The April issue is our annual Recognition Issue. As the American Philatelic Society celebrates its 135th year, we remain a financially strong organization, serving members’ needs and promoting the growth and development of philately.

The Society has been blessed with countless people who have accepted the challenge to help the Society and the Library keep pace with an ever-changing hobby.  The “APS/APRL Annual Development Report,” beginning on page 333, publicly acknowledges members and friends who made an investment in the future of philately through their contributions during the year. We deeply appreciate their support.

From the “APS/APRL Annual Development Report.” Work on the Holocaust stamp exhibit continued through the pandemic. Committee members Heidi Rhoades and Darlene Bloom prepare stamps for the exhibit. Page 335.

Philatelic Content, too

The American Philatelist is all about the hobby of collecting stamps and covers, and we have four really interesting articles for you this month. Frequent contributor Paul Holland returns with a study of the obscure PHILEXOCAM issues of Chad from 1971. I doubt that many collect this issue, but take a look at the article. You will learn about color trials, printing methods, and the art of procuring the obscure.

From “Pre-production items for Chad’s 9-Color Engraved PHILEXOCAM Souvenir Sheets” by Paul Holland. Two out of the six total cropped images of PHILEXOCAM souvenir sheet color trials with the final selected colors shown at the right. Page 311.

Jerry Palazolo’s “Chickasaw Nation, Chickasaw Agency” marks the return of articles provided by the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society. The underlying message of Jerry’s powerful piece is that postal history can provide a unique lens through which to view history. He combines maps and covers to tell a tale of the U.S. westward expansion at the very beginning of the 19th century. His folded address panel from the Chickasaw Nation post office dated December 3, 1802, is only the first of many wonderful postal artifacts.

From “Chickasaw Nation, Chickasaw Agency” by Jerry Palazolo. A folded address panel from the Chickasaw Nation post office dated December 3, 1802. Page 317.

In our February Research issue, we presented the first part of Otto Kjærgaard’s seminal exploration of ocean letters. This month we offer the concluding chapter. We included Otto’s first article in the research issue because he demonstrated how a paucity of extant literature does not preclude expanding our understanding of philatelic topics. As you will again see in this final article, Otto has substantially grown our understanding of the role of both technology and entrepreneurism in the evolution of postal systems.

From “Ocean Letters Part 2” by Otto Kjaergaard. An ocean letter from Cunard Line. Telegraphed from SS Ascania, posted by SSD Aquitania in Southampton February 25, 1925. Page 326.

Finally, in Wayne Youngblood’s latest installment of “Collecting Coast to Coast” he takes pity on those lone philatelic items getting dusty in “the bottom drawer.” Usually Wayne saves up material on any given topic until it reaches “critical mass” and he can either write about it or start an exhibit, but the lone items here deserve their chance to shine, too.

From “Notes from the Bottom Drawer” by Wayne Youngblood. Letter carrier Cliff Claven from TV show Cheers appears on this 1991 meeting notification from the Park Forest Stamp Club of Illinois. Page 331.

The issue also includes regular favorite features:

• Book Reviews, page 378
• News from the Library, page 356
• New U.S. and New World Issues, pages 372 and 382, respectively
• A message from Executive Director Scott English (“Our Story”), page 306
• A message from APS President Bob Zeigler, page 292
• Stay “In Touch” with Membership, and Showtime, pages 358 and 369, respectively
• Letters to the Editor, page 300
• A message from Editor Gary Wayne Loew, page 294
• And Worldwide in a Nutshell by columnist Bob Lamb, page 384