The American Philatelic Society Board of Directors recently elected me as president to replace my dear friend Bob Zeigler, who resigned before the end of his term. I am honored to take on this new leadership role. Previously, I have served as chair of the Board of Vice Presidents. I am ready to work with the APS board, APRL board, Scott English, the headquarters staff, and members to expand outreach and to continue to provide our society’s outstanding services.

I have been an active philatelist for most of my life, and I will be eligible for my 50-year membership medal in 2026. I was the collector child, accumulating stamps, postcards, coins, and seashells to display and rearrange in my room. In my teenage years, I learned about zeppelins from my grandfather. The first time that I held a zeppelin-flown piece of mail, I was smitten. 

Zeppelin posts have sustained my collecting focus since, but my interests have expanded to include research, writing, presentations, and exhibiting. My collecting includes mail, postcards, and ephemera.

For members who have not yet crossed paths with me at a club meeting or stamp show, let me introduce myself. I am a Smithsonian Institution curator emerita following my retirement as the chief curator of philately at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum and as lead curator of the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery, the world’s largest postage stamp gallery. Currently, I serve as one of the U.S. representatives of the Royal Philatelic Society London, on the Chicagopex stamp show committee, and as a member on the U.S. Postal Service’s Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, the committee that selects subjects and reviews designs for U.S. postage stamps. 

My philatelic recognitions include the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists, APS Luff Award for Exceptional Contributions to Philately, Collectors Club’s Alfred F. Lichtenstein Memorial Award, Philatelic Foundation’s Mortimer L. Neinken Medal, U.S. Philatelic Classics Society Distinguished Philatelist Award, Smithsonian Philatelic Achievement Award, and Aerophilatelic Hall of Fame.

I believe that philately has a strong future. I also believe that the hobby is changing and collector interests and ways of collecting are changing. One of my goals as president is to ensure that APS continues strong programs while keeping its pulse on the changes that will allow us to improve, grow, and connect to our members.

I love stamp shows and all that comes with them — the exhibits, dealers, club events, great energy of collectors, and meeting new people. If you have never been to the Great American Stamp Show, I hope you will consider attending in this August in Cleveland, Ohio. Look for me and please say hello.

Past President Janet Klug once asked me, “Are you proud to be a stamp collector?” I had never thought about that question before, but have reflected on this many times in the decades since she posed the question. Yes, I am very proud to be a stamp collector. I am proud to be an APS member. I am proud to be your APS president. 

Call for APS 2023 Summer Meeting

Pursuant to Article 3, Section 3.4 of the Bylaws, I hereby issue this official call for the 138th Summer Meeting of the American Philatelic Society for transactions of such business as may be legally brought before it. The convention will assemble at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, from August 10–13, 2023. 

The membership meeting of the American Philatelic Society will be held at the convention complex, room 16. In the event the convention is canceled or delayed, the meeting will be rescheduled and held virtually/telephonically at a day and time to be announced.

Proposed resolutions shall be submitted to APS National Headquarters at least 30 days prior to the general membership meeting, which will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 12.

Cheryl Ganz, President, American Philatelic Society