Stamp Chats began as a quick response to the social restrictions resulting from the Coronavirus. Knowing just how important the social aspect of the hobby is to collectors, the APS, under the leadership of Scott English, moved into action to create a space where people could “meet” safely and from the comfort of their home.
There were the early Zoom bombs, Zoom fails. Unforgettable moments include Mr. Danny Wong broadcasting live from Tibet to deliver his presentation on early Tibetan postal history and stamps. We pulled the Stamp Chat off without a hitch; even the great fire wall could not keep collectors from joining together! And then there was Dr. Richard Morel, who when presenting from his London home, encountered severe connectivity issues (as internet use went through the roof), and somehow McGyvere’d his way through it using a laptop and phone to share it.
Since March, we have produced over 90 Stamp Chats. These have not only added to the philatelic body of knowledge available to anyone but have produced friendships across the world. The geography lessons so often associated with stamps truly came to life through person to person interactions through chat boxes and email exchanges.
Philately is broad in stroke yet it is universal in its appeal to connect and delight. The collector’s curiosity is unquenchable and their desire to connect to people, place and time is powerful. Stamp Chats demonstrated this time and time again and so we are here to celebrate tonight. Here to celebrate overcoming the challenges we face due to the pandemic as well as celebrate the new beginnings that this era has seeded.
The hobby is strengthening and there is a renaissance afoot! Never before have collectors been able to “travel” as easily. While there has certainly been a learning curve for all of us, the Chatty awards symbolize the making the best out of a terrible situation and not only making the best, but creating something new, fresh and fun!
We thank our APS members and friends for your support. And to the 90 presenters who have taken the time to craft and execute Stamp Chats, thank you! Your contribution to the hobby and to the APS are incalculable.
There are 7 Chatty awards, each representing a category: Connecting Philately with the Professional World, Stamps Teach, Creative Philately, Digital Philately, Cultural Philately, Destination Philately and Philatelic Storytelling. Below are the nominees and the winners of each category. Congratulations to all!
Connecting Philately with the Professional World:
This category highlights collectors who incorporate and apply philately into their professional lives thereby introducing and making the hobby relevant to new audiences.
Nominees:
The Winner: Dr. Dan Rabinovich “The World of Chemistry on Stamps”
The next Chatty award recognizes the value of philately to education, it's the Stamps Teach Award:
This category recognizes the creative methods in which teaching professionals use stamps in their classrooms. From preschool to college level, stamps can be powerful tools for teaching and learning.
Nominees:
The winner: Dr. Mike Pascoe, “Start Em Young-the Benefits of Stamp Collecting for Children”
Next we have Creative Philately-
This category celebrates“stamps as little pieces of art” and showcases the creative spirit built in to philately. These presenters represent the artistry and expressiveness available within the hobby.
Nominees:
The Winner: Casey Jo White, Local Posts 101
This category was certainly one that became relevant and personal this year, it’s
Digital Philately:
This category recognizes those individuals who have pioneered, encouraged and subsequently expanded the body of online philately through their use of social media.
Nominees:
The Winner: Conversations with Philatelists: Michael Cortese and Charles Epting
Cultural Philately
This category acknowledges using stamps to explore and identify the ideals and beliefs held by a country. These presentations reveal the political, social and cultural messages that can be interpreted through stamps.
Nominees:
The Winner: Gregg Philipson, “the Magic of Stamp Collecting: Jewish Magicians of the 20th Century”
Representing the global nature of the hobby is the Destination Philately Award:
This category represents our capacity to travel and connect through the hobby. Stamps and ephemera allow us to explore time and space and these presentations provide viewers an opportunity to be transported elsewhere while remaining at home.
Nominees:
The Winner: Mauricio Mejia, “An Introduction to Honduran Philately”
And the final Chatty award is for Philatelic Storytelling:
This category represents the access to history; people, places and things, available through philatelic research. These presentations breathe life into the past through philatelic artifacts, granting viewers an opportunity to connect to history in an expansive almost visceral way.
Nominees:
The Winner: Rick Barrett: The Wild Life of a Philatelic Swindler”
Congratulations to all of our winners and nominees. Thank you to the over 1700 people who voted on Stamps.org. You can watch all of these Stamp Chats at Stamps.org and on the APS YouTube Channel. There’s much more to come in 2021 and we look forward to your continued support. Attend, watch and share these Chats; introduce someone to the hobby. There really is something for everyone! Subscribe the Stamp Chat newsletter for upcoming Chats and online presentations from societies around the world.
The APS. Social since 1886.