Israel Program n June we were treated to a presentation Ion the Stamps of Israel by long-time member Sam Braverman of Geneva. He began collecting stamps and other postal items from Israel in the mid 1950s and has maintained an extensive collection ever since. His presentation focused on the history of the Israel Postal Authority and the four types of postal cancellations — special event, slogan, post office opening, and first day cover cancellations, passing around several examples of the various items. Sam Braverman Article Published Club member Jeremy Busch, also of Geneva, had an article published in the Rossica Journal of the Rossica Society of Russian Philately. The article deals with the relationship between the imagery depicted on stamps and communist propaganda during the first 17 years of the Soviet Union following the revolution of 1917. Originally written as a paper for a Syracuse University international relations class and titled Early Soviet Iconography, the article appeared in the spring issue. Gary Cooper Cachet We are producing a cacheted first day cover for the Gary Cooper commemorative stamp, which will be issued on September 10. Anyone wishing to order the FDC, may do so by sending $2 per cover and a #10 SASE to Jim Darnell, 136 Lock St., Clyde, NY 14433-1117. New Member We recently welcomed a new member, Peter Sweltz of Farmington. He becomes our sixth new member added in the past year. We are now 31 members strong, and regular attendance is growing. This summer we’ve had to start setting up an extra table and chairs on meeting nights.

56 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue Albany, New York Incorporating Women’s Seal and Stamp Club Meets at 7:30 p.m. on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at Bethany Reformed Church Community Center, 760 New Scotland Ave. Maris Tirums, P. O. Box 5475, Albany NY 12205-0475 [email protected], 518-438-1657

John Boyd Thacher, Mayor of Albany ohn Boyd Thacher, born Sept. 11, 1847 in JBallston, graduated from Williams College in 1869. He became a scholar and a writer after college, and also worked for the family business, Thacher Car Wheel Works of Albany. Thacher was elected to the New York State Senate in 1883, and then was elected mayor of Albany, serving from 1886 to 1888. In 1890, President Benjamin Harrison appointed him member of the World’s Columbian Exposition. In 1896 he was reëlected Albany Mayor and served until Dec. 31, 1897. Thacher purchased a large plot of land in Central Albany County, which his widow, Emma Treadwell Thacher donated, and is now known as John Boyd Thacher State Park. John Thacher died in 1909, and is buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery. An interesting aside is the recipient of this letter. Randolph Huntington was born in Springfield, MA in 1828. He married a girl from Bloomfield, Ontario County, NY, and it was on her inherited farm that he began to breed horses soon after the Civil War. At first he sold colts and fillies as coach horses in New York City. He soon recognized the value of the Clay stock, (Genesee Valley) however, this blood line was disappearing rapidly, causing him to buy all that he could afford. In 1879 the Sultan of Turkey presented Gen. Ulysses S. Grant with two Arabian stal- lions, which Huntington soon negotiated to mate with his Clay horses, turning out to pro- duce a fine offspring. Just before moving to Oyster Bay, Long Island, he purchased Naomi, an Arabian with a superior pedigree. Huntington was the first American to demonstrate the possibilities inherent in the Arabian horse. Programs Sept. 8 — The Tragedy of Lidice by John Nunes Sept. 22 — The Electric Light by Bob Markovits Oct. 13 — Samoa by Steve Gray Oct. 27 — AMG–Trieste by Paul Baker Nov. 10 — Host the Tri-Club auction Nov. 24 — Tax Paid Part II by Ray Major Dec. 8 — Holiday Banquet

September / October 2009 57 STANWIX Rome, New York

STAMP Incorporating Community Stamp Club Meets at 7 p.m. on the 4th Thursday, except

FORT July and August, at Rome Municipal Building, Second Floor Fort Stanwix Stamp Club, P. O. Box 734, Rome, NY 13442-0374 CLUB Patricia A. Hash, 315-339-1019

No Summer Vacation for Some ot all members of the club had a summer vacation. Some of us were busy preparing Nour Fort Stanwix cacheted covers for sale on August 3. After I printed up the covers, Phil Brown and Joe Occhipinti spent the last week of July preparing the covers for cancellation by the local post office. They, with other volunteers, will help Patricia Hash man the sales table at the Marinus Willett Center next to Fort Stanwix in Rome. StampExpo 400 During our September meeting, members will be reminded to attend StampExpo 400 in Albany. We hope to make it a club event. I am looking forward to attending the show and finding some great covers and stamps for my collection. September and October Plans There are no scheduled APS slide shows for September and October, instead, we will have stamp exchanges and membership show and tell presentations about their favorite stamp collecting topics. — Stephen Stawiarz

Connecticut Cover Club — Continued from Page 52 The Post Offices of Connecticut by Alan H. Patera, we note that the Cedarville post office was located in the town of Chester, and that it operated for only a little over four months, from July 9, 1891 to November 16, 1891. I wonder how many covers exist from this office; surely the total cannot exceed single digits. Valero Contract Postal Unit, Connecticut — Moving forward 117 years to 2008, I was re- searching a new edition of the PMCC Directory of Post Offices Connecticut list, and happened upon this station which was operating at a gas station in Hartford’s north end. It was on the books for only a year, was poorly patronized, and had been inactive for some time when it was officially closed in August. I wonder how many covers exist from this office — again surely the total can’t exceed single digits. You can clearly see that the postal history of tomorrow is happening today, with new Cedarvilles coming and going throughout the country.

58 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue Ithaca, New York Meets from 7:30–9:30 p.m. on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays in Room 384, Morrison Hall at Cornell University Yoram B. Szekely, 104 Klinewoods Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850-2229 [email protected], 607-257-5346

A New Way To Face Tough Economic Times By Patricia Keller t comes as no surprise to any of us that as the rotten economy reaches its ugly tentacles Iinto almost every aspect of our lives, even our stamp hobby has not been spared. I for one find it increasingly difficult to part with my hard-earned wages to splurge on more stamps that I want for my collections. I mean, they really aren’t necessities, like food in the refrigera- tor or having electricity, even if it means spending just a few dollars here and there. I’ve decided on a better way right now for me to invest in my collections: I’m in the process of cataloguing everything that I have. It means taking the time to clean out all of the duplicates, consolidating collections that I had acquired during my better financial days, and rearranging pages in albums and stock books. The greatest adventure so far has been coming up with a good system of saving all of the information. For years I have just marked the pages of my stamp catalogues. It was convenient and easy to do, but actually was not a very good plan because in order to keep current I would have the daunting task of remarking new catalogues every few years. I never got around to doing that and instead just kept the old sets, falling further and further out of date as the years went by. I can hear a few of you readers chuckling right now, because you have done the very same thing. We all know how expensive a set of new catalogues is and, even if we could afford one every year, how impractical it is to carry around a whole set of catalogues. If I wanted to work out that much I’d join a gym. But stay with me, this is about getting something accomplished for little or no money. Looking online for a good cataloguing system, I found that there’s not much out there that fits both my needs and my pocketbook. So I have resorted to learning how to use the spread- sheet program on my computer. Turns out it’s a pretty easy process to design sheets to meet your needs. It is also extremely flexible, by which I mean that once you have the basic layout you can generate customized sheets for each country that you collect. As a country issues more stamps you can easily expand the layout to incorporate the new additions. Give it a try with your own collections. Not having extra money to spend right now has forced me to make a virtue of necessity by taking a new look at my collections and the way I collect. And as a result I have come up with more stamps to trade, a new leaner and cleaner set of albums, and want lists that I can carry around to stamp shows. Having come this far, maybe I have earned the right to treat myself to a few new stamps once again.

Pat Keller collects several East European countries, along with Germany and Australia.

September / October 2009 59 Leatherstocking Stamp Cooperstown, New York Club Meets at 7:30 p.m. on the 1st Tuesday, except February and March, at the Tillapaugh home, 28 Pioneer St. Ellen Tillapaugh, 80 Beaver St., Cooperstown, NY 13326-1202 [email protected], 607-547-5646

Servicing Covers CCS Philatelic Club Member, Dylan Snyder and Evelyn Seward of the Cooperstown Post Office service covers marking the 70th anniversary of the Baseball Centennial stamp. School Club Produces Baseball Cover he CCS Philatelic Club created a special cachet and pictorial postmark to commem- Torate the 70th anniversary of the Baseball Centennial stamp. The three-cent stamp (Scott No. 855) was issued in Cooperstown on June 12, 1939 in recognition of the 100th anniversary and the opening of the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum. The students created a pictorial cover featuring the 1939 stamp and arranged for a June 12, 2009 postmark recognizing the anniversary. There are some covers available for $2 and SASE from Ellen Tillapaugh, 80 Beaver St., Cooperstown, NY 13326-1202. The CCS Philatelic Club is sponsored by the Leatherstocking Stamp Club, which was founded in 1934 to promote the 1939 stamp. Current LSC members provided copies of the old stamp for the students to use on their own personal envelopes to create an unusual souvenir. The CCS Philatelic Club was organized two years ago and meets weekly throughout the school year in both the Elementary School and the Middle School. Tillapaugh serves as the mentor for the program. The youth program also received support in the past academ- ic year from the Cooperstown Rotary Club, CFEE (Cooperstown Foundation for Excellence in Education), and BNAPS (British/North American Philatelic Society). LSC Programs Sept. 1 — Profound Thoughts by Lin Bissell Sept. 25–27 — StampExpo 400, Albany, NY Oct. 6 — What Have You Got? The public is invited to bring their questions. Nov. 3 — One-Page Exhibits

60 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue Plattsburgh, New York Meets at 1 p.m. on the 2nd Saturday in the second floor meeting room of Plattsburgh Public Library, 19 Oak St. Glenn A. Estus, P. O. Box 451, Westport, NY 12993-0451

StampClub

[email protected], 518-962-4558 NorthCountry

Postmarks Celebrating Champlain 400 e are almost to the end of our journey highlighting the pictorial cancels produced by Wthe Ticonderoga post office in honor of Champlain 400. The town of Ticonderoga borders both Lake George and Lake Champlain. Waterways were important to the life of towns in the 18th and 19th Centuries. Three of the four Champlain 400 pictorials used in 2005 and 2006 highlighted water. Lake Champlain was the 19th century interstate highway connecting Montreal and New York City. The first 2005 pictorial honored education in Ticonderoga and was used for a large class reunion of the Ticonderoga public schools. The alumni association produced a special souvenir in the form of a report card with the cancellation being a major aspect. New York’s great system of canals was honored on the cancel showing a canal boat. The Champlain Canal connects Lake Champlain and the Hudson River. It was officially opened in 1823. Commerce could now flow unimpeded north to south. The two 2006 pictorials show a railroad locomotive and a steamship. The Baldwin Branch pictorial honored the five-mile long railroad that carried passengers from a steamboat landing on Lake George to a steamboat landing on Lake Champlain in the 1870s era. The second 2006 pictorial commemorated the 100th Anniversary of the steamship Ticon- deroga, which carried passengers on Lake Champlain until the 1953. Today it is on perma- nent display at Shelburne Museum in Vermont. I am one of the youngest people alive who actually rode on the Ticonderoga when it plied Lake Champlain. It was common for families in this area to take the Ticonderoga to Burlington and a day’s worth of shopping. In the next issue we will conclude our pictorial journey through the Ticonderoga post office’s Champlain 400 program.

September / October 2009 61 EAN A L R Olean, New York O E

A Meets at 7:30 p.m. on the 2nd Monday

S at Bethany Lutheran Church, 6 Leo Moss Drive T

B Jack Searles, 733 Front St., Olean, NY 14760-2851

U P

C [email protected], 716-372-1070

How Daft Can You Be? Not Purchasing A Stamp That You Know Might Become Valuable By David S. J. Alexander t happened to me and may well have happened to you Ialso. In 1935–1936 I lived in Paris as a student at the Sor- bonne where I studied English and Italian literature. On the side, I learned how to run a bookshop. This was during the peak of my stamp collecting years. The French PTT issued many interesting stamps and one day announced the sale of the first set of airmails. On the day of issue, I went to the post office in the rue des Invalides, next to the military hospital of that name. I purchased the set without the high value of 50 francs (Scott No. C14). The clerk gave me an inquiring glance. Students in those days did not have much pocket money The little I had was spent on my lunches in bistros along the Boulevard St. Michel which I like to frequent. Who wouldn’t? As the year passed, I saw the picture of that 50 franc stamp in my album, but not the stamp itself. It had gone up in price a lot and I still hesitated to purchase it. One fine day I received a used copy in the mail from a collector in France that I had helped obtain UN issues. It shows it pays off to have good friends and to help them when you can! Editor’s note: This concludes a series of articles by Alexander recalling the highs and lows of his philatelic experiences. He died on March 7. We are indebted to Fred Printz for providing the series. New Members We extend a welcome to new members Jack Ericson, Larry Kilmer, and Ted and Kelvin Isaacs. August Events The annual club picnic was to be held in early August. Club President Steve Brainard planned to attend StampShow 2009 in Pittsburgh, where he was to receive his APS 25-year membership citation. Programs Sept. 14 — Show & Tell Oc t. 3 — Annual Stamp Show, Elks Lodge No. 491 Oct, 12 — Cattaraugus County Postal History by Jack Searles Nov. 9— Annual auction and election of officers Dec. 14 — Holiday party

62 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue Oswego, New York Meets at 6 p.m. on the 4th Mondays, except July and August, at Faith United Church, 12 Mark Fitzgibbons Drive Leigh LeClair, 212 Murray St., Oswego, NY 13126-4032 [email protected], 315-342-5653

Cool Weather and Hot Food he Oswego Stamp Club Tis on hiatus for the summer, but a good time was had by all at the annual club picnic in June. The weather was a bit chilly but the hot food was good and was then followed by some trading and looking at the circuit books. Sanitary Trains This cover was mailed during World War I from the Welland Hotel in Oswego. The cancel date is hard to read, Picnickers being either June or July 9 in Attending the club picnic were, from left, Heather Sweet- the p.m. It was addressed to ing, John Cali, David Orr, Lori Orr, Sewall Oertling, Leigh LeClair, and Richard Schineman. Private James J. McGuire, at Camp Stuart, Ambulance Co. 107, 102 Sani- tary Train, 27th Division, New Port News VA. The letters AEF (Allied Expeditionary Force) appear in the lower left corner. This New York National Guard Division was designated the 27th Infantry Division on July 20th, 1917, when President Wood- row Wilson called all National Guard units into service. A sanitary train, also known as an ambulance train, was used to move injured soldiers from field hospitals to other areas for transport back to the states. Upon arrival in the states sanitary trains moved the injured from stateside ships to general hospitals. The trains were fully equipped and could handle surgery and medical care for the criti- cally wounded. On arrival in France, the Artillery and personnel from the sanitary trains were sometimes diverted to various points within the AEF forces.

September / October 2009 63 Rochester, New York www.rpastamps.org Meets at 7 p.m. on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays except July and August at Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church, 1200 S. Winton Road Thomas M. Fortunato, 28 Amberwood Place, Rochester, NY 14626-4166 [email protected], 585-225-6822

Start-of-Year Banquet Planned embers who attended last year’s banquet at the Morningstar Restaurant raved about it, Mso we’re repeating it at the October 8 RPA meeting.Tickets are $17 per person in advance and $20 at the door. The meal includes soup, salad, choice of chicken parmesan or pork chops, dessert, and beverage. Those so inclined may also bring their own bottle. Tickets may be purchased at the first two RPA meetings of the season or by mail from Raymond M. Stone. Elections Officers for the next two years are Dave Bombard, president; Joe Doles, vice president; Dave Robinson, treasurer; Thomas M. Fortunato, corresponding secretary; Diane Bombard, re- cording secretary; and Chuck Schultz, Bob Kingston, and Frank Tritto, board members. 2009–2010 Dues Payable It is time to pay your dues. Send a check for $20 payable to RPA to P. O. Box 10206, Brigh- ton Station, Rochester, NY 14610-0206. Also notify us if your address or telephone number has changed. Everyone with an e-mail address is encouraged to send that along as well so we can notify you of current club news. Programs Sept. 10 — Welcome back meeting Sept. 24 — TBA Oct. 8 — Member banquet Oct. 22 — TBA Grandma Ada Ada M. Prill has a mint, never-hinged addition to her family, Sophie Eliana Gould was, born to her son-in-law and daughter, Gabriel and Susan Prill Gould, on June 24 in Huntingdon, PA. Vital stats: 8 pounds, 8.3 ounces, 19.5 inches.

Sophie Elena Gould

64 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue DY S TA TA C M Schenectady, New York E P

N C E L

H U Meets at 7:30 p.m. on the 1st Monday, except January–February SCHAU-NAUGH-TA-DA

C B and July–August, at Union Presbyterian Church, 1068 Park Ave. S Ronald K. Ratchford, 1105 Union St., Schenectady, NY 12308-2805

[email protected], 518-374-3776 O 0 RG 93 ANIZED 1

History of the RKR Cachets n December 1980, the Schenectady Stamp Club celebrated its golden anniversary with a Ispecial postmark and also a cacheted envelope printed on a small hand-operated Kelsey letterpress in the basement of my home. The following year, I began producing cacheted envelopes for first day cover use. My father, George Kenneth Ratchford, who had been a printer before becoming an employee of the General Electric Company about 1941, hand set the lead type and prepared the press for me to use to print the non-pictorial typographic design on the envelopes. The first stamp issue for which my cacheted first day cover envelopes were produced was that for the 18 cent Edna St. Vincent Millay commemorative stamp that would be issued on July 10, 1981 at Austerlitz, NY. My first FDC cachet did not include the small RKR initials that would be included as part of the cachet for later stamp issues. Typically, the first day cover envelopes would be printed in either red or green or blue or sometimes black, thus making at least three varieties for most issues. A very small number of envelopes might also include a partial use of thermographic printing of the place name of the first day event. For these, a resin based powder would be dusted selectively on a part of the still-not-yet-dry ink and I would fuse the powder onto the envelope by carefully holding the envelope over an open flame. One had to be careful to prevent the envelope from catching on fire! — Ronald K. Ratchford, Club Historian Programs Sept. 7 — Guam Guard Mail by John J. Nunes Oct. 5 — Samoa by Steve Gray Nov. 2 — Single Page Night Nov. 10 — Tri Club Auction at Fort Orange Stamp Club Dec. 7 — Christmas banquet at Petta’s Restaurant

September / October 2009 65 Elkland, Pennsylvania www.stampcampusa.org Conducts youth-oriented activities and adult leader workshops throughout the United States and Canada Cheryl B. Edgcomb, 117 Court St., Suite A, Elkland, PA 16920-1447 [email protected], 814-258-5601

Why I Like Stamps By Audrey Zuchowski, Wellsboro, PA tamp Camp started my stamp collec- Stion by giving me a whole lot of stamps. I also had some before Stamp Camp too. I love collecting stamps because there are so many designs. Plus, the stories behind them are interesting. Most new stamps I get are colorful and that’s why I like them. The old stamps are nice too. These are the reasons why I like stamps. StampExpo 400 Activities There will be a Stamp Camp USA adult leader workshop and kids camp during StampExpo 400. The kids camp will be on September 26–27, 2009 at Albany’s Empire State Plaza Concourse from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. Registration fee is $25; scholarship in-formation is available on request. The Audrey Zuchkowski fee includes all training materials and prizes are valued at $50–75. Enrollment is limited to 25 children on a first-come, first-served basis. The one-day Train the Trainer adult leader- ship workshop will be on Friday, September 25, 2009, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. More information is available in the Stamp Camp USA prospectuses posted on the StampExpo 400 web site — StampExpo400.org www.stampexpo400org. Deadline for reservations for HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN both adults and youngsters is September 18. Programs Sept. 12 — Annual Bike Rally fund-raiser Sept. 25–27 — StampExpo 400, Albany, NY Oct. 17 — Stepex and Scranton Stamp Camps Oct. 30 — Annual Volunteers Luncheon, Elkland, PA October — Capitol Hill Stamp Camp, date TBA

66 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue Staten Island, New York Meets at 7:30 p.m. on the 1st & 3rd Monday, except July and August, at the Rev. Paul Kroon Center of Messiah Lutheran Staten Island Church, 195 Jefferson Blvd., Annadale, Staten Island Philatelic Society Charles R. Carlson, 30 Hopping Ave., Staten Island, NY 10307-1219 [email protected], 718-984-7880

If You Can’t Stand the Heat … Stay Out of the Stamp Room ast night the weather forecaster on TV said this is the coolest summer since 1877. Obviously Lhe has not visited my stamp room. Mostly all I have done with my stamps since the hot weather arrived is to process a few circuits from APS. Not that they were not worth the effort. Wow — a circuit book with Swedish booklet BC / CB pairs from booklets in the late 1930s and early 1940s. One stamp in each has a straight edge. The B stamp has the straight edge (perfs on three sides), and the C stamp has perfs on four sides. BC means the stamp on the left has the imperf side, and CB means the stamp on the right has the straight edge. Most of the booklets were cut with both stamps in the pair having four sided perfs. The three-sided stamps of the late 1930s and very early 1940s are decidedly scarce. In the early 1940s booklets began to be issued as BB stamps, that is cut so that the stamps in the booklet all have straight edges, right or left, top or bottom. Most Scandinavian collectors do not collect coil pairs as we do in U.S. collecting. They collect side-by-side pairs from booklets. Some U.S. albums have places for the three- or four-sided varieties, while most stamps are two-sided perfed coils, as U.S. coils are. I have seen coil pairs in some albums, or in APS circuits, but these would mystify Scandinavian collectors. Since the early 20th century most Swedish stamps have been issued as either coils or booklets, and a side-by-side pair of four-sided stamps is usually from a booklet. All of this is fine until the early 1950s, when booklets of definitives began to be disbursed from machines. Depending on whether the stamp selvedge is affixed at the top or the bottom of the pane, you can have booklet varieties with upper left, lower left, upper right or lower right straight edge stamps. Confused? You will be greatly helped if you have a Facit Scandinavia specialized catalogue. Another APS circuit was Austrian, from which I got two perforation varieties of the very confusing series of portraits of the emperor (1890–1907), with a bewildering variety of perforations, 9¼ to 13½. and all conceivable numbers in between. Then we could go into the compounds. Staggering, and definitely requiring the new Ulrich Ferchenbauer Austrian specialized catalogue to collect definitively (not cheap, but worth every penny), although the far cheaper Netto (Austria) or Michel (German) give a very satisfactory explanation and list of the needed perf varieties. I have gone years without adding a needed perf variety to my collection, and then got two in one APS circuit. I also added six Bosnian pictorial imperfs of the 1906 issue. Altogether, a very satisfactory experience from my APS circuits. If you are not a member of APS, and not receiv- ing circuits, what are you thinking? It will add greatly to your enjoyment of the hobby.

September / October 2009 67 Syracuse, New York www.syracusestampclub.org Meets at 8 p.m. the 1st & 3rd Fridays at the Reformed Church of Syracuse, 1228 Teall Ave.

Organized 1919 Allen Swift, P. O. Box 593, East Syracuse, NY 13057-0593 APS Chapter 50 [email protected], 315-457-3201 Stamp Club Members Visit the APS he members of our club — Vincent Tand Dianne Juchimek and Richard D. Erat — visited the American Philatelic Society in Bellefonte, PA on June 20. The historic Headsville post office and General Store was one of the most interesting newly opened sections. It is housed in the Gor- don and Mary Morison Pavilion and is on loan to the APS from the Smithsonian Institution. Being the cachet and cancel creators for the club, the Juchimeks could not pass up the opportunity to have a few covers cancelled at the Headsville post office. This post office is one of the few around the U.S. that stocks a variety of stamps issued in the last few years. Another very interesting section of the APS is the American Philatelic Research Li- brary (APRL). If you need to do research on Vincent and Dianne Juchimek anything related to philately, this is the place to contact or visit. Being former librarians, the Juchimeks chatted with the staff at length about all the sources of information available through the APRL. It is difficult to understand why more club members do not join the APS. Being a 28- year member myself, I could not imagine being a serious collector and not being a member. See www.stamps.org to view all the resources available. Programs Sept. 4 — Philatelic presentation by James Shattell Sept. 18 — Auction Sept. 26 — Club trip to StampExpo 400 in Albany Oct. 2 — Trivia Quiz by Phil Poplaski Oct. 16 — Open house Oct. 30 — Auction — Richard D. Erat

68 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue Sidney, New York Meets at 7 p.m. on the 3rd Mondays, except July and August, at Sidney Civic Center, 21 Liberty St. Robert Finnegan, 10 O’Neill Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820-1154 [email protected], 607-432-8141

Program Schedule Being Arranged pike Paranya, Bill Bauer, and Bob Finnegan were to meet prior to the September 21 Sregular club meeting to construct a program schedule for the coming year. Members were to receive notification by the Labor Day weekend. We Want You The Tri-County Stamp Club, which has been existence for more than 60 years, is in need of new members in the tri-town area of Sidney, Bainbridge, and Unadilla. The club has part-time members as far as Cooperstown and Deposit. Any collectors in the Oneonta , Norwich, and Delhi areas are invited to become part of a “philatelic union” of interested collectors. Beginning collectors are especially welcomed to the meetings that are usually scheduled for the third Monday of each month from September through June.

Art Cover Exchange Meets The Art Cover Exchange had its annual meeting on June 27 and 28. There were 14 present, including two RPA members visiting. The members were from Virginia, Michigan, Massachusetts, Ohio, and New York. From left, front: Rick Kase, President Diane Bom- bard, Phil Edwards, and Marge Schleining; second row, George Hill, David Robinson, Joseph Doles, Bob Preston, and John A. Cali; third row, Sabrina C, Dave Curtis, Dave Bombard, and Roger Hamilton.

September / October 2009 69 M STA A M S P Troy, New York E C

L Meets at 7 p.m. on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, except June, July, L

U and August, at M.J.’s on the Avenue, 499 2nd Ave., North Troy

U Terrill S. Miller, P. O. Box 335, Troy, NY 12181-0335 T R . [email protected], 518-869-6872 OY, N.Y John J. Mangione — 1926–2009 ohn J. ‘Jack’ Mangione, 82, of Brunswick, a long-time mem- Jber and former president and secretary of the club, died in late June. He was instrumental in getting most of our cacheted covers printed, canceled, sold, and mailed. He enjoyed sharing his collections with fellow philatelists and the public. He was born December 17, 1926 in Flushing, graduated from Troy High School, and was an Army veteran of World War II. Mangione was an electronic technician for Motorola Consumer Products Distributors for 23 years and retired from AT&T as a communications technician after 20 years. Programs Uncle Sam, Schenectady, and Fort Orange stamp clubs repre- sentatives have arranged upcoming programs, including: Sept. 2 — The Tragedy of Lidice by John J. Nunes Sept 16 — Christmas in Canada by John Traver Oct. 7 — Samoa by Steve Gray Oct 21 — Philatelic Quiz by Terry Miller Nov. 4 — Single Page Night Nov. 10 — Tri Club Auction at Fort Orange Stamp Club Nov. 18 — Tax Paid Part II by Ray Major John J. Mangione Dec. 2 — Sea Shells and Fibonacci by Chuck Eson Dec. 16 — Holiday banquet

Bicentennial Souvenir The bicentennial of the Troy post office was commemorated with a cacheted cover and pictorial postmark in 1996. Depicted is the building erected in 1894 and de- molished in 1934.

70 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue ER U Utica, New York AT T I E C Meets at 7 p.m. on the 1st Tuesday, except January and February, at R A

New Hartford Town Library, 2 Library Lane; stamp circuits available G Jerome F. Wagner, 160 Proctor Blvd., Utica, NY 13501-6119 S 315-732-0219 T B A U M P C L

Gerald M. Cunningham — 1925–2009 erald M. Cunningham, 84, of New Hartford, a long- Gtime member and former officer of the club died July 21 at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare. He had served as the club’s corresponding secretary until June 2006. Cunningham had also contributed the club page to the Stamp Insider for a number of years. He was born March 12, 1925 in New Hartford and graduated from New Hartford High School in 1941. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. Cunningham worked with the U.S. Postal Service in New Hartford for 37 years. He was appointed postmaster in 1978 Gerald Cunningham and served until his retirement in 1982. Following his retirement from the post office, he worked for PJ Green Advertising in Utica for 10 years. J. Edward Hacker — 1923–2009 J. Edward Hacker, 85, of New Hartford, another long-time club member, died on July 8 after a brief illness. Hacker was born on September 4, 1923, in Ephrata, PA. Hacker showed classical musical talent at an early age and began serious study of the trumpet. He received a BS from Ithaca College. He earned his Masters in Music Education at the University of Iowa. During World War II, Hacker toured with the United States Air Force Band, composing and arranging numerous concert band selections. In 1948, Hacker began conducting and teaching in the Uti- ca Public Schools, beginning at Utica Free Academy, where he became music director, until 1968 when he became Supervisor J. Edward Hacker of Music for the Utica City School District, a post he held until his retirement in 1983. In 1953, Fabian Savitsky, the maestro of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, heard Ed perform and, without requiring an audition, invited him to perform in the ISO. In 1954, Ed returned to Utica to marry and continued his lifelong career in music education. He served as president of the New York Music Association, was the first president of the Utica Opera Guild, first trumpet with the Utica Symphony Orchestra, and guest con- ductor for numerous All-State Bands.

September / October 2009 71 W M P S Spencerport, New York ORGANIZED FEB. 7, 1961 APS 560-44599 www.geocities.com/gmusante/wmps.html Meets from 6:30–9 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesdays, except July and August, at Ogden Farmers’ Library, 269 Ogden Center Road Gary Musante, 107 Sherwood Drive, Brockport, NY 14420-1451 585-637-9091, [email protected]

New President Diane Bombard, the club’s new presdent, is flanked by, from left, Glenn Miller, Ter- ry Blum, and her husband, Dave Bombard.

Diane Bombard Elected President n June our club had our last meeting before a break for the summer. Our meetings this Ipast year were well attended and everyone seemed to enjoy the variety of scheduled programs as well as our less formal show and tell sessions. At the June meeting the club elected Diane Bombard as our new president. She succeeds her husband, Dave Bombard. Picnic Planned For the first time in many years the club planned a summer picnic for members and their families. The club plans to continue with slide shows made by our members. The dates and topics of the slide shows are not set as of the date of this writing. Updates to the club schedule will be posted on the club web page. Programs Sept. 8 — APS circuit, club dues payable Oct. 13 — Show, Tell and Learn, silent auction Nov. 10 — APS circuit, silent auction Dec. 8 — Show, Tell and Learn, silent auction 2010 Jan. 12 — Show, Tell and Learn, silent auction Feb. 9 — APS circuit, silent auction March 9 — Show, Tell and Learn, silent auction April 6 — APS circuit, silent auction May — Club Banquet, date TBA June 8 — APS circuit, silent auction

72 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue StampExpo 400 Souvenirs for Early Birds 125 Only

Act Now 3-inch diameter, 61⁄2-ounce antique brass • $25 + $4.95 s & h

Samuel de Champlain’s Explorations

of ion Ne at w r Y e o d r e k

. . P . h c i n l I a , te s l ie ic Societ

StampExpo400 Set of eight 4 × 6-inch deluxe postcards • $12 + $1 per set s & h Miniature poster stamp sheetlet ﬁts on standard small envelope and is die cut for easy separation. Only $1 each plus 50 cents s & h for up to 12 sheets. Make checks & money orders payable to StampExpo 400. Order Today From — Show Treasurer Ronald K. Ratchford 1105 Union St., Schenectady, NY 12308-2805 Stamp, Coin, Postcard Shows & Collectibles Show & Bourses SUNDAY Hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. September 11–13 — New York City September 27 • October 25 Metropolitan Stamp Expo, November 22 & December 6 Midtown Holiday Inn, 440 W. 57th St.. Friday noon–6, Free Admission & Parking! Saturday 10–6, Sunday 10–4. John J. Nunes, 518-399-8395, Harvey D. Morin VFW Post 2940 [email protected]. 965 Center Road, West Seneca, NY 13 — Syracuse Contact: Victor Drajem • phone: 716-656-8080 Syracuse Stamp, Coin & Collectibles Show, Holiday Inn, Carrier Circle, Thruway NESS Stamp Expositions exit 35. 10–5. Bourse. Ed Dedham, Massachusetts Bailey, 315-452-0593. First Sunday Stamp and Coin Show 20 — Latham 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. September 6 and October 4 Holiday Inn, Rts. 1A and 95, Exit 15A Capital District Stamp Saddle Brook, New Jersey Show, Ramada Latham, Third Sunday Stamp & Coin Show 946 New Loudon Rd. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. September 20 and October 18 10–4. Bourse. John J. Wyndham Garden Hotel, 50 Kenney Place Marlboro, Massachusetts Nunes, 518-399-8395,. NESS Metro Boston Show [email protected]. 11 a.m.–6 p.m., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. & 10 a.m.–4 p.m. February 5–7, 2010 Holiday Inn, Route 20 East off of Route 495 Richard E. Murphy 52 Cedar Hill Road, Northborough, MA 01532-1813 www.richardemurphy.com • [email protected] StampExpo400.org

HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN

25–27 — Albany StampExpo 400, Empire State Plaza Concourse, Friday. Friday and Saturday 10–6, Sunday 10–4. APS- sanctiond show. Bourse, exhibits, societies, FDC ceremonies, souvenirs John J. Nunes, 518-399-8395, [email protected]. 27 — West Seneca Stamp, Coin, Postcard & Collectibles Show, Harvey D. Morin VFW Post 2940, 965 Center Rd. 10–4. Bourse. Vic- tor Drajem, 716-656-8080.

74 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue October 4 — Quechee, VT NOW BUYING: U.S. & THE WORLD! Crossroads Stamp Show, MidState Christian School. McCloud 9:30–4. John Lutz, P. O. Stamps & Covers Box 501, Hartford, VT Coins & Sports Memorabilia 05047; 802-296-7015, Coins & Sports Memorabilia [email protected]. • Estate Appraisals • Liquidations 8–11 — New York City • Large & Small Collections ASDA Postage Stamp Mega- • Stamp & Coin Supplies Event, New Yorker Hotel, CALL for an APPOINTMENT or 34th St. and 8th Ave. 10–6 WE’LL TRAVEL TO YOU! Thursday–Saturday, 10–4 Call Today! 585.507.3533 Sunday. 516-759-7000; Rochester, New York [email protected]. 16–17 — Big Flats Elmira Stamp Club Stepex 2007, American Legion Post. Suburban Stamps, Coins 45 S. Olcott Rd. 10–6 Friday, 10–5 Saturday. Alan Parsons, & Collectibles [email protected]. Always Buying 18 — Latham 315•452•0593 Capital District Stamp Show, Ramada Latham, Open: Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 946 New Loudon Rd. Saturday 9 a.m.–1 p.m. 10–4. Bourse. John J. Nunes, 518-399-8395,. 120 Kreischer Road [email protected]. North Syracuse, NY 13212-3251 24 — Essex Junction, VT Just off Taft Road 1⁄2 mile east of Rt. 81 NEW LOCATION! Mark Szuba • Edward Bailey Champex 2009 (Burlington Stamp Show), Champlain Valley Exposition, 19 Pearl Street. 9:30–4. Glenn A. Es- SELLING tus, P. O. Box 451, Westport, BUYING & TRADING ALL NY 12993; 518-962-4558, [email protected]. Est. 1914 25 — West Seneca 19th, 20th & 21st CENTURY Stamp, Coin, Postcard & • SINGLE STAMPS — ALL TYPES • SHEETS & MINI SHEETS Collectibles Show, Harvey • BLOCKS — PLATE, ZIP, OTHER • COVERS & POSTAL HISTORY D. Morin VFW Post 2940, 965 • POSTCARDS & POSTAL CARDS Center Rd. 10–4. Bourse. Vic- tor Drajem, 716-656-8080. Richard D. Erat 1119 Fern Hollow Dr. Liverpool, NY 13088 Add Your Listing (315) 396-6796 Send show/bourse items to: [email protected] [email protected]

Advertiser Index American First Day Cover Society...... 77 Ness Stamp Expositions...... 74 American Topical Association...... 77 NunesNook...... 7 APS Writers Unit #30...... 39 Olean Area Stamp Club 2009 Show...... 43 Art Cover Exchange...... 77 Old World Archæological Study Unit...... 77 ASDA...... 13 Park Cities Stamps...... 29 Azusa Stamps and Collectibles...... 17 Philatelica, Ltd...... 34 B. Trading Co...... 35 R. J. Associates...... 35 Frank Bachenheimer...... 28 Robert G. Rufe...... 46 Bejjco of Florida, Inc...... 28 Schmitt Investors, Ltd...... 33 Champion Stamp Co...... 23 StampExpo 400...... 25, 73 Norman Cohen...... 77 Stamp Insider...... 77, Back Cover Charles W. Deaton...... 33 Stamp News...... 19 Design on Demand...... 35 Stepex 2009...... 29 Elwyn Doubleday...... 35 Stuart’s Stamps...... 35 Richard D. Erat...... 75 Subway Stamp Shop, Inc...... 14–15 Henry Gitner Philatelists, Inc...... 11 Suburban Stamps, Coins & Collectibles...... 75 Harmer–Schau, Inc...... 32 Syracuse Stamps, Coins & Collectibles...... 9 Heritage Auctions...... Inside Back Cover Syrapex 2009...... 43 Journal of Antiques & Collectibles...... 77 United Nations Postal Administration.....37 Lincoln Coin and Stamp Co...... 34 Vidiforms Company...... Back Cover Steve Malack Stamps...... 21 Virtual Stamp Club...... 35 McCloud Stamps & Covers...... 75 Washington Press...... Inside Front Cover E. Joseph McConnell, Inc...... 9 Douglas Weisz U.S. Covers...... 34 Metropolitan Expositions...... 5 West Seneca Shows...... 74 Mystic Stamp Company...... 40–41 George Wildman...... 34 Nassau Street Stamps & Collectibles...... 21 Tell Them You Saw It in the Insider!

76 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue T H E N G W I O V R R L E Do you like to draw or paint and D One Word for the Future — S meet people from all over? AmericanTopical Association

Y The Art Cover Exchange may F L TOPICALS! T E H T E A M L for education, creativity, fun be for you! Write to Joe Doles A H I T I C P 105 Lawson Rd., Rochester, NY American Topical Association 14616-1444 or go to our Web site: P. O. 8, Carterville, IL 62918-0008 www.artcoverexchange.org [email protected] WWW.AMERICANTOPICALASSN.ORG

Old World Archæological Study Unit – www.owasu.org Join the American First Day Cover Society Collect cave art, monoliths, and ancient tombs stamps? • Get a unique perspective on stamp collecting We study archæology on stamps and collateral materials. • Learn about first day cover collecting Dues – U.S./Canada $15, overseas $23. • Enjoy FIRST DAYS magazine Special! Mention the Stamp Insider : • Contact us today! Get 2009 membership & bonus of 2008 journals for $25! AFDCS, P.O. Box 16277, Tucson, AZ 85732-6277 Contact Merle Farrington, 10 Clark St., Medway, MA 02053 Phone 520-321-0880 • Website www.afdcs.org or Caroline Scannell at [email protected].

Unusual U.S. Scott #210 Potential Advertisers: Did you know? Covers Always Wanted The Stamp Insider has 3,000 readers. Print distribution of 2,000 includes 28 Federation afﬁliates, advertisers, local and regional shows and bourses. More than 900 more Norman Cohen readers per issue access the Stamp Insider online. P.O. Box 29543 It makes dollars and sense to advertise with us! Contact Advertising Manager George McGowan at Dallas, TX 75229-0543 518-479-4396 or [email protected]

Twelve Monthly Issues $25/year (USA only) SUBSCRIBE TODAY 888-698-0734 www.journalofantiques.com

We provide our readers with colorful, original articles written by the experts … • Covers • The Wonderful • Collecting Old and • The Kovelson Doug Finch World of Coins Rare Books Collecting James C. Johnston, Jr. James Dawson Ralph & Terry Kovel • The Business of Doing Business in • Celebrity Collector • Website-ings • Flea Market Guide Antiques Ken Hall Mike McLeod • Gavels ‘n’ Paddles Ed Welch • The Civil War • Ken’s Korner Results of Auctions • Calendar Collector Ken Hall The of Events John Sexton • Antiques Shop Finder JOURNAof Antiques and CollectiblesL

September / October 2009 77 The Last Words Heather Sweeting, Associate Editor 14329 Victory St. Sterling NY 13156-3172 315-947-6761; [email protected]

A Short StampExpo 400 Quiz eptember means students and teachers go back to school, Skids leave home and go off to college for the first time, and most importantly StampExpo 400, the biggest philatelic event of the year, is only a few weeks away. In keeping with the back-to-school theme however, I decided, as a teacher to test your knowledge of this great event and the subjects it honors. We’ll start with an easy multiple choice question: StampExpo400.org 1. Quadricentennial refers to: A. the four new Lincoln HUDSON • FULTON • CHAMPLAIN pennies, B. a 100-year-old quadricep muscle, C. something those who lived through the U.S. bicentennial will never get to celebrate, D. the 400th anniversary of something. Are you ready for more? 2. The pictorial cancellations at StampExpo 400 can A. refer to those who cancelled a photography exhibit, B. be used to cancel a stamped envelope and sent through the mail along with your Hudson–Fulton–Champlain commemorative sheetlet, or C. be tattooed on your arm for a small fee? 3. Henry Hudson’s ship was called the A. Full Moon, B. Half Moon, C. Blue Moon, D. Sailor Moon? 4. Champlain is: A. bubbly bottled in France, B. better than Sham Fancy or ShamWow, C. nicknamed the Father of New France (Quebec City) 5. Fulton is A. an average size city in Central New York, B. often called the inventor of the steamboat, C. was commissioned by Napolean to build a submarine, D. All of the above. 6. See if you can figure out which of these organizations won’t be at StampExpo 400: the Federation, ESPHS, APS, Priority Mail Boxers, Smithsonian National Postal Museum, ASDA, Rubber Stampers crafting unit, USPS, Stamp Camp USA. 7. Which of the following will not be offered as souvenirs at StampExpo 400: A. commemorative postcard sets, B. Adhesive sheetlets, C. A first day souvenir sheet from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, D. Lockets containing a piece of Samuel De Champlain’s hair, E: Limited edition medallions made by the Northwest territorial mint, F: Bottles of fresh Henry Hudson River water, G: StampExpo 400 T-shirts For those who like analogies, try this one, StampExpo is to 400 as Albany is to _____. Now like any good student, please mark down your assignment in your planner. It must be turned in, in person, by you between September 25–27. Please plan to go to Albany, and attend this nationally recognized event. Let the collecting and excitement begin!

78 Stamp Insider — StampExpo 400 Issue R are S tamp A uctions A rAre stAmps powerhouse is reborn

Harvey Bennett, of MattHew Bennett InternatIonal, Has joIned HerItage as dIrector of PHIlately. Matthew Bennett International was founded in 1948 and was a Midwest regional presence for many years, eventually expanding its reach to the Mid-Atlantic. Harvey Bennett joined the family business in 1969 and took over the helm in 1993. Under his guidance, the firm expanded into an international presence and has earned a reputation as one of the foremost auctioneers of important philately in the world.

In the more than 30 years that have passed since its inception, Heritage has grown into the world’s largest collectibles auction house. After a 15 year absence Heritage is back in rare stamps!

Our next Signature Stamp Auction will be held October 19-21, 2009 in New York, NY. The entire catalog will be available online approximately September 23, 2009 at HA.com/Stamps.

For more information, go online to HA.com, or contact: Harvey Bennett at 214-409-1156 [email protected].

ALWAYS ACCEPTING CONSIGNMENTS FOR THE FOLLOWING UPCOMING AUCTION EVENTS: Fine & Decorative Arts, Antiques,Rare Coins & Currency, Illustration Art, Comics & Comic Art, Civil War & Historical, American Indian Art, Natural History, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Entertainment Memorabilia, Jewelry & Timepieces, Sports Collectibles, Vintage Movie Posters and Stamps.

Receive a free catalog from any Heritage category. Register online at HA.com/STMP16657, or call 866-835-3243 and mention reference #STMP16657.

Annual Sales Exceed $700 Million • 450,000+ Registered Online Bidder-Members

3500 Maple Ave, 17th Floor • Dallas, Texas 75219 • 800-872-6467 ext. 1185 • HA.com

TX licenses: Samuel Foose 11727; Robert Korver 13754; Andrea Voss 16406 • This auction is subject to a 19.5% buyer’s premium. Stamp Collectors

WeWe have a nicelcome sample for you.

Our product, the Showgard® mount is the accepted standard in the hobby for truly protecting postage stamps. If you select Showgard mounts for your stamps early in your collecting career it will save much remounting time later. The evidence is clear that collectors eventually switch to Showgard mounts.

Conﬁrm this with any experienced collector. Or proceed directly to your neighborhood dealer who will advise and sell you that important ﬁrst package of Showgard mounts — the stamp mounts that need no change.

The promised sample is free. Specify “welcome kit” and write: Vidiforms Company, Inc. 115 N. Route 9W, Congers, NY 10920-1722 www.showgard.com Toll Free 877-507-5758

Essential Information for Philatelists! Stamp Insider Seeing Is Believing! Bimonthly $10.00 per year. To subscribe or for a sample copy: Federation of New York Philatelic Societies 1105 Union St., Schenectady, NY 12308-2805 www.nystampclubs.org