The American Philatelic Society is offering a two-day course taught by Gini Horn, Director of Library Services, and Bill Welch, award-winning exhibitor and former editor of the American Philatelist as part of its continuing education series. Gini has a Master’s degree in Library Science from University of Pittsburgh, and has been with the APRL since 1984. Bill is a member of the APS Writers Unit Hall of Fame and has edited major philatelic works including the current edition of Fundamentals of Philately by L.N. and M. Williams.

Philatelic Research and Writing
Course topics will include defining the focus of a work of philatelic research, identifying, evaluating and verifying sources, creating outlines, writing drafts, and finding a publisher. Researchers and writers at any level of experience and proficiency will benefit from the two-day course. To gain the maximum benefit from the course, students should come prepared with a topic to research.

Registration
Register online at http://www.stamps.org/Education/edu_October_Courses.htm. The APS member cost for Philatelic Research and Writing is $149. For non-members, the cost is $249.

Contact Gretchen Moody if you have any questions about the course. A minimum of 10 students is required to hold the course.

Accommodations
Area hotels are providing a special rate if you mention the APS. The Garman Inn in Bellefonte, within walking distance of the APC, has a rate of $62 per night and their number is 814-935-0068. The rate at the Holiday Inn Express in State College is $81 per night, and you may contact them at 814-867-1800 or 1-877-424-1140. The rate at the Hilton Garden Inn, also in State College, is $85 per night and their phone number is 814-272-1221 or 1-866-204-1221.

Attend and enjoy the fall foliage — which peaks in mid-October in central Pennsylvania — as you “leaf” through library resources at the APRL.

The U.S. Stamp Society will once again have a booth at the annual APS StampShow.  This year we’ll set up camp at booth AA in the Hartford Convention Center for the full four days of the show.  We will have a full supply of all the Society publications on hand, including the recently released 2008 Durland Standard Plate Number Catalog, available in both perfect bound and spiral bound formats.  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.  This year, we’ll be heading out to Hot Tomato’s, which is located less than a mile from the show hotel.  The menu is varied and very reasonably priced.  The dinner will be held at 7 PM on Friday night, August 15th.  Please stop by the Society booth and sign up for what is certain to be a very enjoyable evening of food and camaraderie.  We will also have a direction sheet available at the booth.  For more information about Hot Tomatoes, visit their website at www.hottomatos.com.

As you read in last month’s Specialist, we presented the first Membership Appreciation Award pins at our Annual Meeting at NOJEX in May.  We will have a supply of pins on hand at our booth, so if you’ve been a member for fifteen, twenty-five, or fifty years, please stop by to receive your pin and accept the thanks of the Society for your loyalty.

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 new APS Affiliate Women Exhibitors (WE) will be hosting a Festival for Philatelic Women at the American Philatelic Center, Bellefonte, PA May 28–31, 2009.

This event will offer seminars, workshops, and demonstrations to help women, from beginner to advanced, to learn more about collecting and exhibiting.  WE is currently soliciting ideas from possible attendees as to what sort of subjects will be of interest.  It is anticipated that there will be programs that will appeal to every level of collector and exhibitor, as well as wonderful fellowship opportunities.

There will be time built into the schedule to learn how to research at the APRL and check out the sales books.

Exhibit frames will be set up so anyone working on a new exhibit, or wanting help with a current one, can get feedback.  Many of the planning committee members are experienced judges and top level exhibitors, so there will be plenty of high quality advice available.

The cost to attend the Festival will be $85.  This includes all activities, as well as lunch and dinner for each day.  Travel and hotel expenses are not included.

WE would like to thank our sponsors from the dealer community who have been so generous with their support: Charles Deaton, Elwyn and Ann Doubleday, James Lee, Lincolnway Stamps, Bejjco of Florida, Greg Sutherland, John Wright, Michael Mead, The Cover Connection, Triple S, Crown & Eagle Stamps and Coins, Robert Sazama, Doug Weiss and William Hatton.

For a brochure or more information contact: Women Exhibitors, 7277 Sparta Road, Sebring, FL 33875. Or by e-mail.

WE (Women Exhibitors) is open to all, but philately is explored from a woman’s point of view.

The following errors in the new 2008 Durland catalog were discovered after it had gone to press.  Please correct your copies.

• Page 11: Under #267, footnote on plate 170: change “rows” to “vertical
columns.”
• Page 135: Scott #1342 – Support our Youth; the denomination should
be 6¢.
• Page 160: In the third paragraph, replace #642 and #643 with #542 and
#543.
• Page 218: Scott #3273 – Malcolm X: plate number should be B111.
• Page 230: Scott #3839 – Henry Mancini: plate number should be
S111111.
• Page 236: Marvel Comics should be #4159 and the Patriotic Banner
Coils were omitted.  Add:

Type II

#4157    (10¢) PATRIOTIC BANNER COIL
Strip of 5
V111    $3    ❏
V222  $3    ❏
#4158    (10¢) PATRIOTIC BANNER COIL
Strip of 5
S111    $3    ❏

Except for the plate numbers, the major difference between the two
versions of the Patriotic Banner Coil is in the die cuts (rounded corners
perf 11 for #4157 and peaks perf 12 for #4158).

• Page A25: The illustration of #J98 Type II is actually type I.
On type II the bottom of the 0 is between the N and T of CENTS.

Please report errors to the Durland editor, Wallace Cleland, 1710 University Ave., Madison, WI 53726; or by email.