If you haven’t sent in your dues for 2009, please do so before you forget.  You will receive a $3.00 discount off the $25.00 annual dues only if you pay by December 31st.

If you want a copy of the 2009 bound volume of The Specialist, pay for it now along with your dues.  It will be mailed to you in the Spring of 2010.  Lastly, don’t forget to send your free classified word ads directly to Leonard Piszkiewicz, the Editor of The Specialist.

The Society has a Hardship Fund for those who are unable to pay their annual dues because of a job lay-off or any 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 2009.  We don’t want to lose any members because of unfortunate circumstances beyond their control.

—Larry Ballantyne

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

As you know, the Society will convene its 2009 Annual Meeting at the St. Louis Stamp Expo during the weekend of February 27th through March 1st. On Saturday, February 28th, we will hold our General Membership in the early afternoon. One of the highlights of the meeting will be the presentation of Membership Award Pins to those who, during 2009, will have attained 50, 25, and 15 years of membership. These members are:

50-Year Members

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The Fall Mega Show was once again held in Madison Square Garden in the heart of Manhattan.  The show, however, appears to be shrinking.  The floor was occupied by 68 dealer booths whereas the previous Fall show had 79.  The number of participating postal administrations and societies also decreased by one of each and overall attendance seemed to be down.  However, the United States Stamp Society booth was staffed throughout the four days of the show and appeared to be one of the busier places along Society Row.  As you can see from the list below, quite a few members stopped by to say hello and purchase literature.  We also signed up two new members.

The USPS did its best to attract people to the show with the issuance of eight new stamps.  The Holiday Nutcracker block of four and the Virgin and Child stamps were released on the first day of the show with a very nice ceremony.  The following day, the 42¢ Kwanzaa and Hanukkah stamps were released without any ceremony, but a First Day of Issue cancel was available.  On Saturday, the Forever stamp was issued in a vending booklet format, again without a ceremony, but with the FDOI cancel available.

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