Athens Philatelic SocietyMeeting Dates: 2nd Tuesdays of each month
Meeting Times: 7:30 PM Meeting Location(s): Covenant Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 1065 Gaines School Road, Athens, GA 30605 Officers: President: Thomas Whigham Secretary/Treasurer: Maurice Snook Contact: Maurice Snook (maurice_snook@yahoo.com) Annual Dues: $14/year |
Club Photos
About the Athens Philatelic Society
The Athens Philatelic Society was organized in early 1961 and is one of Georgia’s oldest stamp clubs. Unfortunately, there are no records to identify the founding members. Historically, most members have been current or retired faculty of the University of Georgia–but the club has enjoyed members with a variety of backgrounds, occupations, and collecting interests. In the early 1980s, the club sponsored a stamp show and exhibition for five years. Additionally, several club members have exhibited at the Federation’s annual show.
Three members of the club—Nancy Clark, Douglas N. Clark, and Ed Jackson–were active in the formation of the Georgia Federation of Stamp Clubs in 1990. The Athens Philatelic Society was one of the Federation’s founding members and has remained an active member since. Also, the club is a member of the American Philatelic Society.
The Athens Philatelic Society is not a large club, with an average attendance of 10 or 14 members. However, at a time when some clubs have experienced declining memberships, the Athens Philatelic Society’s membership has remained constant for the past two decades.
The highlight of each club meeting is the opening of the latest shipment of American Philatelic Society sales circuit books. Each new shipment has 15-20 circuit books of stamps by country for sale that have been selected according to club members’ collecting interests. Most meetings also have a philatelic presentation by one of the club’s members.
Twice each year, the club has an auction conducted by veteran Atlanta stamp dealer Tony Roozen. Based on club members’ collecting interests, Tony brings a variety of stamps and other philatelic items for the auction, which also includes material submitted by club members.
The Athens Philatelic Society is frequently contacted by area residents who have inherited a stamp collection. Club members provide a preliminary review of the collection to see if has valuable items or rather consists of common material. If it appears to have value, Atlanta-area dealers who provide appraisals are identified. If the inherited collection consists of common material and the owner requests, the club will hold a special auction or sale to help dispose of the collection.
Stamp collectors in the greater Athens area are encouraged to join us. Most of our members collect worldwide or specific foreign countries, though several collect U.S. In addition to APS sales circuit books and formal program, there are refreshments at each meeting.
The Athens Philatelic Society is a member of the Southeast Federation of Stamp Clubs. Through its elected representative, it provides oversight of the Southeastern Stamp Expo. The APS is also the permanent sponsor of the SESE's One Frame Grand award, and named the award in honor of its members who have passed on.