…a “liner” is the backing that a self-adhesive stamp is on when you buy the stamps. Now we have to figure out how we see the different types, A, B, C, and D.

As topical collectors, we don’t often think of collecting areas of modern (in philatelic terms
the 1970s are modern) topics like rock bands but we should.

In 1997, the USPS issued the first stamp using a new technology called “scrambled indicia.” Indicia is pronounced /inˈdiSH(ē)ə/ and is the plural noun of the word indicum. In this use, it means “indication or token.”

The American Topical Association announces the opening of year four of its successful virtual exhibiting program, My One-Page Exhibit, starting December 15 and running through February 15, 2024. The exhibit program is free to enter and open to all. ATA membership is not required to participate.

Rather than offering judging or popularity votes, the program focuses on expression, storytelling and sharing. The previous three years’ entries realized hundreds of exhibits from countries around the globe. Many entries were submitted by ATA members giving the global philatelic family a glimpse of our topical and other philatelic interests. Submissions included exhibits from the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Peru, Austria, Italy, Columbia, Germany, and more. Exhibitors ranged from novice youths to international large gold recipients. 

Literally a single page, either 8.5” x 11” or 11” x 17” in size, the exhibit represents an accessible way for newcomers to philatelic exhibiting to become engaged in this aspect of the hobby. For experienced one- and multi-frame competitive exhibitors, the My One-Page Exhibit Program provides a place to explore new themes and topics and share important stories.

My One-Page Exhibit is an opportunity for experienced exhibitors not only to create and share interesting items from their collections that may be outliers from their exhibits but also to take an active role in promoting exhibiting to those who want to try exhibiting for the first time. 

The 2024 My One-Page Exhibit Program opens for entry submission on December 15, 2023 and closes on February 15, 2024. Exhibits will be submitted on the website – ataexhibits.com. Exhibit instructions and requirements are posted on the Program Rules page of the site. Exhibits in the 2024 program will be available for viewing on the website by April 1, 2024 and will remain online throughout the year. Visit  ataexhibits.com for updates and details.

A stamp from Belize, Scott #1017 issued November 19, 1993, features an accordion player in the center, surrounded by other musicians playing maracas, drums, a guitar, and an unfamiliar instrument, the quijada (key-YAH-dah) or ass’s jawbone.  

By Hadley Mitchell and John Martin

In September 1929, a man from New York selling office supplies went into the Andres Co. department store in Evansville and asked if a local stamp club existed. The query apparently led two local men, Arthur Romerhaus and Henry Meyer, to publish an article in the Evansville Courier asking anyone interested in stamp collecting to come to the store.

Romerhaus and Meyer, a schoolteacher with a vast collection of Hawaiian stamps, were joined by seven others at a meeting. The Evansville Stamp Club became official on Oct. 2, 1929, and it’s still going strong 94 years later.

The club is preparing for its 91st Annual Stamp & Postcard Show Oct. 21-22, at Reed’s Auction Barn, 10233 IN-662 in Newburgh, Indiana. The free show will feature exhibits and dealers, an auction of used and unused stamps, the club’s first-ever silent auction, and door prizes.

“We encourage people to come to our show to meet interesting people, talk to other stamp collectors, learn some history, see some beautiful and interesting stamps, learn a new hobby, buy some stamps, and most of all, to have a fun experience,” says Guy Sides, the club secretary.

Sides started collecting in his youth and takes a special interest in Machin stamps, used in the United Kingdom. Others, such as club president Zach Lottes, have less-specific collections. Lottes got his first stamps in the fourth grade, and he enjoys bidding on stamps that catch his eye at auctions.

“It’s interesting, and it’s history,” Lottes says.

The club is always open to new members, says Sides, who is retired from Bristol Myers.

“Stamps are just small pieces of paper, but they carry so much with them,” he says. “They are windows into culture, history, geography, and current events and these topics are discussed at our meetings.”