Prior to NAPEX, the APS will host an “On the Road” course on the U.S. Great American Series.  This 2-day course will be held at the National Postal Museum on May 30-31, 2012.  The instructor is Jay Stotts.

The Great Americans Issue is one of the largest, longest lasting definitive issues in U.S. postal history and the production varieties rival those of some of the more popular regular issues of the past. Students will receive an overview and will then delve into the production details including presses used, perforations, papers and tagging details and finally, the break from Bureau of Engraving & Printing production into Contract production. Additionally, students will have a chance to learn rate usages and collecting strategies.

About the instructor:

Jay is a life-long collector, specializing in U.S. philately, especially twentieth century definitive issues and postal history. He has exhibited philatelic material for 30 years and has served as an APS accredited national judge for more than 20 years. He is also accredited as a national chief judge and is scheduled to chair the jury at APS Stampshow 2011 in Columbus.  He served for eight years on the APS Accreditation Committee, now called CANEJ.

Jay has served on the Boards of the Bureau Issues Association and the United Sates Stamp Society since his appointment in 1991. In June 1992, the Board elected him to fill the vacated President’s position of the BIA. He was re-elected to two additional terms and served as President through 1997. In 2000, the Board appointed him to the vacated Presidency of the USSS and he was elected for one additional term, returning to the Board in 2003.

In 1989, Jay was a co-founder of the Fourth Bureau Issue Committee of the society and currently serves as its Chairman. He has won both the Hopkinson Literature and Exhibiting awards of the society and served as its annual show coordinator from 1991 through 2003.

As an exhibitor, he has won four national Grand Awards and numerous gold medals. He has several multi-frame exhibits in several classes including traditional, postal history, thematic, aerophilately, first day covers and post cards.

He has collected the Great Americans Series since the early 1990s and has a ten-frame exhibit on the issue. He is an avid student of the modern stamp production methods associated with this issue.

If you haven’t sent in your dues for 2012, please do so before you forget.  You can take a $3.00 discount off the $25.00 annual dues only if you pay by December 31st.  Also, you can pay your dues online via PayPal.  Go to our website homepage and click on “Renew” and follow the instructions.

The Society has a Hardship Fund for those who are unable to pay their annual dues because of a job lay-off or other hardships.  If you find yourself in one of these situations, let me know and I will arrange for your dues to be paid for 2012.  We don’t want to lose any members because of unfortunate circumstances beyond their control.

If you want a copy of the 2012 bound volume of The United States Specialist, pay for it now along with your dues.  It will be mailed to you in the Spring of 2013.  Lastly, don’t forget to send your free classified word ads directly to Leonard Piszkiewicz, the Editor of The Specialist.

—Larry Ballantyne
Executive Secretary

A major expense for the United States Stamp Society is postage.  Each year the official business of the USSS requires approximately $2,000 in postage.

Discount postage usually sells for 75% of face value.  Any member who wishes to make a contribution of discount postage will receive a tax deductible contribution for the full face value of the postage plus mailing costs (including insurance).

Please mail discount postage to the Treasurer for distribution, or drop it off at any show where the USSS has a Society table.  A receipt indicating the amount of your tax-deductible, charitable contribution will be sent for all contributions in excess of $5.

—David Sugar, Treasurer
20 North Wacker Dr., Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60606

Members of the United States Stamp Society gathered together at the American Philatelic Society’s headquarters in Bellefonte, PA to celebrate our 85th Anniversary on September 16–18.  For 85 years, the United States Stamp Society has been the premier organization for collectors of U.S. postage and revenue stamps and their use.  The Society was founded as the Philatelic Plate Number Association in 1926.  The name was changed in 1930 to the Bureau Issues Association, recognizing the Association’s enlarged scope of interest as the entire philatelic output of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which, at that time, produced all United States postage and revenue stamps.  The Bureau’s output of postage and revenue stamps, coils, booklets, possessions, paper, gum, marginal markings, as well as methods of manufacture, became subjects of BIA members’ study and collection.  In 2000 the organization became the United States Stamp Society.  The new name reflected the Society’s focus on the entirety of U.S. postage and revenue stamps, including stamp design, production and use of non-Bureau contract security printers.

Our 85th Anniversary celebration was held in conjunction with the 6th Annual Postal History Symposium, a scholarly program co-sponsored by the American Philatelic Society and the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.  The theme of this year’s symposium was be “How Commerce and Industry Shaped the Mails.”

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The Board of Governors unanimously approved the induction of Robert L. Markovits into the BIA/USSS Hall of Fame.  The formal induction ceremony was held in conjunction with the Society’s 85th Anniversary celebration at the American Philatelic Center, September 16-18.  Markovits is the thirteenth member to be so honored.

Robert Markovits is an internationally recognized researcher, collector, exhibitor and writer on numerous philatelic subjects, particularly back of the book material, notably, U.S. and worldwide Special Delivery, U.S. Officials and U.S. Postal Stationery.

His service to organized philately is recognized by his contributions to several philatelic organizations, especially the United States Stamp Society.  From 1963 through 1969, Robert wrote extensively for The Bureau Specialist in a column called the “Numbers Game,” contributing over 50 articles to the journal.  He published a check list for Special Delivery plate numbers with Morris “M.X.” Weiss, and worked on the pricing for several of the early Durland Standard Plate Number Catalogs.

Perhaps his most notable contribution to the hobby has been his research and writing about Special Delivery stamps.  Robert started collecting Postage Due and Special Delivery plate blocks under the tutelage of Louis K. Robbins, who with his brother Phil and W. Parsons Todd, were early Special Delivery specialists.  Markovits’ interest in Special Delivery of the United States and possessions, now expanded to worldwide, started in 1954 and is actively pursued to this day.

Markovits received the Hopkinson Memorial Literature Award in 1960 for his “The United States Special Delivery Issues,” research and commentary on Special Delivery plate numbers.  His research has also been published in many other important philatelic journals.  In 1989, he received the Best Article award in for his three part article on the Taylor 5¢ issue of 1875 and its reissue on soft paper in the Collectors Club Philatelist.  His pamphlet on the 10¢ Registry stamp of 1911 detailed his collection and is the definitive work on this stand-alone issue.  Robert also collected and issued the Brazer proof price lists to make this research available to collectors.  Two articles on Special Delivery issues have appeared in the Congress Book.  Among his many eclectic philatelic interests is the Westervelt-Chester, New York local issue, the subject of an extensive article in the Locals and Carriers Journal.  Other back of the book material collected, researched and written about include the airmail City of New York issue of 1948 and several specialized classic issues of U.S. postal stationery.  He has made available an outstanding bibliography of the U.S. Special Delivery system along with numerous articles and exhibit pages on his website http://www.specialdelivery.com.

In addition to his contributions to philatelic literature, he has been a prolific exhibitor of “back of the book” material.  In 1962 Markovits received the Hopkinson Trophy for his exhibit “The 1895 Special Delivery Issue.”  He won three international large gold medals for his Special Delivery classic period collection, 1885 to 1901, which was shown in the Championship class in 2011 in Delhi, India.  This exhibit was most recently shown in the U.S. at NOJEX 2006, displayed as part of 20 frames, shown in two sections: the classic period, and 1902 through June 6, 1997, the end of Special Delivery service.  His exhibit of the 1908 Helmet of Mercury stamp, his favorite, won the Collectors Club single-frame competition in 2006.

His collection of United States Official Stamps 1873-1884 won the APS Champion of Champions award in Cleveland in 1999.  This exhibit, which featured the $2 State Department stamp on a package front, received four international large gold medals, culminating in a showing in the Championship Class in France.

In addition to his contributions to the USSS, Markovits was a Governor and Trustee of the Collectors Club, serving for over six years as program chairman and still remains a member of their Editorial Board.

Robert Markovits’ dedication to the United States Stamp Society and his contributions to U.S. philatelic research and knowledge make him worthy of the highest honor the Society can bestow.

The U.S. Stamp Society will once again have a booth at the annual APS StampShow.  The show will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 North High Street in Columbus and we will have our booth manned for the full four days of the show.  We will have a full supply of all the Society publications on hand and there will be special show discounts on certain items, so be sure to stop by and check out the savings.

As is our tradition, we will hold a Dutch Treat dinner on Friday evening after the show closes.  At this time, a final restaurant selection hasn’t been made, but a local Society member is hard at work finding what I’m certain will be an outstanding restaurant.  The dinner will be held at 7 PM on Friday night, August 12th.  Please stop by the Society booth and sign up for what is certain to be a very enjoyable evening of food and camaraderie.  At the time you sign-up, you’ll be given a ticket so that we can be sure to accommodate everyone.

The March, 2011 issue of The Specialist contained a list of those members who will receive their Membership Appreciation Award pins during 2011.  We were only able to present one at our Annual Meeting at the Rocky Mountain Stamp Show in May and would like to present additional pins in Columbus.  We will have a supply of pins on hand at our booth, so if you’ve been a member for 15, 25, or 50 years, please stop by to receive your pin and accept the thanks of the Society for your loyalty.  If you’re not sure of your years of membership, just check the list in The Specialist (and online).  After the show, pins will be mailed to all those who were unable to receive them in person.

We could really use help staffing our booth and any time you could spare to do so will be greatly appreciated.  In addition to those who volunteer, we will have our officers, Board members, committee chairs and authors helping out.  This will be the place to meet old friends and make new ones.  Please contact me if you can help out.

We look forward to seeing a large contingent of our members at this great show.  A good time is sure to be had by all.

— Nick Lombardi
President

The United States Stamp Society will celebrate our 85th Anniversary on September 16-18, in conjunction with the 6th Annual Postal History Symposium at the American Philatelic Society’s headquarters in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.  This important gathering will bring together Society members from across the continent.  The event, designed to appeal to collectors and students of United States stamps and postal history, will include a comprehensive schedule of meetings, seminars, exhibits and bourse activities.  We will also formally dedicate the United States Stamp Society Room.

In addition to the featured speakers and the dealer bourse, the symposium will host a wide array of exhibits covering numerous aspects of United States philately.  On display will be a mix of seasoned exhibits of various definitive and commemorative Bureau issues, as well as special studies covering a variety of topics including tagging, perforating, counterfeits, stamp design, and the people who collect and sell philatelic material.  With presentation of everything from the earliest 20th century issues through airmail, special handling and postage due issues, there is certain to be something of interest for everyone.

Make your lodging plans today.

Three area hotels have rooms blocked for the United States Stamp Society Stamp Show and Sixth Annual Postal History Symposium, September 16-18, 2011.  Room blocks begin on Thursday, 9/15 and run through Sunday, 9/18 with check out as late as Monday.  Mention the APS when making reservations.  The blocks will end August 15, 2011, so book soon.

• Best Western, located six miles from the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte, PA, is offering a discounted rate of $72 a night plus tax.  The phone number is 814-234-8393 and it is located at 115 Premiere Drive, State College, PA 16801.
• Quality Inn, located five miles from the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte, PA, is offering a discounted rate of $65 a night plus tax.  The phone number is 814-355-7521 and it is located at 971 N. Eagle Valley Rd. (Intersection of I-80 & U.S. 150), Milesburg, PA 16853.
• Country Inn and Suites, located at 1357 East College Avenue, State College, PA 16801, is offering a discounted rate for Thursday evening of $85 and $119 for Friday and Saturday evenings.  The phone numbers to make reservations are: (814) 234-6000 and (814) 470-0422. Mention the APS when making reservations.  This block will end September 6th.

NOTE: This is also the weekend of Parent Weekend for Penn State University. It will be difficult to find a room after these blocks close, so make your reservation as early as possible!

Please click here for more information about the dedication ceremony, the banquet dinner and Blount Symposium registration.

The 2011 Annual Meeting is only a month away.  The United States Stamp Society meeting will be held in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Stamp Show.

The USSS will gather during the weekend of May 13th through the 15th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which will also serve as the show venue.  This should make for an easy commute.  The hotel is offering special rates of $99 per night.  Reservations can be made by calling the hotel at 303-371-9494 or 800-423-0908.  Be sure to use booking code “RMS” to obtain the special rate.

The show will include an American Philatelic Society World Series of Philately exhibit competition, which will include more than 100 frames of United States and related material presented by USSS members.  In addition to the normal range of awards available at all WSP shows, eligible exhibits will also compete for the prestigious Southgate and Hopkinson Trophies, which are presented only at the show hosting the Annual Meeting of the Society.

An added treat at this year’s meeting will be the annual Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library silent auction that will be held at the show.  Hundreds of lots of U.S. material will be among the offerings.  A complete listing will be available at the library’s website, www.rmpldenver.org and a printed catalog is also available upon request.

On Friday, we will hold the Society’s traditional Annual Fellowship Dinner — always one of the highlights of our Annual Meeting.  Although the site has not yet been determined, we will post the information on our website as soon as it becomes available.  A sign-up sheet will be available at the USSS booth and tickets will be given to all who sign up on a first come, first served basis.  We will gather the troops as the show closes at 6:00 PM and head out for an enjoyable dinner and an evening of fellowship.

On Saturday, the Board Meeting for Governors, officers, employees of the Society and Committee Chairmen will be held from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM prior to the opening of the show.  Our Annual General Membership meeting will be held at 1 PM.  The meeting will update the membership on the business of the Society, and Membership Recognition Award pins will be presented, as well as several other awards.  The full schedule of all the show events is available on the show website.

The Society will have a booth at the show for the purposes of selling our publications, promoting the Society, recruiting new members, and socializing with fellow U.S. collectors.  Please contact me if you are willing to help staff the table.  We could really use the help and any time you could spare will be greatly appreciated.  In addition to those who volunteer, we will also have our officers, Board members, committee chairs, and authors helping out.  This will be the place to meet old friends and make new ones.

We look forward to seeing a large contingent of our members at this great show. A good time is sure to be had by all.

—Nick Lombardi
President

Here are the United States Stamp Society medal winners that have been reported from recent shows:

NOTE: If you have won a USSS award and have not seen it listed here, please let me know and I will see that it is recorded.

Show Awards Chairs, please note:
USSS AWARDS PROGRAM

The USSS Gold Statue of Freedom Medal is sent automatically to all APS World Series of Philately shows.

The USSS Silver President’s Award medal is available upon request to all local and regional shows.

For more information, or to request an award, please contact me by e-mail or write to P.O. Box 690042, Houston, TX 77269-0042.

—Denise Stotts, Awards Committee

Outstanding Exhibits, Seminars, Dealers, Collectors and Fun!

The United States Stamp Society will celebrate its 85th Anniversary on September 16-18 at the American Philatelic Society’s headquarters in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.  With the cooperation of the American Philatelic Society, this important gathering will bring together Society members from across the continent.  The event, designed to appeal to collectors and students of United States stamps and postal history, will include a comprehensive schedule of meetings, seminars, exhibits and bourse activities.  We will also formally dedicate the United States Stamp Society Room at the American Philatelic Center.

The 6th Annual Postal History Symposium, a scholarly program co-sponsored by the American Philatelic Society, the American Philatelic Research Library and the Smithsonian National Postal Museum since 2006, will be held this year at the American Philatelic Center during the USSS celebrations.

The topic for the 2011 symposium will be “How Commerce and Industry Shaped the Mails.”  Members are urged to consider submitting papers for presentation at the event.  Proposals for symposium papers may be submitted either as individual papers or in panels.  Possible themes for papers include:

• Vending and Affixing – the age of order by mail
• The postal system goes to War
• Those little flying machines revolutionize the Mails
• How the mail order business necessitated the creation of the parcel post system
• Special handling stamps addressed special business needs
• Express Mail Wars: How the USPS battled Federal Express

The deadline for proposals is May 1, 2011. Proposals should be no more than one page and be accompanied by a one-page curriculum vita with contact information (e-mail, phone, and address).  Notification of accepted papers will be issued in mid-May.  Conference papers will be posted on the National Postal Museum website and will be considered for possible publication.  Proceedings of the Symposium will be considered for publication by the Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press.

Dr. David Hochfelder, assistant professor of history at SUNY-Albany will be the keynote speaker at the Symposium banquet on Saturday evening where the United States Stamp Society will celebrate its 85th anniversary.

The gathering will also provide an opportunity for many of our specialized committees to meet throughout the three days of the 85th Anniversary Celebration.  An outstanding dealer bourse will take place throughout the three days of the celebration with many of the top dealers of United States material in attendance.  Not since our 80th Anniversary celebration at the National Postal Museum during Washington 2006 will the members be able to view and study an assemblage of so many important exhibits of exceptional United States material.  In total, more than 160 frames will be on display.

On Saturday September 17, the Society will formally dedicate the USSS Room at the APC.  For the first time in our 85-year existence we are able to put on view outstanding archives marking some of the most important events in the history of the Bureau Issues Association and the United States Stamp Society, including a display of every publication produced by the Society.  In addition to the BIA/USSS Hall of Fame, the room features perpetual plaques honoring winners of our prestigious exhibiting and literature awards.

All stamp collectors, postal historians and interested persons are welcome to attend the bourse, seminars and meetings of this remarkable event free of charge.  Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to mix and mingle with friends and fellow collectors.

Additional information can be found at http://postalmuseum.si.edu/symposium2011/index.html.