Atlanta Stamp Collectors Club
The Club meets twice each month: An on-site meeting and a virtual meeting.
First Meeting
On-site: 2nd Monday of each month
Meeting Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Meeting Location: Church of Our Savior, 1068 North Highland Avenue, Atlanta
Second Meeting
Zoom Virtual Meeting: 4th Monday of each month
Meeting Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Zoom Virtual Meeting: 4th Monday of each month
Meeting Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Officers:
President: Scott Holmberg, MD sdholmberg1@gmail.com
Treasurer: Barbara Asher bjasher@yahoo.com
Secretary: LeA Coe leacoe@bellsouth.net
Contact: LeA Coe
Club History
The club of origin, The U.S. Stamp Club, was founded in the early part of 1947, and originally met at the office of William Naff's Georgia Stamp & Coin Company. The primary purpose of the club was to bring members together on Saturday afternoons for a stamp auction at the stamp shop, obviating the need for a license or licensed auctioneer. The name of the club was changed to its current name to signify the inclusion of collectors of foreign stamps in the membership. In the 1950's the meeting place was changed to Dr. Fowler's office on 8th Street where meetings were to be held for the next twelve years. Other meeting places have included the NBG Building at Pershing Point, the Red Cross Building at 7th and Peachtree Street, the First United Methodist Church of Atlanta at 360 Peachtree Street, All Saints' Episcopal Church at 634 West Peachtree Street.
Atlanta Club Membership Details
Stamp collectors of all ages, interests, and expertise are cordially invited to join the Atlanta Stamp Collectors Club. The ASCC is the oldest philatelic organization in Georgia and has a membership of about 40 with interests ranging from general worldwide to classic United States to mainly single countries (e.g., Germany, New Zealand, Tonga, etc), and topical collectors (butterflies on stamps, dogs on stamps).
The club meets to chat informally, hold a brief business meeting, and conduct an auction of members' philatelic materials. In addition, a presentation on a stamp collecting topic is given at least every other meeting. Regardless of collecting interests, participation in ASCC meetings is a pleasant and efficient way to increase knowledge of philately and to acquire new material at very low cost. The club auction is the highlight of each meeting and offers many items of interest at low prices. This is an excellent opportunity to acquire new material, and to dispose of duplicates. Membership is $12 a year (prorated), which includes a subscription to the club's monthly newsletter, Postmark Atlanta.
Stamp collectors of all ages, interests, and expertise are cordially invited to join the Atlanta Stamp Collectors Club. The ASCC is the oldest philatelic organization in Georgia and has a membership of about 40 with interests ranging from general worldwide to classic United States to mainly single countries (e.g., Germany, New Zealand, Tonga, etc), and topical collectors (butterflies on stamps, dogs on stamps).
The club meets to chat informally, hold a brief business meeting, and conduct an auction of members' philatelic materials. In addition, a presentation on a stamp collecting topic is given at least every other meeting. Regardless of collecting interests, participation in ASCC meetings is a pleasant and efficient way to increase knowledge of philately and to acquire new material at very low cost. The club auction is the highlight of each meeting and offers many items of interest at low prices. This is an excellent opportunity to acquire new material, and to dispose of duplicates. Membership is $12 a year (prorated), which includes a subscription to the club's monthly newsletter, Postmark Atlanta.
Mel Coe Wins Literature Award at the 2021 Great American Stamp Show
Congratulations to Mel Coe for his Silver-Bronze award in the Literature competition at the August
12-15, 2021, Great American Stamp Show in Rosemont, Illinois.
Published in the March 2021 issue of Cigar Afficinado, Mel's article, "Collector in Chief" (a nod to stamp collector President Franklin D. Roosevelt) offers for the non-collector an entertaining and informative look into the fabulous hobby of stamp collecting.
Mel's article is provided below in a PDF format for your viewing.
Again, congratulations to Mel for his outstanding article.
| Mel Coe's "Collector in Chief" |
Member Presentations
Several times during the year at regular club meetings, a member will provide a presentation of a favorite stamp collecting topic or interest. Offered here for your viewing and enjoyment are some of those presentations.
Several times during the year at regular club meetings, a member will provide a presentation of a favorite stamp collecting topic or interest. Offered here for your viewing and enjoyment are some of those presentations.
| LeA Coe - Depiction of Women on Early US Stamps |
| Mel Coe - Everything I Learned About Perfins.... |
| Steve Swain - Postal Systems and the Public React to the American Civil War |
| Steve Swain - Bittersweet Family Postal History |
Dutch Airmail to the East Indies and the Great Air Races of 1933 and 1934
A Presentation by Doug Mattox
At the April 18, 2022, meeting of the Atlanta Stamp Collectors Club, Doug Mattox gave an outstanding presentation, "Dutch Airmail to the East Indies and the Great Air Races of 1933 and 1934.".
An Adobe PDF file version of the presentation is available below to download.
A Presentation by Doug Mattox
At the April 18, 2022, meeting of the Atlanta Stamp Collectors Club, Doug Mattox gave an outstanding presentation, "Dutch Airmail to the East Indies and the Great Air Races of 1933 and 1934.".
An Adobe PDF file version of the presentation is available below to download.
| Dutch Airmail to the East Indies |
The Atlanta Stamp Collectors Club Library
The Atlanta Stamp Collectors Club has been the fortunate recipient of a truly outstanding philatelic library, bequeathed to us by the late Dr. James N. McNash. Formerly housed at Stamps Unlimited, 133 Carnegie Way, Room 250, Atlanta, GA 30303 (Tony Roozen, ), it is now in storage for the Atlanta Stamp Collectors Club and available by request to Secretary, LeA Coe at leacoe@bellsouth.net.
This unique collection of philatelic literature offers us many hours of pleasure as we pursue our individual philatelic interests. The library, consisting of about 350 books, has been organized on a subject index basis.
If a book is written in a foreign language, that information is indicated. Cross referencing is used for certain volumes that cover multiple subjects. Books that deal with one country only are listed under that country’s name. Catalogues that cover all countries of the world are listed under CATALOGUE. A subject that covers many countries is listed under that subject, e.g., FORGERIES. OVERSIZED books are so noted.
On the spine of each book is its number and an alphabetical letter, based on the subject listing. For example, a book on worldwide booklet plates has the letter “B” on its spine. Books may be checked out by any club member and there is no due date.
We will record your name and the book number in the Library Ledger so that if any other members are interested in the book, they can contact you.
revised July 2021
The Postal History of
Saint Simons Island, Georgia
Steve L. Swain
The Postal History of Saint Simons Island, Georgia is another venture into a new field offering a look into one aspect of Georgia postal history, a state with very few published resources.
Atlanta club member and author Steve Swain is a life-long resident of Georgia and the editor of Georgia Post Roads, the journal of the Georgia Postal History Society. He is well versed in his subject and relates the full story with tales dating back to the formation of the United States.
Presenting not only the documented postal history of the best known of the barrier islands, Swain dug deep into the history of the island and its people and brings it alive in his extensive narrative. With more than 140 supporting images, you’ll learn all about the St. Simons Island post offices, postmasters, postal markings, and the people that have supported this popular island community.
The 8.5 x 11-inch, full color, 68-page monograph can be ordered from La Posta Publications, POB 6074 Fredericksburg, VA 22403, or from the La Posta website www.lapostabup.com.
Saint Simons Island, Georgia
Steve L. Swain
The Postal History of Saint Simons Island, Georgia is another venture into a new field offering a look into one aspect of Georgia postal history, a state with very few published resources.
Atlanta club member and author Steve Swain is a life-long resident of Georgia and the editor of Georgia Post Roads, the journal of the Georgia Postal History Society. He is well versed in his subject and relates the full story with tales dating back to the formation of the United States.
Presenting not only the documented postal history of the best known of the barrier islands, Swain dug deep into the history of the island and its people and brings it alive in his extensive narrative. With more than 140 supporting images, you’ll learn all about the St. Simons Island post offices, postmasters, postal markings, and the people that have supported this popular island community.
The 8.5 x 11-inch, full color, 68-page monograph can be ordered from La Posta Publications, POB 6074 Fredericksburg, VA 22403, or from the La Posta website www.lapostabup.com.
Value for Money
by Colin Clark
Never spend your money before you have earned it. – Thomas Jefferson
By the mid-1830s, the British Post Office was ripe for reform. Postage rates were complex, extremely high and they were based on the distance carried multiplied by the number of sheets. Additionally, the cost was most often payable by the recipient, which led to a refusal to pay and therefore a loss of revenue. UNIFORM PENNY POSTAGE made the British postal service far more affordable for the public in 1840. 1Uniform Penny Postage, introduced in January 1840, was an interim step towards prepaid postage labels (Penny Black, Two Penny Blue and Mulready stationery), which were issued later in May of 1840.2
With the beginning of the new system, the newly found affordability dramatically drove the postal system expansion in the Victorian era, with an ever increasing volume of posted items. The following case study serves to illustrate this positive revolution, i.e. this expanding trend.
For the sake of simplicity, London is taken as the destination city. Case Study: Newcastle-on-Tyne to London (one sheet). Prior to the implementation of UNIFORM PENNY POSTAGE, the cost of sending a single-sheet letter from Newcastle-on-Tyne to London was 12 Pence (twelve pence). This information was documented and published in 1830.3 Following implementation of the new system, the cost became ONE PENNY (one twelfth of the 1830 cost). An example of ONE PENNY POSTAGE from Newcastle-on-Tyne to London is shown below
For the sake of simplicity, London is taken as the destination city. Case Study: Newcastle-on-Tyne to London (one sheet). Prior to the implementation of UNIFORM PENNY POSTAGE, the cost of sending a single-sheet letter from Newcastle-on-Tyne to London was 12 Pence (twelve pence). This information was documented and published in 1830.3 Following implementation of the new system, the cost became ONE PENNY (one twelfth of the 1830 cost). An example of ONE PENNY POSTAGE from Newcastle-on-Tyne to London is shown below
NOTE: The addressee is Alfred Bell Esq., 49 Lincolns Inn Fields, London This letter was received and sorted in London, prior to delivery to the London recipient, on MR 4 1857, as illustrated by Figure 3 below.
NOTE: The index letters “R I” indicated the specific employee stamper using that particular stamp. These employees of the London Chief Office (Inland Office) stamped on average 100 letters per person per minute.4 It is unknown who “R I” was at the time of this publication.
Conclusion: In hindsight, the implementation of UNIFORM PENNY POSTAGE was a shrewd business move, by increasing the volume of British mail enormously, and therefore ultimately covering the cost of running the British Post Office system, and also simultaneously providing value for money to the public. The postal revolution had started.
References:
1. POST OFFICE REGULATIONS handbill, 7th January 1840; authority of J. Hartnell, London.
2. Great Britain CONCISE Stamp Catalogue, 22nd Edition (April 2007, p.1, 5, 7), Stanley Gibbons.
3. A LIST OF POST-TOWNS AND PRINCIPAL PLACES; WITH THE POSTAGE OF A SINGLE LETTER TO OR FROM LONDON, ACCORDING TO THE ACTUAL ROUTES OF THE POST. (1830, p.11) Joseph Hartnell Wine-Office-Court Fleet-Street.
4. The History of the Postmarks of the British Isles - From 1840 to 1876, (1909, p.15), John G. Hendy.
Conclusion: In hindsight, the implementation of UNIFORM PENNY POSTAGE was a shrewd business move, by increasing the volume of British mail enormously, and therefore ultimately covering the cost of running the British Post Office system, and also simultaneously providing value for money to the public. The postal revolution had started.
References:
1. POST OFFICE REGULATIONS handbill, 7th January 1840; authority of J. Hartnell, London.
2. Great Britain CONCISE Stamp Catalogue, 22nd Edition (April 2007, p.1, 5, 7), Stanley Gibbons.
3. A LIST OF POST-TOWNS AND PRINCIPAL PLACES; WITH THE POSTAGE OF A SINGLE LETTER TO OR FROM LONDON, ACCORDING TO THE ACTUAL ROUTES OF THE POST. (1830, p.11) Joseph Hartnell Wine-Office-Court Fleet-Street.
4. The History of the Postmarks of the British Isles - From 1840 to 1876, (1909, p.15), John G. Hendy.
Newsletters - 2022
| Postmark Atlanta January 2022 |
| Postmark Atlanta February 2022 |
| Postmark Atlanta March 2022 |
| Postmark Atlanta April 2022 |
| Postmark Atlanta May 2022 |
| Postmark Atlanta June 2022 |
Newsletters - 2021
| Postmark Atlanta January 2021 |
| Postmark Atlanta March 2021 |
| Postmark Atlanta February 2021 |
| Postmark Atlanta April 2021 |
| Postmark Atlanta June 2021 |
| Postmark Atlanta May 2021 |
| Postmark Atlanta July 2021 |
| Postmark Atlanta August 2021 |
| Postmark Atlanta September 2021 |
| Postmark Atlanta October 2021 |
| Postmark Atlanta November 2021 |
| Postmark Atlanta December 2021 |
Newsletters - 2020
| Postmark Atlanta January 2020 |
| Postmark Atlanta February 2020 |
| Postmark Atlanta March 2020 |
| Postmark Atlanta April 2020 |
| Postmark Atlanta May 2020 |
| Postmark Atlanta July 2020 |
| Postmark Atlanta August 2020 |
| Postmark Atlanta September 2020 |
| Postmark Atlanta November 2020 |
| Postmark Atlanta October 2020 |
| Postmark Atlanta December 2020 |
Newsletters - 2019
| Postmark Atlanta January 2019 |
| Postmark Atlanta February 2019 |
| Postmark Atlanta March 2019 |
| Postmark Atlanta April 2019 |
| Postmark Atlanta May 2019 |
| Postmark Atlanta June 2019 |
| Postmark Atlanta July 2019 |
| Postmark Atlanta September 2019 |
| Postmark Atlanta October 2019 |
| Postmark Atlanta November 2019 |
| Postmark Atlanta December 2019 |
All Newsletters - 2018
| Postmark Atlanta Newsletters - 2018 |
All Newsletters - 2017
| Postmark Atlanta Newsletters - 2017 |
All Newsletters - 2016
| Postmark Atlanta Newsletters - 2016 |
All Newsletters - 2015
| Postmark Atlanta Newsletters - 2015 |
All Newsletters - 2014
| Postmark Atlanta Newsletters - 2014 |