Summer Seminar Online is a month-long series of seminars that members can enjoy from the comfort of their own homes. From June 1 to June 30, these workshops feature a variety of topics taught by presenters who are all philatelic experts and accomplished writers, exhibitors, dealers, and specialized collectors. It's a time to dig deep into specific studies, research, and socialize with fellow collectors who understand the quirks of the hobby. Whether you are a beginner or advanced collector, all APS members can be sure to find a topic of interest. A full catalog and calendar of classes can be found at stamps.org/SummerSeminar.
Available to APS members only, registration is through our online learning platform, C3a. Workshops and courses can be added to a cart and purchased by credit card. The seminars require minimal technology equipment. Participants simply need an internet connection and a computer or device.
Series of 1917 Documentary Stamps and Their Overprints
Did you know that there were three printings of the 1917 documentary stamps? The cents values of the Series of 1917 documentary stamps were initially printed by Huebner-Bleistein of Buffalo, New York. When Congress objected, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) took over the offset printing of these stamps. In 1924, BEP introduced the use of high etch plates to produce these stamps. Under Ron’s direction, you will learn how to identify these three printings using actual stamps and their overprinted varieties (Future Delivery, Stock Transfer, Silver Tax, Cigarette Tube, Tobacco Sale Tax and Narcotic). It is known that not all listings exist in the Scott U.S. Specialized for all three printings, so data collected during this course will be used to request an expansion of these listings.
Ron’s column “The Tax Collector” has appeared in most issues of The American Stamp Dealer & Collector since its inception in 2006. He has been a collector of U.S. federal and state revenues for about 60 years. Of special recent interest is the inadequate cataloging of the cents denominations of the Series of 1917 documentary stamps and the six other categories of revenue stamps that were created by overprinting these general documentaries (future delivery, stock transfer, silver tax, cigarette tubes, tobacco sale, and the handstamped and press printed narcotic tax stamps) that were in use from 1917 to 1940.
Sign up on C3a here for this course, held Wednesdays June 9, 16 and 23 from 4:00 PM-5:15 PM EDT