When you read the Letters to the Editor every month, you see a wide variety of thoughts shared by readers about many topics, especially past issues of the magazine. We value your responses highly and use them to shape future issues and make decisions about what to prioritize. However, it has been a long time since we asked all readers of the AP to share their thoughts about the magazine as a whole.
The 2022 AP Reader Survey is now available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H79K9VC or https://aps.buzz/2022ReaderSurvey. It is open for all readers to participate – for example, if you share your copy of The American Philatelist with a family member or friend, we’d love to hear from them as well. We want to know about how you read the magazine, your favorite columns, and much more. The survey will be open until June 30th – thank you in advance for your participation.
In this issue
This special issue on ephemera and other collectibles is a tribute to non-philatelic philatelic collecting. Within these pages, all manner of items are fair game to be collected: from National Parks souvenirs, to autographs and letters, to card games, to brochures and much more. Some of these fit the usual definition of “ephemera”: items that are intended to be thrown away or be of only short-term use, yet are kept and collected. Diane DeBlois and Robert Dalton Harris point out that with this definition, postage stamps are a fine example of ephemera. Some hold information that would otherwise be lost to history. Some are collectibles in their own right, regardless of their connection to philately – autographs, photos, dolls and trinkets – and others, as Ron Lesher calls them, are “collateral material” that is collected for its connection to philately. In this issue, simple definitions are not quite enough, because collecting ephemera will lead you to think outside the box of strict categories.
No matter the reason or type of collectible, the true interest lies in our ability to connect the items together and tell a story. How does a simple flyer enhance a collection? What information can we learn by placing all of these items side by side? And how can we expand our understanding of our collections?
Thank you to the authors of this issue – Marjory Sente, Diane DeBlois, Robert Dalton Harris, Paul Holland, Ron Lesher, Art Groten, and Saul Zalesch – for sharing your creative connections of non-philatelic material to philately.
There are some notable collectibles that do not receive their due in this issue. Cinderellas, poster stamps, charity seals and coins are a few examples. I look forward to visiting those topics many times in the future as your editor.
Shows abound
CAPEX update
David Piercey has provided the following updates (as of this writing, April 5) on CAPEX 22 International One-Frame Stamp Championship Exhibition in Toronto, Canada, June 9-12. The American Philatelic Society is a partner-sponsor of the show and will have a presence there.
Canada’s travel restrictions continue to be relaxed, though US and international travelers are still required to provide proof of vaccination on the ArriveCan app and submit it online within 72 hours before arrival to Canada. Masking requirements have been rescinded.
All 75+ dealer and auction company spaces have been assigned, and 400 one-frame exhibits and 100 literature entries have been accepted. A new book on philatelic exhibiting will be launched at the show.
Room reservations in adjacent hotels have been filling fast, but there are still blockings available in three of the four show hotels. Show attendees are encouraged to preregister now, using the early-bird discount for show admission (CDN$50 for the full four days, CDN$15 for each individual day) and for Saturday’s Palmares Reception and Dinner. See the CAPEX 22 website https://capex22.org/ for registration and other show particulars.
Summer Seminar Online
As many of you probably know by now, the in-person Summer Seminar planned for this June has been switched to a three-week long Summer Seminar Online virtual event, much like the ones held in 2021 and 2020. While this may be disappointing for some, the advantages of a virtual Summer Seminar are enormous. Regardless of location or ability to travel, you can now sign up to attend extensive and diverse courses and electives from your own home, choosing the ones that suit your interests and schedule. The courses will differ slightly from those offered in the in-person Summer Seminar, so check out the new selection at www.stamps.org/Summer-Seminar.
SESCAL literature competition
The Stamp Exhibition of Southern California is now accepting articles for its 3rd Annual SESCAL Virtual Literature Exhibit of Philatelic Articles. Articles submitted must have been published no earlier than September 1, 2020 and may not exceed 8,000 words. The submission deadline is September 1, 2022. Full details and an application are at https://sescal.org/literature-exhibit/.
Please keep your feedback coming and share your views. Remember: if you wish to see an always-improving American Philatelist, you – our readers and APS members – must become a part of this exciting journey. Reach out with your questions, concerns, and suggestions. Write a letter to the editor ([email protected].) More importantly, volunteer to participate. This is your American Philatelist. My email is [email protected]. Letters by regular mail are always welcome and will be responded to in kind.