2021-03 American Philatelist

AMERICAN PHILATELIST MARCH 2021 $6.95

THE

MONTHLY JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN PHILATELIC SOCIETY

The Stamp Collectors Buyers Guide Build your Stamp Collection

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AMERICAN PHILATELIST THE

March 2021

Table of Contents

VOLUME 135 • NO. 3 • WHOLE NO. 1,442

8283

Form (Rev. December 2020) Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service

Noncash Charitable Contributions

OMB No. 1545-0074

▶ Attach one or more Forms 8283 to your tax return if you claimed a total deduction

of over $500 for all contributed property.

I

▶ Go to www.irs.gov/Form8283 for instructions and the latest information.

I

Attachment Sequence No. 155

Identifying number

Name(s) shown on your income tax return

Note: Figure the amount of your contribution deduction before completing this form. See your tax return instructions.

Section A. Donated Property of $5,000 or Less and Publicly Traded Securities—List in this section only an item (or a group of similar items) for which you claimed a deduction of $5,000 or less. Also list publicly traded securities and certain other property even if the deduction is more than $5,000. See instructions.

Part I Information on Donated Property—If you need more space, attach a statement.

1- 1 A B C

(a) Name and address of the donee organization

(b) If donated property is a vehicle (see instructions), check the box. Also enter the vehicle identification number (unless Form 1098-C is attached).

(c) Description and condition of donated property (For a vehicle, enter the year, make, model, and mileage. For securities and other property, see instructions.)

I

I

D E

I

Note: If the amount you claimed as a deduction for an item is $500 or less, you do not have to complete columns (e), (f), and (g).

IL.I

(d) Date of the contribution

A B C D E

(e) Date acquired by donor (mo., yr.)

(f) How acquired by donor

(g) Donor’s cost or adjusted basis

(h) Fair market value (see instructions)

I

(i) Method used to determine the fair market value

I

Section B. Donated Property Over $5,000 (Except Publicly Traded Securities, Vehicles, Intellectual Property or Inventory Reportable in Section A)—Complete this section for one item (or a group of similar items) for which you claimed a deduction of more than $5,000 per item or group (except contributions reportable in Section A). Provide a separate form for each item donated unless it is part of a group of similar items. A qualified appraisal is generally required for items reportable in Section B. See instructions.

Part I Information on Donated Property

,_ 2

Check the box that describes the type of property donated.

Art* (contribution of $20,000 or more) e Other Real Estate a b f Qualified Conservation Contribution Securities c g Equipment Collectibles** Art* (contribution of less than $20,000) Intellectual Property d h

i j k

Vehicles Clothing and household items Other

* Art includes paintings, sculptures, watercolors, prints, drawings, ceramics, antiques, decorative arts, textiles, carpets, silver, rare manuscripts, historical memorabilia, and other similar objects. ** Collectibles include coins, stamps, books, gems, jewelry, sports memorabilia, dolls, etc., but not art as defined above.

Note: In certain cases, you must attach a qualified appraisal of the property. See instructions.

3

(a) Description of donated property (if you need more space, attach a separate statement)

(b) If any tangible personal property or real property was donated, give a brief summary of the overall physical condition of the property at the time of the gift.

(c) Appraised fair market value

A B C

rj

(d) Date acquired by donor (mo., yr.)

PAGE

BY GARY WAYNE LOEW AND SUSANNA MILLS Everything you need to know about buying philatelic material and building your collection in one place. Distilled from interviews with 16 stamp experts, exhibitors, dealers, writers, and other professional philatelists.

226 232 234 236 239 241 244

(e) How acquired by donor

I I

(f) Donor’s cost or adjusted basis

I

Cat. No. 62299J

(h) Amount claimed as a deduction (see instructions)

(i) Date of contribution (see instructions)

I

Form 8283 (Rev. 12-2020)

214 APPRAISING A STAMP

THE STAMP COLLECTORS BUYERS GUIDE

214

A B C

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see separate instructions.

(g) For bargain sales, enter amount received and attach a separate statement.

How I Collect, with Wayne Youngblood, Carol Bommarito, John Hotchner and Kris McIntosh Moving from Intermediate to Advanced Collecting, with Victoria Lajer and Charles Shreve Buying Online, with Wendy Masorti About Circuit Sales, with Carol Hoffman and Bill Dixon How to Start a New Collection, with Jay Smith Collecting New Issues, with John Stefanek and Bill Silvester Albums and Supplies, with Jay Bigalke and Paul Bartolomei Establishing Good Dealer Relationships, with Liliana Rosende and Stanley Piller

PAGE

246

COLLECTION – A FOLLOW-UP

BY RICHARD COLBERG In May 2020, Colberg penned a guide from an appraiser’s perspective to help readers prepare their own collections for the appraisal process. December 2020 tax form changes require a follow-up for American readers.

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'tlixli/lrn; lfi11r/wns1

PAGE

250

Catalog of U.S. Fish & Game License Stamps and Labels

GUARANTEEING THE PROPER TAX WILL BE PAID BOOK REVIEW: CATALOG OF U.S. FISH & GAME LICENSE STAMPS AND LABELS

Ira W. Cotton PaperQuest Press Naples, Florida

Fis h & Game Collecto r Handbook # 12

BY GARY WAYNE LOEW Loew reviews one of the first Fish and Game stamp collecting catalogs to be published in PAGE the last decade, “Catalog of U.S. Fish & Game License Stamps and Labels” by Ira Cotton.

282

BY RONALD LESHER In the latest installment of “The Collector of Revenue,” Lesher takes a quick detour from the narrowest definition of tax stamps to show stamp-like objects that A) demonstrate deferment of tax payment, B) keep items yet to be taxed under lock and key, and C) demonstrate that the taxes will be assessed by governmentcertified instruments. Luckily, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.

Other Features 258 260 282 267 198

Adventures in Expertizing APRL Notes Books & Catalogs Classified Ads Editing Philately

194 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

262 206 263 276 285

In Touch Letters to the Editor Membership Report New U.S. Issues New World Issues

212 196 274 287

Our Story President’s Column Show Time Worldwide in a Nutshell

www.hipstamp.com

10 Million Stamps, 100,000 Members, 1,000 Sellers :· !

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, ®Jl!j- ~x -~

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Weekly No Reserve Auction Events Featuring US, GB & Worl dlw ide Stamps 1

Ending Every Thursday at 7pm Eastern

President’s Column

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

BY Robert Zeigler President RZeigler@zcklaw.com

Buying Advice (From Regrettable Personal Experience)

W

hen buying stamps, especially if a stamp represents a substantial expenditure of money, it is best to exercise as much caution as you can, because the market is fundamentally a caveat emptor (buyer beware) situation. It is possible to minimize mistakes in buying, but every serious collector makes unwise acquisitions which may be a disappointment – I know this from experience. But such acquisitions are always a valuable learning experience which will help you avoid repeating similar errors.

The following suggestions are partly the result of my own difficult experiences but are offered in the hope that they may help collectors to avoid purchases that they may regret in trying to build their collections.

The most important single piece of advice I can give is to buy your material from a reliable source, someone who knows the material or at least has a good reputation for honesty in dealing.

Right now, stamp shows are few and far between, but this does not change my suggestion to look at an item in person rather than at a picture of the item if at all possible.

Sometimes, you may take a chance on an internet purchase, and some of these will turn out very well, but utilizing the services of an agent may be well worth it if you are buying at auction or in some situation where you cannot actually look at the item. If you are considering the purchase of an especially expensive item, you may wish to invest in the advice of an expert or certification from an expertizing agency, but certificates are only as good as the expert, and even experts are known to miss something. To read more on this topic, see page 258.

Once you begin attending shows again, and we hope that is soon, it is always wise to carry a good lighted magnifier.

The light at shows varies a lot. Sometimes it is more than adequate, but in many cases, you really need an alternative light source to look at any item that you are considering purchasing. The same rule goes for circuits or other material that may come to your home. There, it should be relatively

196 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

A busy show floor at StampShow 2019, Omaha.

easy to examine any proposed acquisition carefully. To learn about “Tools of the Trade,” see page 241.

Certain items may warrant special care before a purchase. Those items are any that are likely to be forged or altered, including overprints, possibly repaired items, color shades that are presumed to be rare, all sorts of subtle damage such as thins or tears, and several other things that can adversely affect the purported value of an item. In “How I Collect,” page 214, several experienced buyers share their mental checklists that they use to assess a stamp’s quality.

If you’re attempting to purchase an item of considerable value (in other words, anything that would really hurt if it turned out to be a forgery or some other problem with the stamp), be sure of the dealer’s return policy before you buy.

Again, this goes back to finding reliable dealers as sources who know the material. This will minimize your chance of making a mistake and make sure that the collection that you have built consists of items that continue to make you happy instead of bringing back bad memories. A well-chosen item is truly a joy that will last as long as you own it, but a mistaken purchase can be a source of sadness or regret. Putting a little extra care into your purchasing practices will pay back tenfold in dividends.

Happy collecting!

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Our Passionate About Philately Team includes...

David Coogle Co-Chairman

Laurence Gibson Co-Chairman

Max Wender Director Client Services

Michael Rogers President Emeritus Michael Rogers, Inc.

Stanley J. Richmond President Emeritus DFK Auctions, LLC

Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions Job opportunities at Kelleher— Philatelists enquire, both full and part time needed

America’s Oldest Philatelic Auction House • Established 1885

22 Shelter Rock Lane • Unit 53 • Danbury, CT 06810 Phone: Toll Free 800.212.2830 • Offices: 203.830.2500

Email: info@kelleherauctions.com

www.kelleherauctions.com

,

Editing Philately

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

BY Gary Wayne Loew Editor-in-Chief of APS Publications gary@stamps.org

·······················•• ◄ APS Official Family

2019–2022

PRESIDENT Robert Zeigler rzeigler@zcklaw.com BOARD OF VICE PRESIDENTS Cheryl Ganz cherylganz@yahoo.com

Welcome to the Stamp Collectors Buyers Guide

Patricia (Trish) Kaufmann trishkauf@comcast.net

Readers of The American Philatelist remind us frequently that they read the magazine for two reasons. They want to learn about different collecting areas and different ways to collect.

And they want to check the advertisements to find stamps or covers to grow their collections.

Since 1887, articles in the AP have delivered insights about thousands of philatelic topics, and ads have provided a pipeline for collectors to connect with dealers.

SECRETARY Stephen Schumann stephen.schumann@att.net

How to build your stamp collection

But one subject has been lacking for too long in our pages: what are the best ways to build a stamp collection? What do the experts recommend when it comes to filling in those albums and stockbooks? Welcome to the Stamp Collectors Buyers Guide Special Issue. If you want to build your collection bigger and better, you will want to read every article this month.

Instead of asking experts to write articles, we took a different approach. Associate editor Susanna Mills and I interviewed a group of the best and brightest names in philately. We delved and probed. We got them talking! And they shared with us both the obvious things that you may have forgotten and the lesser-known tricks of the trade that perhaps you have not heard previously.

How I Collect

We started by speaking with four collectors whose articles you have seen in these pages: John Hotchner, Wayne Youngblood, Carol Bommarito, and Kris McIntosh. Each has their own unique approach to collecting. Reading their stories and following their tips will enable each of us to improve how we collect.

Advancing from intermediate to advanced collecting

Did you know that 54% of APS members self-identify as advanced collectors? Another 42% consider themselves intermediate level collectors. The question that begs to be asked is, how does a collector grow from the intermediate to the advanced level in the hobby? We consulted with two experts who earn their living by helping collectors progress (and purchase). Charles Shreve is famous for the counsel he has provided to such well known philatelists as Bill Gross.

As Director of Siegel International, Charles’ most important role is to build great collections.

Victoria Lajer is Managing Director of Stanley Gibbons. She plays a crucial role in guiding SG’s clients as they progress in the hobby. It will interest you to learn that neither Charles nor

......................................................................... .

CALL FOR WRITERS

The American Philatelist depends on our members, who provide much of the content of this magazine. I’d like to encourage more members to join our roster of philatelic writers for The American Philatelist, Philatelic Literature Review, and stamps.org website. If you have an idea, please send your article idea, an outline and a brief description of what would make it interesting to our audience.

Send your proposal by email to aparticle@stamps.org or mail to The American Philatelist, c/o Article Submission, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823.

For more information about APS writing guidelines, visit aps.buzz/writeap.

198 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Jeff Shapiro dirtyoldcovers@aol.com

TREASURER Bruce Marsden mail@brucemarsden.com DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE Michael Bloom mbloom@sinotech.com Rich Drews richbear427@hotmail.com Peter P. McCann ppm103226706@aol.com Mark Schwartz mark.schwartz1@verizon.net IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Stephen Reinhard sreinhard1@optonline.net STAMP THEFT COMMITTEE Nicholas A. Lombardi P.O. Box 1005 Mountainside, NJ 07092 stamptheft@stamps.org APS INSURANCE PLAN Hugh Wood Inc., 220 Match Factory Place Bellefonte, PA 16823 Toll Free: 888-APS-6494 Phone: 212-509-3777 Fax: 212-509-4906 aps@hughwood.com

ADDRESS CHANGES To change your address online visit stamps.org and log into your My APS account. Or mail your new address information to APS, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823 (Fax: 814-933-6128).

Please try to give us four weeks’ notice. You can also add an e-mail address or website to your APS record.

CONNECT ONLINE [;;) aps_stamps

ll @american.philatelic.society !.iJ @APS_stamps 9 stamps.org/ news !.iJ @Stamplibrary 9 blog .stamplibrary.org ·······················•• ◄

AMERICAN PHILATELIST THE

Each stamp is imperforate all around.

Since 1887 — The Premier Philatelic Magazine in the Nation

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF APS PUBLICATIONS Gary Wayne Loew, ext. 221 • Gary@stamps.org

High $1 denomination is unusual on a US stamp.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Susanna Mills, ext. 207 • smills@stamps.org GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST Chad Cowder, ext. 223 • CCowder@stamps.org

Scarce Imperforate Stamp Sheet is a Hit with Collectors

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The sheet sold out before it was issued. That means it’s scarce and collectors really want it. It’s fun to own something few others can.

Very few were printed – 120,000 is a tiny number for US stamps. Small supply and large demand make this stamp issue especially interesting to collectors in the know.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Scott English, ext. 219 • scott@stamps.org

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Remember, this first-of-its-kind stamp sheet was issued in limited quantities and the Postal Service doesn’t have any more. To serve our collecting friends from our limited supply, we need to set a strict limit of one.

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Own Scarce Imperforate Circus Stamp Sheet

✔ Yes! Send me the scarce mint US Circus stamp sheet. Enclosed is $5. Strict ❏ limit of one sheet. Satisfaction guaranteed.

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP Wendy Masorti, ext 218 • wendy@stamps.org CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Jeff Krantweiss, ext. 216 jkrantweiss@stamps.org GENERAL INFORMATION apsinfo@stamps.org ADDRESS CHANGES & MEMBERSHIP INQUIRIES requests@stamps.org, ext. 201 DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION/YOUTH Cathy Brachbill, ext. 239 cbrachbill@stamps.org DIRECTOR OF EXPERTIZING Ken Martin, ext. 205 kpmartin@stamps.org DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES Scott Tiffney, ext. 246 stiffney@stamps.org DIRECTOR OF SALES Carol Hoffman, ext. 270 stampstore@stamps.org COMMUNITY-GRASSROOTS SPECIALIST Heidi Lauckhardt-Rhoades, ext. 222 heidi@stamps.org SHOWS/EXHIBITIONS, ext. 217 stampshow@stamps.org SHOW TIME LISTINGS showtime@stamps.org

Quick order at MysticAd.com/NI136 Name _____________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________ City/State/ Zip ______________________________________________________________ NY State residents add sales tax.

❏ Check or money order Charge my: ❏ Visa ❏ MasterCard ❏ American Express ❏ Discover Exp. Date___/___

Send coupon with $5 to: Mystic Stamp Company Dept. NI135, 9700 Mill St., Camden, NY 13316-9111

100 Match Factory Place • Bellefonte, PA 16823 814-933-3803 • 814-933-6128 (Fax) STAMPS.ORG • STAMPLIBRARY.ORG

The American Philatelist (ISSN 0003-0473) is published monthly by the American Philatelic Society, Inc., 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823.

Periodicals postage paid at Bellefonte, PA 16823 and at additional mailing office. Price per copy $6.95. Canadian Distribution Agreement Number 40030959.

Opinions expressed in articles in this magazine are those of the writers and are not necessarily endorsed by the society and/or the magazine. The American Philatelist cannot be responsible for the accuracy of any information printed herein.

Postmaster: Send address changes to: The American Philatelist 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823. ©2021, The American Philatelic Society, Inc. MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 199

Keeeher & Rogee, Ltd. Fine Asian Auctions Two Profoundly Serious China Auctions ~ ~~ . » ~/ fhiu~J ,_.5;:J;J/;.,/ll ~Q urho n d PRESENTS TH E T SANG F AMJLY C OLLECTJON OF TH E P EOPLE'S REP UBLJ C OF C HJN A

1 1 MARCH 202 1 DANBURY, CT SALE 32 • PART 2

E

very now and again, a truly special collection from long-ago resurfaces to capture the imagination and rekindle the collecting passions of days gone by. Such is the case of the remarkable “Legend of the Dragon” collection—the first of two K&R China Sales on March 11.

As the name would suggest, the overriding emphasis of this stellar collection is based around the iconic Large Dragon issues of the Ching Dynasty. The collection, which has not seen the light of day in well over a generation, begins with a splendid array of the Large Dragon first issues proper, featuring sheets and blocks of the 1878 thin paper issues—in addition to a multitude of select quality mint sets for the 1878 issue, as well as representation of the 1882 Wide Margin and 1883 thick paper printings.

Not to be outdone, the 1885 and 1888 Second Customs Small Dragon Issues feature wonderful coverage, including panes, dual panes, a superb showing of mint blocks of 4, rare imperforate proofs, in addition to lovely Small Dragon surcharges, which feature numerous sets of blocks of the Small Gibson started Figure issues,Laurence in addition to ina lovely and rare set of blocks of the stamp business 4 of the Large Figureinsurcharges. professionally the early 1980s with Earl P.L. Perhaps the most fascinating portion of the ample Small Apfelbaum. Laurence Dragon section are nearly dozen lots of the elusive became Far the Eastern specialist, and heavilyor “Formosa” issues, which feature “Taiwan Postage Stamp” involved in the Asian multiples, varieties, etc.Laurence Philatelic market. many importantIssues is a specialized section of Followingoversaw the Customs “One Owner” sales and the 1894-1897 Empress Issues including a rare, brokered the famousDowager “Sun” of Red Revenues Large Mother Die Proofs complete setcollection of First Printing for $2.5 million to a collector. Other notable single owner in addition to outstanding Black Second print proofs of collections that Gibson has worked with include The Lois Evans re-drawn designs, exquisite “cigarette” paper proofs, Second Exhibition Collection, The “Knight” Sale of Select Rarities from China, The Fred Freilicher Collection of Hong Kong, The print proofs on white paper, etc. A wonderful study of the Michael Eugene Ruggiero Collection of Classic Japan, The 9caMemorabilia tete-beche pairs areYuen noted, Bruce Lee Collection, The Lee Wong including a lovely block of 4, Collection of China and The Dr. Steven J. Berlin Collection of Karl Lewis Covers. His experience and knowledge in the industry sets him apart in the philatelic market place.

as well as examples of all six types. Impressive surcharges also.

A powerful section of the 1897 Red Revenue issue is included, highlighted by select quality examples of the Small 4c surcharge as well as the $5 value.

Perhaps the most extraordinary portion of this legendary collection lies in the remarkable assembly dedicated to the incomparably diverse and wide ranging 1897-1914 postal history of the Coiling Dragon issues. Within the approximately 110 individual lots, we will find some of the finest sections of Large & Small Dollar Chops, Pa-kua cancels, Sun & Moon chops, Tomb stone cancels and Railway postmarks ever offered in one place. The usages and varieties of this issue, in addition to the enormous range of postmarks, designate these issues as some of the most significant in Chinese postal history.

The second portion of the Kelleher & Rogers lineup (above, right) features issues of the Peoples Republic of China formed by a lady presently residing in New York City. In addition to a fine offering of scarce issues, we often In 1996, David Coogle find duplicated offerings of the ever-popular miniature with Andrew sheets, along with full sheets of select issues, etc. co-founded, Levitt, the Nutmeg Stamp Sales mail auction firm. In The collection was formed contemporaneously to the Manning time of issue, and includes five positional blocks of2004, fourGreg ofthe purchased Nutmeg brand and later merged the H.R. the 1981 Monkey New Year issue, imperforate, marginal and Nutmeg Mei Lan-tang issues, and a choice block of 4 of the Harmer second companies, positioning David as President.

During this Military Stamp issue. period, John Bull Stamp Without any doubt, this K&R fabulous two-part March Auctions (amongst other firms)that were acquired 11 Public Auction is of such pre-eminent importance it by the Manning firm and under the will clearly set the pace for ChinaPhilatelic philately in 2021.

Send for Divisions Management Team which included David. He began calling auctions in Hong Kong for the your free catalog today. newly founded Dynasty Auctions Company, Ltd., with All inquiries for these two saleshisshould directed to Gibson as friend and be business Partner Laurence co-owners and enjoys being an owner Director and Laurence Gibson at Kelleher’s Danbury offices.

stamps@kelleherasia.com • www.kelleherasia.com USA Office: Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions 22 Shelter Rock Ln., Unit 53, Danbury CT 06810 •• T: +1.203.830.2500 F: 203.297.6059

Buy • Sell • Consign

Auctioneer at Kelleher & Rogers, Ltd.

Kelleher’s Presents...

Three Extraordinary March Sales outside cover preview: prints 4 color plus PMS 871 (metallic gold) and gold foil

spine width: TBD

Sale 753

Auction 753

© Copyright 2021

March 2-4, 2021, Danbury, CT

LLC

22 Shelter Rock Lane, Unit 53 Danbury, CT 06810, USA Tel: 203.830.2500 Fax: 203.297.6059 KelleherAuctions.com

Daniel F. KelleherAuctions The Flagship Series llc

Not one, but two huge Flagship Auctions

United States and Possessions, Stamps & Postal History

The Flagship Series

Flagship Sale United States & Possessions Stamps & Postal History Featuring: • Further offerings from the Langs Estate • Allenwood Investment Holdings w/Rarities • Property from 27F. Kelleher Consignors Daniel Auctions America’s Oldest Philatelic Auction House, Established 1885 • Over 1,500 lots

Kelleher Auctions

March 2-4, 2021

Featuring • Further Offerings from The Langs Estate • Allenwood Investment Holdings including Rarities • Property from 27 Consignors

March 2-4, 2021 DANBURY, CT

Auction 753

The Only American Philatelic Auction House with Offices on Three Continents USA • Hong Kong • London

March 16-17, 2021

Historic and Quite Rare Aerophilatelic Postal History

us PMS 871 (metallic gold) and gold foil

spine width: TBD

Sale 754 Aerophilately, Rocket Mail and Astrophilately Presents

Aerophilately, Rocket Mail & Astrophilately Featuring The Johann Strauss & Leo Molz Collections

March 16-17, 2021

• Featuring The Johann Strauss and Leo Malz Collections • Including the inventory of the late Mr. Malz, the only full-time stamp professional dealing exclusively in space-related philatelic material.

Daniel F. KelleherAuctions The Flagship Series A UCT I O N 754

Kelleher Auctions

llc

United States and Possessions, Stamps & Postal History

The Flagship Series

And Near the End of March—A Second Flagship Sale 755 • United States & Possessions, British & Worldwide Stamps and Postal History Features include selections from the following collections: • Allen Fink, Proprietor of Philatex • Allenwood Investment Holdings Leo Malz further offerings including Yemen • William S. Langs Private Stock & Private Holdings • Plus many other consignors’ material

Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions America’s Oldest Philatelic Auction House • Established 1885

March 2-4, 2021, Danbury, CT

The Catalogs of these Auction are available. Please ask for details.

They’re always ONLINE, TOO!

22 Shelter Rock Lane • Unit 53 • Danbury, CT 06810 Phone: 203.830.2500 • Toll Free 800.212.2830 • Fax: +203.297.6059

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Victoria had ever been interviewed on the specific topic of advancing from intermediate to advanced collecting. You are reading it here first, folks!

How to buy safely and at low cost

With stamp shows in stasis for the moment, collectors have been expanding their use of “remote” stamp buying. But without the comfort of meeting your favorite dealers face-toface, there are still uncertainties and dangers in buying online.

Wendy Masorti, former APS Director of Sales, counsels us on internet buying.

The APS was founded in 1886 and one of its first member services was the round-robin sales method using circuit books. Well, Circuit Sales are still going strong 135 years later! Current Director of Sales, Carol Hoffman and Circuit Manager Bill Dixon tell us about this powerful way to build your collection. Similar in many ways to approvals, but with the added safety of dealing through the APS, learn why you should add Circuits to your buying methods.

How to start a new collection

Each of us has arrived at the point where we realize either we have unintentionally embarked upon a new collecting area or we have decided that it is time to start a new collection. We reached out to veteran dealer Jay Smith to get you the best advice about starting a new collection. I regularly read Jay’s weekly newsletter. It is chock-full of helpful advice, including ways to begin a new collection. Jay is also a senior member of the APEX Expert Committee. His advice is sought on many philatelic topics. We bring you his best counsel on starting a new collection.

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Collecting new issues

One of the most popular sections on our stamps.org website is the New Issues pages. We average about 10,500 views per month. New issues collecting is more popular than ever. And the flood of new issues from around the world is relentless. If you wanted to buy one of each stamp newly issued, you would need an annual budget of around $50,000!

But even if your new issue collecting is not that ambitious, it is still a major challenge to learn about pending new issues and then to find where to buy them. We asked two veterans of the new issues wars to share their secrets with you. Bill Silvester has written the “New World Issues” column in The American Philatelist since February 2020, and John Stefanek sources new issues for APS affiliate and ATA study unit Gay and Lesbian History on Stamps.

Albums and supplies

Every collector faces the challenge of picking the right album for their individual, unique approach to collecting. There is no one right answer, of course. But there are many paths you might best avoid. We went to two of the most experienced executives in the business and got the scoop on smart decision making. You of course will know Jay Bigalke, the former editor of the AP. Jay is now Editor-in-Chief of both the Scott Catalogs and Linn’s. He knows a thing or three about stamp albums. As does Paul Bartolomei of Palo Albums. You might remember that the polybagged January AP was accompanied

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202 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

23-10-20 15:06:37

Why Sell Your Stamp Collection to Dr. Bob Friedman?

Because we are the nation's largest buyer and seller of ~ ---~ stamp collections! And have been for over 35 years.

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"Without any reservation... " "Although I have never had the good fortune to meet you in person, I have purchased many stamps from you over the past two decades. Last month, I chose you to take over my holdings, because you have proven to me time and time again that you are a professional, fair, honest, and trustworthy person. Without any reservation, I strongly recommend to those who wish to sell their collections that they do business with you. " Peter Wolf, PhD Kirklancl, Washington

And we are always available to immediately come to you.

Dr. Bob can travel to you from either of our two locations- the Chicago area and Southeastern Florida. Call us•

Deal with a family owned and operated business. While many collectors are anxious about selling their collection, selling a collection to us is generally a very pleasant experience.

We always offer to purchase EVERYTHING of value in your collection

Do you wish an immediate response?

If you have a substantial collection, you may ship it to us at our expense. After you call us, we can provide you boxes, tape and prepaid labels-and have UPS pick up right in your living room. We will call you within 48 hours with our cash offer. Immediate payment is always made by cashier's check or personal check, whichever you prefer.

and will pay you the highest possible price for your collection.

We can afford to pay a very proper price as we have $5,000,000 available for the purchase of collections.

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by the complete Palo catalog. I hope you retained it as an example of the types of albums available in the marketplace. Between these two pros, we offer you an insider’s view of procuring albums just right for you.

Dealer relationships

In philately, nothing is more valuable than having trusted relationships with stamp dealers. The best dealers offer you the stamps you are interested in collecting, in good condition, and at fair prices. Such dealers stand behind their merchandise and help you find those difficult-to-obtain items.

But, with so many dealers out there, just how does a collector identify the right dealers for them? We turned to two of the best in the business. Stanley Piller is a trusted dealer and counselor to many of the great specialists in U.S. classic stamps. He may not have purchased his inventory of 1847s direct from the post office, but many of them are post-officefresh! Liliana Rosende of Champion Stamp offers a very different perspective on stamp dealing. Champion is the last remaining street-level stamp dealer in New York City. Champion’s success where all others have faded offers lessons for both collectors and dealers. Of course, dealers have to nurture relationships with their clients. But trusted relationships are a two-way street. Learn how to establish and grow lasting relationships with your network of dealers. Your stamp collection will thank you!

And, in other news…

Last May, Dick Colberg contributed an important and very widely-read article, “Appraising a Stamp Collection.”

Since then, tax reform has changed things up a bit. Dick came to the rescue with a very timely update, “Appraising a Stamp Collection – A Follow-Up” that is a must read for many folks with high-value collections.

Speaking of taxes, Ron Lesher returns for his semimonthly sojourn in the world of revenues. “Guaranteeing the Proper Tax Will Be Paid” offers a beautifully illustrated treatment of some creative taxation in action.

Finally, several months ago, I mentioned in this column that the AP would begin peer reviewing some of our content.

We have passed some of the more technical articles that you read to additional experts for their vetting. The process has worked well, and this more rigorous editing has resulted in stronger articles. I normally would not call this to your attention. This month, however, I want to bring that topic to the forefront for a moment. I wrote a book review that has some very critical observations. I do not take book reviewing lightly. My job is to bring good books to your attention, as well as help you avoid certain others. In this case, the book was a very specialized catalog. I reached out to experts and dealers in the field and asked them to critique my review. The result, I believe, should give you comfort that we have done our homework before offering you our recommendations.

204 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

A coordinated approach to delivering the best content to APS members

We were graced with so much valuable material that we could have added an extra 40 pages to the magazine. Since we could not quite manage that, we came up with a great solution. Beginning with this issue, we will be carefully coordinating the AP’s content with our APS digital content colleagues. The buyers guide topics included in this issue represent a distillation of many hours of interviews. Far too much had to be omitted. So, you can expect to see supplemental material introduced on the website throughout the month of March. Make sure you read the weekly APS Newsletter for links to this bonus content. There is even more to learn, and we will be sending it your way!

Take our readers’ survey!

I have been told that readers of The American Philatelist often turn first to the Letters to the Editor section. That is probably for the same reason that I open those emails as soon as I get them: I am always interested in learning what other APS members have to say. It is, of course, important to me as editor. But, beyond that, I find that our membership has many opinions and recommendations. Even before I became editor, I learned from my fellow members.

Reader feedback is crucial if we are to continue offering the content that you want. Beginning with the January issue we provided readers with the opportunity to take a brief survey and let us know how we are doing. Over 150 readers responded to the January survey. To find the survey for the most recent issue of the AP, go to https://stamps.org/the-americanphilatelist and look for the “American Philatelist Readers Survey.” Your input will be both helpful and greatly appreciated. *** Please keep your feedback coming and share your views.

Remember: if you wish to see a perpetually-improving American Philatelist, you – our readers and APS members – must become a part of this exciting journey. Reach out to me with your questions, concerns, and suggestions. More importantly, volunteer to participate. If you want to write for the AP, send a note to AParticle@stamps.org. This is your American Philatelist. My email is Gary@stamps.org.

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Letters to the Editor

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• lettertotheeditor@stamps.org

Postal Cancel culture

I read with interest the two letters in the January issue which complained about uncancelled stamps. One person pointed out that he got about 16% that were uncancelled. I seem to get about the same from all over the US. But the main reason I am writing is that in 2020 we got literally dozens and dozens of often large envelopes stuffed with several pages of pleas for donations.

R In the three examples I attached, the sender (some political candi--~~ .;:.:. ._ , date or organization) paid 5 cents, 10 cents and 10 cents respectively for letters double or triple weight that should cost 55 cents or more. No wonder the USPS is going broke oved the ~ .gsL they are handling millions of these per year almost free of charge! And one other complaint. Why is it that USPS handles (delivers) FedEx mails? They are a private company - why is the USPS doing work for them at our expense? Does FedEx pay USPS for this service?

Can anyone address these issues? Thanks for airing my complaints.

Lawrence R. Mead Ph.D. Rochester Hills, MI [Editor’s note: FedEx does pay the USPS for last mile deliveries, as do other private delivery companies.]

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.....

Postal Cancel counter-culture

I just received my February issue of The American Philatelist, thank you very much.

On reading the Letters To The Editor section, I came across a letter with the heading, “A plea to cancel stamps.” In response to this letter, I am writing to say that I worked for the USPS for over 42 years, at two different Denver, CO, main mail processing centers, from 12-5-1970, thru 12-31-2012. I last worked at a second facility, built later to replace an older one where I first started. I worked at both, as a mail handler, the last 35+ years of my Postal career, in the letter facing, canceling and sorting department.

During that time, I trained on, ran, and later was an instructor on six generations of these types of machines, including the ones still being used. The letter writer suggested that the

____j

206 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Postmaster General order all present such machines to either be changed or replaced, in order to cancel letters with excessive stamps, with a larger cancellations, on “average #10 envelopes”, in order to cover more stamps missed by the present machines.

Having over 36 years of experience working these machines, I can say with authority that to try to change the current machines would be cost-prohibitive, as would replacing them with new machines. Just to change the current machines would require a massive rebuild, due to the fact that the cancellation dies and associated machinery used in the present machines would have to be replaced with all-new parts, larger dies and many other mechanical parts to support them. And new machines would be very expensive, and also not practical.

Particularly at this time of an ongoing virus pandemic, and the resulting shortage of Postal personnel at many offices, not to mention the ongoing waning of letter-mail volume (due in part to email, etc.). I was also a tour-guide at the last facility, and I always tried to instill into my tour groups, the very real necessity of correctly addressing envelopes, attaching proper postage (and in the correct position), and securely sealing the envelopes before mailing. Evidently, the letter writer has little knowledge of all the proper steps that need to be taken by the public, and then by the various mail processing facilities, to get a letter (or any mail, for that matter), “from here to there”.

My suggestion to cure the problem of stamp “skips”, as mentioned in the letter, is for the carriers, when working with the letters, if they should see a stamp or stamps missing cancellations, to simply use a hand-stamp at their cases to cancel those missed by the high-speed machines. The last I knew, hand-stamps were still provided by the USPS. As a former Postal worker, I know how important it is for a stamp or stamps to be cancelled, so as not to be used for more than one delivery.

There are those who do this, not realizing how it hurts the P.O., and also the public, by possibly causing rising postage rates, as a result. The more one can do to help the P.O., the more it can do for you, contrary to some beliefs. I know, I’ve been there.

Dave Bosley Denver, CO

____j

Postal Cancel fun culture

Fun cover [shown in February 2021 Letters to the Editor, “A plea to cancel, not clobber”]! Seems to me there was no place to put the label! As a philatelic curiosity it’s a great modern piece. I would keep it with the label being proof of actual postal use in lieu of cancels. Subway sends out lots of mail every day so don’t blame the poor overworked clerk for not remembering to cancel the stamps.

Rob Friedman Brooklyn, NY

About using postage stamps

I am truly surprised to see this particular plea to use stamps [February 2021, Letters to the Editor, “A plea to use stamps”].

Current USPS regulations for sending packages (https://www.usps.com/ship/packages.htm) cites this: “If your package is more than one-half inch thick or weighs more than 10 oz and you’re using postage stamps, you must take it to a Post Office retail counter to send it. You may also use the Post Office Self-Service Kiosk to buy stamps and drop your package in the lobby package slot.

“NOTE: If you put a large package in your mailbox for pickup service, the carrier will leave it. If you drop it in a blue collection box or Post Office lobby mail slot, it will be returned to you.”

The package in the photo with Mr Pauly’s plea is more than two and a half pounds, so if the sender were to affix stamps they’d have to take it to a post office to send it. There are plenty of reasons why someone wouldn’t have time to go to their local post office, but to ask someone to do this during a pandemic is probably unreasonable. In my own case, I go to the post office every few weeks, so if I were to use stamps on such a package it wouldn’t be *mailed* to you for a few weeks. If I print a label with postage, then it will go out with the next day’s mail.

I always appreciate when someone can use stamps; just two days ago I received a letter from Germany covered with stamps, and this made my morning. If the sender has to use a printed label I can understand the reasons why. I would hope you can be a bit understanding as well.

Henry Mensch Syracuse, NY

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Philatelic Cancel culture

The [January 2021 “President’s Column”] was very interesting. I started at a young age (about 9) to collect the world.

In 1957 I was sent to boarding school in New York in which there was a Stamp Club.

The first thing the Club mentor said was that it was practically impossible to complete a world collection and one should choose a few countries at the most. From then on, I collected U.S. and U.N. stamps. Then in the 1970’s I discovered Puerto Rico and its postal history. I sold what I had and have only collected Puerto Rico ever since. It’s a never ending task. From the pre-stamp period to the final days of Spanish domination there are a myriad themes or items to collect. I have over 7000 stamps mounted in my albums. And we are still finding postal rules and regulations which had been lost after the war in addition to unknown cancellations.

The collecting of cancellations on the stamps is one of the

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most interesting aspects regarding a Puerto Rico collection.

Regarding covers, starting at the pre-stamp period at the end of the 1700’s all the way to the 1898 blockade the history is never ending. The ship letter era to the states with the long letters is a novella to be written.

So, collecting one country has been the best thing that ever happened to me.

Byron Mitchell Arecibo, Puerto Rico

___j

Grateful new member

I joyfully received my January 2021 issue of The American Philatelist, not least because my name was included in your membership report as one of your newest recruits. I discovered my love of all things philatelic, like many others, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reaching out on Facebook to my local stamp club, I asked how I might begin to learn more about the hobby. Within minutes, I received an enthusiastic reply, and a few days later a gift of stamp albums, books, and magazines was delivered to my front door (including this one, which resulted in my joining the APS!) There were also plenty of cancelled stamps with which to begin my journey. What a gift! I have since joined the American Topical Association and the First Day Cover Society, and I continue to be inspired to develop my own philatelic interests. I am appreciative of my local club and the community of stamp collectors who have embraced technology, especially at a time when meeting in person isn’t possible. Throughout the pandemic, philately has kept me intrigued, calm, and connected, amidst all the drama 2020 had to offer. I’m grateful.

Michael Vollbrecht Lawrence, Kansas

___j

A Philatelic Quest for Everywhere

First, I want to thank John Seidl for writing “A Philatelic Quest for Everywhere,” published in the January 2021 issues of The American Philatelist. Sixty some years ago, I set out to acquire a stamp to fill every space in a small H.E. Harris worldwide album, mowing lawns and delivering papers to try to buy more than just a few of the tempting glassine envelopes that regularly arrived by mail on approval.

So a few days ago, I was delighted to learn from John Seidl’s article of the existence of the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum publication, “A Stamp for Every Country Album.” I downloaded a copy, printed all the pages on some

Erratum JANUARY Page 50. The caption mentions the date stamp of the Hale-Bopp cover, which should read 1997, not 1995.

208 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

good acid-free card stock, and went to work trying to find one stamp from every country ever — a perfect COVID Pandemic Project while hunkering down at home. I’m filling a lot of spaces which is the main goal, but along the way, I am learning and relearning a lot of world history because stamp catalogs and Wikipedia searches are necessary to really get some of the oldest and newest stamps in the right places.

I also want to thank the Smithsonian National Postal Museum and the editors of this album for all their work.

Their 2013 snapshot of the philatelic world made the complex task very manageable. While I have not finished yet, I think I have found a couple of errors in the Smithsonian’s publication.

1. On page 35, under Germany, the entry “Saar German Administration 1957-59” appears in two places on that page.

The second one is the error, and should be “Saar League of Nations Administration, 1920-34.” (That reference is correctly included on page 128 with a variety of other post war/ conflict International Organization interim administrators.)

2. The second error is much harder to describe because it involves Russian/Soviet Union history, but I think it really may just be an album design error in the transition between Romania and Russia on pages 19 and 20. In short, I think Romania grabbed some serious page territory from Russia on page 19. Uh-oh.

Another discovery I made was that if the Smithsonian editors had asked my preferences based on my collection, I would have picked very different examples for their list of “selected” offices abroad and occupying entities. Obviously, I could have filled more blank spaces had they used my list, but hey, I’ll play by the rules. And, of course, I now wish I

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We encourage readers to send their comments, questions and feedback to The American Philatelist.

Submission of a letter implies consent to publish, unless specifically prohibited by the sender. The decision of whether to publish is made by the editorial staff of The American Philatelist.

Generally, letters will be published unless determined to be offensive, disrespectful, libelous, slanderous or not chiefly related to the stamp hobby.

The opinions expressed in a Letter to the Editor are those of the author and not The American Philatelist.

We do not publish or accept requests for the publication of anonymous letters.

To allow more Letters to the Editor, you are respectfully requested to limit submissions to 500 words or less. If your submission is longer, the editorial team will ask you to resubmit a shorter version, or provide you a copy of an edited version to review prior to publication.

Submit your letters to letterstotheeditor@stamps. org or mail a typewritten copy to: Letter to the Editor, The American Philatelist, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823.

Author’s Inquiry ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• If you are a philatelic author seeking assistance with your research, drop us an email (LetterToTheEditor@stamps.org). Include “Author’s Inquiry” in the subject line. Please keep your message to under 100 words. These will be published on a space-available basis and at the discretion of the editorial department.

City Directories My question relates to Charles DiComo’s article [“A Noteworthy Precancel on Lancaster Watch Company’s Advertising Covers,” February 2021]. He mentions City Directories. Perhaps there is an APS member who can help me. I am doing genealogy research to track my ancestors. I am interested in the timeline for the publication of these directories.

1) I presume that these directories would be distributed around January 1st of the new year.

2) There must be some time allotted for the typesetting and printing of these directories. They are quite large. For example, the Paterson NJ directory

is over 1000 pages long. Prior to that there must be canvassers that go around and knock on every door to get the names and occupations of the people residing in all of the homes and also somebody must go around and solicit businesses to advertise.

3) I have found two examples in my ancestry that suggests the canvassing must be occurring in the late summer and early fall. My grandfather left the employ of the Erie Railroad on September 4, 1912 according to a letter of recommendation that he saved. Yet in the 1913 city directory he was listed as an employee of the Erie Railroad.

4) This leads me to believe that the canvassing must have occurred in the late summer for the following year’s directory. So the City Directory information is valuable to track ancestors, one must realize that the information likely refers to the previous year.

I have contacted several librarians where I have done some research. None seem to know the timeline that the City Directories had for acquiring the data and even when the directory would be issued.

Are there any APS members who have some knowledge of the publication process?

Edwin Upton, eupton31@gmail.com

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had long ago developed a pen pal in one or all the Indian Feudatory States. I’ve got a lot of pristine blank pages staring back at me now.

Finally, in continuing praise for the January 2021 issue, “The Allure of AMG Collecting” article by Richard Pederson is a perfect piece to snip out and put in the Smithsonian Every Country Album at page 124.5. An occasional deep dive is fun after a lot of skimming the surface. Thanks to everyone involved for giving me something useful, interesting, and educational to do while awaiting my second vaccine injection.

James Schultz Grand Rapids, MI

Postage Stamp art

I just read an 8-year-old article, “Postage Stamp Collage Art,” in The American Philatelist. At the end, it mentioned contributing images of such art to your library, so here is a shot of my two decorated wastebaskets.

I started collecting U.S. stamps and first-day-covers when I was 10 years old, but quit when I was 14. Then, a few years ago, when I was in my late 60s, I became a collector of Indiana airmail covers and vintage Indiana postcards. Until my mid-60s, I was as a black-and-white film photographer. Because I have no color film, the attached image was captured with a simple point-andshoot camera.

As most of your readers are aware, many philatelists like sending mail using several, older, low-denomination stamps, rather than affixing a single stamp of the correct denomination. I had a growing pile such covers that I’d received, and finally decided to soak off the stamps and put them to use. Thus, the wastebaskets. Because I do some bookbinding by hand, I used a bookbinding glue, Jade 403, to adhere the stamps to the plastic wastebaskets. It is basically a high-quality PVA glue, so a standard white glue would also work well. Once the wastebaskets were covered, I used a small roller to protect the stamps with a coat of a product called Mod-Podge. It too is very similar to a standard PVA white glue and is used by hobbyists for coating decoupage pieces.

John Bower Bloomington, Indiana

*** Editor’s note: A great deal of noise in political circles revolves around “cancel culture.” For some reason, much of this month’s mail had to do with some aspect of canceling. What most folks fail to realize is that philatelists invented cancel culture. We call it marcophily!

210 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Full color scans of offered stamps and covers.

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Don’t Just Be a Sale, Be a Customer

P

art of my learning the world of philately was sitting down at dealer booths. At a busy show, you can’t just take a chair; you should be a customer. We’ve all done it: digging through the material, setting items aside, and debating on whether to buy it then or come back. I also made small talk with the dealers and customers to learn about the hobby and the APS, and get to know the people. I have boxes of material in my office representing each stop, each dealer, and the education attached to it.

Not long after I joined the APS, I attended Chicagopex, a World Series of Philately show held every November by the Chicago Philatelic Society. I remember the show because they had one of the heaviest snowfalls that year, and traffic was light. I sat down at a booth, and the dealer was giving me his view of the hobby while I dug through covers. We were interrupted by a customer, who seemed a little lost. He’d admitted he hadn’t been collecting long and told the dealer what he was collecting.

The dealer invited him to sit down. With a light crowd, the dealer took an interest. He showed him items he thought were in his price range and asked about his library. Since I was sitting there, he introduced me and recommended the gentleman join the APS. By the time the customer left, he had a list of books, an APS application, and several new acquisitions. The dealer looked at me very seriously and said, “You can make a sale, or you can make a customer.” As time went on, I learned the dealer was not just a dealer but a very successful one. He was also a writer and researcher, and has volunteered countless hours to be an instructor and mentor.

He also gave me a different way to look at dealers.

APS Dealer James Taff at StampShow 2019 in Omaha.

212 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

APS Dealer Representative Eric Jackson shares his expertise at Summer Seminar 2019.

Often, we think of dealers as trying merely to sell us what we want, and they are happy to oblige. In most cases, dealers are also knowledgeable philatelists who can be an excellent resource for collectors of all levels. They have seen more than their fair share of stamps, participate in auctions worldwide, serve as experts, teach courses, and so much more. It takes time to build a relationship with a dealer, but you’re able to grow in the hobby as you do. Not just because they can sell you stamps or covers, but because they will help you gain more significant knowledge about the collection you’re building.

In this issue, we dedicate numerous articles to resources in the hobby. They are all great reads that will, hopefully, give you better tools for collecting. On other pages, you will see advertisements from many auction houses and dealers.

These ads are important for two reasons: 1. They help us deliver an excellent monthly journal to you at the same membership cost since 2008, and 2. They want to be a resource for your collecting.

Remember, every time you read The American Philatelist, there’s good content between the articles, too.

As you read through this issue, here’s a challenge. Find an advertiser you’ve never done business with before and look for something to add to your collection. You’ll find all of them are knowledgeable, helpful, and, of course, willing to sell you material. Each of them is not just looking to get a sale; they’re looking to get a customer.

Let me know how it goes. You can always reach me at scott@stamps.org or through the mail (I will write back).

Happy hunting!

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#704. 1932 1/2¢ Olive Brown Washington Bicentennial, with a PSE Certificate Grading this a Gem 100 Mint OGnh. Our List Price $700 Special Ad Price $625

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UX31. 1920 “1 CENT” on 2 Cents Red on Cream, Die II Postal Card, Washington, D.C. Cancelling Machine Surcharge, Unused, Very Fine, One of the Rarest of Postal Card Issues and a Key for Completion in this Popular Collecting Area, with a 2006 PF Certificate.

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MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 213

Stamp Collectors

BUYERS

GUIDE How I Collect with WAYNE YOUNGBLOOD, CAROL BOMMARITO,

“S

JOHN HOTCHNER and KRIS MCINTOSH

tamp collecting is a hobby that’s best passed hand to hand, person to person. It can be very difficult for a collector to simply decide, “I’m going to be a stamp collector,” go out and buy an album and a catalog, and then start buying stamps.

The best way to get involved, to stay involved, and to continue to learn is through a mentor.” – John Hotchner To kick off the Buyers Guide to building a stamp collection, the APS has taken John Hotchner’s advice to heart, and found four experienced collectors to act as mentors to you, the readers of The American Philatelist.

What follows is a series of advice – from lived experience – from collectors who have navigated the murky waters of building their own collections. Their successes and misfortunes are now yours to learn from. Meet Wayne Youngblood, Carol Bommarito, John Hotchner, and Kris McIntosh.

214 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

I’m a lifelong collector. I started out at six or seven years old. My dad collected coins primarily, and I collected with him. But he wisely decided that stamps might be a good thing for me, so he started bringing home stamps from the Los Alamos scientific laboratory where he worked. They got things in from all over the world. That got me hooked early on the worldwide nature of it. And from then on, I was just fanatical about stamps.

Unlike most people who started as a kid, I never gave it up. Even in my teenage years, going through college, and raising a young family, I was always trying to find ways to continue to collect even if I didn’t have the resources. It provided me an escape, solace at times, as well as a great joy. Over the years, I’ve collected everything. For many, many years, my biggest joy was sorting through Kiloware, soaking and sorting. Then I became much more interested in postal history. Eventually, as I learned more about printing, I was drawn to errors, freaks, and oddities.

Once I entered the hobby professionally, my interests continued to explode, and I tell people now, I maintain a number of different collections, but when asked what I collect, my usual answer is that I’ll col-

lect whatever I can get a good story from.

What are the collections that you are adding to?

The collection that I work on the most is my collection for my exhibit of Los Alamos material, the Drop Box covers in World War II. I often tell people that I contributed to making these extremely rare, because when my dad brought home mail from coworkers, I was soaking off the 6 cent transports. I destroyed many very good covers.

I work seriously on what I call a Wayne’s Chamber of Philatelic Horrors. These are stamps and other philatelic items that have been egregiously destroyed or harmed, either through mishandling or through trying to make something into what it isn’t.

It’s a little bit of a tongue-in-cheek collection, but it’s something that I pursue very aggressively. For example, my Scott No. 2, with four very, very large margins, except this one is missing two whole corner, or my mint never-hinged 50¢ Trans-Mississippi that is in three pieces because of the gum cracking. I also continue to work on my Captain Tim collection. I have a historical collection of everything from mail to gadgets to you name it. Aside from that, I continue to add to my EFO collection, unusual auxiliary markings, and topicals.

Meet Our Collectors

Wayne Youngblood:

Carol Bommarito: My history with philately is different than most.

First of all, I’m a woman, and I know times are changing, but it’s been a heavily male-oriented hobby. It’s common to hear that male collectors start out as young boys and put stamps in their albums, and then they get older... Well, as my late husband [Harvey Mirsky] said, he collected and then in high school he discovered girls and stopped collecting. He came back to it when he retired. That seems to be a pattern with a lot of philatelists. My story is much different because I didn’t collect anything as a child, and I had no interest in stamps. When Harvey went back to collecting, I was a supportive spouse and went to shows with him.

After Harvey died, I decided to sell his collection at auction. I also decided that I wanted to be in the hobby - and it is because of Harvey that I’m in the hobby today. I didn’t want to give up going to the shows and seeing our friends. It was really as much about the people as about the material. I took the

money I got from the auction, and just went and bought what I liked... I didn’t know much about what I was doing.

What is in your collection?

I knew I wanted to collect something with stamps because I wanted color and I wanted design, because I come from a design background. I wanted postal history because I wasn’t technical enough to just study the stamp. I liked the history. So those interests narrowed it down.

I decided I would collect transatlantic mail, because I thought it was romantic. That is strictly the only reason. Sailing ships, immigration - it seemed very adventuresome and glamorous. No location was off-limits, I was interested in anything coming to or from the United States. As for specifics, I only collect adhesive stamped material. So that gave me the year to start, 1840. I have a beautiful cover with a penny black, one of two coming to the United States and that always starts my exhibit. And then I decided that I would end my collection with the UPU, in 1875, because that’s when everything got standardized and you have end somewhere.

MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 215

Meet Our Collectors

John Hotchner: My father was a serious collector, and I began collecting his stamps at the age of five. Unbeknownst to him, I found where he kept his boxes of duplicates and I helped myself. That lasted for about six months before my mother discovered my stash, and I then did not collect again until I was about 11. We were on a ship on our way to India where my father had been assigned by the U.S. government, and he bought me a package of 5000 worldwide stamps and told me to occupy myself on the crossing of the Atlantic. I spent the better part of seven days learning what things like CCCP meant and sorting stamps into countries.

I loved it and decided right then and there that I was going to be a stamp collector for life. And that’s turned out to be the case.

What does collecting look like for you today?

It’s a mélange. I collect about 20 different countries in what I call album collections, where I just fill the blanks. These are countries that have personal connections to me – places where I worked, where my wife is from, that sort of thing. I also am a serious exhibitor. Since I retired nearly 10 years ago, I have been working on a whole range of new exhibits and gathering material for them even if they’re not ready to exhibit - the 50¢ Transpacific airmail, international

usages thereof and the rates that were paid, Korean War postal history, especially POW mail and foreign military contingents, U.S. auxiliary markings, repairs and rejection marks at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing from 1917 to 2003. I also collect U.S. postal counterfeits, which are a fascinating area and fairly specialized material, but there’s material out there to buy; it’s hard to find, but I enjoy looking.

I had written about U.S. postal counterfeits [fake stamps produced with the object of taking money from the U.S. postal service]. I got two particular letters in response to my article on that subject.

One was from Rich Drews, and he said, “I've got a small collection of these, too. We ought to compare notes.” The other was from Joann Lenz, who said something similar, so the three of us got together by mail, compared our collections, noted that we each had things the other didn't... Together, we had maybe 85% of the known material, so we formed a noncompetitive exhibit and showed it together as a Court of Honor exhibit. Surprisingly, Scott Publications came to us and said that they'd like to add U.S. postal counterfeits to the Scott Specialized catalog.

And so our three collections together form the basis of what in 2013 debuted as that Scott Specialized section. Meanwhile, Joann and I were scouring dealers, Rich was a dealer at the time, and we kept coming up with new material, mostly things that we didn't have - full sheets of counterfeits, postal uses of counterfeits - and our exhibit, which started off as two frames, ended up as five.

Kris McIntosh: I’m a retired U.S. history high school teacher, and I always took historical summer vacations. In 1998, I was in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and went to the battlefields.

I was looking for something to show to my classroom, so I went to antique stores and found an envelope that was postmarked in Gettysburg on November 19, 1948, making it the 85th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. I bought the envelope and began to show it during the Civil War unit at school. In 2008, 10 years later, I was mentoring new teachers who did not know how to start a lesson. I always believed in using images in my classroom, so with that cover as an example, I started investigating the stamp, the postmark and the artwork, and that brought me to first day covers. I used that cover to teach teachers how to start a lesson using an envelope, where the students would collect the facts from the image, make generalizations, compare and contrast.

216 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

From that lesson, I started collecting other first day covers that I could use to write lessons. By the time I was done, I had put together 120 lessons, two CDs, and several professional presentations to school districts about using first day covers to teach.

In the meantime, I went to my first stamp show, TEXPEX 2009, and sat down at a 1 dollar first day cover dealer’s table where I started buying as many covers as I could find that I knew were going to help teachers teach U.S. history in the state of Texas.

Paul Benson, the president of the local chapter of the American First Day Cover Society, sat next to me that first time. He taught me all about postmarks and cancellations, and he talked to me about the cachet makers Artmaster and Artcraft. I started collecting women in U.S. history, then began specializing in the 1936 Susan B. Anthony and 1948 Progress of Women stamps. I have quite a few Eleanor Roosevelts. Finally, I started putting more of my money into the 1936 Susan B. Anthony memorabilia as well as the first day covers. It wasn’t until 2015 that I stepped out and did my first exhibit at TEXPEX.

Buying Styles _ Choosing a “Venue” and Method that Works For You

Auctions Wayne: If you have multiple interests or if you want to get a jump start on a new collection, buying something at auction is a good idea. Of course, I’m also a stamp dealer. So I do buy full collections at this point, I buy very large lots. But there is a lot to be said for looking through the collection sections at auctions. I love treasure hunting. If I can go in and I can buy a four-box lot of covers and find a dozen things that I really like, and then either move the rest back through the auction or sell them, then great. I’m a huge fan of going through large groups of material because it really is just a lot of fun just going through stamps and covers.

Carol: When I first began, I received auction catalogs in the mail and read them, circling things and turning the corners down on pages. Then I got in touch with [auction agent] Frank Mandel, and I gave him the list and said “This is what I’m interested in. Tell me if it makes sense and how much it’s worth, so I can safely bid on this.” And he would give me advice. Auctions were the main way I got material because of the quality of my material.

Clubs John: If collectors are not a member of their local stamp club, they ought to be, because the local stamp club is a wonderful location for buying and trading with fellow members and with dealers who come to the local club’s shows. That would be my first recommendation, and I have used this method myself over and over and over again. Most local clubs have buy/sell methods that they use. Some trade books, or the members sell by putting sheets into sales books, or the club receives APS sales circuits - also a very good method of filling in blanks that I’ve used for my album collections.

Dealers John: You can work with dealers at shows, by mail, or through price lists. The key to that is letting the dealer know what you want. There are probably a dozen dealers out there who deal in areas that I’m interested in, who know exactly what I’m after. Not a week passes that I don’t hear some offer from a dealer saying, “I’ve got this... Are you interested?”

I have met most of the dealers that I work with at shows, and I buy material at their table. I’ll then give them either a card or a list of things I’m looking for. I look for dealers who have the material I’m after, dealers who have what I consider to be fair prices. As I talked to other collectors, I heard about dealers with good reputations for honesty, dealers who are associate members of societies that I’m involved with, those kind of people.

"When asked what I collect, my answer is that I’ll collect whatever I can get a good story from."

-Wayne Youngblood Often, our relationships have become personal, beyond philately, although philately is the base. Of course, the key with dealers is that you buy something. If all the customer wants to do is talk politics, the dealer really doesn’t have time for that. They are trying to make a living, and so sometimes I will buy material that I don’t truly need, because I look at them as a thank you and continuation of that relationship. The dealer worked for me, they went out and tried to find something that I was after.

Kris: My dealers know I collect the 1936 Susan B. Anthony and the 1948 Progress of Women. For instance, when Eldon Mohler’s collection of the Susan B. Anthony 1936 went up to auction, I had missed it.

But [dealer] Doug Weisz contacted me and said, “Did you get any of the items in the auction?” He sent me a digital copy of the catalog and said, “Write to them and see what didn’t sell and what you could buy.” I ended up with five or six of the covers that didn’t sell. And then he said, “I have some more that didn’t go to auction.

Would you like to see them first?” So he sent me a box to go through and choose which ones I wanted. I was able to create a whole new frame in my exhibit because of those hand-painted, seldom seen, one of a kind first day covers.

Wayne: I don’t have want lists per se, because mostly I don’t know what I’m going to find until I find it, because I’m in pursuit usually of either things that are extremely scarce or unknown, or sometimes just the serendipity of finding something absolutely wonderful.

MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 217

From John Hotchner's collection, one of three surviving pieces of mail from the Unabomber's 1979 mail bomb, American Airlines flight 444.

Collecting Postal History As you grew as a collector, you migrated from confining your collecting to stamps, to going into postal history.

What is that transition into cover collecting like? Why would a collector do that?

When you’re collecting stamps, virtually every copy of Scott 4-12 is going to be pretty much the same thing, and unless you veer off into collecting errors or plate numbers or whatever else, you might eventually want something with a little more challenge to it. I found that challenge with covers. Every cover is different - the markings, the cancellations, the addressee. U.S. auxiliary markings interested me particularly, because what I found when I looked at the covers was a story on each about how the mail is being handled. One cover was in a plane crash, another couldn’t be delivered because there was no such town in a particular state. One was thrown into a collection box and somebody else threw a firecracker into it. Eventually, that became an exhibit of the first 50 years of the 20th century, showing the ways that mail could be delayed (see above).

Simply the usage of particular stamps can make a cover fascinating. If you go out today and find a $5 Prexie, you will pay a few dollars for it. But if you find one on a cover, it’s worth thousands. If you educate yourself on what has value in cover collecting and buy carefully, you can potentially add a great deal more value to your collection than by careful buying of stamps.

218 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Buying in Bulk John: Buying in bulk, whether collections or covers, is always less expensive than buying individual items, and you never know what you’re going to find. For example, among my collections are, for instance, socked on-the nose cancels, gutter snipes, mis-registered colors, all things that will lie unappreciated in collections.

If you buy a collection that has that kind of material, it can be worth far more than you’ve paid for it. It’s a fast way to sell, and oftentimes, heirs are interested in selling quickly, so there are bargains to be had.

In person vs. Online Wayne: The single biggest division in buying venues that I draw is in-person versus online or from a price list. If it’s in-person, either at a show, in a store or some other place where you actually have face-to-face contact with the dealer and the material, those instances give you not only an opportunity to examine material much more closely and more effectively, but also allow you the opportunity to find things that you didn’t know you were looking for.

People vary widely in terms of their attitude towards buying online, especially HipStamp and eBay, as a legitimate venue, because for many years, it really was the “Wild West,” as a lot of people want to call it. One thing that I look for is whether the seller is either a member of ASDA or NSDA or is an APS dealer. There are many other people who sell online who are perfectly honorable and honest and who aren’t members of any

"It’s not so much a matter of having physical tools, it’s a matter of developing your sense of what it is you’re looking for, what its values are likely to be, how condition will affect those values, and whether you’re willing to pay the asking price."

of these, or even members of organizations. And at the same time, there is a lot of garbage out there, so a certain amount of common sense and reasonable research on the collector’s part is necessary. eBay has gotten tighter and tighter on this, so there is a much lower risk than there ever has been before.

Finding Specific Material Wayne: Much online buying, whether it’s on eBay, HipStamp or any other website, is particularly good for someone searching for something specific. On eBay, I have general searches that come up when material gets listed, but if you’re a topical collector, an exhibitor or anyone who’s looking for specific material, that’s the most targeted type of buying you can possibly do.

Carol: I’ve bought only one thing on eBay, and I couldn’t be happier. I was looking for something to end my exhibit, but I wanted something that was on or about the date that the GPU [later, UPU] took effect.

Frank Mandel told me, “You’re never going to find this; you could be looking for 10 years.” Well, I went online and in 15 minutes found a cover that was mailed the day before the GPU came into effect and reached its destination after the GPU’s start. So in my exhibit, I say it crossed the Atlantic and crossed postal eras. It’s a perfect bookend.

John: I’m after fairly specific material, and I made what is now a three-page want list of things that I collect in various stages, and I will sometimes give that to a dealer, or I will give a dealer one of my business cards with notations on the back. In the case of a show, the dealer is going to have their best stuff out under glass, and I can get a sense from that as to whether the dealer is going to have something that I’m interested in. If I’m looking for a stamp rather than a cover, I will simply ask the dealer, do you have US Scott 219D? And the dealer will say either “Yes,” “No,” or “I have it back in the store.” And we can go from there.

On the other hand, if they’ve got a miscellaneous cover box… Depending upon the amount of time I have, I’ll look through any cover box, no matter how expensive or how cheap, because you never know what

I

-John Hotchner you’re going to find. And that’s one of the things that I say to dealers. If a dealer asks, “What are you looking for?” I’ll say, “I don’t exactly know, but I’ll know it when I see it.”

I

Buying on a Budget Sometimes stamp collecting can seem like it really needs a whole lot of money. One of my favorite things about your AP column is that you are always talking about things that people can find without extremely deep pockets.

Wayne: It’s been pretty much a life-long quest for me to focus on the fun and enjoyment in the hobby without spending a lot of money, and this comes from personal experience. As I mentioned, I never did give up stamp collecting, but during the years when I was in college and raising a young family, I had virtually no resources. At one point, we were extremely poor but I didn’t want to give up collecting, so I had to find ways of enjoying the hobby without spending anything for a while.

That led me to a number of different approaches. When I became a staff writer at Linn’s, Michael

I

Red Flags with Wayne Youngblood

It’s hard to be victimized, and I don’t mean this callously, unless you have some element of greed yourself. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it is, almost always. Very rarely are you are going to find extreme bargains because somebody misdescribed an item.

Another red flag is color varieties. I’ve seen a lot of less-than-scrupulous eBay dealers set their scanner so that what comes out of the scanner looks to be the rare shade. Perhaps it looks like a lake rather than a carmine. It’s not. And you can tell that from the color of the surrounding paper. Of course, you’ve got to be much more careful if you’re buying a $250 stamp than if you’re spending $2.50...

MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 219

From Wayne Youngblood's collection of "Philatelic Horrors," a badly damaged Scott 2 and 50¢ TransMississippi, split due to gum cracking. These quality markers are easy to spot, but sometimes a badly damaged stamp is still worth a second look!

Stamp Quality Checklist There are dozens of things to look out for when buying a stamp or cover.

Here are a few that our interviewees cited:

Stamps: Condition Fakeability Expert Certificate Gum Condition Light cancellation Removed cancellation Watermark Hidden repairs Centering Postal history: Condition Destination Addressee Sender Ship or means of transit

220 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Laurence asked me, “What do you want to do for your first column?” And I told him, “What’s nearest and dearest to me is to be able to collect without spending a lot of money,” and my Collecting on a Shoestring column was born. That’s been the model for many, many things since then. You can have a lot of fun without spending much of anything at all... There are so many possibilities.

What to Bring to a Stamp Bourse John: Bring a 10 to 30 Power magnifier, because you want to look at both sides of an expensive stamp that you’re going to buy. You should have in your head a sense of what the catalog value is and what you’re willing to pay as a percentage of catalog value. You have to have also that sense of condition, because there are some U.S. stamps, particularly in the earlier eras, where the perfect stamp hardly ever exists, and if that’s what you want, you ought to expect to pay more than catalog value for it. It’s not so much a matter of having physical tools, it’s a matter of developing your sense of what it is you’re looking for, what its values are likely to be, how condition will affect those values, and whether you’re willing to pay the asking price or whether the dealer might be willing to negotiate a bit.

Some prior knowledge of the material you want to buy is a must. What is the base level of research that you should take into a bourse?

If you’re looking for specific stamps, you ought to know what’s in the Scott Specialized catalog, not only the basic information, but the varieties. One of the things that all collectors eventually learn is that dealers don’t know everything about everything. They know that they need to make a profit on what they are selling, but they may not know enough to recognize significant varieties. So a collector who knows what’s in Scott and knows what to look for can often find bargains looking at dealer stocks.

The “Should I Buy this Stamp or Cover?”

Checklist Once you have a stamp in your hands, what do you look for before you buy?

John: I have a mental checklist. I’m looking at condition. I’m looking at “fakeability,” if I can put it that way. Is this a stamp that can be altered, or has it been altered? There are some stamps that have been extensively forged, faked, like third Bureau issue coils, Washington-Franklins of 1908 to 1922. And regardless of its catalog value, I want to see a certificate for that stamp, because I don’t want to put something in my album that’s faked. Does it have a certificate from either APEX or one of the other major certification authorities? If I’m buying something that’s used, I want something that’s got a fairly light cancel, something

that’s centered well for its era. If it’s a mint stamp then if it’s hinged, that’s okay, as long as the hinge doesn’t mar the back greatly.

Carol: I always want something that looks very attractive, and I think anybody will tell you that they want something that looks good. Condition is important for me. But, if it’s really rare, condition becomes less important. Also, maybe the destination is interesting. Sometimes you’ll come across something addressed to somebody and you’ll find that the name seems familiar to you. Once you’ve done research, you sometimes learn that it went to an interesting or important person.

Those things really make collecting exciting.

Wayne: It depends a lot on how scarce the stamp is. If I’m looking at a $1 Columbian, for example, if it’s used, I don’t have to worry about the gum. But if it’s mint, the gum is the first thing I’m going to look at.

When looking at the gum, if it’s hinged, no problem. If it’s purported to be never hinged, you’ve got to look for re-gumming, which is pretty easy to spot at a point. But more nefarious than re-gumming in my mind is redistributed original gum to cover the hinging; that’s a huge tripping point. Then the next thing I look at are the perforations. Are they all genuine or have they been added to a straight edge or another edge? The next thing is to look for repairs, which can mostly be determined either through dipping in watermark fluid or using ultraviolet light. Same thing with removed cancels.

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Tools of the Trade What kind of tools do you recommend that collectors use other than reference material and catalogs?

Wayne: Everybody’s got to build their own tool box over time. You cannot be without a good pair of tongs.

You’ve got to find what’s most comfortable for you. I like using the ones that you can put your eye out with if you’re not careful.

I am an absolute lover of magnifying glasses. I have multiple ones at my desk and I keep multiple ones in my pockets. I recommend keeping at least two different magnifying glasses: one that’s a five to seven power magnifier, which is fairly basic and will serve you pretty well for most stamps; then, a 15 to 20 power magnifier will allow you to look for flaws and bring up fakes and tears. I prefer illuminated magnifiers, as well.

Watermark fluid and a watermark tray is absolutely essential. A good perforation gauge, and when I say a good perforation gauge, I mean something like the Linn’s Multi-Gauge or Mylar specialty gauges. It has to be Mylar because the plastic ones shrink over time and will no longer be accurate.

I still use stamp hinges, but I make sure that I have old Dennison hinges to do that, which you only find on the secondary market.

I’m an advocate of a good ultraviolet light, both

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or Tools Checklist f e: of the Trad

0 Toanggnsifier 0 MWatermark fluid & tray 0 Perf gauge 0 Hinges & mounts 0 UV lights 0 lbums & stockbooks 0A

short wave and long wave, because I have an interest in tagging. It’s much harder to find a good short wave ultraviolet, and it will cost you some money to get a good one. In addition to tagging, ultraviolet light, particularly long wave, can help you spot repairs, tears, thins, and many other things that you can’t necessarily see with just watermark fluid.

Organizing Your Collection Kris: In the beginning, my collection was not organized. I would take a sheet of typing paper and use corner mounts, and I would write who the cachet maker was and put it all in a folder. At a stamp show, I learned about first day cover albums, and started buying the albums where you put two covers in a sleeve. I can honestly say I’m very thankful that I decided to step out and exhibit, because exhibiting forced me to stay organized.

Wayne: I’m extremely organized for some things and absolutely not for others. Those things that I care most deeply about, such as my Los Alamos collection, are extremely well organized. It is itemized. On the other hand, one of the things that I have been working on for many years is one particular set of Nigerian stamps from the late 60s and early 70s that were printed in multiple different ways. I’ve found that no catalog has all of the listings right. I’ve been working on it for years and all the material sits in one copier box. I keep file cabinets, usually with expandable folders. As I find things to start a new collection, I add it into those folders. Once something reaches what I call “critical mass,” MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 221

I either write something about it or begin turning it into a more formal collection. Then I’ve got boxes and boxes of garbage.

John: At one point, my wife looked at the disaster that was the basement and said, “You have to organize this stuff better,” and so we bought plastic bins, and that’s pretty much how I organize my covers. I write up the covers that go into exhibits, but I don’t bother writing other covers up until and unless it’s something that I want to use in an article, and then I’ll do the research to describe it properly.

I have appraised collections for people, and I have seen tubs full of unopened purchases, and the result of that is that people get a small percentage of what they’ve invested. Or their families get a very small percentage of what the collector laid out, all because the material is not organized. I make a considerable effort to make sure that anything that comes in my front door gets placed in its proper location fairly quickly, and that may be albums or it may be stock books. For my country collections, I use either Scott or Minkus albums. For my more specialized collections, like 19th century number and letter cancellations of the world, I make my own pages. One of the joys of collecting is you tailor it to what you want.

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Research When it comes to research, can a collector avoid having a philatelic library of their own?

Wayne: Yes. If you belong to the APS or the APRL,

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or if you belong to the United States Stamp Society or other specialized societies, there’s access online to so many research materials, including journals. The USSS and many other organizations, if you belong, now have their entire run of publications searchable online. At the APRL, you can do a search without having to be a member. In terms of stamp identification, there are all kinds of fantastic websites out there, such as the Swedish Tiger, which is an amazing research site to go to for stamp identification.

But sometimes you just want to own the books, especially the older classic philatelic books.

There is nothing like going through the actual pages of some books. Sometimes it’s better to go back to the earlier editions of some of these books rather than the new ones. Some volumes such as Brookman, for example, have had several different versions and each one has added more information as it’s become available. But some re-edited versions have actually left out things that newer editors thought were inconsequential.

In those cases you need to go back to the original printings to find some of the original material there.

Talk about the research value you derive from the front of stamp catalogs; not the listings themselves, but the reference material up front.

It’s huge. I think a lot of collectors never get beyond just going to the listings. But take for example the U.S. Scott Specialized – the front of the book is loaded with material, everything from general printing information

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Stamps For the Wounded Stamps for the Wounded is an organization that was formed by Ernie Kehr in 1942, around 76 years ago. We gather donations from anybody who cares to donate – mostly modern or current stamps and covers – and we send them out to either outpatient veterans who ask for them, or to veterans’ hospitals, veterans’ domiciliaries, etc. They use the material to start or continue a collection, and I know of some people who receive bulk modern material to use for art projects.

We prefer not to receive badly damaged stamps, but pretty much anything else is welcome, including things like albums, collector supplies, glassine envelopes, hinges, tongs, other things that can be used to help a collection. We’re a fairly small group of about 25 to 30 volunteers, so any donations or help we receive is much appreciated.

Any questions can be directed to John Hotchner at jmhstamp@verizon.net. Mail and donations can be sent to John Hotchner PO Box 1125 Falls Church, VA 22041-0125 222 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

The Joys of Exhibiting Kris: There is an amazing wealth of information at stamp shows, when you wander the exhibits and look at how other people did things. There’s so much I learned about cachet makers by looking at other exhibits, reading the introductions and learning how they put it together. Then you go find that exhibitor and talk to them, get all the advice you can – and it will make your exhibit better or your collecting better.

Collecting can be a lonely hobby, if you’re sitting at your desk all by yourself looking at your stamp or cover collection. On the other hand, when you put together an exhibit, you will never be more engaged with your collection. You become more engaged with people because you meet others and learn from them. Every time I compete, the judges give me something else to do. “Find out about postmarks,” “Find out about the printing process,” “Consider adding more postal history.” It’s a challenge, and makes collecting infinitely more exciting.

Carol: One year, the Collectors Club was having the one-frame competition. I had not ever exhibited at that point, and someone asked me, “Are you putting in a one frame?” And I said no. But Roger Brody asked me, “Do you have 16 pages of material?” which of course I did. “Just put it up.”

I did. I didn’t do well at all, but it made me sit down and look at my material closely and write it up.

I think non-competitive exhibiting for beginners is really good. It was very intimidating for me. But you look at your collection differently, and at the end you get the feedback and can grow.

fl,/~. ~I . S

, / ( ~ t'rt_' ,1

7.

From Carol Bommarito's collection, a February 1856 cover carried from Mt. Kisco to Leipzig with a seldom seen straightline "U.S. PKT" hand stamp.

to how stamps are processed. There are listings of presidents and their inauguration dates, statehood dates, all kinds of solid general information there that starts long before the Stamp Identifier, before the stamp listings themselves. It’s a tremendous wealth of information.

Getting Rid of Surplus If you are acquiring portions of your different collections in bulk, whether it’s a bulk lot or a collection from somebody else, you go through it and find what you need. As a collector, how do you dispose of all the surplus material that you must acquire in that kind of a process?

John: There are a couple of ways. For better items

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I have a friend who sells on eBay for me. I also will donate excess material to an organization I work with called Stamps for the Wounded [see sidebar], and that’s a good way to get rid of bulk that I can’t use that other people perhaps could. Clubs often have methods to buy and sell between members, so you can sell duplicate material through your club systems. Certainly, APS Circuits is a way. There are lots and lots of ways that you can dispose of material that is excess to your needs.

Wayne: If you are a part-time or some time dealer, or a full-time dealer, your options are better. You can go through boxes of covers, pull out those things that you want for your own collection, you can set aside things

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MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 223

From Kris McIntosh's collection, the reverse of a Walter Crosby cachet cover with a handwritten Susan B. Anthony speech by Ejgil J. S. Halvorsen.

that you feel have more value that can be sold on eBay or at shows, and then the rest of the material can just go back into a box and be re-consigned to the same auction, or a different auction.

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The Social Collector Wayne: For the first years that I was a collector, I had no real support; I didn’t know what I was doing; I didn’t know about clubs. We didn’t have clubs in my area, really. I made many major mistakes. It was the interest in the material that kept me going. Occasionally I’d run into somebody that my parents knew who was a collector and they would kindly spend some time with me. But it was the material that really had me hooked.

Finally, as a teenager, I found out that Los Alamos had a stamp club, and that was 20 miles from me. Clubs are a wonderful thing. I wish I had found the club earlier than I did.

John: Stamp collecting is a hobby that’s best passed hand to hand, person to person. I think it’s very difficult for a collector to simply decide, “I’m going to be a stamp collector,” go out and buy an album and a catalog, and then start buying stamps. The best way to get involved, to stay involved and to continue to learn is through a mentor. That’s why I recommend local clubs. You will find somebody there who collects in the area that you collect, somebody who can help you. And if you are a specialist in any sort of way at all, you ought to belong to a national society that covers that area. For example, everybody who collect U.S. stamps seriously ought to be 224 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

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a member of the US Stamps Society - its committees can mentor you as well as individuals.

Kris: While you’re sitting at the dealer’s table, it’s really important to talk to the people sitting next to you because it’s a wealth of information. I met Bob Lewin, who is a California first day cover collector. Bob told me about E.J. Halvorson, who was one of the first cachet makers to put artwork on a first day cover with a stamp and a postmark, where the artwork actually reflected the stamp. Bob and I were at [Henry] Gitner’s booth, looking at a suffrage envelope, and he said, “That’s an E.J. Halvorson, and if you don’t buy it, I will. Look at the S for Senator - Halvorson used a dollar sign.” I bought it, because I didn’t want it to get away. I think it’s really important that you talk to who you’re sitting beside, because it’s amazing what you learn. Whether it was Paul Benson encouraging me to join the local AFDCS chapter, or Bob Lewin, who gave me that important lesson, or the many other people I’ve met.

Carol: At first, because I wasn’t a collector myself, I only would go to Collectors Club of New York meetings on the occasions that Harvey wanted me to attend with him. Later, when I started collecting, I went to meetings to learn something and see my friends at my local club.

And then I was asked to join the board at one point, and I did. It was also at the Club that I met my life partner, Eddie Bridges. Until his death nearly a year ago, Eddie was an important advisor to me.

At the Collectors Club, we would go to dinner. And you could have a conversation, sit right next to whoever

presented, and you could have your own Q and A, if it was something that interested you. You could get some good information, some direction, ask questions and receive helpful answers. For a beginner or an expert, the social aspect provides support and knowledge.

Advice Carol: I like the way I collect. Everyone should collect what you like. I’m not a “fill the space” kind of person, so I don’t think that you should get hung up on having absolutely everything or even the best of everything. Just jump in and do it.

John: An important guide for me as I think about making individual purchases is what I have come to call the “Clyde Jennings Rule.” Clyde passed away a number of years ago, but he always stood out at shows, wearing chartreuse or lime green or pink jackets. He filled a room all by himself, and he was a wonderful philatelist and mentor. One of the things that he said to me once has turned out to be absolutely accurate: “I’ve never regretted buying something. I’ve often regretted not buying something.” There are times when I will look at

a prospective purchase and I think “It’s kind of expensive,” or, “Do I really need that?” But I’ll buy it because of that rule, and I’ve never been disappointed.

Wayne: For a long time when I was a younger collector, I was worried about “What am I going to collect?” That’s a question that should never occur. You follow what you enjoy. This is, for most people, a leisure activity that’s supposed to bring joy, so anything that brings you angst isn’t really worth it in the end.

The other thing I wish somebody had told me when I started is not to over-pay for material. Back in the days before the Internet, I didn’t know how many potential sources of material there were, and even then there were tons of sources for quantities of stamps. I was a customer of HE Harris approvals for many years before I found stamps at other places that were just as high or higher quality and much cheaper.

My final advice is about self-education: Read as much as you can about the hobby, whether it’s The American Philatelist or the front of the Scott catalog or some of the other various magazines in the hobby that are out there, read!

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Moving From to Advanced Charles Shreve as a stamp collector When I was 12, my grandmother gave me a collection of stuff she bought at a Minkus counter in the department store in Detroit, Michigan, where I was born and raised. By the time I was 13, I was collecting, but I loved the business of stamps, and I was hired by an auctioneer as his first employee in Detroit - Roger Kerber Stamp Auctions in Southfield, Michigan. I couldn’t wait to get out of school every day and take the bus to go to work.

He had to throw me out of the place at night. So I love stamps as a hobbyist, but I love the business of stamps too. My philatelic reputation is the business of stamps, as opposed to my colleague at Siegel Auctions, Scott Trepel. Scott is an incredible philatelist, first and foremost, and he’s a lover of stamps and postal history. When he and I were competitors with one another, he admired me because I was a business man within philately and a marketer. Long story short, we ended up together over the last seven or eight years.

Defining Intermediate and Advanced Collecting What is an intermediate collector? What’s an advanced collector? How would you differentiate between those two groups?

I hate to monetize it, but you move from intermediate to advanced when you start thinking about spending serious money, whatever serious is to you. It’s more than buying packets of stamps or buying approvals. When you start buying stamps for $50 or $100, let alone some of my clients who spend thousands of dollars on a stamp or more, you kind of step over that line.

You might say, “I’m having fun now, but I’m going to take it a little bit more seriously.”

Besides the monetary part, a serious collector wants to take their collection somewhere. What does that mean? Maybe you want to make it the most complete collection of the area, or the most decorated one. One way to jump into advanced collecting is to start exhibiting. You step into the dark side when you go into exhibiting! It moves from a pleasant hobby that you spend a little time on, into a passion. The collection becomes something you want to spend a lot of time on, learn about, and spend more money. The goal is 226 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

WITH CHARLES SHREVE AND VICTORIA LAJER

42%

of The American Philatelist readers identify themselves as “intermediate.” Another 54% identify as “advanced.” But when does an intermediate collector become an advanced collector – and more importantly, how?

We consulted with two expert philatelic counselors, Charles Shreve (Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries) and Victoria Lajer (Stanley Gibbons) and present to you their comments and advice about taking your collection to the next level, bidding wisely at auction, obtaining philatelic counsel and mentorship, sourcing high-end material, and conducting research. to accomplish something.

Moving from intermediate to advanced Besides the financial aspect and the acquisition itself, what are the other factors in moving from intermediate to advanced?

The question is what do you want to do with the collection? It’s taking the step to do something with a goal in mind, or to create something that is meaningful, whether it’s a collection that you want to pass down to your kids as a financial asset, or if you want to exhibit or learn more about a subject and immerse yourself in it. That’s what an advanced collector would do.

So the important decision is to go in a direction Continued on page 228

Intermediate d Collecting Victoria Lajer as a stamp collector My dad is a stamp dealer and has been since he left university. He worked at Stanley Gibbons, which is where I work now. As a child he used to bring me packets of stamps, which I used to fill this big green chunky stamp album. We started working together, and did for eight years, because I thought it was a great long-term career.

I love stamps, I love collecting, I love the hobby, but I’m not a super specialized expert in stamps. I’m passionate more about the hobby than anything else. The fact that you get to speak to passionate people every day is a real privilege. It’s a different level of work satisfaction and enthusiasm to find a stamp for someone who’s been looking for it for 20 years, or explain a new area of philately that they’ve never heard of. As a result, it doesn’t really feel too much like work. After about eight years with my dad, it was time for a change. In 2014 I went to Gibbons and I haven’t left since.

Intermediate vs advanced collecting Do you have working definitions that you would use to differentiate between intermediate and advanced collectors?

I don’t really have any definitions that I stick to.

It’s really personal and individual to each collector.

It depends on the subject as well, and the type of collector that you want to be. Do you want to be a postal historian, or do you want to collect one of each and you’ve already got a pre-printed album with mounts?

How comfortable are you in terms of where you buy from? Do you just buy from one or two dealers because you’ve got a very small circle of trust and you’re not quite confident enough to pick stamps on your own? It could purely be a length of time. The amount of stamps you see and handle invariably bulks up your confidence and your knowledge about stamps.

So it’s not necessarily related to how much money you are putting aside for your collection.

No, the money thing is fairly far down the list. One of the great things about stamps is that you can buy penny stamps for nothing, or you can spend tens of thousands

of pounds on them.

It’s a hobby that can touch anybody, and you don’t have to be wealthy to do it. You can buy thick album pages, or you could use printer paper if you wanted to. I hope that no one feels held back. The enjoyment of stamps doesn’t necessarily have to come from how deep your pockets are.

You just introduced a very interesting facet of what one might use to define an advanced collector: publishing or exhibiting. You can take a deep dive into your particular collecting area and become quite the advanced collector, and that’s not monetarily denominated.

And I don’t think it should ever be connected as such either. You can be a very advanced collector and Continued on page 229 MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 227

Mrs. G • P • Raymond /

c / O Mrs. Cedercrpntz ·

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Grevturegatan 14 Stockholm Sweden

An unusual usage of a solo 16¢ Prexie to pay a supplementary mail fee. The required 5¢ per ounce surface rate to Europe plus a 3¢ per half ounce surcharge for air service in Europe was doubled to be included in a supplementary mail dispatch from the New York Morgan Annex to the S. S. Queen Mary before she sailed. Courtesy Jeffrey Shapiro.

where they are no longer fiddling around with their stamps once every six months. You start spending real money – and I’m not talking about investing. I never promote stamps as a pure investment. They can be, of course. Many people have proven that it can also be unprofitable, and I don’t advise anybody to go into it for a monetary gain.

that stamp before. That’s when you have to really overpay. And as auctioneers we love that.

We are really passionate about our collections and do become emotional about it [and sometimes overpay]. But remember, if you collect in a pretty broad area, there are always other stamps to buy.

Bidding wisely is about more than money

If you want to have the best classics pieces of the 1847 issue or similar, good luck, because they’re held in a very small number of hands. It’s not an easy thing to just get into. What you do - and Bill Gross is an example of this - is that you look for opportunities when somebody sells a collection. That’s an opening usually. When a big collection is being sold, it might be a little overwhelming to the market, and the prices might be a little depressed because of it. Not always, but sometimes.

There’s a big leap between collecting just stamps and collecting postal history. You can have an advanced collection of stamps, but intellectually, it’s not as fulfilling to a lot of people because it’s just a matter of finding the stamp and putting it in the album. Boom, you’re done. Postal history takes an inquisitive mind, and you want to know historical details [see Prexie usage above].

There are some stamp collectors who think that people collecting postal history are nuts because of the overwhelming detail.

Financial considerations don’t only involve the highend of the marketplace. You can bid intelligently at auction if you’re looking at stamps in the $200 to $500 range or the $50 to $100 range. This is auction strategy that has a broader ramification for collecting in general: How do you decide when to back off a particular item you really want?

You have to do your homework to find out that the last five of these stamps you wanted sold somewhere in the $500-750 range, so you already know that that’s the range you want. But if you really are passionate or you’re staring at an album page that only has one empty space in it, that drives collectors nuts. A bidder might say, “I am tired of losing on this.” So you have to decide how much more you’re willing to pay. In that case, on a stamp that shows up with semi-frequency, I might pay 20% or 30% more just to be done with it, fill the space and get the sense of satisfaction.

Bidding wisely or emotionally in the real world Let’s go back to the $500 to $750 stamp. If it comes up with some frequency, there are lots of other stamps to buy, so if you don’t get that one, something different will come up eventually. If you collect British Commonwealth, believe me, there are lots of other spaces to fill. Some British Commonwealth advanced collectors have been collecting for 20 years. They don’t care whether the stamp is $500 or $5000. They haven’t seen 228 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Pouncing and patience with the Classics

Obtaining philatelic counsel What is the role of obtaining professional philatelic counsel from someone such as you? Without it, can you become advanced as effectively?

That’s a good question. I would say it depends on how busy you are in your real life. If you are busy, you Continued on page 230

your lifetime total spend on stamps could be $2000.

Technically, you could. You can pick whatever you want as your subject, and then you can spend as little or as much as you can afford. What counts is the amount of time you spend on it, how deep you go into it, what you write or exhibit, how you immerse yourself in the philatelic community.

On the other hand, I do know collectors who I would call advanced who certainly know what they’re doing, but they’ve probably never written an article, they’ve never exhibited. But when you ask them about their area of collecting, they’ll knock your socks off with their knowledge.

Establishing dealer relationships Earlier you mentioned collectors who have one or two key dealer relationships. Talk about the role of building relationships with trusted sources if you want to advance your collecting.

It is a bit of a cycle. At the beginning when you don’t know very much, I think it’s right that you have a trusted selection of people that you can go to for advice, who provide you with stamps. Then you can spread your wings if you want to. Philately is a relationship business even when you’re an advanced collector. Some of the really big collectors generally only deal with one or two dealers, because the dealer or the company knows what they want and they can find it for them. That collector then had the luxury of not having to search elsewhere.

I’m a big believer in the relationship side of the business. We help collectors grow from a philatelic point of view. We encourage them to diversify if they need to.

That’s a great thing about stamps - if you finish or can’t go any further with one collection, you’ll never be short of new areas to migrate to. There is always a sideline collection you could start. Obviously, I am biased, but I do think that dealers have quite a big role to play in the lifetime of a collector, for sure.

How do I identify those dealers that are going to be most valuable to me in terms of both sourcing and mentorship?

It’s like going on a blind date. You have to get along with them, and the trust has to be there. Some dealers are more happy to give that extra service [of mentorship and sourcing]. There are some dealers who have a different business model, and that’s fine. I’ve never come across a dealer who wouldn’t be happy to share their knowledge, though. You don’t deal in stamps unless you actually love stamps, right? I’d be surprised if a collector couldn’t find a dealer that’s right for them.

Completeness and the classics What does completeness mean to you? Should collectors strive for a complete collection?

There are certain collectors who get into collecting because they have to tick those boxes and fill those gaps.

Subject matter aside, many collectors have that innate drive. However, there are some parts of a Great Britain collection you never could complete, but that doesn’t ever stop anyone from collecting it.

If you personally are happy that you’ve gone as far as you can with something, then that’s complete. Why not? You’ve finished it. You’ve come to the end of the collection, and you move on. It is that personal - when you pick a topic, when you finish a collection, when you move on, when you sell it and then try something else – it depends on what you want to do.

Complete to one person means something very different to another, even if they're collecting similar areas.

Absolutely. You can have the same set of material with different results, depending on how you package it up and interpret it. For example, for the introduction of the postage stamp in 1840, you could focus on the production of the postage stamp, you could talk about the social history, you could focus on how it revolutionized communication around the world – and it’s the same material. You can do that with almost any stamp collection. What story do you find interesting? And then how do you home in on that? You could do something completely off the wall that no one has thought of before.

"Philately is a relationship business even when you’re an advanced collector."

- Victoria Lajer

Learning from catalogs I received my new copy of the Stanley Gibbons Queen Victoria catalog recently. There haven’t been new Queen Victoria stamps in 120 years, and yet this catalog has grown so large that it now has to be issued in two volumes. Even for a nominally static collecting area, the knowledge and detail around it continues to grow. That catalog is just a wonderful example of the dynamic growth still possible in classic philat­ely.

Let's talk about that catalog as an example of a vehicle for different types of collectors and their growth.

Let’s do an example of a potential collector’s journey. We start with Collect British Stamps, which is the most basic entry-level GB catalog. You then have the Concise Catalogue which takes it up a notch: a little bit more detailed, a few new listings, specimen overprints, that sort of thing. And then you go into Specialized. So Continued on page 231 MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 229

might need an advisor. But if you’re lucky enough to have a little bit of free time, I would recommend doing your own work. It’s more fulfilling to do it yourself and immerse yourself into studying and learning. Watch Zoom lectures, study prices realized, not just of our sales, but around the world. But there are some people that just don’t have the time. They like stamps. They want to collect but need help.

"Remember, if you collect in a pretty broad area, there are always other stamps to buy."

- Charles Shreve

Advice on sourcing Another role that experts play is sourcing. Let’s say that I am in a situation where I need help finding these stamps – and I may know what I want, or I may know where my collection is incomplete – but keeping up with the universe of sources is darn near impossible. What is the role of obtaining counsel just to find out where the stuff is?

Well, that’s a good question too, particularly for people that are morphing from intermediate to advanced.

As auctioneers, Scott and I have this worldwide client base. We see where the stamps are going, and then we hear from our clients every once in a while who say, “You know I have the best collection of X-country and I’m not interested in selling it right away, but if you ever hear from somebody who wants X-country, let me know.” So, we have sources like that.

Accessing private treaty material Part of the sourcing challenge is private treaties. How does that work?

Most auction houses have some limited amounts of private treaty items. They’re receiving collections, and the clients say that they would prefer not to expose it to auction for whatever reason. The auction house will just offer it to a handful of people. We know who we think are going to be interested. Typically, before the big international stamp shows, a lot of the big auction houses will put together a private treaty list to be able to have collections at the show and sell them. But there’s no one clearinghouse for that.

So if I’m striving to be an advanced collector, private treaty might be a prospective source of the material that I really need. How do I find out about these private treaties?

That’s where an agent or a dealer comes in.

Somebody will go to Scott Trepel and say, “Look, don’t tell anybody, but I’m going to start collecting the typewriter stamps of British Long Island.”

We will keep our eyes open for it. You just have to develop a network. A lot of the collectors who I consider advanced have a good network of people.

The role of philatelic societies One of the things that you pointed out early in this conversation was the role of acquiring knowledge to go from intermediate to advanced. Can you talk a bit about the role of the specialized 230 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

philatelic societies in gaining that kind of knowledge?

They’re essential. If you’re going to collect the U.S. carriers and locals, you had better join the Carriers and Locals Society. It puts you in touch with other likeminded people. It’s hard to collect as a lone person on a desert island. Unless you don’t care what you’re accomplishing, you need to network with people, and of course, the societies give you additional knowledge too.

Selecting your specialty Under what circumstances would you counsel an intermediate collector to avoid striving to become advanced?

Availability of material. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to collect something and not being able to find it. Stamp collecting is all about the thrill of acquisition. “What’s next?” “Where can I find it?”

If that area you want to collect is closely held, that will only frustrate you. I would counsel someone, “Don’t collect that; let’s pick some other area where you have a better chance of creating something special.” There are just too many other areas to collect where you won’t run into a brick wall. n

I

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you can start off with a very basic, simplified listing and then slowly migrate, and then look at the Specialized Volume One once you have decided on an area to focus on. Then you can really get into the nitty-gritty, with a load of information that would have sent you running if you had seen it at the beginning of the process. Who wants to start collecting with a catalog that looks complicated? It’s a journey. The catalogs mimic the journey of a collector.

The street-level stamp shop What’s the range of clients that you get at Stanley Gibbons? What pushes a customer to walk in the door or reach out and start seeking counsel?

Unsurprisingly, during COVID-19, the number of new customers we’ve had has gone through the roof.

There are people coming back, re-introducing collecting to their lives or just starting it, so the publication side of the website has gone bananas.

So more people are asking questions about how to collect and what choices are available. “Do you want to mount stamps, do you want to write your pages yourself, do you want to shove stamps in an album and not really worry about them, or a shoebox?", in fact, as some people do. We’ve spoken to a lot of newbies recently.

Giving back to the hobby One of the wonderful things about this hobby is how much the commercial side, the stamp dealers, give back to the hobby. Commerce is not strictly commerce in this hobby.

ii

BERLIN YEAR SETS

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Far from it, actually. Again, it’s because everyone just loves stamps, ultimately. We all believe in the hobby. As I said, you can’t work in this industry if you don’t like stamps, or you’d be probably terrible at it. You have to love the mission, love living around it. [Collecting] is undervalued hugely in my opinion. One of my missions is to package up collecting as a concept to people who have never considered it before, because it has so much to offer somebody. You can pick whatever you want and get into a subject. It ticks so many boxes. I think that we must be doing something wrong that we have not been able to communicate this with people that don’t already collect stamps. I am determined to share with everyone else how enriching and cool collecting is. n

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Kay & Company P.O. Box 6428 • Edmond, OK 73083 Phone/Fax (405) 726-8850 • kayandco@msn.com MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 231

Buying Online WITH WENDY MASORTI

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ou’ve met Wendy Masorti, former Director of Sales and current Director of Membership, in the pages of The American Philatelist. After years of handling the American Philatelic Society’s internet StampStore, advising customers and sellers alike, and responding to official complaints to the Society, Wendy has compiled “Do’s and Don’ts,” safety measures, and other advice about navigating the oft-called “Wild, Wild West” of buying online.

As usual options for in-person buying – dealer shops, bourses, live auctions – become scarce due to the pandemic, more people are turning to the internet as their first option.

Shopping online may be daunting for people who are used to face to face interactions, but if you keep a few things in mind, it can be a rewarding experience.

Shop online with show dealers you know Wendy: I often get questions from people: “What should I do? Who can I trust?” The easy answer is to shop with who you know. If in the past you used to go to stamp shows and were a regular customer with a dealer, see if you can locate them over the internet. You can contact the APS and we can help you get in touch, or see if they have a website. If these are people you already trust, you don’t need to wait for the next show, whenever it may be. Give them your want list and buy directly from them.

232 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Check out the professional stamp dealer associations.

Even if you don’t have a prior relationship with a dealer from a show, you can still find trustworthy, professional dealers. Professional dealers are people that are a member of a dealer organization, like APS (stamps.org/dealers), American Stamp Dealers Association (americanstampdealer.com) or National Stamp Dealers Association (nsdainc. org). These organizations have rules and guidelines for their dealer-members. These are the people that want to help collectors; they’re dedicated to promoting integrity and safety through the hobby. You can search dealer directories listed by location or even dealers listed by specialties.

What about the internet stamp platforms?

If you don’t know individual dealers, I would recommend shopping on one of the bigger stamp marketplaces.

The APS StampStore is a great option (stampstore.org).

Delcampe, eBay and HipStamp are options I recommend.

These are platforms that offer sellers from all over the world an opportunity to sell directly to collectors. Each platform offers great search features, and each have some general rules and guides the sellers have to follow, which gives you as a buyer a safety net. Sellers want to be cautious because they don’t want to have a bad rating. If you sell on eBay and you have a couple of bad transactions, the next thing you

know, your Seller Rating goes down and people won’t want to buy from you. This is not to say that you won’t have a bad transaction, because it does happen sometimes.

Read the Fine Print On stamp marketplaces, with the exception of APS StampStore, you’re dealing with hundreds of individual sellers, each one of them with their own rules and guides, their own terms of sale. Do they offer returns? How long is the return policy? Each one can be different. You have to be cautious and home in on the terms of sale for each seller.

Open mail as soon as it arrives. If the seller has only given you 14 days or 30 days for the return policy, you want to make sure that you are eligible to return an item and get your money back. Otherwise, they are within their rights to say “You are past the return terms.”

Certificate of authenticity It is important to know whether dealers or online sellers offer expertizing extensions. We recommend getting authentication on any stamp that is over a couple hundred

dollars, to make sure you are actually getting what you paid for. Some sellers will offer expertizing extensions, but you need to ask for it. You want to make sure you have that agreement in writing.

Red flags The best advice is to shop with someone who is trusted, but that’s not always going to be the case. What kind of red flags should people look out for to figure out whether the seller it is on the level?

If the seller who is a member-dealer with APS, ASDA, or NSDA tries to fool you, you can report it to that organization and file a complaint. But for somebody that we have no jurisdiction over, you would have very little leverage.

If the seller does not have a refund policy, if they very specifically do not give refunds, then that might be a red flag that they are not a good person to buy from, because you won’t have that protection.

If they don’t offer an expertizing extension, that might be another red flag that maybe the item isn’t on the up and up. Generally, an honest seller will try to work with you.

Keep your computer updated and protected. Your computer or iPad has a lot of personal information on it, so use a good anti-virus product and a secure (not public) Wi-Fi connection.

Only use encrypted websites. Websites that start out with the web address “HTTPS://” or that have a padlock icon are secure, and your transactions are protected.

Don’t “over share.” If you are making a simple purchase of a stamp and somebody starts asking you for your birth date or your social security number, that should be a red flag.

Create a strong password (consider using special characters), and use a unique password for each website.

Beware of “phishing” emails. Hackers can imitate trusted email addresses. Don’t follow links in emails that you don’t recognize. Make sure that the email sender is indeed the dealer you think it is.

Always use your credit card and not your bank debit card. Credit card companies offer better fraud protection than your bank debit card does. Always check your bank statements and your credit card statements and verify that the transactions are accurate.

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he American Philatelic Society is proud to host one of the oldest vehicles for buying stamps, APS Circuits, established in the year of the APS’ founding in 1886. The early collectors who came together to form what was then called the "American Philatelic Association" prioritized safe buying and selling of philatelic material. Now, over 135 years later, APS Circuit still offers one of the best and safest ways to build your collection. We spoke to APS Director of Sales Carol Hoffman and Circuit Manager Bill Dixon on how to get the most out of this unique service.

How does the circuit book sales process work?

Bill: We sell the blank circuit books to our members.

They mount their material in the book, put down the Scott catalog value and their asking price and submit the books back to us. Once we have the books, we process them into our inventory. From our inventory, we have a variety of different circuits that go amongst circuit members. After material has circulated for a year and a half, or a book has sold down to $10 or only a few stamps left, whichever comes first, we retire the books, figure out the sales, and return what’s left and their earnings back to the owner.

Carol: There’s a 20% commission on what sells from the books and a 1% insurance charge on the total value of the book when it’s sent in [the member’s asking price], so if the book is lost or damaged in our possession, the owner is paid for the whole amount of the book.

If I’m interested in starting up as a new buyer and I don’t know anything about circuit sales, how do I get started?

Carol: You use a circuit request form, which shows our approximately 160 different circuit categories. After you’ve picked the category you want, we assign you [by zip code] to a circuit with other members who want the same category as you. It’s similar to an approval service. We send out anywhere from 8 to 12 sales books to the first member, they purchase what they want, and then they mail the books on to the next person.

There’s a report sheet to fill out when you’ve purchased

234 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

About Circuit Sales WITH CAROL HOFFMAN AND BILL DIXON

something, so you mail that back to us with your form of payment. Once it gets to the end of the circuit list, the last member will mail everything back to us and we process it. Then it will go back out again, and if you were previously the first person to receive the circuit, you become the last person on the list, and everyone moves up a space.

Are these categories strictly country-organized or are there other ways the books are organized, like topicals?

Carol: Yes, we have topicals. We do also have circuits for miniature sheets, worldwide airmail, U.S. airmail. We have a block circuit - blocks of four, booklet panes or U.S. plate blocks. We have several different types of cover circuits, first day covers, U.S. 19th century covers, U.S. mixed covers, and U.S. covers 1900 to 1945. We also have German covers and global covers.

How do categories get created?

Bill: It’s based on buyer demand. That’s one reason we started a global pre-1940 circuit, because enough people asked for it. When you have a list of 15 or 20 people that definitely would sign up for that category, we’re going to try our best to get enough inventory where you can do that. So as a result, because of customer demand, we started a global pre-1940, a British Commonwealth pre-Elizabeth, and a British Commonwealth Victorian area. If there’s enough demand out there to justify a category we’ll start it up.

So if you want something and you don’t see it as a category, then you should let APS staff know.

Bill: Even though we may not have a category for that particular area, we can send what we call a direct circuit.

Say someone wanted just Albania, but we only have a more general Balkan circuit. If you call and ask for a direct of Albania, we will pull books from the inventory of just Albania and send it to you directly. There’s an additional charge, but it is a good option for people whose collecting interests lay outside of our regular categories.

Would I find a $100 stamp in one of these books or a $10 stamp?

Bill: Most of the stamps are priced at less than a dollar, but you’ll find everything from your penny approval up to your $1000 item. Some books only have an asking price of $30 in total. Other books come in with only one or two pages of stamps, but it has $600 of asking value in it.

A REWARD OF $10.00 trUI he paid br the American Philatelic Society tor the detection of any ot!ender aubetitutinl' 1tampa tor those orill'lnally placed In thi9 book. Return book with evidence direct to the Sale. llanaaer.

Authoriaed by Board of Vice-Praldenta.

RULES FOR OWNER OR AFFIXER NO BOOKS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR CIRCULATION WHICH DO NOT COMPLY IN ALL RESPECTS WITH TUE

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RULES HEREIN CONTAINED.

1.-AU stamps must be arranged alphabetical by country and numerical by Scott's Catalog and must be plainly marked with catalog number and net selling price.

If all the contents of the book are from one country the name of the country must be written on the printed cover page. If contents from more than one country are included the stamps from each country must be grouped and the name of the country indicated when the contents change from those of one country to those of another.

Do not price stamps in fractions. P11t only one stamp in a space and do not overlap single stamps, or single stamps with blocks. Place contents only on right side of page, Use only new hinges in mounting stamps.

2.-The Insurance rate is one per cent of net value with a minimum of 25c a book. Do not remit in advance. Commission on sales is 15% ,• rninh'num 25c a book. Both charges as well as return postage are deducted when settlement is made.

3.-A fine of 25c will be made for each counterfeit, reprint or fiscally used stamp, reperforated or cleaned stamp not marked on back of stamt in ink, or any other ~;;1~i:;r:oi~b~h! 0boX:,st!~da~~m~ a:h:1~rb;o~na~k¾ t~~ back of stamp by the Sales Manager, as directed by the Examiners and owner assents to same.

4.-When sales books have been retired by the Sales Manager and are deposited in the registered mail addressed to the last known address of the owner of the book, the Society will be under no further liability of any kind or character with respect to such books or their contents.

5.-The Society does not assume any iiability for any Joss or damage caused to the content, of any beok by dampness, climatic or other similar conditions, and the insurance herein provided does not cover any auch loss.

Who are the circuit users?

Bill: It’s your beginner collector through your long-time collector.

We have dealers that will buy from our books.

Carol: You have to be a member, unlike APS StampStore. At the last count, around 10% of APS members .o, ,ot use circuits. We also have around 60 clubs that get circuits from us, so A 1952 circuit book. The organization is similar to today's circuits. if your club is an APS chapter, you Pandemic and postal delays aside, what kind of trends can buy from APS circuits even as a have you been seeing in recent years? non-member.

Bill: The level of buying has stayed consistent. For What is a clearance circuit? How does that work? the last 25 years, our sales for circuits have been rock Carol: A clearance circuit is a circuit book that has solid or slightly going up, definitely in excess of whatevrun through the whole process and been what we call er stamp value increase there has been. People still con“retired” to their owner. The owner has the option to sider circuits a valuable resource. Our job is to turn that submit the whole book at a percentage discount, and inventory around as quick as we can. Whereas a couple then we mail them out on clearance circuits. The buyer of years ago, we might have had a couple of hundred then has to buy everything that’s left in the book at the circuits waiting here to be checked in to go out, so cirdiscounted price. cuits would sit here for a month before going out again.

That’s a great way to fill an album, let’s say for an area Now, as soon as a circuit comes in, chances are that it’s where you’ve just started collecting. going out again within a week or three days. That means Carol: If someone is starting a new collecting area, that the individual books are being seen by more people they’ll often ask for clearance circuits. We even have over the year and a half that we have them here. Books people that might find one item for their collection, but that might have circulated three or four times over the buy the whole book and mount the rest in a sales book course of a year and a half are now getting sent out 10 under their name to sell. Even dealers will do that. Jim times. More and more people are having the chance to and Sue Dempsey used to come in here and look at look at the books. every single clearance book we had in-house to restock.

Based on which circuits are popular at any given time, Who are the sellers? Are they just collectors that are lookyou could probably track trends in popularity in different ing to get rid of doubles? How do you characterize the philatelic topics. folks that supply these books to you?

Bill: We know where the hot spots are, where the Bill: The vast majority are probably collectors who slow ones are. I think that’s helpful for people who just accumulated all this stuff over the course of 20 or are submitting books. Someone will call and say, “I’m 30 years and need to start selling it off. Some sellers are thinking about sending in Italy, how hot is it?” and I’d like me. I’ve submitted several hundred books over the say, “Well, it’s kind of slow right now, so you may want last couple of years. When I have to buy a large auction to price it a little bit lower to compete with what’s in lot just to find the one or two items I need, what else here,” or I may suggest that people wait to send an area am I going to do with the surplus? Usually when I sell in, because we are overstocked. We can tell them what’s through circuits, I make back the money I spent on the moving and what doesn’t have any big demand. n lot.

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MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 235

How to Start a New Collection WITH JAY SMITH

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ollectors start collecting new areas all the time. An odd auxiliary marking can jumpstart a new area of interest. Perhaps an overseas voyage introduces you to a new country – or moving to a new city gives you an opportunity to look for postmarks. Whatever your reasons for starting anew, some research, introspection, and forethought will serve you well as you undertake this new journey. Jay Smith, a worldwide dealer specializing in Scandinavia, walked us through some of the hurdles of starting a new collection, and how to circumvent them.

Starting a New Collection Doesn’t Have to be Daunting Starting any new collection has to be a pretty daunting undertaking. When a collector calls or emails you and says, “Jay, you’ve got nine collections that you’re offering in country X. Where should I start?” what do you tell them?

First, let me address an assumption you just made, and that’s about starting a collection being daunting. I have the impression that most collectors get started in something almost without realizing they’ve gotten started in something.

They might be at a stamp show or they might see an advertisement in one of the philatelic publications. When they got up that morning, they had no idea they were going to be interested in that, and then by the end of the day, they’re collecting that area.

“I didn’t know how to spell entrepreneur, but now I am one.” I think a lot of people slide into new collecting areas almost sideways or backwards without a lot of consideration. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it does mean that sometimes they get into it a certain distance, and then realize, “Wait a minute, there’s some aspect of this that’s not meeting my goals or preferences.” So it’s a good thing to be thoughtful about your goals.

To address your specific question, if somebody asked me, “Jay, which country would you recommend?” Let’s say all of these collections are equal in other ways. I generally respond with questions of my own.

“What about stamps interests you? What are you looking for? Do you seek completeness?” There are certain countries 236 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

that if you seek completeness and you don’t have a huge checkbook, you’re going to have a problem.

“Are you interested in just the stamps or do you also like the postmarks or the postal history? Are you a history buff?”

Some countries are very historical, like Iceland, with its parliament going back over a thousand years, has a tremendous amount of history depicted on its stamps.

“What kind of financial commitment do you want to make?” Some countries, you can build a very respectable collection for a very modest sum. Other countries are going to get expensive very quickly.

“What’s your tolerance for languages?” If you have no tolerance for anything you can’t parse out yourself, then maybe Tibetan stamps aren’t for you.

“Do you like to forge your own path, or are you somebody who would rather have the issues and specifications available in a catalog? Would you rather discover things along the way?” For example, if you want to collect railway parcel stamps of the world, there’s a tremendous amount you can still discover, and there are new things being discovered all the time. On the other hand, if you just want to follow the catalog, then mainline stamps of a mainline country will perhaps be a better fit.

So I ask a lot of questions, and people quickly narrow down their interests in terms of those aspects.

Collector, Know Thyself You mentioned that if someone is sliding into collecting sideways or backwards, they may figure out that their new collection doesn’t fit in with their overall collecting goals.

Where do people tend to go wrong in this whole process?

I don’t know that it’s wrong in that sense, because there’s a lot of people who say, “Until you’ve taken a path, you don’t know if the path is for you.” But if it’s a situation where you jump into something and you have no idea what you’re jumping into, then of course, there is that potential downside if you discover that it’s not for you. I’ve seen people get into collecting issues of stamps that are highly promoted – anniversaries, events, what have you. On the

"If you can leverage a special area of knowledge or [skills], you can build a much finer collection than other people who don’t have those skills." one hand, if you love the stamps, no problem, because collecting should be about what you enjoy. On the other hand, if you have 10,000 people start collecting a promoted issue all at the same time, then over the years, 10,000 people are going to stop collecting it at about the same time as well.

Then a significant percentage of those people go to sell their collections, and the market is flooded. From a financial standpoint, that’s a problem for the collector or the heirs, because the value is greatly reduced.

More specific to your question, people might “go wrong” getting into a country that is a lot more involved or costly than they realized it would be. Let’s say a collector is at an auction and there’s a little collection of Germany that’s just come up, and the collector says, “Gosh, I can get this collection for a really reasonable amount of money, it sounds like a great deal,” and it is probably just wonderful. But if the collector has a desire for completeness or if the collector is a person who wants everything to be never hinged, very fine, etcetera, well, a little collection of Germany that you started for only $200 could turn into an investment of $50,000 before you got very far.

It sounds like your advice is Collector, Know Thyself, before you get into something.

Yes. It’s a good idea to understand the scope and scale of what you’re getting into. On the other hand, we’ve had clients who will research something to death.

I suppose it’s possible to research so much before you start that you talk yourself out of it.

And sometimes correctly. If you have a beer budget and you do your research and discover it is a champagne subject, well, you have to talk yourself out of it, otherwise you’re just going to get frustrated or you’re going to get divorced or something. But at the same time, there is a place for spontaneity.

people design their own, and some people use a purchased database. Again, look ahead years. Blue sky your collection: “What’s going to happen when I have 10,000 items in this collection?” Or, “What’s going to happen when my want list shrinks from 10,000 to 30?” Those considerations will change how you use your spreadsheet or database. Also, do you want to keep track of images and associate them with other textual data? How would you do that?

In terms of deciding what to collect, reference tools are essential. The American Philatelic Research Library has so many references, either in person, over the web, or through the mail. These resources are available to help people figure out their itnerests. Read as much as you can and learn how to use Google in productive ways, not just generic ways. Use Google Translate tools (translate.google.com) – you can point it at a website that’s in German and read it in English, and it’s darn good.

That’s true, the research face has changed with the internet.

There’s an old expression, which is just as true today as ever, that knowledge is power. Knowledge is more distributed now than it used to be, but it’s also lower quality, or the information presented is lower quality than it used to be. If you published a book, at least an editor read the book first.

Nowadays, anybody can throw up a website and it might be right, it might be wrong. If you can leverage a special area of knowledge or special abilities, you can build a much finer collection than other people who don’t have those skills. I can’t read what’s on Tibetan stamps, so if you can read that language, you are miles ahead of any other collector who

Knowledge – and Foresight - is Power What kind of tools do you use and do you recommend that other people use when they are working on their collections?

Spreadsheets are very handy for keeping track of and making your want list. Look ahead years as you develop your spreadsheet architecture, to make sure that it’s actually going to function as the content in the spreadsheet changes over time. Databases also work – some MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 237

"If you have a beer budget and you do your research and discover [the area you want to collect] is a champagne subject, you have to talk yourself out of it." might be interested in getting into the area. Not only can you read what’s on the stamps, but you can read about the stamps in the native language, and you can correspond with the collectors in that country. It’s a tremendous advantage that others won’t have. Similarly, if you have learned important details about your area, and can identify varieties or plate an issue, for example, every time you’re in a stamp show, you’re at an advantage while looking through dealer stock books.

Whereas everybody else has to work backwards and rely on the dealer’s identification, and end up paying 50 times as much as the person who could find it from their own knowledge If you’re not going to learn a different language, then perhaps the best piece of advice would be to become good friends with some experts to leverage their knowledge.

Even if it doesn’t involve language, absolutely. A big mistake many collectors make is to assume that they are more expert than they really are. People should definitely get other opinions, get other advice, build relationships with other people in that area.

WHY NOT HAITI? POURQUOI PAS HAÏTI? POUKISA PA AYITI?

Finding the Right Dealer for You Do you have advice about how people can find the best dealers for their specific collection?

As a dealer, of course, I think it would be great if all my clients had me as their go-to dealer, but the reality is that a variety of opinions and perspectives is going to serve them better over time. As a source of material, they may settle on one or a few dealers, but even if a dealer is the best in the world on some particular country or subject matter, they won’t have all of the material in the world.

Keep your options open. Don’t rely on any one dealer for anything, and also keep in mind that while most dealers are honest, there’s a few bad apples now and then. Dealing with multiple dealers will help you detect if one of them suddenly turns into a bad apple.

To find the right dealer for your area, watch for advertising. You can join an online discussion forum – which is actually a good research tool, as well – and ask, “I’m thinking about collecting X. What are the pluses and minuses? What are the pitfalls of collecting X?” You’ll receive back a lot of information, most of it pretty high quality. You can also ask, “Has anybody got any recommendations for dealers who specialize in X?” And you’ll get feedback, mostly reliable.

Searching the internet – that may seem like obvious advice, but a lot of people overlook it, or don’t search properly. Try looking for specific items. For example, not just “Bolivian stamps,” but “Bolivia stamps on cover,” “Bolivia Scott number X.” Try searching different ways and you’ll get different results back and you’ll start to see some dealer names pop up more frequently.

Look for people who write. Sometimes dealers will write an article or something in the AP or elsewhere about a particular area, and if they can string a few words together and get it published, that’s usually an indication that they might actually know what they're talking about. n 238 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

• Start collecting Haiti!

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Collecting New Issues E

WITH BILL SILVESTER AND JOHN STEFANEK

very year, countries all over the world issue stamps related to scores of different topics. Collectors of new issues know well that sourcing and acquiring these stamps is an entirely different beast than buying stamps that are a few decades old, or centuries old. Our contributors for this section, William “Bill” Silvester and John Stefanek, both New Issue columnists and collectors themselves, have compiled a list of sources and advice for anyone who finds a new issue drawing their eye. Silvester has written the “New World Issues” column in The American Philatelist since February 2020, and Stefanek sources new issues for APS affiliate and ATA study unit Gay and Lesbian History on Stamps.

Please tell us about your column and your writing process.

John: I write a new issues column for the quarterly digital newsletter of Gay and Lesbian History on Stamps, and I mean it to be a complete topical listing, so the members can decide what they want to collect from that list. So it gets quite long. It may surprise you how many new issues are out there these days that pertain to our topic. During each quarter, I make a list of new issues that I happen to hear about that fit our collecting topic.

As I get nearer to the issue’s publication, I will go through country by country, using the online catalogs to see what’s depicted on the stamps, and check the individual country’s philatelic bureau or post office.

Sometimes the online catalogs aren’t completely upto-date and there’ll be even more current information available on these websites.

Bill: In my writing I attempt to present a cross section of the many and varied issues that become available every year. I tend to seek out some of the more popular topics to present to APS readers, such as new stamps featuring animals, trains, sports and so on. Unfortunately, I am not always able to spotlight issues that I think will be of interest as they do not fit in the criteria I have set out for inclusion. When writing my column, the first thing I need to find is a high resolution image. I have found a few sources that use a higher resolution and others that are willing to send me updates of their new issues in advance along with background information.

Once I have gathered a dozen or so suitable images,

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I begin researching the subjects, either through the website of the philatelic agency or country responsible or from other sources in my library or on the web. I look for little tidbits of information that would be of interest to readers as well as an overall synopsis of the subject. The third step, and strangely, sometimes the most difficult, is finding a page on the country’s website where the stamps can be purchased so that I can include that information with the write-up. Sometimes there is none, so I step back and regretfully delete that stamp from my New Issue list.

What sources do you use for identifying new issues?

Bill: Each month, as I prepare to write my column, I first go to the websites of the more popular countries such as Canada Post, Royal Mail, Australia Post, all of which are easy to order from. I also have a few philatelic bureaus that send me periodic updates on their new issues. Next, I go to wholesale new issues dealers and check out what they have listed. Finally, I check out the auction sites like HipStamp, eBay, or Delcampe. Having done all that I usually have a nice list of new issues to use in my column.

John: I usually find information about new issues from publications – Linn’s Stamp News is fairly complete with coverage on the United States, Canada and Great Britain issues. Besides publications, I also try to get issue information from places on the internet – blogs, discussion forums, online stamp catalogs. There are discussion forums where some members keep threads where they talk about new issues, and other threads keep abreast of certain countries’ new issues. I also use two online stamp catalogs, such as stampworld. com and colnect.com.

Is the internet the best resource, or are there dealers who act as middlemen? Is there usually an opportunity to comparison shop between vendors?

Bill: The best, and generally the cheapest, place to buy new issues is from the country issuing them as they sell at face value from online websites. It’s not always easy to find this. One would think that selling stamps would be one of the primary objectives of a country’s postal website but apparently not. In some cases, a great deal of searching is required to find a place to buy postMARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 239

age stamps from a philatelic bureau. This is unfortunate as that leaves collectors unable to purchase their stamps at face value from the country of choice and instead they must rely on sites selling stamps at over face value.

Using a subscription service from that country also keeps shipping costs down as well. Wholesale new issue dealers, like those mentioned earlier, charge a percentage above face and often a discount if a specific number of a certain stamp are purchased.

In some cases, collectors can order from a philatelic agency. This is handy if more than one country is of interest as these agencies represent numerous countries and can also be searched by topic. Countries that do not sell stamps on their own postal websites will sometimes refer you to their agent. There will often be a postage and handling charge so the more you can order from a country or their agent the better, to even out those charges. Some offer free shipping if a certain amount of dollar value is ordered.

New issue services abound and naturally they charge a bit extra plus postage and handling. Most stamp magazines list new issue services in their classifieds or, like The American Philatelist, feature advertisements from their post offices. Do your research before selecting one. Some have the stock on hand, others will wait for you to order and then they will order from the country requested making the process much slower. However, having said that, if you have a new issue service you are happy with, then by all means stick with them.

Finding Sources for New Issues Online JOHN’S PICKS Commonwealthstampsopinion.blogspot.com (Information on British Commonwealth stamps) StampBoard.com (Internet discussion forum) Stampworld.com (Online catalog) Colnect.com (Online catalog) Glhsonline.org (A list of philatelic bureaus and postal administrations on the GLHS website)

BILL’S PICKS Kentresearch.com (Wholesale new issues dealer) Herrickstamp.com (Wholesale new issues dealer) Igpc.com (Intergovernmental Philatelic Corporation, philatelic agency) Pobjoystamps.com (Popjoy, philatelic agency) Stamperija.eu/#home (Stamperija, philatelic agency) Wikipedia.com, search “Philatelic Bureaus” (An extensive but incomplete list of postal administrations)

BOTH RECOMMEND Hipstamp.com eBay.com Delcampe.net 240 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

John: You can always find new issues to buy on online auction and market sites. Some postal administrations sell their new issues through those, as well.

For example, Canada Post and the USPS sell on eBay. This also gives you an opportunity to comparison shop, which is helpful. Sellers try to keep costs down to stay competitive.

There must be a gap of time after a new issue is sold and is no longer available from that country’s agent when a fairly new issue is difficult to find. Do you have any tips for those situations?

Bill: Many postal administrations have new issues on sale for at least a full year after they are first issued.

Most agents keep issues on sale for as long as they have them in stock. If a collector has waited too long or was unaware of the stamp and the stamps are sold out then the auction sites, HipStamp, eBay and Delcampe, are the best alternative.

What are those countries that are extremely difficult to collect?

John: Getting information about some of the Latin American countries is very tough, and some of that must be because some countries are just not releasing as many stamps as they used to. If I find information about some of them, it’s very difficult to actually find a place to buy them – and that’s when you go to eBay or Delcampe. My best advice would be to go sit out on the auction site to try to get the info. Or you can hunt down special collecting societies. If I’m having trouble finding out information about stamps from Peru or Bolivia, there are several South American philatelic societies.

Or you get a pen pal, right? An exchange partner of some sort.

What else should our readers know about collecting new issues? Any other tips?

Bill: Every year, countries all over the world issue stamps related to scores of different topics. Most topical collectors usually find at least one new stamp, set or souvenir sheet to add to their collections throughout the course of a year. Many philatelic agencies and national postal services keep an eye on topical themes when deciding what they will suggest to their clients or Post Office departments for the annual new issue fest.

Some countries restrict their topics to subjects that are pertinent to their nation, others will issue anything they think might sell to an eager topical collector.

Collecting new issues is not much different from collecting old issues, excepting the more prompt one is in getting the stamps from seller to buyer, the better.

Some popular topics sell out quicker than others, so it is advisable to get them on order as soon as possible.n

Albums and Supplies B

WITH JAY BIGALKE AND PAUL BARTOLOMEI

uying philatelic material is an important piece of the puzzle that is building your collection. But unless you plan on tripping over storage bins full of stamps until the end of days, choosing an album or other organization method is a high priority. Luckily, albums, stock books, binders, and other philatelic tools come in endless varieties, designed for every type of collector. We consulted Jay Bigalke of Scott Publishing and Paul Bartolomei of Palo Albums on how to choose the supplies that are right for you and your collecting style.

About Paul Paul: I started collecting when I was seven. After getting married and having kids, I left the hobby for a while, and when I got back into it, I couldn’t find albums for the countries I wanted to collect. So I started making my own. At a certain point, I thought, “Well, if this worked for me, it should work in the marketplace.”

I decided to put up a website, do some trade magazine advertising, and here I am today. The funny thing is that after I started the business, I got tired of stamp collecting, so I actually ended up selling almost everything.

I still enjoy this because it’s still a hobby to me, even though I’m doing a different aspect of it.

For Davo and Palo, we have an individual mount on our page for each stamp, whereas Lindner’s system is a bit different. They have a plastic overlay sheet over the paper page, so when you insert the stamps in this plastic overlay pocket, you can physically lift that plastic sheet and look at the back of the stamps. That’s another difference between the three systems. Lindner is probably the Mercedes Benz of stamp albums. The pages are thick, it’s just a top quality product.

Gary: I’m a Lindner guy myself and I use the T-blank system where I make my own pages.

Paul: That is a super system. If anybody has a specialized collection, that’s actually the best on the market. They have 80 different configurations of pages, so if you don’t find something for your area, you won’t find it anywhere.

Selecting an album Collectors have different needs to store their stamps.

In addition to our own Palo albums, we carry the full line of Lindner and Davo albums. They are competitors in some ways, but they are complementary as well.

What are the differences between the three lines? Why might they appeal to different collectors?

Paul: There is no perfect album. Each collector wants to collect their own way. For example, Lindner and Davo, being European, don’t follow the Scott catalog. And I’m not talking about Scott numbers, I’m talking about the layout of the albums. They follow the European catalogs. In the case of Lindner, they follow Michel catalog organization: regular issues, souvenir sheets, semi-postal and air post first, followed by the rest of the Back of the Book issues. Davo mixes regular and semi-postal issues first, then souvenir sheets, followed by air post and the rest of the BoB. Palo follows the Scott catalog. We have all the regular issues at the beginning of the album followed by all BoB.

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A typical Palo Album page in full color. Even when an album page is incomplete, the color enhances the appearance of the unfilled spaces.

MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 241

If I’m a beginning collector, Lindner probably would not be my first choice, then.

Paul: No, I wouldn’t recommend Lindner for the first choice. There are many collectors out there that collect worldwide and they ask us what album to get.

I tell everybody the same thing: you’re wasting your money. Select a few specific country albums. There’s no such thing as a truly worldwide album anymore. Those big album series don’t include pages for everything that’s issued. If you don’t want to specialize, then I would recommend stock books. Or if you want to get a little bit fancier use the T-Blank system and add custom pages as your collection grows. If you buy all the stamps from every country in the world on a yearly basis, it would probably cost you over $50,000.

Trying to buy albums for that, you wouldn’t afford the stamps.

Paul: Absolutely. Just as an example, hingeless pages in binders for every country in the world up to 1940 will cost you probably in excess of $20,000. You are looking at a lot of albums, a lot of money. It’s better to specialize.

When your collection outgrows your album When a collector outgrows their first album, how do you counsel them? What’s the selection process?

Paul: I usually tell them to specialize in the countries that interest them. Being realistic, nearly all of their stamps that are dated after 1905 are low value. So limit the investment in albums to where the better stamps are found. I think the best way to approach collecting a country would be to buy a basic Country album from whichever company you prefer and then supplement that with that company’s blank pages for your specialized material. For example, in the case of a specialized collector, if you collect Germany, it would be good to have the Lindner Germany pages, but then use your T-Blank pages as supplements for your special material.

Let’s talk for a moment about the clients that you encounter in your segment of the market. Are they buying albums because they are adding a new collecting area or are there other reasons?

Paul: Well, we have a couple of scenarios here. We have the customer who is upgrading to a nicer album.

And then we have existing customers who are adding a country. I put myself in that category because that’s how I used to do it myself. Of course, there are the yearly supplements, where we have the return customer. We also have the customer who just opts for stock books.

Preserving your collection Can you talk a little bit about preserving your stamp collection?

Paul: The materials that are used in our company and every other company that I’m aware of are archival materials. Fifty years ago, it might have been a

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242 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

concern, but nowadays, it’s really not an issue. You’ll see some old albums have toned pages. That’s when you want to think about transferring to a new album.

If you’re living in a tropical area, you want to make sure that temperature and humidity are controlled where you keep your stamps. High humidity areas will wreak havoc on your stamp collection, no question.

About Jay Jay: I’ve been a collector of stamps since age eight. I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin and bought new issues from my local post office. Somebody told me about first day covers and first day ceremonies, so then I started attending those. Since then, I’ve attended a first day ceremony in every single state and most of the territories, traveling about 750,000 miles in total by 2018. Actually, I have the podium display from the Birds in Winter first day ceremony as a memento.

Different Books for Different Folks If I’m a new or a returning collector, what is the best Jay Bigalke, editor-in-chief of approach to pick an album?

Scott catalogs and Linn's.

Jay: First find out what you like best about collecting. Stock books work really well for organizing stamps before you figure out exactly how you want to store or display them. If you wanted to make sure you had everything in the set before mounting it in the album, a stock book is a good starting point. There’s an 8½” by 11” stock book that is your general work horse.

It comes usually in 16, 32 and 64 pages. There’s also a smaller size, about 6 by 9 inches or so that works well for bringing to a stamp show. There isn’t really a bad stock book that I can think of.

How do I decide what album I should be using for my collection, whether I’m a beginner, an intermediate, or advanced collector?

Jay: Try thinking about what somebody who might inherit your collection will see. What do you want your legacy to be? When someone is appraising your collection one of the first questions asked is “What album is it in?” Is it a Scott album or Stanley Gibbons album, is it hingeless or are they all in mounts? Are there any certificates in the album? If that’s part of what you want your stamp collection to be, then you buy albums accordingly. There are other options. You can print your own album pages. That might cost a little bit more, but it's organized the way you want it.

Getting collecting advice

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Do you have a guide for assisting collectors?

Jay: In Linn’s, we run an article that tells you how to collect every new issue that comes out, from the mount size to exactly how to peel it off the pane of stamps, and how to trim it correctly. We run that feature at the end of the year and it has been very popular based on the feedback we’ve gotten from collectors.

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Preserving your collection What are the considerations that a collector should take into account when it comes to preserving their collection properly and safely?

Jay: The best conversation on this topic was in 2016, when David Beech gave his talk at the APRL grand opening (http://aps.buzz/BeechKeynote). His talk is the gold standard. We must remember that we are the caretakers for the next person that is going to own our stamps.

Tools for collectors What is the essential array of equipment that a collector should start off the collecting process with and then grow into as they advance?

Jay: For tongs - or tweezers if you are British - it basically is which kind you like. Do you like the spade or do you like the one that has more of a pointy edge?

I know a few people that have put holes through their stamps using the point-tip, but it’s a matter of preference. If you get into watermarking, you need to use safe watermark fluid, and a black ceramic or plastic tray. If you get into tagging, you are definitely going to want a UV lamp.

Some collectors have experimented with equipment for watermarking.

Jay: Stanley Gibbons has their watermark detector with different light sources that help you see the different watermarks. Based on our sales of that product, it works great for the expense. If you’re looking for an inverted watermark on a British stamp, there could be a sizable dollar amount to it, so having that investment in the equipment is going to be helpful at some point to you.

What other tools and equipment should collectors know about? A good desk light?

Jay: Ott-Lite with the Daylight bulb. Our editors have those lights at their desks to be able to see the color and accurately list it in the catalog. Color is tricky and the Ott-Lite is typically the one we go to.

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A Reference Collection is Essential Jay: Consider putting together a reference collection of your own stamps, especially to determine color. The paint chip type guides are just not produced anymore. I don’t know of anybody who is currently selling one. If you can find older copies, they end up selling for quite

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Birds in Winter first day ceremony podium display from Jay Bigalke's collection.

it’s a valuable reference tool.

■ a bitIfbecause you have a pile of stamps they might all seem like they’re the same color. But on inspection, color variations start popping out. There are some colors that are known to have issues with sulphurization, like oranges from the early 1900s. There are many other reasons for color variations. You can also gather examples of perforation varieties to measure against other examples.

Perf Gauges Tell us about the different kinds of perforation gauges.

Jay: Our go-to is the Scott Multi-Gauge. Our editors use this when they are adding new issue listings. The other one is the Precision Multi-Gauge. This one has Grill measurements as well. These gauges are very difficult to manufacture because of the precision required.

Wayne Youngblood on Watermarks Without going into great depth about watermarks, they are an area of the paper that’s slightly thinner than the rest of the paper – an intentional thin, in a sense. The whole theory behind watermark fluid is you’re finding a fluid that will be absorbed very rapidly by the paper and then dissipate rather rapidly too. Different chemicals evaporate at different rates, and so you’re able to see some things with some fluids that you can’t with others, just simply because of the absorption rate. The one that I absolutely do not ever advise people to use is Ronsonol lighter fluid as a watermark fluid. It is a petroleum distillate and it does leave residue. Good watermark fluids like Clarity aren’t cheap. But it’s an important tool. We’re only stewards of the material we collect and we should be taking as good care of it as possible, and so I will not use anything that is potentially harmful to the stamp.

MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 243

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Establishing Good Dealer Relationships WITH LILIANA ROSENDE AND STANLEY PILLER

t’s been said many times before that dealers are the lifeblood of the hobby. Without the expertise, sharp eyes, and generous spirit of philatelic dealers, many of the best collections and exhibits would be much poorer. We spoke to Liliana Rosende of Champion Stamp Company and Stanley Piller of Stanley Piller and Associates, to learn how the most fruitful dealer/buyer relationships flourish.

Know Thy Customer Do you have a checklist of questions to narrow down a person’s collecting interest, if they aren’t sure themselves?

Liliana: I have a mental checklist.

• What kind of album do you have?

• Do you prefer mint stamps to used stamps?

• What do you already have that we could grow further?

I try to engage them and try to get them to continue.

There was a reason that they decided to either come back into stamp collecting or start new, so determining that driving force is essential.

Stanley: I’ve been doing this for over 60 years. A lot of collectors have their want lists. If a want list only has the expensive stamps, I can guess that the collector has gotten the cheaper ones already and knows what they’re looking for. When a collector comes in and the list has

a 25¢ stamp on it, I know they are (usually) a beginner, filling spaces. When they come in and say, “What do you have in C11s?” I know immediately that they’re collecting that stamp and looking for varieties. I either have something or I don’t.

I have collectors who want to exhibit, I have others who want to fill spaces. Some of them are very concerned about quality. My best and longest customer I have had stayed with me because I listened to what he wanted to collect. He wanted U.S. never hinged. I never showed him a hinged stamp, except when was not known unhinged, in which case, it would be interesting to him.

Because of that, I became his dealer. If you don’t listen to the collector, how can you give them what they want?

Do you receive want lists from collectors?

Liliana: Yes, we do. We’ll go through our stock, and pull out whatever we have in our inventory to help that collector. We have thousands of counter books from all over the world in alphabetical order, by country and by catalog number, a whole library system. We also hold on to the lists that we can’t completely fill, so when new things come in, we reach out to the customer: “This beautiful stamp came in, do you still need it?”

Meet Liliana Rosende and Champion Stamp Company Champion Stamp Company opened in 1992, at which point there were perhaps one or two street-level stamp stores left, but for at least the last 20 years, Champion is only street level retail stamp store left in Manhattan that you can walk into and just look around. The store is the brain child of Arthur Morowitz, who was the president of the American Stamp Dealers Association for many years.

We are located on the Midtown West Side (unfortunately not open to walkins due to COVID.) We have a strong internet presence through our website and on eBay. We do stamp shows and we do a lot of advertising. We try to bring some highlights to shows when we go and get to know potential new customers. If not at the show, we often have something back at the shop that could help them, so we start 244 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

a correspondence.

What kind of clients do you have?

We have our regulars, the locals, some of whom we've had since the day we opened. We also are very big with international stamp collectors who come to New York for a visit. They end up coming to us because they want to see a New York City stamp store. We do have a lot of tourists that stop by our shop as well.

Hobby stores and stamp stores are not a typical sight anymore, so there is some curiosity.

Then we have people who want to start collecting, or better yet, continue the collection they started as a child. They’ll search “stamp stores” online and show up at our door. And hopefully their interest sticks and they become regulars.

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Finding a rarity Last year, APEX had a client who was not a stamp collector send us a stamp she thought was a U.S. Scott 594. It was in horrible shape, but it turned out to be a genuine 594.

Meet Stanley Piller How did you start off collecting and how did you migrate into becoming a dealer?

When I was about seven, eight years old, I had an older first cousin, who was a dealer on Nassau Street. I started making packets for him when I lived in the Ballpark section of Brooklyn.

In 1963, I went to Richard Ginensky's stamp shop on Nassau Street and told him that he had misidentified some 3 cent 1851 covers. He offered me a job, and I spent my entire senior year of college working for a stamp dealer.

I collected the 3 cent 1851-57 issue, and I put together a world class exhibit of the stamp. So I know something about building serious stamp collections and exhibiting. I helped Dr. Leonard Kapiloff build his New York Postmaster's Provisionals collection, and wrote a book on the subject in 1991. So when it comes to classic U.S., I'm pretty knowledgeable. I’ve expertized since the early 1970s, and now am an expert for the APS (APEX), the Philatelic Foundation, Philatelic Stamp Authentication and Grading (PSAG): and Professional Stamp Experts (PSE).. When it comes to being a dealer, I understand stamps and I understand how you should collect. You've got to tell a story.

Start a new collection at reasonable cost How do you assist someone who’s starting a new country or collection, for example?

Liliana: If you’re starting a new country, there are a lot of options. You could buy an existing collection, and we have thousands from all over the world. That way you get a good amount of stamps. Usually, when you buy a collection, the price as a whole is cheaper than buying individual stamps. You get the most for your money and a good bulk of stamps to sort through. Later, you can create a list of things that you specifically need, the ones that are missing.

Advice for buyers What are red flags that collectors should watch out for, especially when they’re buying online?

Stanley: For almost everything you buy online, if it looks like you are getting a great bargain, it’s a scam.

Dealers aren’t stupid. Nobody’s going to sell a $1000 stamp for $10. However, there are people who put stuff on eBay - mostly not dealers, but collectors, or noncollectors - who don’t know what they have. If you’ve done your research, you can spot those things.

What advice do you have for buyers to be savvy about what they buy?

Stanley: Buy the best you can afford. If you can’t afford superb gems, don’t buy them. If you can buy a sound stamp against a faulty stamp, buy the sound one. But if you don’t care about the quality and just care about the sentiment, buy whatever you can afford. This is not something that you should spend all your money on and have nothing to eat. It’s a hobby. Collect what you want to collect.

And read up a bit, know what you are buying.

Liliana: Stamp collecting is a hobby, it’s supposed to be fun. If it makes you happy, there shouldn’t be any real rules. It doesn’t have to be in one particular type of album and organized in this particular type of way. It’s your collection.

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Liliana: First, find a dealer that’s accessible to you.

Some people don’t have the opportunity to go to a stamp store or show – the internet is the only option.

And there are dealers who are just as accessible there, or over the phone or email, as at an in-person bourse.

Find a dealer that has the type of material you’re looking for. Of course you want a good price, a quality product, and correctly-described material. No one dealer can have everything for everybody. Most collectors build their collection with different venues, not just one dealer.

With Champion’s long-term customers, how did you build that relationship?

Liliana: Well, we just built it over the years. We sell a product, people are happy with us, they trust us, we’re honest, we have a good reputation, our prices are competitive. We have a friendly staff that wants to help. Our customers feel comfortable when they come in and talk with any member of our staff because they are knowledgeable.

For your favorite restaurant, you keep going back because the food is good. And it’s the same with the stamp store. That’s what we’ve tried to do and we’ve been in this location for almost 30 years. Clearly, it’s worked for us.

Stanley: She probably did her research. Do you know how rare it is to find these things? Only once in my own experience has anyone ever brought me an expensive stamp like a 594. How did he find it? It was a serious collector who went through tens of thousands of 1¢ stamps. My immediate reaction was, “Well, it probably isn’t one,” but I checked it, looked at him and said, “You know, it looks like you have one. Let’s get a certificate.” I sent it off to the Philatelic Foundation, it came back genuine.

These things do happen. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone through a dealer’s inventory, sitting down at a show and found things that were totally misdescribed. But believe me, it can even happen to me, I may have something that I wrote up in a rush, didn’t check it out properly. That’s the way it goes.

F

Establishing dealer relationships

MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 245

Appraising a Stamp Collection – A Follow-Up RICHARD COLBERG

T

he May 2020 issue of The American Philatelist published my article “Appraising a Stamp Collection” with advice for collectors about organizing their collections in preparation for a future appraisal and notes on what they should expect from the process. Now, almost a year later, I have additional information to share, specifically for donated property.

If a stamp collection is being appraised for tax deduction purposes (i.e., as a donation to a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization), the IRS Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions, must be submitted to the IRS with your tax return. This form was revised in December 2020 and there are some changes. If you are going to be donating to a taxexempt organization, like the American Philatelic Society, I urge you to download the IRS Form 8283 and its instructions (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8283.pdf). There are also changes that apply to appraisers, but I need not go into those here.

The form has five sections: Part I, Section A, Donated Property of $5,000 or less; Part I, Section B, Donated Property Over $5,000; Part II, Partial Interests and Restricted Use Property; Part III, Taxpayer (Donor) Statement; Part IV, Declaration of Appraiser; and, Part V, Donee Acknowledgement.

You will notice that Part I is divided into two parts: under and over $5,000. This limit is the total FMV (Fair Market Value) of the donation, not of any one item. Part I, Section A has up to eight sections the donor needs to fill in: (a) donee, (c) what is being donated, (d) date of donation, (e) date acquired, (f) how acquired, (g) donor’s cost basis, (h) Fair Market Value, and (i) method used to determine FMV. If the FMV of the donation is less than $500, Sections (e), (f), and (g) are not necessary. For donations less than $5000, an appraisal is not necessary.

Part 1, Section B (over $5,000) requires a bit more information. In Section B-2, there is a box “g” to be checked for Collectibles (use this for stamp collections). In Section B-3 you will need to fill out (a) Description of donated property, (c) Appraised FMV, (d) Date acquired, (e) How acquired by donor, (f) Donor’s cost basis, (h) Amount claimed as a 246 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

deduction and (i) Date of contribution. For donations over $5,000, a written appraisal is necessary.

For “Description of donated property,” you can enter “Stamp Collection,” or some other descriptive phrase.

Appraised FMV is the value from your appraisal. Again, for more information about how to get your collection appraised, see the May 2020 AP. “Date acquired” can be “Various” if you are like most collectors and have acquired the items over a long period of time. “How acquired by donor” can be answered as simply as “various dealers & auctions,” or some such phrase. For “Donor’s cost basis,” unless you know it off-hand (you’d be one-in-a-million if that’s true) you need to write, “See Attachment.” Then you need to write out a short statement as to why you don’t know the cost basis. For example, “I acquired these stamps over a period of years from various sources and did not keep records of my costs.” This, or something similar, will be enough to satisfy the IRS requirements. As for what to write for “Amount claimed as a deduction,” I will cover the topic shortly. And, lastly, the “Date of the contribution.” Your appraisal must be written NO MORE than 60 days prior to the date of the donation.

Part II. Partial Interests and Restricted Use Property will not apply to the average collector. Section 4 is to be filled out if the donated property is not totally owned by you, the donor. For instance, if you are only a part owner of the donated property, this must be disclosed. Section 5 must be filled out if there are conditions placed on the donated property. For instance, if you specify that the organization must display your items, or perhaps you specify that the donated items may not be sold for some period of years, these conditions must be disclosed.

In Part III, Taxpayer (Donor) Statement, you are supposed to list all items with an appraised value of LESS THAN $500. For most stamp collections, that one line will never be enough. You should be able to write in “See attached appraisal.” Then sign and date it.

Part IV is for your appraiser to fill in. As an appraiser, Part IV is the only part of Form 8283 that I ever deal with.

The rest is up to the donor to complete. In fact, in my recent

8283

Form (Rev. December 2020) Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service

Noncash Charitable Contributions

OMB No. 1545-0074

▶ Attach one or more Forms 8283 to your tax return if you claimed a total deduction

I

of over $500 for all contributed property. ▶ Go to www.irs.gov/Form8283 for instructions and the latest information.

Attachment Sequence No. 155

Identifying number

Name(s) shown on your income tax return

Note: Figure the amount of your contribution deduction before completing this form. See your tax return instructions.

Section A. Donated Property of $5,000 or Less and Publicly Traded Securities—List in this section only an item (or a group of similar items) for which you claimed a deduction of $5,000 or less. Also list publicly traded securities and certain other property even if the deduction is more than $5,000. See instructions.

Part I Information on Donated Property—If you need more space, attach a statement. Form 8283 (Rev. 12-2020)

1

(a) Name and address of the donee organization

(b) If donated property is a vehicle (see instructions), check the box. Also enter the vehicle identification number (unless Form 1098-C is attached).

A B C D E

-

□

I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I

ITTlllTTlll

I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I

□

I

Complete lines 4a through 4e if you gave less than an entire interest in a property listed in Section B, Part I. Complete lines 5a through 5c if conditions were placed on a contribution listed in Section B, Part I; also attach the required statement. See instructions.

4a

Enter the letter from Section B, Part I that identifies the property for which you gave less than an entire interest ▶ If Section B, Part II applies to more than one property, attach a separate statement. b Total amount claimed as a deduction for the property listed in Section B, Part I: (1) For this tax year . . ▶ (2) For any prior tax years ▶ c Name and address of each organization to which any such contribution was made in a prior year (complete only if different from the donee organization above): Name of charitable organization (donee)

□ □ □

Note: If the amount you claimed as a deduction for an item is $500 or less, you do not have to complete columns (e), (f), and (g).

Address (number, street, and room or suite no.)

I

(d) Date of the contribution

(e) Date acquired by donor (mo., yr.)

(f) How acquired by donor

(g) Donor’s cost or adjusted basis

Page 2

(c) Description and condition of donated property Name(s) shown on your income tax return Identifying number (For a vehicle, enter the year, make, model, and mileage. For securities and other property, see instructions.)

Partial Interests and Restricted Use Property (Other Than Qualified Conservation Contributions)— Part II

(h) Fair market value (see instructions)

City or town, state, and ZIP code

T

(i) Method used to determine the d fair market value For tangible property, enter the place where the property is located or kept ▶

e

A B C D E

Name of any person, other than the donee organization, having actual possession of the property ▶ Yes No

5a Is there a restriction, either temporary or permanent, on the donee’s right to use or dispose of the donated property? b Did you give to anyone (other than the donee organization or another organization participating with the donee organization in cooperative fundraising) the right to the income from the donated property or to the possession of Section B. Donated Property Over $5,000 (Except Publicly Traded Securities, Vehicles, Intellectual or theProperty property, including the right to vote donated securities, to acquire the property by purchase or otherwise, or to Inventory Reportable in Section A)—Complete this section for one item (or a group of similar items) forperson having such income, possession, or right to acquire? . . . . . . . . . . . . . designate the which you claimed a deduction of more than $5,000 per item or group (except contributions reportable in Is there a restriction limiting the donated property for a particular use? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section A). Provide a separate form for each item donated unless it is part of a group ofcsimilar items.

A

-

Part I 2

Check the box that describes the type of property donated. e a □ Art* (contribution of $20,000 or more) □ Other Real Estate b □ Qualified Conservation Contribution f □ Securities c □ Equipment g □ Collectibles** d □ Art* (contribution of less than $20,000) h □ Intellectual Property

i j k

H3

-

Taxpayer (Donor) Statement—List each item included in Section B, Part I above that the appraisal identifies as having a value of $500 or less. See instructions.

-

Declaration of Appraiser

Part III qualified appraisal is generally required for items reportable in Section B. See instructions.

Information on Donated Property

I declare that the following item(s) included in Section B, Part I above has to the best of my knowledge and belief an appraised value of not more than $500 (per item). Enter identifying letter from Section B, Part I and describe the specific item. See instructions.

□ Vehicles ▶ □ Clothing and household items Signature of □ Other taxpayer (donor) ▶ Part IV

Date ▶

* Art includes paintings, sculptures, watercolors, prints, drawings, ceramics, antiques, decorative arts, textiles, carpets, silver, rare manuscripts, I declare that I am not the donor, the donee, a party to the transaction in which the donor acquired the property, employed by, or related to any of the foregoing persons, or historical memorabilia, and other similar objects. married to any person who is related to any of the foregoing persons. And, if regularly used by the donor, donee, or party to the transaction, I performed the majority of my ** Collectibles include coins, stamps, books, gems, jewelry, sports memorabilia, dolls, etc., but not art as definedappraisals above. during my tax year for other persons.

Note: In certain cases, you must attach a qualified appraisal of the property. See instructions.

3

(a) Description of donated property (if you need more space, attach a separate statement)

A B C

I

(d) Date acquired by donor (mo., yr.)

Also, I declare that I perform appraisals on a regular basis; and that because of my qualifications as described in the appraisal, I am qualified to make appraisals of the type of property being valued. I certify that the appraisal fees were not based on a percentage of the appraised property value. Furthermore, I understand that a false or

of the (b) If any tangible personal property or real property was donated, fraudulent give a briefoverstatement (c) Appraised fairproperty value as described in the qualified appraisal or this Form 8283 may subject me to the penalty under section 6701(a) (aiding and abetting the understatement of tax liability). I understand that my appraisal will be used in connection with a return or claim for refund. I also understand that, if there is a summary of the overall physical condition of the property at the time of the gift. market value substantial or gross valuation misstatement of the value of the property claimed on the return or claim for refund that is based on my appraisal, I may be subject to a penalty under section 6695A of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as other applicable penalties. I affirm that I have not been at any time in the three-year period ending on the date of the appraisal barred from presenting evidence or testimony before the Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 330(c).

(e) How acquired by donor

(f) Donor’s cost or adjusted basis

(g) For bargain sales, enter amount received and attach a separate statement.

A B C

Sign I Appraiser signature ▶ Here I Appraiser name ▶

Cat. No. 62299J

-

The revised IRS Form 8283 is effective December 2020 and applies to federal tax returns for calendar 2020.

conversation with the IRS, I was told “Don’t worry about anything other than Part IV, you’re the appraiser.”

Part V, Donee Acknowledgement, is to be completed by the organization receiving the donation. The organization is also attesting that they will not sell or otherwise dispose of your collection for three years. Now, there’s a “gotcha” here! There is a one sentence question: “Does the organization intend to use the property for an unrelated use?” You are donating a stamp collection. In allowing you a tax deduction, the IRS wants you to make the donation to an organization that

Identifying number

I

City or town, state, and ZIP code

Part V

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see separate instructions.

Date ▶

I Title ▶

(h) Amount claimed (i) Date of Business address (including room or suite no.) as a deduction contribution (see instructions) (see instructions)

Donee Acknowledgment

This charitable organization acknowledges that it is a qualified organization under section 170(c) and that it received the donated property Form 8283 (Rev. 12-2020) as described in Section B, Part I, above on the following date ▶ Furthermore, this organization affirms that in the event it sells, exchanges, or otherwise disposes of the property described in Section B, Part I (or any portion thereof) within 3 years after the date of receipt, it will file Form 8282, Donee Information Return, with the IRS and give the donor a copy of that form. This acknowledgment does not represent agreement with the claimed fair market value.

Does the organization intend to use the property for an unrelated use? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ▶ □ Yes □ No Name of charitable organization (donee)

Employer identification number

Address (number, street, and room or suite no.)

City or town, state, and ZIP code

Authorized signature

Title

has a use for a stamp collection. Seems fair! So, if you are donating the collection to the APS, no problem. If you are donating the collection to your church or the Boy Scouts, for instance, that’s a problem. Usually, those groups can show no on-going use for a stamp collection. If this is the case, you will have to know the actual cost basis of the collection back in Part I-B-3-h!

Then see your tax advisor.

Any questions about appraisals or the contents of this article can be addressed to the author at appraisestamps@gmail.com.

Date

I

Form 8283 (Rev. 12-2020)

Stamps, stationery, postal history, die proofs from around the World.

Send a note of your interests and we’ll advise you of suitable items we have.

If in London, please visit our offices and browse our stock.

Have you visited our DELCAMPE STORE?

1, Wardour Street London W1D 6PA Great Britain Phone: 011-44-20-7930-6100 Fax: 011-44-20-7494-2881 E-mail: philatelists@argyll-etkin.com Website: www.argyll-etkin.com MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 247

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OFFER #11186 #78a, MINT HINGED, AVG/F, SLIGHTLY DISTURBED OG, W/CERT OUR PRICE $1,195-

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The Collector of Revenue

BY RON LESHER

r\ Guaranteeing the Pr oper Tax Will Be Paid IN

the last installment of this series exploring the definition of revenues, we looked at the stamps that show that a tax was paid. There are a number of stamps and stamp-like objects that we will explore here which showed (1) the payment of taxes was being deferred, (2) taxable goods were under lock and key because the taxes were not yet paid, or (3) the taxes would be properly assessed by instruments that were government certified.

In the narrowest sense these are not tax stamps, but they are closely associated with the eventual taxation of various goods. As such, these stamps that deferred payment, guaranteed payment, and assisted in the proper assessment of taxes

/

have long attracted revenue stamp collectors. They help to complete the story of taxation. In the past, these “stamps” were questioned in philatelic exhibits, but are now accepted.

Let’s begin with Brewer’s Permits, an example of a stamp showing that the taxes on beer were not yet paid.

Beginning on August 1, 1872, breweries were permitted to transport beers and ales from the brewery to a bonded warehouse without paying the tax. A brewer’s permit (Figure 1) was attached to these kegs. When they were removed from the bonded warehouse, the tax needed to be paid with the appropriate denomination beer tax stamp affixed to the keg.

Figure 2 shows the third Brewer’s Permit, Series of 1878,

'

I J H t : ~-~~ _ _ ( A26f98 ) i , \I Oflice,,totlecto1: ..,=,. "= rn;r:,t ,- r\

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to -1,ts Warehou.s o

. Allu:c,Irf. Crtnce!kti

Stateot:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

!Jy _________ ) _ 4-117_ ) ~

.Zhitrict

•

,

Figure 1. Brewer’s Permit Act of June 6, 1872, First Series.

250 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

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.flre11wyin.,t/ti.slJisl.to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ / ;

·_l Jrewer /07;· removat _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , or _ _ _ _ _ _ of'.__ ----+------

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_ ...., .....~ ...... ,... ,;;-, ., ....... ................ .. ,.. ,~ J J F(:lf/Cj'. j j) . ~t;·J :1YIJ1JlJJ: ~·rn J~:,~., ~~

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..... in t-Ja.s!LJisl:

. !ZJistSramo/

Figure 2. Series of 1878 Brewer’s Permit on pale green double line USIR watermark paper used in 1887.

that remained in use until 1911. Over the more than thirty years of service seen by the Series of 1878 Brewer’s Permit, quite a few different colored papers were used.

Similar to the Brewer’s Permits were a number of warehousing stamps that were used to place untaxed distilled spirits into bonded warehouses. Bonded warehouses were used to store goods that were subject to taxes or import duties that were not yet paid. One of the earlier examples is a distillery warehouse stamp from 1871 (Figure 3). Note the “25” numerals in the left and right margins. The initial

fee of 25¢ was charged for applying this stamp to a barrel of whiskey to be placed in the bonded warehouse on the distillery property for aging. This process of putting the distilled spirits into a charged oak barrel would over time turn the contents of the barrel from a clear liquid to the brown color we associate with whiskey. The aging also greatly improved the flavor of the whiskey. In 1872 the 25¢ fee for the warehousing stamps was reduced to 10¢. New stamps were issued without the 25 denomination in the left and right margins (Figure 4). Note that each of these examples have a

~ "·"":.u., DISTlllLRY WAR£HOllS£ STAMP.

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Figure 3. Series of 1871 Distillery Warehouse stamp with 25 (cents) denomination in the left and right margins.

MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 251

. oitl1f______:,,_ _ o/)frtdd, .Stati-o/' ~ -:. ' ------ /hr nllnJ titto e, ~ 1: zhe 'Lhrtil,J1:~1 W'tuY:hJJt;se of' ~ -

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---~-~~~ 1

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___ _ _ Caitorts /11 ·o,o?pt1it. I ~ _____ - - ---'--- CSStorc/rt>, '

Figure 4. Series of 1871 Distillery Warehouse stamp with denomination removed when the fee was reduced to 10¢.

'l'HIS S'l'AMP BEARS 'l'HE PORTRAIT OF

General Zachary Taylor, 11\h !'?eaibut or the Uuite4 States, Issued in 1878, on watermark pape1· with initials U. S. I. R., (0 United Stn,tes Internal Revenue.,) engraved by tile Bureau of Engraving and Printing an,1 is one of a series of over 500 varieties INll'Chased by

Messrs. Deats & .Sterling, AUGUST, 1890,

From the Treasury Department.

60 000 of these Stamps will be d lst~ibuted FREE TO ALL who visit the display of

Deats t Sterlingj

series of pie-shaped wedges cut out of the stamp. The government cut the stamps, rendering them obsolete, before they were obtained in 1890 by Hiram Deats of Flemington, New Jersey, and E.B. Sterling, a dealer in revenue stamps in Trenton, New Jersey. They sold many of these obsolete stamps, but in one case they distributed the stamps for free to those visiting their booth at the Great Inter-State Fair in Trenton in 1891 (Figure 5). Hiram Deats would go on to form one of the greatest revenue stamp collections in the 1890s and later serve as president of the American Philatelic Society in 1904-05.

The distillery warehouse stamps were not the only type of warehousing stamps that were issued. Because brandy (also a distilled spirit) was permitted to be placed in barrels as small as 10 gallons for aging in a bonded warehouse, stamps were issued for grape brandy that was to be placed in special bonded warehouses (Figure 6). Again we see that the stamp in Figure 6 is one of the obsolete stamps that had been acquired by Deats and Sterling. If the brandy were moved to a different special bonded warehouse, a re-warehousing stamp was to be used (Figure 7). This example from the Series of 1878 is a “rescued” stamp that was actually used - note that it has numerous small round holes from the nails

Spaces 85 and 86, Sou*-h }fast "'lrner of' 1 1 1► 1 ■ ■ i ••1 I-ii 1-1

lxhf~1 cion Butlding No. 2, '

THE

Great Inter-State Fair, TRENTON, N. J. SEPT,• 28 TO OCT, 2, 1891,

I D l ' , l l l l l l l l \\\11111111',I ',!\Ml',

~,1r;1,t1••••1u iliUUil' 1~.l-nlMlit /l1/lrd✓.1✓·11/1/t✓·---- 2./1.i·/✓1✓$, \'1,,u:11/.

252 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Col,r

_ _ _ _ _ _ /i.l,f't:'1,ll,'f/ i✓1/1.1

//,r·Jk,·/1/lny J}wz,/v/Ns~· ,.11· /,V_

Figure 5. One of the remainders of a distillery warehouse stamp with added advertisement of Deats and Sterling.

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Contents

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Figure 6. Stamp for Series of 1878 Special Bonded Warehouse for Grape Brandy with remainder punch outs.

Figure 7. Series of 1878 Special Bonded Warehouse Stamp for Re-Warehousing Grape Brandy.

that were used to attach the stamp to the wooden barrel.

Internal Revenue and Customs had their own locks to secure bonded warehouses. The use of locks on bonded warehouses and in distilleries was authorized by Section 34 of the Act of July 13, 1866, two years before stamps were first authorized for the collection of taxes on distilled spirits.

At some unknown point, locks were adopted that had seals covering the keyhole when the locks were closed. The earliest example that I can show of the Internal Revenue locks and its seals is a lock made by the American Seal Lock Company (Figure 8). Interestingly, this lock, which came into

use by Internal Revenue in 1871, used a seal of glass with a number and various dots of red painted on the underside of the glass. In order to insert the key into the lock, one had to break and remove the glass and slide the seal holder down to reveal the key hole. Philatelic sources, beginning with Bartlett and Norton, indicated that this lock was quickly abandoned because broken glass shards got into the lock and jammed the mechanism. However, a report to Congress indicated that the reason for abandoning this lock was the expense of the glass seals and that the two photographic reproductions of the seals were too expensive. The bonded MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 253

Figure 8. The lock of the American Seal Lock Company with glass lock seal used by Internal Revenue in 1871 and 1872.

Figure 9. The lock of Thomas Slaight with paper seal covering the keyhole used by Internal Revenue from 1872 until 1952.

254 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Figure 10. An early engraved paper lock seal for use in the Slaight lock, Lesher (2006) catalog number 19.

Figure 11. The Caton seal lock.

Figure 12. Paper lock seal for use in the Caton lock, Priester (1986) catalog number 53.

Figure 13. Storekeeper - Gauger’s box showing two of the five hydrometers and the brass dipping cup.

warehouses which used these locks were open for six days of business every week (Monday through Saturday), thus requiring the use of six seals per week or about 300 seals a year.

On October 24, 1872, the Bureau of Internal Revenue signed a contract with Thomas Slaight of Newark, New Jersey, to provide locks that utilized a paper lock seal (Figure 9). The Bureau of Engraving & Printing (BEP) supplied the paper lock seals for these locks until at least June 30, 1951, when the locks and the type of paper seals printed by BEP were changed.

Revenue stamp collectors were already collecting these paper seals in the nineteenth century. The first comprehensive listing of which I am aware was published by Bartlett and Norton in 1912 in what has become known as the Springfield List. This was updated in the 1980s by the late Thomas Priester. None of the published listings could identify the order of issuance of the lock seals prior to 1890. Each of these catalog listings of the early Slaight lock seals have them arranged alphabetically by their color. Thus, blue seals precede red seals because the word “blue” precedes the word “red” when the words are arranged alphabetically. Research published in 2006 reflects extensive work with the records in the Bureau of Engraving & Printing to establish the actual order in which the lock seals were printed for Internal Revenue.

From 1878 until 1892, a second seal lock patented by Caton Seal and Register Lock Company (Figure 11) was also in service. This lock utilized a very small paper seal (Figure 12) in the top of the lock. It did not cover the keyhole The final grouping of items that are associated with guaranteeing that the proper tax was assessed and collected is the government certified instruments that were used to measure the proof of distilled spirits. Pure alcohol is 200 proof and distilled spirits that are half alcohol are 100 proof. Today most spirits are marketed at 80 proof (40 per cent alcohol). Proof-measuring MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 255

instruments are connected to revenues because the tax rate was defined up to and including 100 proof. Over 100 proof, the tax rate was multiplied by the proof divided by 100.

Thus the tax rate for 150 proof distilled spirits is 150/100, or 1.5 times the basic tax rate. Employees of Internal Revenue known as Gaugers (later combined with employees designated as Storekeepers and named Storekeeper-Gaugers) used a government certified glass hydrometer and a thermometer to determine the proof of sprits so that the proper tax could be determined. The hydrometers were manufactured under government contract and a label printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was inserted into the bulb of the hydrometer. Revenue stamp collectors have amassed substantial collections of these hydrometer labels.

Some collectors have been fortunate to find intact hydrometers and even complete kits used by the Internal Revenue Gaugers. These complete kits (Figure 13) usually contained five hydrometers (for different ranges of proof) and a brass dipping cup (Figure 14) with a thermometer attached. To properly determine the proof one needed the temperature of the spirits and the reading from the hydrometer. The correct proof is determined from the tables in a Gauger’s Manual. The separate tables for temperature in the Gauger’s Manual supply the corrected proof of the spirits (Figure 15).

The first hydrometer label has a vignette of George Washington. With two exceptions, Washington was on the hydrometer labels until 1929, when Rutherford B. Hayes (Figure 16) replaced Washington. The first exception is the 1870 issue which features the then-current Commissioner

Figure 14. Dipping cup with thermometer used to obtain a sample of distilled spirits to determine the proof of the spirits.

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Figure 17. Hydrometer label of 1870 with the portrait of Columbus Delano, the then current Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

Figure 18. Hydrometer label of 1871 with the portrait of J. Alfred Pleasonton, the then current Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

RICHARD FRIEDBERG STAMPS Buyers & sellers of great U.S. revenue stamps for more than 45 years.

Figure 16. Glass hydrometer with an inserted label with the Portrait of Rutherford B. Hayes.

Let us help you build YOUR collection!

Check our website for an amazing selection of Revenue and other US B-O-B categories. We have all categories of Scott-listed revenue stamps and many categories of non-Scott-listed stamps.

of Internal Revenue, Columbus Delano (Figure 17). Delano left office to become the head of the Department of the Interior. A successor Commissioner Alfred Pleasonton also had his own portrait on the hydrometer labels (Figure 18).

References

Bartlett, J. Delano and Norton, Walter W. United States Internal Revenue Stamps, Hydrometers, Lock Seals (Springfield, MA: U.S. Revenue Society; 1912).

Lesher, Ronald E. Slaight Lock Seals. Published in The Congress Book 2006 (American Philatelic Congress; 2006).

Priester, Thomas W. “Lock Seals,” The American Revenuer, vol 40 (1986): 70-73.

Turner, George B. Essays and Proofs of United States Internal Revenue Stamps (Arlington, MA: Bureau Issues Association; 1974).

REF3 F-VF (VF for issue) in use for about 6 months just after repeal of prohibition in 1933. $110 310 Chestnut St. • Meadville, PA 16335 Phone: 814-724-5824 • FAX: 814-337-8940 E-Mail: richard@friedbergstamps.com Website: www.friedbergstamps.com MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 257

Adventures in Expertizing

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

BY Ken Martin APS Director of Expertizing kpmartin@stamps.org

Expertizing: When and Why

M

ost stamp collectors have never had an item expertized. Among APS members, perhaps one in ten has submitted an item to any expertizing service. In the population of non-APS members the percentage is even lower.

There are many important reasons to consider having philatelic material expertized. These include: • To avoid financial loss and disappointment.

• To have a warranty of genuineness (and with an APS expertizing opinion, a five year guarantee).

• To have proper identification of paper, color, watermark and grills.

• To know if a stamp is never hinged, has been regummed or had a cancel removed.

• To know if a stamp has been repaired or has hidden flaws.

• To know if an item has been reperforated or perfs have been trimmed to resemble a coil or imperforate stamp.

• It is easier to sell an item that has a certificate attesting to its genuineness.

Expertizing is especially important when an item is purchased over the Internet. Many sellers on eBay and other online sites are not APS dealer members or philatelists who can differentiate between color shades, grills, printing and paper types, and other fine differences that can make a world of difference in the proper identification and value of a stamp.

So how do you know when an item should be submitted for expertizing?

• When a catalog includes a warning that counterfeits, forgeries, or reprints are abundant.

• When the same design type (image) exists on a stamp with a much lower value. This includes stamps with proofs that are less expensive than the genuine stamp, stamps with overprints and surcharges that significantly increase the value, and color varieties.

• When the stamp is claimed to be an error.

• Used stamps that are significantly more valuable than the same stamps in unused condition.

• Covers that are significantly more valuable than the used stamps. This includes valuable postal markings, fancy cancellations, usages and destinations, and covers with stamps not tied by postmarks or cancellations.

258 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Figure 1. A counterfeit Greece RA45 (left) and genuine RA45 (right). The counterfeit has a tiny dot between the two sets of lines shading the epaulet, which does not exist on the genuine.

• Stamps with a substantial premium for being never hinged.

• When the stamps represents a significant investment.

Unfortunately, there are situations where getting an expert opinion is useful, but not necessarily financially wise. For example, the Scott catalog notes counterfeits exist of Greece RA45 (Figure 1) and RA46 but the stamps are only valued at $2 used and about $10 unused. Since our Expertizing fees begin at $25 for an APS member (as of March 1, 2021), few stamps that typically sell for less than $100 are submitted for expertizing.

Member questions related to expertizing are welcome and can be sent to me at kpmartin@stamps.org. If you have suggestions or comments about “Adventures in Expertizing,” I look forward to your feedback.

Meet the Expert - Behruz Nassre Behruz Nassre has been an APS member since 2002 and a stamp collector for over 50 years. He began collecting in his native Iran when he saw his uncle’s stamp album in his grandparents home. Nassre collected through his high school years until he came to the United States for college. Following college and the beginning of his IT career in the San Francisco Bay area, he resumed collecting and has been a serious collector and exhibitor for the past 20 years.

Like many collectors, Behruz ties his collecting to his heritage. He describes this connection in •.. , . . . the “Collecting Ancestral POBox2 4 Homelands” exhibit of the Concord. NH o:no2 National Postal Museum, pysc,gistamp-one.1..:om available at http://aps. buzz/NassreNPM. Weekly Internet Sales In addition to the APS, at www.stamp-one.com Behruz is a member of the Iran Philatelic Study Circle, the United Postal Stationery Society (UPSS), Figure 2. The Dual Currency Issue of Iran.

1847–1945 the Royal Philatelic Society London, the Collectors Club of New York, the American Association of Philatelic Singles (mint and used), Plate Blocks, Booklet Panes Exhibitors and the Collectors Club of San Francisco. Nassre plus Complete Booklets, Price lists $2 each category or is past president of the Collectors Club of San Francisco, a free online.

We also buy quality U.S. & foreign stamps. current board member of the UPSS and manages the website Mountainside Mountainside Stamps, Stamps, Coins Coins and and Currency Currency and online discussion groups for the Iran Philatelic Study P .O. Box 1116 • Mountainside, NJ 07092 Circle and the Collectors Club of San Francisco. He has writTel: 908-419-9751 or 908-232-0539 ten numerous articles for Iran Philatelic Study Circle BulleE-mail: tjacks@verizon.net • www.mountainsidestamps.com tin and the UPSS. He has exhibited nationally internationally Tom Jacks, owner; member APS, ASDA for the past 20 years. Some of his exhibits can be viewed at https://www.iranphilately.org/exhibits_bne/. For the last six years, he has served on the APEX expert committee in the Iranian stamps and postal history area.

His favorite stamps offer a contrast to Iranian philately. See our Seesite: our site: www.MALACK.com LotsLots moremore to see! to see! www.MALACK.com two and FIVE DoLLAR SPECIALS One is arguably one of the most beautiful pre-1890 stamps See our site: www.MALACK.com Lots moretotosee! see!

See our site: www.MALACK.com Lots more and the earliest 3-color stamp ever produced, the 1882 1 Toman (10 Fr.) (Figure 2), Dual Currency Issue of Iran printed VF/XF,F/VF bold OG NH, 479 F/VF OG479 NH, F/VF479OGF/VFNH, OG NH, 480 480F-VF F-VF OGOGNH,NH, 480 F/VF NH, OG NH, 480 VF OG NH,480 VF480OGVF/XF 479 VF/XF, bold 479479 480OGF/VF NH,OG NH, 480 VF/XF OG NH, $85 $349 bold color! Super $349 Nice!

Super Nice!

Nice! $245 color! $335 CHOICE! $375CHOICE!Choice! $359$359 Nice! $245 supersuper color! $335 $375$450 Choice! $450 by the Austrian Government Printing Offices in Vienna. He iscolor, Nice! $85 color,boldNice!color!

479 VF/XF, bold 479 F/VF OG NH, 479 F/VF OG NH, 480 F-VF OG NH, 480 F/VF OG NH, 480 VF OG NH, 480 VF/XF OG NH, color, Nice! $85 bold color! $349 Super Nice! $359 $375 Choice! $450 currently working on an exhibit on this stamp. A second favor479 VF/XF, bold 479 F/VF OG NH, 479 F/VF OG NH, 480Nice!

F-VF$245 OG NH, super 480 color!

F/VF OG$335 NH, CHOICE! 480 VF OG NH, 480 VF/XF OG NH, color, Nice! $85 bold color! $349 Super Nice! $359 Nice! $245 super color! $335 CHOICE! $375 Choice! $450 ite stamp, which was the subject of his first multi frame exhibit, is the Provisional Typeset Issue of Tehran, printed in 1902 by480 SUPERB OG 480 SUPERB OG lovely523 VF, lovely 523 VF JUMBO 523VF/XF VF/XF OGOGHr,Hr, 523 VF/XF LH, OG523LH,F/VF OG 523 NH, F/VF 523OG F/VFNH, OG NH, 523 F/VF OG NH, 523 VF, 523 VF JUMBO faceface 523 523 OG VF/XF NH,cancel, CERT $790 $245cancel free cancel terrific color! color! $385 $675 $675fresh color! $715 Super Color!

NICE! cancel, $245 NICE!free $275$275 terrific $385 Nice! Nice! fresh color! $715$825 Super Color! $825 OG 523 VF, lovely 523 VF JUMBO face 523 VF/XF OG Hr, 523 VF/XF OG LH, 523 F/VF OG NH, 523 F/VF OG NH, the Pharous Printing Firm in Tehran. This stamp is extremelyNH, CERT $790480NH, SUPERB CERT $790 cancel, NICE! $245 free cancel $275 terrific color! $385 Nice! $675 fresh color! $715 Super Color! $825 crude, as a stamp was quickly needed due to a stamp shortage.

•

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480 SUPERB OG 523 VF, lovely 523 VF JUMBO face 523 VF/XF OG Hr, 523 VF/XF OG LH, NH, CERT $790 cancel, NICE! $245 free cancel $275 terrific color! $385 Nice! $675

523 F/VF OG NH, 523 F/VF OG NH, fresh color! $715 Super Color! $825

If you are interested in becoming an expert, please contact523 F/VF OG NH, 523 524 F/VF OGXF-SUPERB, NH, 524 XF-SUPERB, OG VLH, 524524VFVFOG OG LH, VLH, OG VLH, 524 F/VF OG 524 NH, F/VF 524 VFOGOGNH, NH, nice 524 VF OG NH, nice 524 F/VF524OGF/VFVLH, LH,super super524 F/VF 524OGF/VF color $910 margins! $65 color nice $125 color centering!524 $145 color deep $299 VF OGfresh LH,fresh super$150 F/VFcolor!

OG VLH, 524 $305 F/VF VF OG NH, nice F/VF OGmargins!

NH, large 524 XF-SUPERB, 524$125 F/VF OGcentering!

VLH, strong color $910523strong large $65 nice $145 color524$150 deep color! $299OG NH, 524 $305 centering! $145 fresh color $150 deep color! $299 $305 strong color $910 large margins! $65 nice color $125 Ken Martin at kpmartin@stamps.org. Please include a list of the types of material you would like to expertize, as well as a brief description of your qualifications.

523 F/VF OG NH, 524 XF-SUPERB, 524 F/VF OG VLH, 524 VF OG LH, super 524 F/VF OG VLH, 524 F/VF OG NH, 524 VF OG NH, nice

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VF524 NH, niceOGlarge 524 OG524 NH, VF/XF OGVF/XF NH, OG 547 F/VF OGOG547 LH, VF+ H, fresh VF OG OG $150 VLH, 547VLH, SUPERB 524 VF OG NH, nice VF/XF NH, NH, 547 LH,F/VF547 547 OG H,VF+ 524524 VFcolor OGOGNH, nice 524VF/XF VF/XF OGVF/XF NH,524OG 524 NH,F/VF OG$145 LH,OGVF+ 547547 H,547 VF OG 547 VFcolor!

OG VLH, 547 SUPERB strong $910 margins! $65 nice color $125 centering! color deep $299547 SUPERB $305 color!Fresh! $315 $410 Fresh! $410 CERT85$510CERT $510 Fresh! $99 $110 $110 bold color!

JUMBO, Used! $135 color! $315 color!

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547547 XF547a bold 547aF/VFF/VF OGFine+ VLH,547 OG 547 NH,XF XFGRD OG NH,572 572VFXF-SUP OG573 NH, VF573 NH, gum XFOGOGH,H,F/VF boldOG547a OG547 VLH, Fine+ OGFine+ NH, OG 572NH, F/VF OGOG572 NH,NH,F/VF 572OG XF NH,OG GRD572 XF-SUP OGGRD NH,XF-SUP 573 OG NH, 547 XF OG H, bold VLH, NH, 572 F/VF 572OG NH,572 OG NH,gum OGVFNH,OGgum $135 $145 NICE!OG$165 CERT $225 GRD95 CERT $185 524color, VFcolor,OGfresh NH, nice$145524Nice!Nice!

VF/XF OG NH,NICE! 524 NH, 547nice!

F/VF90$130 OGCERT LH,CERT 547 VF+CERT OGGRD95 H, CERT 547$425 VF OG$425 VLH, bend bend 547 SUPERB fresh $135 $145 SUPERSUPER NICE! $165 nice! $130 $225 90 GRD95 $425 bend $185 color, fresh $135 Nice!

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VF/XF OG85NH,CERT OG NH, GRDGRD 573a$295 F/VF+ OG NH, car 573lake!

XF-SUP$299 OG NH,XF-SUP 573 XF-SUP OG$325 NH 573 XF-SUP OGVFNH,OG NH, 573 VF OG NH, VF/XF 573 NH, 573573$235 XFXF OG NH,90 573a F/VF+ OG NH, 573 OG NH, NH$499 573 F/VF+ OG NH, 573 573 GRD CERT GEM! GRD95OG CERT nice!F/VF+ $199 terrific color! $225573OG CERT $235 9090CERT CERT $295 CERT $499 GRD95 CERT $499 nice! $199color! terrific $22585 GRD CERT85 $235 $295 car lake! car$299 lake! $299GEM! $325 GEM!GRD95 $325 nice! $199 terrific $225color!GRD

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MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 259 573 F/VF+ OG NH, 573 VF OG NH, 573 VF/XF OG NH, 573 XF OG NH, GRD 573a F/VF+ OG NH, 573 XF-SUP OG NH, 573 XF-SUP OG NH car lake! $299 GEM! $325 GRD95 CERT $499 nice! $199 terrific color! $225 GRD 85 CERT $235 90 CERT $295

APRL Notes

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

BY Scott Tiffney Librarian & Director of Information Services stiffney@stamps.org

A Fresh Start for the Philatelic Union Catalog “Books afford us the greatest opportunity for exploration, the gift of travelling the world without moving an inch.” - Jhumpa Lahiri

A New Online Catalog Brings a New World of Resources to Researchers

library needed a much more stable platform, one that would allow the APRL to share its records online.

Early in 1992, the APRL began searching for a software platform to better catalog its collection and make those cataloged records available online to our library members and patrons. At that time the InMagic Genie platform was selected. In October of 1992, with the first records entered into the new catalog, the APRL began its transition from the card catalog-database system to an online union catalog.

With these first catalog records the David Straight Memorial Philatelic Union Catalog was born.

In the nearly 30 years since, the online catalog has grown to include not only the APRL’s records of its holdings, but also those of 12 other partnering philatelic libraries in the U.S., Canada and Great Britain. From that time to today the online catalog has grown to include over 387,000 bibliographic records documenting the library holdings of the APRL and our other partnering philatelic libraries. To date, the online catalog has over 130,000 books records, 16,000 journal records, 12,000 auction records, 1,700 exhibit records and much, much more. The online catalog also includes an index to journal articles that includes over 22,000 entries.

With the ever growing size of the catalog, an upgrade

Even though 2020 was a very challenging year for all of us, 2021 has begun with many new opportunities for research and resources at the APRL for the researchers that make use of its holdings. On February 1st, the David Straight Memorial Philatelic Union Catalog, the catalog that many of you use to access and request materials from the APRL, found a new home on a new platform.

The new catalog may have a slightly different look from the previous one, but the platform selected for the online catalog, GeniePlus, is and will prove to be a much more robust platform, one that includes many features and flexibility for both our library patrons and the library staff as they populate and maintain the ever-growing online catalog (Figure 1).

Home I SUbmit a Request

The David Straight Memorial Phllatehc Union Catalog

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The Dd\lid Stra ight Memorial Philatelic: Umoo Cata log. hosted by the American Philate lic Research Library. contains records for books journals, a uction catalogsandolher libraryhold ings.Asaunion catalog it ena b!es youtosearchtheholdingsofmultip!e philatelic li braries (listedbelow~ The cata log also ir1dude s a joumalartdeindex. Therecordsforjournal articlesa re pr<YVidedasaresearchresource. The librilf ies in the union cata log may0< may not hold the journal issue cootaininga s pecific article. In 0<der to determine if a m,.-ary has an article. searchtheooline catalogforlhea~·sjoumaltitle Theutalog lncludesthehok!Engsofthese libraries lndk:atedbythese recordl<Xatlonca<:1<!$ e.EBI, ■ American Phllateic Researth Library ~•Co!lettorsClub(N't)

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Until 1992, the APRL cataloged the library collection using a combined card catalog and stand alone in-house database system. It was decided at that time in 1992 that the 260 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

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Figure 2. Advanced search page for the new online catalog.

of its platform was necessary in order for the catalog to remain stable and robust as well as to provide for its future growth. Beginning in December 2019 the APRL began the task of searching for new software to host the online catalog. After evaluating a number of products, the APRL selected the GeniePlus platform from library automation vendor Lucidea for its flexibility, robust infrastructure and functionality.

In January 2020 the library staff began the task of designing, populating and finalizing the online catalog on its new platform. Marian Mills, Technical Services Coordinator, spearheaded the new implementation of the GeniePlus platform, coordinating efforts with the vendor Lucidea as well as working with our other philatelic library partners, culminating in the roll out of the new online catalog on February 1. As we grow the services of the APRL we hope you explore and enjoy the new platform for the online catalog.

For any comments or questions regarding the new online catalog feel free to contact the library at library@stamps.org or stiffney@stamps.org.

Growing APRL Digital in 2021 Speaking of new worlds of resources, APRL Digital, the

Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library Announcing their Auction Web Site Featuring Stamps and Covers http://www.rmplauctions.org next auction closes May 22, 2021 No Buyer’s Premium

library’s digital collections database, continues to evolve as well.Thirty-eight complete journal runs are now permitted for admission into the database. The latest journals for which the APRL has publication permission to be added to the queue are the Bulletin of the Polonus Society, The Lion, Menelik’s Journal, Tell and tentatively Mekeel’s Weekly Stamp News. The APRL also has been given a complete digital run of the U.S. Postal Bulletins to be added to the queue for upload in 2021.

As 2021 progresses, the APRL will work toward returning to previous levels of scanning and uploading into the digital collections database that were significantly slowed in 2020 due to the pandemic. It is the goal in 2021 to scan and upload as many of the journals in the now growing queue of approved journals as can be accomplished. If your organization, club or society are interested in having their journal or newsletter as part of the APRL Digital database please contact the library at either library@stampsorg or the Library Director at stiffney@stamps.org for information.

Together We Grow the resources of the APRL as we grow the library’s digital collections!

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In Touch

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

BY Wendy Masorti Director of Membership and Shows wendy@stamps.org

A

What do I do with these stamps?

Collectors – are you prepared?

question our membership team gets asked almost daily – “I’ve inherited a collection, what do I do?”

When stamp collectors don’t leave instructions, heirs are left looking for answers. They have no idea what the collection is worth or what they should do with it – keep it, sell it, donate it??? We do our best to provide guidance for answering those questions and often will share dealer and club resources in their area to help.

Over the years, we’ve heard some horror stories where heirs have thrown away or sold a collection at a yard sale – only to find out later the true value when they come across the insurance coverage or receipts.

With a little organization and direction, you can properly guide your heirs to minimize the chance of their making these mistakes.

Web Tip APEX Certificate Archive Through the APEX Certificate Archive you can view the opinions and images of stamps and covers that the American Philatelic Expertizing Service has examined.

Every completed certificate from July 2004 to present may be accessed on our certificate archive at: Stamps.org/certificate-archive

Affiliate Spotlight Honoring St. Patrick’s Day, my March spotlight: Eire Philatelic Association

Are you prepared?

www.EirePhilatelicAssoc.org

Who better than you to tell the story behind or the value of your collection?

Some collect stamps as an investment. Others collect for sentimental reasons – maybe it was their grandfather’s collection, or inspired by an event or somewhere they traveled. Some collections may not have significant monetary value, but the story surrounding it can make it far more valuable to heirs.

America's premier Irish philatelic group that specializes in all aspects of Irish philately.

There are a few simple steps you can take now to ensure your collection is properly handled and help get maximum value. Things as simple as keeping a basic inventory of the collection including an evaluation of worth, keeping notes about special pieces, or sharing names of dealers or friends who understand the collection that could provide guidance. We have brochures available with helpful tips as well as information on our website at: www.stamps.org/Estate-advice.

Additionally, Ken Martin, APS Director of Expertizing, will be hosting a virtual learning event on April 13, “Estate Planning: A Philatelic Toolkit”. Visit our website for details on registering.

262 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

What do you collect?

Visit stamps.org/affiliates to find a group to share common interests.

Stay in touch If you or your group has recruiting ideas or experiences you would like to share, email to InTouch@stamps.org or mail to Attn: In Touch, at the APS address.

Membership Report

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• No. 1, JANUARY 31, 2021

NEW APPLICANTS The following applications were received during January 2021. If no objections are received by the Executive Director (814-933-3803) prior to March 31, 2021 these applicants will be admitted to membership and notice to this effect will appear in the May 2021 issue.

Amelung, Don E. (232922) Saint Louis, MO Air MailsCommemoratives-Postage Dues Anderson, Robert H. (232816) Bristol, VT Classics-CanadaGermany; 81 Arevuo, Mikko (232907) Orleans, MA 19th Century-Air MailsGreat Britain-Finland-DenmarkGreat Britain Machins; 60 Armstrong, Scott (232802) Tallahassee, FL Commemoratives-First Day Covers-Flight Covers-DefinitivesUS; 52 Bander, Norman (232875) New Rochelle, NY 19th Century-20th Century-Classics-Amateur/Ham Radio-Science Fiction-Air Mails Barnes, Steve (232839) Fremont, CA Czechoslovakia-FranceGermany-Hungary-Italy-Poland; 74 Bishop, Paul C. (232833) Harrisburg, PA Plate Blocks19th Century-Wisconsin; 57 Blackmon, William H. (232870) Port Saint Lucie, FL Bahamas-Cayman IslandsJamaica-Mexico-19th CenturyPossessions; 77; Retired Bounds, Greg (232941) Edmonton, AB Canada Canada-ChristmasStamp Design/Designers Brennan, Tammy E. (232912) Mason, MI; 59; Database Mngr./ Customer Relations Brockert, Joseph P. (232837) Saint Augustine, FL First Day CoversFirst Day Programs-Postal CardsPostal Stationery; 66; Retired Brooks, Marvin (232930) Edina, MN Brown, Debra R. (232934) Harper Woods, MI US-MichiganCommemoratives-Black Americans-Stamp Design/ Designers-British Royal FamilyDolls-Plates-Coins; 65; Retired Buckley, Rick (232840) Monroe, CT Christmas-Foreign ClassicsClassics Burke, William M. (232815) Norwalk, CT; 80; RE Broker Cecil, Robert (232828) Proctorville, OH; Retired

Charles, David A. (232942) Los Angeles, CA CommemorativesFirst Day Covers-Air MailsGermany; 38; Sales Director Clark, William H. (232896) Brasher Falls, NY Religion-FlowersPaintings-Space-Trains; 64; Retired Clemens, Gregory J. (232868) Delaware, OH 19th Century20th Century-Air MailsRevenues/Tax Paids (Federal); 61; Automotive Parts Buyer Cook, Miles L. (232817) Pampa, TX Commemoratives-US-Plate Blocks-Sheets/Small PanesUnited Nations; 73 Cromwell, Janet (232928) Elk Point, SD CommemorativesDefinitives-Civil War CoversErrors, Freaks, Oddities-Patriotic Covers-South Dakota; 49 Cronin, David (232911) Leesburg, VA Commemoratives-Air MailsUS; 60; Mechanic Cyboron, Robert (232880) San Marcos, CA ClassicsCommemoratives-Air Mails-USUS Postal History-Used US; 73; Retired Daugherty, Cortney (232921) Jacksonville, FL 19th Century; RN Davis, Arthur F. (232861) Tunkhannock, PA 19th Century-20th Century-Air MailsClassics-First Day Covers-British Empire; 56 Demos, Martin (232797) Chandler, AZ Railroads-Express Covers-US Postal History-Space; Demson, Robert (232809) Poquoson, VA 19th Century20th Century-Africa-AustraliaBritish Empire-Canada Douglas, Lisa (232807) Austin, AR US-Revenues/Tax Paids (Federal)-Arkansas-Savings (Postal/Treasury/War)-CanadaItaly; 48; Social Studies Teacher/ High School Dudley, Kevin B. (232944) Elk Grove, CA US; 58; Retired Dulaveris, John E. (232821) Columbia, SC Air Mails-19th Century-20th Century-ClassicsCommemoratives-Allied Military Governments; 58 Durham, Jeremy (232827) Lafayette, LA US-Used US-US Year Set; 41; Architect Dutcher, Byron L. (232927) Riverhead, NY German Democratic Rep. Erwin, William E. (232897) The Woodlands, TX United States 1847-1930; 66 Faubert, Maurice G. (232851) New Smyrna Beach, FL USWorldwide; 74; Retired

NEW MEMBERS Applications 232577-232688 as previously published have been accepted for membership by the Board of Vice Presidents.

Foster, Shelby A. (232888) Little SUMMARY Rock, AR Revenues/Tax Paids (Federal)-US-19th Century Total Membership, (Foreign)-First Day CoversDecember 30, 2020.............. 27,415 Lots & Collections-Back Of New Members 112 The Book; 22 Reinstated 45 Gilliland, Morris D. (232903) Deceased 35 Milton, FL Great Britain Resignations 19 Machins-Great Britain Booklets-CanadaExpulsions 3 Architecture-Great BritainTotal Membership, Washington/Franklins; 66; January 31, 2021 27,515 Retired Electrician (Total Membership, January 31, Gissaro, Joseph (232849) 2020 was 28,087 a difference of Wantagh, NY 572).

Godbey, Joel (232818) Portland, OR 20th CenturyAir Mails-Blocks/Guideline Humphreys, Robert M. (232948) Blocks-Western EuropeWestlake, CA 19th CenturyCanadian Plate Blks-British 20th Century-Civil War CoversEmpire; 68; Retired Physician Confederate States-Duck/ Goolden, Chris (232891) Ocala, FL Hunting/Fishing Stamps; 69 Foreign; Restoration Irber, John (232938) Cottage Gorfinkle, Clifford D. (232890) Grove, MN Machin-United Plymouth, MA 20th CenturyNations-US Pre 1939; 59; Retired Booklets/Panes-Air Mails-First School Teacher Day Covers-Holograms; 65 Jackson, Troy (232857) Staten Gray, Bettina (232882) Bristol, Island, NY; 54 CT Switzerland-Swiss MilitaryJennings, Mark (232842) Zeppelin Covers/Stamps Grandview, MO Air MailsGroshong, Tedd D. (232811) Blocks/Guideline Blocks-1/4 Kealakekua, HI Ryukyus; Sheets/Panes Physician Kandro, Walter J. (232893) Gruver, Katie (232914) West Fargo, Bridgeport, CT US; 76; Retired ND US-Errors, Freaks, OdditiesKaplan, Avram W. (232919) Mint US; 23; Mail Carrier Carlsbad, CA Israel-US-Great Hafner, Allen (232810) Odenton, Britain; 80 MD US-Railroads-Law Kaplin, Harvey J. (232898) Enforcement/Police; 69; Retired Westerly, RI US; 83; Retired Hagan, Ed (232892) Essex, MT; 70; Kaye, Steven (232905) Raleigh, Pharmacist NC Covers-CommemorativesHannah, Leonard L. (232937) Classics-Blocks/Guideline Chapin, SC US Mint Singles & Blocks-20th Century-Cut Plate Blocks; 75; Retired Squares Harris, Lloyd (232801) Clinton, UT Keith, Andy (232805) Shelton, CT Arctic/Antarctic-Air Mails-US Commemoratives; 55; Engineer Harris, Michael A. (232824) Keller, Margaret (232887) Monticello, IL Booklets/ Johnstown, CO CancelsPanes-Commemorative PanelsNetherlands-First Day CoversCommemoratives-Cut Squares; Commemorative Panels-IdahoRetired Colorado; 61; Counselor Haus, Dustin (232859) Killian, John (232829) Griffin, GA Braunschweig, 38122, Mint Never Hinged; 80; Retired Germany Fairy Tales/FolkloreKlein, Gerald (232894) Sarasota, Science Fiction-Childhood FL US; 72 Heroes-Cartoons-ComicsKoetting, John K. (232863) European History; 24 Overland Park, KS 19th Hill, Rusty (232826) Mansfield, TX; Century; Retired Retired Kopel, David (232844) Boulder, Hollander, Charles F. (232916) CO 20th Century-US-Used Cambridge, MA GermanyUS-Americana-History-Used Central Europe-US-CanadaWorldwide; 61 Denmark; 78; Retired Koral, Glen (232876) Sarasota, Hostetter, Dwayne E. (232873) FL; 72 Bloomfield, IN Blocks/Guideline Blocks-First Day Covers Kotzin, Ted (232906) Torrance, CA US-Canada-Great Britain-IsraelHuber, Matthew Thomas (232847) Mexico-Australia-ScandinaviaDurham, NC US-Air Mails-Late France-German Area-Japan1800s/Early 1900s; 24; Graduate Some Latin America Student MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 263

••••••

Kroll, Bernie (232925) Lafayette, IN First Day Covers-USCommemoratives-IndianaSheets/Small Panes; 68; SemiRetired Kukino, Ayaka (232881) Beavertown, OR War Covers/ Stamps-Propaganda Stamps/ Covers-Zeppelin Covers/ Stamps-German 3rd Reich/ Occupations-AviationMotorcycles; 31 Kutz, Jeffrey J. (232800) West Chester, PA Lots & Collections19th Century-US-Civil War Covers-Pennsylvania-Classics; 61; Accountant Lee, Robert K. (232899) Onalaska, WI US-Commemoratives-Air Mails; Retired Leu, Linda (232858) Auburn, WA Classics-China (People’s Rep.)Japan-Space-Fish/Marine LifeBirds; 41 Liang, Jennifer (232929) Lake Havasu City, AZ 19th Century20th Century-Specimens-ChinaGermany-United NationsInternational; 45; Paramedic Loewe, G. Michael (232940) Boothbay, ME US-WorldwideFirst Day Covers; 72; Retired Long, James M. Jr. (232852) Bella Vista, AR US Sheets-Plate Blocks-Singles-Foreign; 78; Retired

Loomis, James F. (232834) Washington, DC US-Flight Covers-Greece-Canada-IndiaItaly; 61 Loudin, Robert A. Sr. (232830) Shinnston, WV US And Territories; 60; Carpenter Foreman/Supervisor Ludwig, John M. (232902) Xenia, OH 20th Century-Air Mails-19th Century-CoilsCommemoratives-US; 73; Retired Magnus, James T. (232845) Saint Louis, MO Plate Blocks-PrexiesCommemoratives-Duck/ Hunting/Fishing Stamps-First Day Covers-US Mann, Richard S. (232923) Georgetown, TX ClassicsDefinitives-19th Century (Foreign)-George VI; 50; Teacher Mednick, Thor J. (232864) Toledo, OH; 50; Professor Merrill, Michael C. (232798) Canon City, CO Air Mails-CancelsClassics-CommemorativesErrors, Freaks, Oddities-Used Worldwide; 73; Retired Michael, Lafayette W. (232865) Apopka, FL US New And Used; 63; IT Field Support Technician Michele, Linda (232877) Easton, PA Mikus, Janet (232838) Anacortes, WA; Retired

Buying China, Japan Korea: stamps & covers PR China Buy Price for Mint, NH XF

Millar, David D. (232825) Frisco, TX British Colonies-Europe-British Commonwealth-British AsiaGreat Britain; 66 Montoya, Jaime C. (232820) Las Pinas City, 1740, Philippines Errors, Freaks, OdditiesPhilippines-Great Britain-19th Century-Religion-Flowers/ Plants-Saints; 59; Physician Neale, Harold E. (232932) Fort Myers, FL 20th Century-19th Century-CommemorativesDuck/Hunting/Fishing StampsDefinitives-Christmas Seals; Retired Nichols, Michael M. (232926) Leominster, MA CinderellasSouvenir Sheets (Foreign)-NonScott Listed Novak, Michael G. (232856) Fort Myers, FL Classics-Washington/ Franklins-First Day CoversFrance-19th Century-Philatelic History/Memorabilia; 74; Retired Ocasio, Raymond (232867) Golden, CO Butterflies-DogsOlympics-Black Heritage; 48; Healthcare Opalka, Theodore F. (232933) Vero Beach, FL; 72 Osterer, Irv (232889) Ottawa, ON Canada Canada-IsraelJudaica-Art-Ice Hockey/SkatingBaseball-Popular Culture; 67; Graphic Designer

Oswald, William A. (232804) Allentown, PA CommemorativesCommemorative Panels; 60; Software Engineering Manager Parks, Ray S. (232806) Grottoes, VA Air Mails-Blocks/Guideline Blocks-First Day CoversImperforates-CommemorativesClassics; 83; Educator Paumier, James (232832) Raleigh, NC US Topicals-World National Parks-State Centennials; 70; Retired/Scientific Programmer Perez, Phillip (232920) Tucson, AZ Possessions-Allied Military Governments-Ryukyus-CanadaMexico-Puerto Rico-US; 61; USMC Retired Pilati, Dennis L. (232808) Modesto, CA Commemoratives; 76 Polimus, Martin (232901) Canton, OH Show/Exhibition Covers; 59; Project Manager Potts, Carla (232860) Bartlesville, OK Souvenir Sheets-Air MailsMobile Post Offices-Postage Dues-19th Century-20th Century; 75 Preiss, Karah (232904) New York, NY; 31 Proctor, Linda K. (232943) Sanbornton, NH; 58

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Established 1914

264 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

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Rabkin, Alan (232936) Los Angeles, CA Covers-Commemorative Panels-First Day Covers-CaliforniaNevada-Space Covers; Retired Rath, Luke Kristopher S. (232831) Las Vegas, NV India-British Commonwealth; 55; Attorney Rauch, Angel V. (232841) Hampton, VA 19th Century-Advertising Covers-Air Mails-First Day CoversPlate Varieties; 59 Raulin, Pat (232945) Wisconsin Rapids, WI US-Germany; 69; Retired Reed, Arthur W. Jr. (232900) Abilene, TX US-TurkeyWorldwide 1960 And Older; 77; Retired Regan, Douglas J. (232796) Williamsville, NY 19th Century20th Century-Classics-Air MailsBureau Issues-US; 70; Retired Resides, Ron C. (232822) Pleasant Gap, PA Commemoratives-USCancels-Covers-Postal MarkingsUsed US; 67; Retired Rich, Joey (232823) Springfield, MO First Day CoversCommemoratives; 65; Retired Richardson, Gordon C. (232850) Nepean, ON Canada-19th Century-20th Century-MexicoCanadian Postal History-Czeslaw Slania; 75 Ross, Julia (232853) Newport News, VA Worldwide-Early US; 62; SelfEmployed - Tutor Ruff, James (232862) Whitestown, IN Japan-Asia-Space/AstronomyWorld-US; 73; Semi-Retired Scarboro, Jeffrey R. (232917) Norfolk, VA; 69; Retired Schaeffer, Kent L. (232872) Honolulu, HI; 59; Emergency Management Schill, Judith R. (232886) Las Vegas, NV Czech Republic-DinosaursFormer/Dead CountriesRailroads-Conservation StampsChristmas Seals; 77; Retired Schnetzka, Harold R. (232819) Simpsonville, SC 20th Century19th Century-Bureau Issues; 63 Schoenmaker, Rob (232866) Zoutelande, Netherlands 20th Century-Air Mails-Covers; 62 Schumacher, Trevor (232803) Springfield, MO Used Worldwide-19th Century-CoilsClassics; 48 Sewell, William J. (232814) Michigan City, IN; 70 Shaffer-Koros, Carol (232895) Westfield, NJ US; 83; Retired Professor Shapiro, Jeffrey (232799) Sharon, MA Commemoratives-DefinitivesSouvenir Sheets-United Nations

Shaw, Samuel (232874) Cedar Knolls, NJ Used US-Covers-Art; Retired Sieslieng, Jan H. (232908) Leek, Netherlands Brazil-German 3rd Reich/Occupations-PortugalGerman Colonies-German StatesNetherlands-Investment Stamps Singer, James I. (232835) Clayton, MO; 70 Smith, Arthur (232885) Youngstown, OH Ohio-Russia/ USSR/Independent Republics; 56 Smith, John B. (232879) Haymarket, VA US-Great BritainCommemoratives-Military; 78; Retired Specht, Lennard (232846) Redlands, CA Classics-Air Mails20th Century-19th Century Stimple, Steve (232878) Bennington, Ne 19th CenturyCoils-Christmas Seals-Postal Cards-Switzerland-Germany; 50; Taxidermist Stuart, Paula (232884) Orlando, FL Commemorative Panels-20th Century-Booklets/Panes-CoversFirst Day Covers-Plate Blocks Sudol, Jeffrey J. (232855) West Chester, PA Used US-Used Worldwide; 50; Professor Thompson, Jason E. (232836) Lebanon, Tn 19th Century20th Century-Air Mails-Civil War Covers-CommemorativesConfederate States; 49; Active Duty Army Tingley, Taylor T. (232883) Jackson, MI Definitives-Errors, Freaks, Oddities-Postal Cards-DogsAutographed Covers/StampsBack Of The Book-Pugs; 26; Self Employed Torres, Peter (232931) Winter Haven, FL Commemoratives-First Day Covers-Florida-New YorkPostal Cards-Space Covers; 55; Retired Trapp, Kathryn (232869) Shaker Heights, OH UN (Topic); 47 Tyckoson, David (232813) Saint Paul, MN 19th Century-20th Century-Canada; 65; Librarian Valik, Robert F. (232946) Leland, NC US-Washington/Franklins-Plate Number Singles; 72; Retired Van Horn, Prescott J. (232918) Chandler, AZ Van Zanten, Jeff (232910) Pebble Beach, CA 20th Century-19th Century-Classics-First Day CoversCalifornia-Commemoratives; 61 Vanslooten, Kevin R. (232913) Jacksonville, FL US-19th Century-20th Century-Air MailsClassics-Commemoratives; 52 Vilsack, David (232812) Kingwood, TX

266 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Wall, Jack M. (232947) Salt Lake City, UT US-Air MailsErrors, Freaks, OdditiesCommemoratives-DefinitivesFlight Covers; 59 Weeks, David J. (232848) Overland Park, KS Air MailsCommemoratives-DefinitivesDuck/Hunting/Fishing Stamps; 66 Weiss, Jack (232924) Waterbury, CT Austria-France-Israel TabsGreece-Russia/USSR/Independent Republics-United Nations; Adult Reference Librarian Wickersheim, Nicole (232915) Commerce City, CO ClassicsCancels-Washington/FranklinsCivil War Covers-Postal CardsTerritorial Covers; 22 Wilkonson, Arthur O. (232909) Greenwood Village, CO Commemoratives-Classics-20th Century-19th Century-Duck/ Hunting/Fishing Stamps-Errors, Freaks, Oddities; 75; Attorney Zerblis, John (232935) Conyers, GA General-19th Century; 82; Engineer Zollweg, James (232871) Boise, ID

NEW CHAPTER North Toronto Stamp Club (232939), Ontario, Canada. Contact: P.O. Box 341, Don Mills, ON M3C 2S7 Canada, website: http://www. northtorontostampclub.ca/

CHAPTER RESIGNATION Victoria Stamp Club (181644), Victoria, TX.

DECEASED Baumann, James L. (4855-042446), Toledo, OH Berry, William E. (169805), Tinley Park, IL Brent, Donald B. (149731), La Mesa, CA Carson, Bruce B. (209047), South Williamsport, PA Correl, Frank D. (150449), Chevy Chase, MD Davis, G. H. (082428), Cincinnati, OH Dupont, Norman R. (12065-081479), Manchester, NH Ellman, Lewis E. (12544-071185), Lake Carmel, NY Fingerhood, Sidney (9771-068568), Philadelphia, PA Ford, Sidney W. (153419), San Dimas, CA Getz, Richard J. (090211), Hawley, PA Ginther, Paul R. (210788), Irwin, PA Gleason, Peter G. (8395-057826), Charlotte, NC

Graving, Norman J. (208156), Sharpsburg, MD Haggstrom, John A. (088988), Omaha, NE Heasman, Robert G. (6151-055866), Victoria, BC Heck, Albert F. (195429), Catonsville, MD Jamison, Frank R. (10257-048667), Kalamazoo, MI Karas, Nicholas V. (199402), Lowell, MA Kiley, Thomas D. (4818-147987), Hillsbourgh, CA Knight, Raymond F. (8198-056161), San Antonio, TX Lewis, Maurice S. (7889-054990), Woodbridge, VA Lutgendorf, Alex L. (9701-066563), Tucson, AZ Mantell, Murray I. (10443-073590), Miami, FL Mitchell, Robert W. (11132-066595), Chapel Hill, NC Morrison, James F. (120066), Naples, FL Parkhurst, Henry A. (10265-051830), Hampton, IL Popielarz, Raymond R. (8128071423), Sudbury, MA Shiloh, Earl E. (8605-036771), Lutherville Timonium, MD Swain, R. Barry (217164), Plymouth, MA Van Hevelingen, C. J. (143758), Southmont, NC Wagner, C. E. (7992-032025), San Diego, CA Walasinski, Leo J. (9122-047984), Toledo, OH Weisberg, David E. (107645), Englewood, CO Westmeyer, Dean P. (113988), Chicago, IL

EXPULSIONS: Flores, Ramon (069816), Sacramento, CA, for conduct unbecoming a member for failure to account for a sales circuit (Violation of APS Code of Ethics #8).

Stanton, Gary Jr. (178539), Medford, OR, for conduct unbecoming a member for failure to settle philatelic indebtedness to the Society and for failure to respond to Society correspondence (Violation of APS Code of Ethics #8).

Tibbetts, Larry Jr. (185642), Gardiner, OR, for conduct unbecoming a member for failure to settle philatelic indebtedness to the Society and for failure to account for sales circuits (Violations of APS Code of Ethics #8).

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GET NOTICED WITH CLASSIFIED ADS Classified advertising in The American Philatelist is a cost-effective way to get the attention of nearly 26,000 American Philatelic Society members around the world.

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1 line 2 lines 3 lines 4 lines 5 lines 6 lines 7 lines 8 lines 9 lines 10 lines 11 lines

1 month $ 3.94 $ 7.88 $ 11.82 $ 15.76 $ 19.70 $ 23.64 $ 27.58 $ 31.52 $ 35.46 $ 39.40 $ 43.34

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Renewal Notice: If (1441) appears after your ad, it expires after this issue. Deadline for the April issue is February 24.

MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 267

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Index of Advertisers American Philatelic Society —stamps.org

C3

Frank Bachenheimer —www.astampdealer4u.com Gary Lyons — www.garylyons.com

270

Patricia A. Kaufmann —www.trishkaufmann.com

264

282

Penny Black Stamp Company —www.pennyblackstamp.com

270

213

Philasearch.com — www.philasearch.com

210

270

Postal Stationery.com — www.postalstationery.com

285

Amos Media—www.linns.com —www.amosadvantage.com

275

Antonio M. Torres —www.antoniotorres.com

207

APS Estate Advice —www.stamps.org/Estate-Advice

270

Argyll Etkin Limited —www.argyll-etkin.com

Haiti Philatelic Society — www.haitiphilately.com

238

247

HB Philatelics — www.hbphilatelics.com

Randy Scholl Stamp Co. Have Tongs Will Travel — www.randyschollstampcompany.com/ have-tongs-will-travel.asp C4

202

Hipstamp — www.hipstamp.com

195

Rasdale Stamp Company — www.rasdalestamps.com

269

Hugh Wood Inc. Insurance — www.hughwood.com

281

Richard Friedberg Stamps — www.friedbergstamps.com

257

India and States —www.indiaandstates.com

231

Rising Sun Stamps — www.risingsunstamps.com

264

Jon Krupnick

270

Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. — www.siegelauctions.com

270

Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library — http://rmplauctions.org

Auktionshaus Christoph Gärtner GmbH & Co. KG—www.auktionen-gaertner.de 233 Champion Stamps —www.championstamp.com

248-249

Gary Posner, Inc. — www.garyposnerinc.com Gregg Nelson Stamps — www.greggnelsonstamps.com

Century Stamps —www.century-stamps.com

268

CK Stamps —www.CKstamps.com

270

Colonial Stamp www.colonialstamps.com

J.R. Mowbray, Ltd. —www.mowbrays.co.nz

270

207

Kap Stamps —www.kapstamps.com

207

Kay & Co. — www.kaystamps.com

Columbian Stamp Company —www.columbianstamp.com

270

Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions —www.kelleherauctions.com 197, 200-201

Kelleher & Rogers, Ltd. — www.kelleherasia.com

Rubber Stamps —shop.wcp-nm.com

230, 261 270

231

Sparks Auction — www.sparks-auctions.com

211, 270

197, 200-201

Scott A. Shaulis — www.shaulisstamps.com

270

Lawrence J. Mozian — www.mozianstamps.com

202

Space Cover Store — www.spacecoverstore.com

270

Davidson’s Stamp Service —www.newstampissues.com

270

Markest Stamps—www.markest.com

271

D&P Stamps —www.dpstamps.com

231

Stampbay, Inc. — www.stampbay.com

269

Martin Winter

230

StampLister — www.stamplister.com

269

Delcampe —www.delcampe.com

202

Michael Eastick & Associates Pty. Ltd. — www.michaeleastick.com

270

Stephen T. Taylor — www.stephentaylor.co.uk

259

285

Deveney Stamp —www.deveneystamps

Miller’s Stamp Company — www.millerstamps.com

270

Steve Malack Stamps — www.malack.com

259

285

Mountainside Stamps, Coins & Currency— — www.mountainsidestamps.com 259

Don S. Cal —www.DonSCal.com

231

Sterling Stamp —auction.sterlingstamps.com

231

Mystic Stamp Company — www.mysticstamp.com

Suburban Stamp

270

Tropical Stamps, Inc. — www.tropicalstamps.com

261

Universal Philatelic Auctions —www.UPAstampauctions.co.uk

265

Vance Auctions Ltd —www.vanceauctions.com

261

Palo Albums Inc. — www.paloalbums.com 193

Vogt Stamps —www.vogtstamps.com

270

Paradise Valley Stamp Company, Cornerstamp, Inc.—www.stamp-one.com 259

Whitman Publishing — www.whitman.com

209

Denali Stamp Co. —www.denalistamps.com

Dutch Country Auctions —ww.DutchCountryAuctions.com

225

Dr. Robert Friedman & Sons —www.drbobfriedmanstamps.com

203

E.S.J. van Dam, Ltd. —www.canadarevenuestamps.com

270

ebay —www.ebay.com/philately

273

Eric Jackson— www.ericjackson.com

264

C2, 199

New England Stamp — www.NewEnglandStamp.com

270

Nieser Stamp and Coin —www.kennieser.com

204

Noble Spirit —www.noblespirit.com

205

About the Index of Advertisers This index is included to help readers find advertisers included in this edition of The American Philatelist. The support of these dealers and services is very important to the APS and to The AP. Advertising is a privilege of membership and each business represented here is a member in good standing of the Society. Some postal organizations, like the U.S. Postal Service, are not directly members, but are afforded the opportunity to advertise because of their standing, reputation and impact on the hobby. Advertising is open to any member of the American Philatelic Society.

For any advertiser that maintains a website, that web 272 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

address is listed with their information above. Additionally, the online version of the journal includes clickable links for each of these companies and individuals. These links make visiting the advertisers’ websites easy and avoids the possibility of mistyping the web address from these listings.

As you interact with these advertisers, please tell them you saw their ad in The American Philatelist and let them know that you appreciate their support of the journal and the hobby in general.

Show Time

stampshow@stamps.org

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The “Show Time” Calendar features a list of upcoming shows and APS events. To obtain a listing, please submit a “Show Time” form, available online at www.stamps.org/Show-Calendar or by mail from APS headquarters. Information must be received 60 days before desired publication time.

The listings are free to World Series of Philately and other shows that are sponsored by an APS chapter or affiliate. Other shows/bourses may purchase listings for the month of the show/ bourse and the month prior only. The listing fee is $25 per show per issue. Shows designated *B* are bourse only.

Grand award winners from *WSP* shows are eligible for the annual APS World Series of Philately Champion of Champions competition. Note that CofC eligibility may be affected if WSP criteria are not achieved for an individual show. Visit aps.buzz/ Calendar for a complete listing of shows and APS events.

Pennsylvania

March 1

APS Virtual Course: Pressing Issues: An Introduction to Printing Types, Part 3 *APS* Email: education@stamps.org Website: stamps.org/learn/c3a-online-learning

Ohio

March 6-7

McKinley Club Stamp Show McKinley Stamp Club of Canton OH, St. George Serbian Orthodox Social Hall, 4667 Applegrove St. NW, North Canton.

Contact: Dave Pool Email: lincolnway@sssnet.com Website: www.mksc.webs.com

Tennessee

March 6-7

KnoxPex 2021 Knoxville Philatelic Society, Rothchild Catering & Conference Center, 8807 Kingston Pike, Knoxville.

Contact: Tom Broadhead Email: broadhea@utk.edu Website: www.knoxstamps.com

Pennsylvania

March 8

APS Virtual Course: Getting the Most Out of the Scott Catalogue, Part 1 *APS* Email: education@stamps.org Website: stamps.org/learn/c3a-online-learning

Illinois

Rockford 2-3-4 Stamp Expo Club, CANCELLED

Pennsylvania

March 13-14

Rockford Stamp

March 15

APS Virtual Course: Getting the Most Out of the Scott Catalogue, Part 2 *APS* Email: education@stamps.org Website: stamps.org/learn/c3a-online-learning

Missouri

March 19-21

St. Louis Stamp Expo Area Clubs, St. Louis Renaissance Airport Hotel, 9801 Natural Bridge Rd., St. Louis. *WSP* Contact: Fred Boatwright Email: stampooh@centurylink.net Website: www.stlouisstampexpo.com

Michigan

March 20-21

MICHIPEX 2021 Michigan Stamp Club, Sokol Cultural Center, 23600 W. Warren Ave, Dearborn Heights.

Contact: Richard Chellevold Phone: 313-928-0013 274 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Oregon

March 20-21

Pennsylvania

May 18

Willamette Valley Stamp Show Virtual Show Contact: George Struble Email: gstruble@willamette.edu Website: www.salemstampsociety.org/WVExh1.html

APS Virtual Course: Adding EFOs to Your Collection: Session Three *APS* Email: education@stamps.org Website: stamps.org/learn/c3a-online-learning

Garfield-Perry March Party Garfield-Perry Stamp Club, Holiday Inn Strongsville, 15471 Royalton Rd., Strongsville. *WSP* Contact: Roger Rhoads Email: rrrhoads@aol.com Website: www.garfieldperry.org

NAPEX National Phil. Exhibitions of Washington D.C., McLean Hilton at Tyson’s Corner, 7920 Jones Branch Dr., McLean. *WSP* Contact: Bill Fort Email: wcfortiii@aol.com Website: www.napex.org

APS Virtual Course: Estate Planning: A Philatelic Toolkit *APS* Email: education@stamps.org Website: stamps.org/learn/c3a-online-learning

Minnesota Stamp Expo Twin City Philatelic Society and Various Local Clubs, Crystal Community Ctr., 4800 Douglas Dr., N., Minneapolis. *WSP* Contact: Randy A. Smith Email: rasmary4@frontiernet.net Website: www.stampsminnesota.com/MN%20 Stamp%20Expo.htm

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Mississippi

April 9-11

April 13

April 16-17

GULFPEX 2021 Gulf Coast Stamp Club , St. Martin Community Center,15008 Leymone Blvd., Biloxi.

Contact: Robert “Rob” O’Dell Email: robert7reo@yahoo.com Website: https://www.gulfcoaststampclub.org/

Michigan

April 17-18

Plymouth Show - Postponed until September 18-19

Pennsylvania

April 23-24

WILKPEX 2021 Wilkinsburg Stamp Club, Gateway Firehall, 4370 Northern Pike, Monroeville.

Contact: Tom Donohue Email: wilkinsburgstampclub@yahoo.com Website: www.wilkinsburgstampclub.com

Pennsylvania

LANCOPEX – CANCELLED

Massachusetts

April 23-24

April 30-May 2

Virginia

Minnesota

Nevada

June 4-6

July 16-18

July 24-25

Greater Reno Stamp & Cover Show Nevada Stamp Study Society, National Bowling Stadium Museum, 300 N. Center St., Reno.

Contact: Erik Fields Email: show@renostamp.org Website: https://RenoStamp.org

North Carolina

July 24-25

CHARPEX 2021 Charlotte Philatelic Society, Worrell Bldg, Central Piedmont Community College, 1228 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte.

Contact: Gene Zhiss Email: signup@charpex.info Website: www.charpex.info

California

July 30-August 1

Philatelic Show Northeastern Fed. Of Stamp Clubs, Boxboro Regency Hotel & Conference Center, 242 Adams Place, Boxborough. *WSP* Contact: David Ball and Mark Butterline Email: david.ball@philatelicshow.org; mark.butterline@philatelicshow.org Website: www.PhilatelicShow.org

WESTPEX WESTPEX, Inc., San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 1800 Old Bayshore Highway, Burlingame. *WSP* Contact: Clyde Homen Email: cjh1491@sbcglobal.net Website: www.westpex.com

APS Virtual Course: Adding EFOs to Your Collection: Session One *APS* Email: education@stamps.org Website: stamps.org/learn/c3a-online-learning-

ATTENTION:

Pennsylvania

Oregon

May 4

May 7-9

PIPEX Northwest Federation of Stamp Clubs, Virtual Show, *WSP* Contact: Mark Loomis, George Struble Email: mmloomis1@gmail.com, gstruble@willamette.edu Website: www.pipexstampshow.org

Pennsylvania

May 11

APS Virtual Course: Adding EFOs to Your Collection: Session Two *APS* Email: education@stamps.org Website: stamps.org/learn/c3a-online-learning

Indiana

May 15-16

Spring Stamp Fair Indiana Stamp Club, Lawrence Community Center, 5301 N. Franklin Rd., Indianapolis.

Contact: Michael Schweitzer Email: michael@mandshobbies.com Website: indianastampclub.org

The APS Events Calendar (aps.buzz/ Calendar) remains fairly sparse as COVIDrelated restrictions continue, but is regularly updated with cancellations and postponed show dates. We encourage readers to stay updated on the status of future shows. This is an opportunity for stamp clubs to consider how they can gather safely for events and meetings by using video conferencing tools like Zoom or GoToMeeting. To see how the APS is meeting this challenge, visit www. stamps.org/news and check the “Video” tab for recent recordings of APS Stamp Chats and register to attend future Chats.

We are happy to offer our expertise and the APS video conferencing platforms to help clubs connect. For more information, please reach out to APS CommunityGrassroots Specialist Heidi LauckhardtRhoades for more information at heidi@ stamps.org.

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AA0221_APS_FP.indd 1

2/9/21 11:01 AM

New U.S. Issues

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

BY Jeff Stage

T

New U.S. Issues to Ring in Rate Changes - and a New Year

he U.S. Postal Service’s stamps program for 2021 kicked off in January with five new issues, including a set of four, two issues in two formats and another design as both a stamp and a stamped envelope.

The releases include stamps in two long-running formats – the Love and Black Heritage series – as well as issues to cover three rate changes that went into effect on January 24. Products issued for new rates include four stamps featuring barns for the postcard rate, which rose from 35 to 36 cents; a single Brush Rabbit stamp for the new second-ounce rate, which rose from 15 to 20 cents; and a historic Florida landmark for the Priority Mail flat envelope rate, which rose from $7.75 to $7.95.

All of the stamps are pressure-sensitive (or self-stick). Although firstday sites were assigned to all of the stamps, no live first day ceremonies were held due to continuing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Virtual first day dedications were held for the 2021 Love stamp as well as for the Black Heritage stamp, which honors playwright August Wilson.

Love A soft color palette, combined with letters, hearts and creative use of other basic geometric shapes presents an embracing new Love stamp, the first postage stamp issued in 2021 by the U.S. Postal Service (Figure 1).

The stamp, issued January 14, a month before Valentine’s Day, has a formal first day of issue city in Loveland, Colorado, which bills itself as the Sweetheart City. The Postal Service held a virtual dedication ceremony via its Facebook and Twitter pages and can be seen at http://aps.buzz/Love21FDC. The ways we say ‘I love you’ are as infinite as love itself,” said Pritha Mehra, chief information officer and executive vice president for the Postal Service during the video presentation. “It is no surprise that love stamps remain on of our most popular products.” The presentation also features Art Director Greg Breeding and stamp artist and illustrator Bailey Sullivan.

The stamp art and typography – dominated by soft blue, pink and red – features a lighthearted and colorful digital illustration with the word “love” in capital letters and three large hearts shown in an unconventional palette of color duos, strikingly set against a dark blue background. The Figure 1. Technical details and design also includes a purchasing information is available at http://aps.buzz/BuyLoveUSPS. smaller heart, a rectangle and a semicircle.

Stamp artist and illustrator Bailey Sullivan said in an email interview, “I think we went with this palette because it matches the boldness and playfulness of the design… To me, it’s rather neutral in terms of appealing to a particular age group or gender or season.”

276 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Figure 2. Scott 1475, the first of the Love series, and Scott 1951, the second.

The first Love stamp, which featured pop artist Robert Indiana’s iconic rendering of the word spelled out in bold bright letters on two lines with a tilted “O,” was an 8¢ commemorative issued in 1973. Nine years later, Mary Faulconer’s flowery 20¢ Love stamp was issued, truly kickstarting one of the Postal Service’s most popular series (Figure 2).

FEBRUARY 14,2021

Valentine Station 75 years Loveland, Colorado 80537

Figure 3. The Loveland special cancel.

This year’s Love stamp is the 54th face-different stamp in the series. With this stamp, the USPS has issued a Love stamp for 18 consecutive years. The Love stamp is often issued as a single design, though 11 times the release has included two or more stamps.

Loveland, Colorado, also hosted the first day ceremony for Love stamps in 1992, 1999 and 2013, but has offered a remailing program for 75 years. The remailing program adds special Loveland cancellations onto Valentine’s greetings (Figure 3).

Just prior to Valentine’s Day, mailers can send Valentines under separate cover to Loveland, where volunteers will provide a special hand-stamped pictorial cancellation and a Valentine’s verse. For more information, visit http://aps.buzz/ LovelandRemailing. Volunteers in the remailing program often plan their personal schedules around the effort.

Q and A - 2021 Love stamp, Bailey Sullivan, artist When did you start working on this stamp?

Greg Breeding, the art director I worked with, first contacted me about the project nearly two years ago in February 2019.

How did you get connected to the Postal Service for this project?

Greg Breeding, the founder and art director at Journey Group and art director for this stamp, emailed me about it.

I believe he found my work through Instagram or Dribbble.

Is this your first stamp?

This is my first stamp! This is really a dream project. I actually used to design fake stamps for fun all of the time.

A couple of years ago I tried designing a custom stamp for every airport; I never finished but I was making tons of little fake stamps and never imagining that I would have the chance to someday design a real one! It’s really a pinch-me moment to have my design be at post offices all over the U.S. Did Greg Breeding have any tips, suggestions or directions from the start? If so, what were they?

Yes. He initially put together a deck of my previous work that he felt would work for this, so it was great that we were able to align from the get-go, but he was super open to letting me explore my own ideas as well.

Can you tell us about the design process for this stamp?

I created lots of rough sketches on my iPad. Greg was open to giving me creative freedom so I played with a variety of styles. Once we agreed on a direction, I started digitizing the design in Adobe Illustrator and spent a few days playing with colors and tweaking layout and scale of the shapes and letters. Greg and I would chat on the phone, I’d tweak it a bit and then he thankfully did all of the pitching to USPS and other stakeholders. While it is a lengthy process it was very smooth and we didn’t have much back-and-forth with feedback so the final design is very true to the original vision.

Tell us about the colors in the stamp.

My favorite part of doing any illustration is choosing colors. I’ll typically finish a design and then play around with five to 10 color palettes just to get a range, (as) color can really change the whole look of a design. That’s what I did here.

Can you share anything else about the design?

My approach to form the word “love” was to illustrate it rather than try to work with a typeface or do custom lettering. I tried to use the graphic heart shape as kind of a guide to form the letters. They’re very simple and chunky and they have a combination of pointed and rounded forms. For instance, two of the corners on the letter L are rounded sort of like the top of the heart shape and the other two corners come to a point like the bottom of the heart. The size of the stamp itself is a much smaller canvas than what I’m used to working with, so I had to keep making sure that it was reading well, not only at scale but also in the context of a full page of stamps or on an envelope.

Where can folks see your work online?

You can find me on Instagram at @bailzy or at baileysullivan.com

Brush Rabbit, additional ounce This postal rabbit appears so real that you can almost see it hop off your envelope and scurry off among a scrubby landscape.

The Brush Rabbit stamp (Figure 4) covers the new additional ounce postage for first-class mail, which rose from 15 cents to 20 cents on January 24, the day the stamp was formally issued. No virtual first day dedication was held, but the first day city is Sacramento, California.

Though sold for 20 cents at time of issue, this Forever stamp will always meet the rate for an additional ounce of weight on first-class mail.

Ethel Kessler is the stamp designer using an original pencil-and-watercolor illustration from famed master illustrator Dugald Stermer (1936-2011). This is the third time Kessler used Stermer’s artwork. She previously adapted his work for floral postal cards in 2015 and 2017.

Stermer had a passion for making “exquisitely detailed color drawings of animals, plants and insects (that) evolved

USA Add1t1onal Ounce

Figure 4. Technical details and purchasing information is available at http://aps.buzz/BuyRabbitUSPS. MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 277

partly from a magazine cover he created using a portrait he drew of the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia,” wrote art director and author Steven Heller in an appreciation published in December 2011 in the New York Times.

Kessler explained her connection to Stermer and his artwork in an e-mail interview.

“Dugald Stermer is someone whose work I’ve known and admired of for a very long time,” Kessler wrote. “Sometime in 2010 or 2011, I was assigned a project that I thought would be perfect for him. He had not ever designed or illustrated a stamp and was very open to the idea. We met in San Francisco. The meeting included two fellow designers who happened to be very good friends of Dugald’s, and mine, and so we had lunch, visited his studio and discussed my project.

Two weeks later, I was informed that Dugald had died. I was heartbroken.”

Despite this tragedy, Kessler remained intrigued about the possibilities of getting Stermer’s work onto a stamp. “He had so much beautiful work on the walls of his studio, I wondered if we could use any of the existing art.”

Kessler stayed in contact with one of Stermer’s sons, who sent her files of Dugald’s work. “I was only looking for one or two images, but with so many gorgeous drawings editing down was challenging.”

Working with existing artwork, no matter how exquisite, presents another set of challenges, Kessler noted. “Stamp criteria is challenging… What works as a definitive stamp for mail use? How will it reproduce if used on postcard stock?

I mocked up several of his drawings that I thought could be used as needed by the Postal Service.”

Kessler said the image of the rabbit – a graphite pencil and watercolors on Arches watercolor paper – worked perfectly for a stamp. “There was no need for cropping.”

The stamp designer noted a continual dilemma of dealing with art for postage stamps.

“Reducing this art to stamp size is unfair to the art and the artist, but that is the business of stamps – miniatures,” Kessler said. “On certain images, once we get it to stamp size, we can still appreciate the delicacy of drawing, placement and the restraint of use of color. Dugald Stermer was a master in this type of art.”

Stermer’s “work is exemplary of illustration art and craft, and the work he enables from his students maintains the standard and pushes the boundaries of visual culture,” Heller wrote about his friend.

The stamp is being sold in panes of 20 and coils of 100.

Though very close in size, there is a small difference in width between the formats, according to technical details found in the Postal Bulletin. The overall stamp image and overall depth is the same for both formats, but the overall width of the pane version is .87 of an inch (22.098 millimeters) and is a slightly larger .87096 of an inch (22.122 mm.) in the coil.

The brush rabbit – also known as the western brush rabbit or Californian brush rabbit – is a small species of cottontail rabbit found in western coastal regions of North Amer278 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Figure 5. Technical details and purchasing information is available at http://aps.buzz/BuyCastilloUSPS.

ica, from the Columbia River in Oregon to the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. Its range extends as far east as the eastern sides of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges.

Castillo de San Marcos, Priority Mail A new Priority Mail stamp featuring the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States became the 25th entry in the American Landmarks stamp series, which features both natural and manmade landmarks (Figure 5).

The Castillo de San Marcos (St. Mark’s Castle) is in St. Augustine, Florida. The stamp art features a digital illustration of the fortress based on a contemporary photograph.

With a view toward the northeast corner of the fortress, the artwork captures it in the golden glow of sunrise over Matanzas Bay. All of the original artwork for the series has been created

by Daniel Cosgrove. Greg Breeding is credited as designer for this stamp.

The stamp accommodates a 20-cent increase in the basic Priority Mail envelope rate from $7.75 to $7.95. The selfstick stamps are being sold in panes of four.

St. Augustine was founded on September 8, 1565, by Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, Florida’s first governor. A series of wooden forts over the years fell victim to rot and decay until 1668 when pirates raided and killed 60 citizens and caused much damage. The controlling Spanish government finally took notice and construction of the fort began in 1671 under the leadership of Governor Manuel Cendoya. Engineer Ignacio Daza directed construction as the first stones were laid the next year with the core of the current fortress completed in 1695. The fort underwent many alterations and renovations over the centuries.

Along with the physical changes, the fort’s use also

changed over time. It first served as a Spanish military installation, then for the British in 1763, back to the Spanish in 1783 after the Peace of Paris and finally to the United States in 1821, when it became Fort Marion, named for Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox. The fort fell under control of the Confederacy in 1861 for the duration of the Civil War. During U.S. military use, the fort was used as a prison for Native Americans, including Osceola and the Seminoles and western tribes, including Geronimo’s Apaches.

Ownership of the Castillo was transferred to the National Park Service in 1933.

In addition to the stamp, the Postal Service issued a Priority Mail envelope with the same design. Often, due to rate changes, a Priority Mail Express flat-rate envelope rate stamp is issued at the same time as a Priority Mail stamp.

That former rate is staying the same at $26.35, however, so no new stamp is being issued at this time and the $26.35 Grand Island Ice Caves stamp will remain on sale.

The American Landmarks series started in 2008 with the $4.80 Mount Rushmore and $16.50 Hoover Dam stamps.

B11 1

Barns Four different styles of barns – one for each season – appear on a set of new Forever stamps designed to meet the new postcard rate, which rose from 35 cents to 36 cents on January 24 (Figure 6).

The stamps were issued on January 24 and are being sold in panes of 20 and coils of 100. The official first day of issue site is Barnesville, Georgia.

The stamps celebrate the beauty and history of American barns with a digital painting displaying four types of iconic barns found in the rural American landscape. With differing qualities of light and color, each piece reflects one of the four seasons: a round barn surrounded by the hazy light and warm colors of fall; a gambrel-roofed barn in summer; a forebay barn in an early spring countryside; and a Western barn on a winter’s night.

Ashley Walton, of Charlottesville, Virginia, designed the stamps with original artwork by Kim Johnson, of Stamford, Connecticut. Greg Breeding was the art director. These are Johnson’s first stamp designs.

B11 1

Figure 6. Technical details and purchasing information is available at http://aps.buzz/BuyBarnsUSPS

B11 1

B11 1

MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 279

Q & A, Greg Breeding, art director How did the concept of four different styles of barns come about?

We explored different styles to better represent the many kinds of barns that are scattered around the country. We tried to select those styles that are most common in the United States. Because barns are in use year round, having each of them in a different season made sense, and also provided something a little more visually appealing.

How did the project connect with the artist?

The artist, Kim Johnson, has a body of work that focuses on the outdoors. Beautiful landscapes, often with architectural elements and animals, combine to create fresh, inviting imagery. So the barn project was a natural fit for her.

Can you tell us anything about how the final images came about? Were there many changes during the process?

The very first sketches were terrific. She immediately captured the nostalgia we were hoping for while also providing inventive perspectives of each barn. While there were not many changes along the way, we did explore color. We wanted each stamp to stand on its own while also creating a beautiful set, so asking the artist to explore how color could achieve that took a few rounds to resolve.

There are no animals or farm equipment visible. Can you tell us about those omissions?

We deliberately omitted those details because so little can be discernible at stamp size. What’s more, we wanted the simple iconic barns to be the subject as opposed to “life on the farm.”

August Wilson “There is a light that is shining from within him.” That is how Constanza Romero Wilson, widow of August Wilson, praised the image of a new commemorative that she says portrays “the spirit” of the late playwright.

The stamp honors two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson, a trailblazer who brought fresh perspectives and previously unheard voices to the American stage. The stamp features an oil painting of Wilson based on a 2005 photograph. Behind Wilson, a picket fence alludes to the title of “Fences,” one of his best-known plays. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp with original art by Tim O’Brien.

The first-class Forever stamp, which is being sold in panes of 20, became the latest entry into the USPS’ continuing Black Heritage series when it was issued January 28 (Figure 7). The series began in 1978 and the annual issue most often coincides with the start of February, long designated as Black History Month. The official first day city for the stamp is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Wilson made her comment during the stamp’s official virtual dedication (http://aps.buzz/WilsonFDCVid).

280 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

The dedication also included Wilson’s daughter, Sakina Ansari, as well as actors Phylicia Rashad, Viola Davis and Stephen McKinley Henderson, all closely associated with Wilson’s works.

Wilson was born Frederick August Kittel Jr. on April 27, 1945, in Pittsburgh’s predominantly African American Hill District, where many of his plays are set. His father was Figure 7. Technical a white German immigrant, details and purchasing and his mother was an African information is available American cleaning woman. at http://aps.buzz/ Wilson died in 2005 from stom- BuyWilsonUSPS. ach cancer.

The virtual dedication begins with a short segment of an interview Wilson gave at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in which the playwright explains his work ethic.

“When I sit down and write, I’m trying to write the best play that’s ever been written, and if you’re not trying to do that then go do something else,” Wilson said. “Now, whether I accomplish that or not we can debate that all day, but that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Wilson collected innumerable accolades for his plays, including seven New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards; a Tony Award, for 1987’s “Fences”; and two Pulitzer Prizes, for “Fences” and 1990’s “The Piano Lesson.” President Bill Clinton awarded Wilson a 1999 National Humanities Medal.

Wilson is especially remembered for his American Century Cycle of 10 plays, one set in each decade of the 20th century, and most set in his hometown. The cycle dramatizes the experience of African Americans.

“My dad always would say he is a poet first, so there is a poetry and rhythm in his words,” said Sakina Ansari Wilson.

“He understood the inherent power of rhythm in lan-

Figure 8. Scott 2859, Ma Rainey.

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guage,” said Rashad. “He understood it. He understood the cadence of words and what they could invoke. He understood it. Not a lot of writers understand it in this way. He was a literary master.” Rashad earned a Tony nomination for her work in the 2003 Wilson play “Gem of the Ocean.”

Mrs. Wilson, trustee of the August Wilson Trust, said her husband often began writing his plays without a plot. “He was visited by the different characters he was writing about and inside his mind he would hear their voices and hear their stories; he would write them down. He didn’t know how it was all going to be connected from the beginning.”

Davis, a recipient of Oscar, Emmy and Tony awards, plays the title character in the current Netflix feature presentation of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” which is set in the 1920s, though not in Pittsburgh, and revolves around the blues singer. (Rainey is commemorated on a 29¢ U.S. stamp issued in 1994 as part of the Jazz and Blues Singers set, Figure 8.) Davis said she learned about Wilson when she was just starting out as an actor.

“An acting teacher came up to me and said, ‘there is a writer that you need to know about because I think he is going to speak to you,’ ” Davis said. “She showed me ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.’ I read it and it was me, it was my life. It was my father, my mom, my grandmother and grandfather;

282 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

it was their language, it was their cadence, it was their pain, it was their joy, their humor ... and it just leapt (from) the page.”

Actor Stephen McKinley Henderson, a veteran performer of Wilson’s works, said Wilson took characters often portrayed in the periphery of films and plays – like butlers, maids, musicians – and brought their lives into the spotlight.

Henderson particularly liked the fact that the stamp is a firstclass Forever stamp.

“To see August in that hat and then the word forever written beneath him,” said Henderson while chuckling. “His contribution is forever, and I rejoice in it.”

Artist and illustrator Tim O’Brien, of Brooklyn, New York, works in a realistic style and has created the artwork for six other stamps: Hattie McDaniel and Judy Garland, both in 2006; plus Danny Thomas, (2012), Shirley Temple (2016) and Father Theodore Hesburgh (2017). His Time magazine covers are in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, in Washington, D.C. More about O’Brien and his work can be found at his website, https://obrienillustration.com.

The USPS has issued a Black Heritage stamp every year since the series started in 1978 with a commemorative honoring Harriet Tubman, an escaped slave who returned to the South 13 times to lead others to freedom prior to Emancipation.

Books & Catalogs

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

BY Gary Wayne Loew gary@stamps.org

Catalog of U.S. Fish & Game License Stamps and Labels – Fish & Game Collector Handbook #12 by Ira W. Cotton. 353 color pages, published

by PaperQuest Press, Naples, Florida, 2020. Available on eBay from the author.

Revenue stamps are among the most popular specialties within stamp collecting. The new David Straight Memorial Philatelic Union Catalog (PUC, http://aps.buzz/APRLCatalog) lists over 750 titles that relate in one way or another to revenue collecting. Central to philatelists’ collecting and research are stamp catalogs. The PUC lists 47 various catalogs of revenues.

A very popular subspecialty within revenues is the collecting of stamps related to the issuance of hunting and fishing licenses. These stamps go by various identifications, including Fish & Game stamps, Wildlife stamps, Waterfowl stamps, and famously, Duck Stamps. Federal and state licensing authorities issue these stamps as part of their taxing authorities. These stamps range from non-pictorial and utilitarian issues to glorious reproductions of paintings by famous wildlife artists. Indeed, yearly competitions are held, with the prevailing artist having their artwork appear on an annually issued stamp.

If the number of references in the APRL is a reasonable proxy of popularity, then nearly 250 titles suggests that there has been much interest in this subspecialty for a long time.

But the number of thorough and current catalogs is sorely wanting. Indeed, there are more catalogs of “Duck” cachets than of the stamps themselves. So, it was with much anticipation that we received a copy of Ira W. Cotton’s Catalog of U.S. Fish & Game License Stamps and Labels – Fish & Game Collector Handbook #12.

Collectors may not own expansive philatelic libraries, but owning a good catalog is an absolute necessity for any specialist. Catalogs generally have three aspects that make them useful to collectors and students: A) Comprehensive listings of stamps and varieties, B) Frontmatter that provides introductory foundational information necessary to the understanding of the collecting area, and C) Pricing information that can guide collectors in their purchase and sale decisions. Let’s take each of these aspects in order.

Listings of stamps and varieties The organization of a catalog determines how easy it is for researchers to find an individual stamp or understand how different categories of stamps are related to each other.

Taxonomy can determine whether a catalog succeeds or fails as a research tool. And in this, the Cotton catalog succeeds very well, indeed. The macro organization is very logical,

Catalog of U.S. Fish & Game License Stamps and Labels

Ira W. Cotton PaperQuest Press Naples, Florida

Fish & Ga me Collector Handbook #12

with federal issues followed by each of the states in alphabetical order. Within each of these, Cotton organizes stamps into major categories and then specific series of stamps.

Consider first the federal issues. There are three major categories: Waterfowl, Other, and Labels. Cotton identifies ten Waterfowl series, fourteen Other series and five Label series. Each series is identified with an abbreviation, a description, and a date range that the series was issued. The abbreviation for each state series always begins with the two character state code.

The state issues, unsurprisingly, vary widely in the breadth of series issues. Kentucky, for example, has only two major categories: Waterfowl and Fishing, each with a single series of stamps. Louisiana, in contrast, has six major categories: Waterfowl (8 series), Animal Hunting (8), Trapping (1), Fishing (11), Other (1) and Society (3). Other states have more expansive structures.

This taxonomy works well and provides an easy method for locating a stamp within a series. Of the many possible approaches used by previous catalogs, Cotton’s will be useful to collectors and students at all levels of experience.

The heart of any catalog, of course, is the individual stamp listings themselves. And here, Cotton’s catalog is a superior effort. My quick estimate suggests something in excess of 20,000 individual listings and varieties. Many appear in reference book form for the first time, although many of these are known stamps that have been documented via auction catalogs and specialist dealer listings. But bringing this MARCH 2021 AMERICAN PHILATELIST 283

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comprehensive listing to one place is exactly what a stamp catalog must do.

Each section starts with the series name and series abbreviation followed by a brief description or explanation.

The substantial majority are illustrated with a representative stamp from the series. It is a reasonable expectation that an issued stamp would contain sufficient information to enable a researcher to find the right series in this catalog. However, that is not always the case. The series illustrations enable one to turn to the correct state and browse the samples until the correct series is located.

Within each series, stamps are listed individually. The series code appears at the beginning of each series section and not duplicated with each entry. The individual listing structure is Catalog number (with varieties), Year of issue, Denomination, Stamp description, Artist (if known), Unused and used catalog value.

In terms of organizational structure and comprehensiveness, this Cotton catalog achieves the primary purpose of any catalog.

Introductory foundational information For collectors without their own philatelic libraries, the introductory material found in nearly every successful catalog is the major source of specialized information. Few specialists are experts. Most rank themselves as either beginners or “early stage” intermediate collectors. These are precisely the collectors most in need of targeted introductory information.

284 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Perhaps the author considers the considerable accomplishment of the listings as sufficient to his task. But from the users’ standpoint, the absence of introductory information is a major lack. The author does cite his Principle Sources and there is a helpful page of Useful References at the back. But this is not sufficient for a robust philatelic catalog.

There is a companion volume (Handbook #11) issued concurrently that contains Cotton’s complete taxonomy.

While this smaller volume is not reviewed here, we can state that it is a necessary accompaniment to this Cotton catalog.

Perhaps it would have been more useful to include this material as part of the introductory information.

Pricing guide for collectors Pricing is one of the most challenging of tasks for any cataloguer. The Scott series of catalogs go to great length to research their pricing, explain their methodologies, and caution users about the challenges in quantifying “catalog values.” Author Cotton also explains his research methodologies and his approaches when priced transactions are lacking. He consults public records, auction catalogs, and dealer websites - all reasonable and necessary sources. He seems to be on firm foundation in his approach. However, as with so much else in philately and elsewhere, the devil is in the details. And that is where the problems are found.

In the world of philately, a very large proportion of stamps – let us say perhaps 95% or 98% of all stamps – are either common or uncommon, but not “rare.” For each of

are aware of such anomalies, recognize the problem here.

Having consulted with them, I share their concerns.

But the author does not appear to have had access to this information. The consequence is that too many of the catalog values in the non-waterfowl listings, especially those valued at over $200–300, are mis-priced. Realistic catalog values – if they should be included at all – might conceivably be underpriced by a factor of five or ten!

The reasonable question is, for such rare stamps, why is this a problem? Who might get hurt? I see two different groups who might get hurt. The first group is intermediate collectors who see a catalog value of, say, $800 and start hunting. Either they will never see such a stamp, or it may be priced at, say $5,000 or $8,000. Their “hurt” is relatively minor. But the catalog does mislead.

More consequential would be an heir who inherits a collection that serendipitously contains one of these rarities.

An heir – or even an appraiser – doing their homework and consulting this catalog, would be substantially misled by the substantial understatement of approximate market value.

That is an unacceptable situation and is the substantial flaw in this otherwise useful catalog.

There are good and proper reasons for a specialist to own this catalog. The stamp listings make a very worthwhile contribution to the philatelic literature. But whether this volume resides in a personal or a public library, there should be a disclaimer attached to the front endpaper, admonishing the reader to beware relying upon the catalog values among the non-waterfowl fish and game stamps, the true rarity and difficulty of acquisition of which is too often not reflected here.

these stamps, deriving a catalog value is relatively easy for experienced researchers. Increasingly, transactions for large numbers of stamps take place on eBay, Delcampe, HipStamp, and other internet platforms. Services have emerged that capture and publish this information. Determining market value is becoming easier. This is true for many branches of philately. It is less true with the stamps included in this catalog, where a notably higher percentage, perhaps 10 – 15%, fall into the “rare” or “seldom traded” category.

For pictorial federal and state waterfowl stamps and the majority of non-pictorial waterfowl stamps where the values have long been established in other catalogs and dealer’s lists, the prices listed here are a reasonable measure of market value. For some non-pictorial waterfowl stamps and many other types of fish and game license stamps, such as big game and fishing stamps, many of the stamps in all price ranges are seldom traded. These may be considered very scarce to rare. It has historically been difficult to place values on them. Collectors are usually reliant upon the seller’s experience with “comps” of similar supply and demand. It is with these listings that the reader must not rely upon the catalog values in this book. What you might pay in the market may vary widely.

Then, there is a group of true rarities, sadly including stamps in this catalog, where a catalog value simply cannot be reliably determined. In the larger catalogs, such as Scott, these stamps are listed without a value or a dagger symbol.

Cotton, unfortunately, has failed to identify those stamps and omit their prices.

One example will clarify the concern. There are many such stamps where fewer than five examples are known. They have historically been very closely held and long held. Some are known but have not been seen on the market for decades.

When a once-in-a-lifetime sale takes place, the expectation is that the bidding would be aggressive, and prices would soar.

For at least one of these sales, however, a number of unique circumstances resulted in a paucity of bidders. Realizations were substantially below expectations. By any reasonable interpretation, this auction pricing information should never be used in the determination of “catalog values.”

Dealers, who keep a daily pulse of the market, and who

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MARCH 2021 AMERICAN PHILATELIST 285

New World Issues

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

BY William Silvester

AUSTRALIA - UNESCO

This United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) issue features Australian properties “inscribed solely for their outstanding cultural importance.” A photo of the site and a relevant artifact is included in the bottom right. Designed by Jason Watts of the Australia Post Design Studio, the $1.10 self-adhesive stamps show four of the 20 UNESCO sites in Australia. The samples above include the following from left to right: The Cascades Female Factory in Tasmania with irons to portray the work of the inmates; Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens in Victoria with the interior design of the dome; Budj Bim Cultural Landscape in Victoria with a woven eel basket; and Sydney Opera House in New South Wales and a pair of opera glasses. These stamps are available online from http://aps.buzz/AustraliaMar21.

BOTSWANA – Giraffe

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The giraffes indigenous to Botswana are commonly known as the Southern Giraffe. They have a loose social structure, changing bonds as they move from place to place. The males struggle for dominance during the mating season by pushing, shoving, and striking out with their necks. Lions, hyenas and leopards are the major predators of the giraffes, especially the young. The stamps show the giraffe walking (P2.00); a female with her young (P7.00); the majestic head of a giraffe (P9.00) and a giraffe drinking (P10.00). Designed by Brian Garcin and issued in November 2020, the stamps are available in sheet, souvenir sheet or booklet format from http://aps.buzz/ BotswanaMar21.

COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS – Currency of the Clunies-Ross Era

John Clunies-Ross was a Scottish merchant seaman who settled on the Cocos Islands in 1827. For the next 150 years, he and his descendants ruled their “fiefdom” as “kings.” The British government considered them merely resident magistrates and government representatives. During the 1870s, the Clunies-Ross family introduced the Cocos Rupee as a currency their Malay workers could use at the company store. Issued in October 2020, the four stamps depict the currency. The first $1.10 stamp shows 1902 paper tokens and the Clunies-Ross family at the time; the second $1.10 stamp features Ivorine tokens of 1910 with Ross IV and the family schooner at anchor; the first $2.20 stamp shows metal coins from 1977 with John Cecil Clunies-Ross (Ross V); and the second $2.20 stamp depicts plastic tokens from 1968 with the family home, “Oceania House.” To purchase the stamps and learn more of the fascinating history of the Clunies-Ross family go to http://aps.buzz/CocosMar21.

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FRANCE - 150 Years of Mounted Balloons

Balloons became the only method by which mail could be carried out of the Prussian besieged city of Paris in 1870. The first balloon launch happened on September 23 when Le Neptune flew 100 kilometers from Paris to the Chateau de Cracouville.

The three-hour flight was loaded with 125 kilos of newspapers, official dispatches, and a few letters. The success of the flight initiated a regular balloon mail service which resulted in 66 flights carrying an estimated 2.5 million letters, the majority of which were successful. The €4,64 priority mail stamp depicts the relevant subjects of that first flight: Paris and an encampment of French soldiers, Le Neptune in flight and the Chateau de Cracouville near Évreux where the balloon landed. The stamp is available online from http://aps.buzz/FranceMar21.

286 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

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ISLE OF MAN – Show Birds

Photographer Luke Stephenson captured the poses of the six species of worldwide birds, usually found in cages or aviaries and featured in shows, for the stamps issued on February 9, 2021.

Designs on the top row from left to right feature a wild Fife Canary, found only on the islands off the west coast of Africa; a Gouldian Finch from the open woodlands of Western Australia and Queensland (EU); and a Budgerigar or Budgie, probably the most popular domestic bird, native to inland Australia where they often congregate in large numbers. The bottom row from left to right shows a Redpoll Hybrid, the result of crossbreeding with a bullfinch (RoW); a Paradise Tanager from the humid forests of the Amazon lowlands (£1.82); and a Diamond Sparrow, an Australian finch found in South Australia and Queensland (USA). Issued in sheets of 20, these PVA gummed stamps are available online from http://aps.buzz/IsleofManMar21.

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KYRGYZSTAN – Domestic Dogs

The State Committee of Information Technology and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic issued a set and souvenir sheet (S/S) of Kyrgyz Express Post stamps titled “Domestic Dogs” on December 22, 2020. The three stamps were repeated on the S/S with the addition of a German Shepherd in the border. Designed by Daria Maier and Yuri Kardashenko, the 50 KGS stamp depicts a Dalmatian, a Croatian breed named after the Dalmatia district; the 100 KGS illustrates an Alaskan Malamute, one of the oldest breeds of domesticated dogs, thought to have been bred by the Malemiut Inupiaq people of Alaska; the 150 KGS value shows the Akita Inu, considered a national treasure by the people of Japan, originally bred in the Akita province on Honshu Island. The stamps are available as singles, souvenir sheets, se-tenant sheets of two, and sheetlets of five or more. Find more information at http://aps.buzz/ KyrgyzstanMar21.

SWITZERLAND – 100th Anniversary of Pro Infirmis

According to the Pro Infirmis website, the organization advises and supports people with physical, cognitive and psychological disabilities in Switzerland. The stamp was issued in a sheet of 16 gummed stamps of CHF 1.00+0.50. It is designed to be right way up regardless of how it is placed on an envelope to signify that “there is no such thing as up or down and right or wrong – just as there is no such thing as disabled or non-disabled.” Pro Infirmis seeks an inclusive society accepting everyone as they are. This semi-postal issue has a value of CHF 1 and a CHF 0.50 surcharge to go towards the fund for cultural and social commitment run by Swiss Post. The stamp can be found online at http://aps.buzz/SwitzerlandMar21.

UNITED NATIONS – Member Flag Design Changes

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In honor of the Member States of the United Nations, a series of flag stamps was created in 1980. In August 2020, UNPA issued two sheets of 16 $1.20 stamps consisting of eight new flag stamps. All of the flags have design changes since the country’s flag stamp was first issued. Brazil increased the design from 21 stars in 1889 to 27 stars in 1992. Mongolia removed the Communist star from the top of design in 1992. Cyprus slightly extended the map of the island, changed the color from yellow to copper, and lengthened the olive branches in 2006. Paraguay simplified the coat of arms and modified the ratio of the width of the stripes. Bahrain originally had 28 white points, reduced to eight in 1972, then reduced to five in 2002, representing the Five Pillars of Islam. Dominica removed the yellow outline around each of the ten stars. Belarus added a thicker ornament pattern on the hoist in 2012. Mauritania made a slight change in the color shades and added red stripes on the top and bottom in 2017. The stamps are available from http://aps.buzz/UNMar21.

• • • • •

New worldwide stamps are presented for information and are not necessarily shown at the correct scale. The quality of images available at the time of release varies widely and we resize to achieve the best possible reproduction.

MARCH 2021 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 287

Worldwide in a Nutshell

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BY BOB LAMB • AP Columnist

Cocos (Keeling) Islands Status: Australian Territory Population: 544 (2016 census) Area: 5.5 sq. miles Currency: Australian Dollar (100 cents = A$1; A$1 = 77¢ US)

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he Cocos (Keeling) Islands consist of 27 low-lying coral islands in the Indian Ocean about 1600 miles west of Perth.

Only two islands are permanently inhabited. The archipelago was discovered in 1609 by Capt. William Keeling of the East India Company. In 1805 an English hydrographer named them Cocos Keeling Islands.

In 1825, Scottish merchant Capt. John Clunies-Ross stopped briefly at the islands on a trip to India. Planning to return and settle on the islands with his family, he staked his claim by nailing up a Union Jack. The following year, Alexander Hare, a wealthy Englishman, hired Clunies-Ross’ brother, a sea captain, to take him, several slaves and a harem of Malay women to the islands, where he established his residence.

Clunies-Ross returned in 1827 with his family and some British workers, only to find Hare and company ensconced on Home Island. Tension with Hare, who had declared himself king, caused Clunies-Ross to locate to South Island. Over time, Hare’s followers deserted him. He left the island in 1831 and died soon after. Clunies-Ross brought more Malay workers and developed a thriving copra business. He ran the island as a personal fiefdom, writing and interpreting the laws and even minting his own currency.

Clunies-Ross tried in vain to get the Dutch or the British to annex the islands. His son George succeeded him in 1851. He persuaded British Capt. Fremantle to take possession of the islands in 1857 on behalf of the British Government. The new ties to Britain had no practical effect on Clunies-Ross’ autonomous administration.

In 1878, the British placed the islands under the Governor of Ceylon. Responsibility was transferred to the Governor of the Straits Settlements in 1886. At the same time, Queen Victoria granted the islands to the Clunies-Ross family in perpetuity. In 1903, they were made part of the Colony of Singapore. In preparation for Singapore’s independence, the British transferred the islands to Australia. On November 23, 1955, they became an Australian external territory. In 1978, Australia purchased the islands from the Clunies-Ross family.

The Straits Settlements operated a postal agency on the islands from 1933 until 1937. The agency resumed operations in September 1952, using Singapore’s stamps. From 1955 until 1963, Australian stamps were used. On June 11, 1963, stamps inscribed Cocos (Keeling) Islands were introduced. With the conversion to decimal currency in 1966, The Cocos Island issues were replaced by those of Australia, though stamps were occasionally issued by Australia inscribed Cocos Islands. These issues were valid in Australia as well.

In 1979, Australia granted Cocos postal independence. The islands resumed issuing its own stamps and the use of Australian stamps was discontinued, until January 1, 1994, when Cocos Islands once again lost its postal autonomy. Australia Post issues three or four sets a year inscribed “Cocos (Keeling) Islands Australia” which are valid in Australia as well as Cocos, Today, there is one post office, on Home Island, which sells Australian and Cocos Islands stamps.

288 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / MARCH 2021

Mighty Buck Club Where $1 Can Make a Difference!

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PRM Enterprises, Inc. Randall T. Scribner 10700 Hickory Ridge Rd. Harrisburg, NC 28075 Phone: (704) 575-2795 scrib1@yahoo.com Coins also wanted

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