A Very Different National Library Week for 2020

Today begins a very special and, given the current times, very different week here at the American Philatelic Research Library. First observed in 1958 and sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA), today marks the beginning of the 61^st anniversary of National Library Week (April 19-25), a week commemorating libraries and librarians. All across the country the annual event recognizes the important contributions that libraries have within the fabric of society and the role that librarians play as the organizers and facilitators of knowledge, resources and research.

Resource of the Month – Scott’s Classic Specialized Catalogue

Truly these are very unique times for all of us as stamp collectors and as a community of hobbyists. In the world of social distancing, shelter-in-place and stay-at-home orders the role that philately can play to ease the boredom and isolation we now sometimes feel has never been greater. As we wait patiently for this time to pass, we can reinvigorate our love of the hobby through our collections and get back to some of the basic reasons why we enjoy stamp and cover collecting. The current time affords us the opportunity to re-affirm our passion for what we collect and to rediscover some of the basic philatelic resources we use to investigate and explore our collections further.

Bring Home the Digital Collections of the APRL!

Have time to do some research or just read an issue or two of the Collector’s Club Philatelist or the Postal History Journal? Now’s your chance! While we’re all at home social distancing there’s no need to feel remote from the APRL! Until May 31 APRL Digital, the library’s digital collections database, will be open to both members and non-members. As we transition the database from its present home to a new responsive platform, be one of the first to experience the digital library’s new responsive address.

New Resources at the APRL, March 2020

Bobo, John S. United States Revenue Stamps (Chicago: , 1948). [PRICE LIST Bobo, John S.]

Carrigan, Jay. U.S. Occupation of Germany, Courier permit mail in Northern Bavaria [exhibit]: So called “Certified” mail ([No location]: [Jay Carrigan?], [No date]). [G6421 .O15 C316u EXHIBIT]

Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions. Stockholmia 2019: Wednesday, May 29 – Sunday, June 2, 2019. (Danbury, CT: , 2019). [PRICE LIST Kelleher]

Resource of the Month – American Air Mail Catalogue

Of all the specialized collecting interests that philately affords one of the more popular areas of the hobby that combines both the intrigue of stamp and cover collecting with the thrill of flight is aerophilately. Aerophilatelists, as they are known, specialize in the study of all aspects of airmail. Through the collection and examination of philatelic material collectors of airmail document and study the development of mail transported by air from the very beginning of airmail service to the present day. Many countries have philatelic societies and organizations devoted to the study of airmail. Here in the United States the American Air Mail Society, founded in 1923, is one of the oldest American specialized philatelic societies and the longest continuing organization devoted to aerophilately in the country.

2020 Postal History Symposium: Call for Papers

THE ELEVENTH POSTAL HISTORY SYMPOSIUM

CALL FOR PAPERS

October 29-31, 2020

American Philatelic Center, American Philatelic Society

Bellefonte, PA

2020 Postal History Symposium Announcement

2018 Symposium at the National Postal Museum

We would like to formally announce the Eleventh Postal History Symposium to be held October 29-31, 2020 at the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. The Postal History Symposium is a biennial event jointly sponsored by the American Philatelic Research Library, the American Philatelic Society, and the Smithsonian National Postal Museum which has been alternatively hosted at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum or the American Philatelic Center since 2006. This year’s symposium is also co-sponsored by the United States Philatelic Classics Society.

New Resources at the APRL, February 2020

The British Library Reference Division Philatelic collections (London: The British Library Reference Division, 1986). [HE6207 .B79p]

British Philatelic Trust; Association of British Philatelic Societies. General and special regulations and guidelines for the evaluation of exhibits of postal stationery at F.I.P. exhibitions: (GREV/SREVs and guidelines) (London: British Philatelic Trust, 1999). [HE6215 .B777g 1999]

Deutsche Bundespost, Herausgegeber Ministerium fur Post- und Fernmeldewesen. Postleitzahlen-verzeichnis ; Abc-Folge (Berlin: Ministerium fur Post- und Fernmeldewesen ; Deutsche Bundespost Postdienst Generaldirektion Bonn ; bearbeitet von Zentrales Post- und Fernmeldeverkehrsamt Berlin und Posttechnisches Zentralamt Darmstadt, 1990). [GOV-DOC Germany]

Resource of the Month – Handbook and Manual for Exhibiting

For anyone, beginner or advanced collector, who has had the opportunity to attend either a local stamp show or one of the larger WSP shows, one of the experiences not to be missed at the show is visiting and viewing the philatelic exhibits on display. Whether competitive or non-competitive, exhibits provide an incredible insight into the hobby showing attendees what others collect and the possibilities available for their own collecting. Exhibits tell a story using stamps, covers and other philatelic material as the medium.

New Resources at the APRL, January 2020

Andriesen, Jurgen. Handbuch, Dienstsiegelverwendung im Bezirk der RPD Dortmund und in den anderen RPD-Bezirken der Brit. Besatzungs-zone nach dem 8. Mai 1945 (Karlsruhe [Germany]: Eigenverlag der Arge Loknot e.V., 1977). [IP72277]

Apelt, Hans. Die Barfreimachung durch Kreis- und Ellipsen-Nebenstempel mit dem Freivermerk “Gebuhr bezahlt” und “Bezahlt” als Behelf in Deutschland nach 1945 (Kronberg (Taunus) [Germany]: Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutsche Gebühr bezahlt Stempel nach 1945 in der Poststempelgilde Rhein-Donau e.V., [1972]). [IP72217]