“Libraries Lead”: Philatelic Auction Houses and the APRL

One of the lesser known assets within the American Philatelic Research Library (APRL) is one of the largest collections of worldwide philatelic auction catalogs and names sales. Researchers often consult auction catalogs to identify certain philatelic items as to their value over time or to see items that, if it were not for philatelic auctions, might not have been previously available for public viewing. Auction catalogs provide a history to the commerce of the philatelic world for both the hobbyist and the serious philatelist.

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“Libraries Lead”: Philatelic Exhibiting and the APRL

Yesterday as part of National Library Week and this year’s motto “Libraries Lead” we recognized the important role that the American Philatelic Research Library (APRL) plays in assisting a philatelic exhibit judge. Today we look a little further at this unique relationship of the APRL and exhibiting from the perspective of another distinguished philatelic judge as well as a renowned philatelic exhibitor. Both appreciate the important function the library plays in leading them to the resources they require for their different roles in the world of philatelic exhibiting.

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“Libraries Lead” : Philatelic Judging and the APRL

This week as we celebrate National Library Week with its motto “Libraries Lead” we recognize the role that libraries like the American Philatelic Research Library (APRL) play in “leading” a varied group of researchers and collectors to the philatelic resources and research needed for their enjoyment and enrichment of the hobby.

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National Library Week and the APRL: “Libraries Lead”

As part of a national celebration and recognition of libraries and librarians, today begins a very special week here at the American Philatelic Research Library (APRL). Sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA), today marks the start of the 60th anniversary of National Library Week (April 8-14). First observed in 1958, the annual event recognizes the important contributions that libraries and librarians across the country play in their role as organizers and facilitators of knowledge, resources and research.

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Student Volunteers Visit the APRL

Today was another day for volunteering at the APRL! A student group from the Penn State Circle K Club, a collegiate service organization sponsored by Kiwanis International, spent part of their weekend with us here in the library.

Eight volunteers, two of whom had volunteered at the APRL in the past, spent several hours at the Match Factory. The students spent their time packaging stamps for use in the Education Department and the Gift Shop. One group of four students packaged mint stamps for use by the Gift Shop as courtesy items, while another group of four packaged used issues that will be part of our educational programs directed at outreach.

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Postal History: Alive and Well in West Chester, PA

Chester County Historical Society building in downtown West Chester, PA

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend an informative lecture about the postal history between Canada and the United States during the Civil War. The talk was titled “Canada – British North America (B.N.A.) Union and Confederate Postal Cross Border Correspondence during the U.S. Civil War” and was given by prominent B.N.A. philatelist and award winning exhibitor Ron Majors. The talk marked one in a series of postal history lectures organized by APS member and noted postal historian Bill Schultz in conjunction with an extraordinary exhibit concerning postal history titled “You’ve Got Mail!” currently on display at the Chester County Historical Society Museum (http://www.chestercohistorical.org/) in downtown West Chester, PA from November 24, 2017 through April 28, 2018.

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New Books at the APRL, February 2018

APRL acquisitions, February 2018. To request loans, copies, or scans, or to search our catalog, visit the APRL website.

Ali , Mohammed Nazir. Stamp Collector (Lahore, Pakistan) (Lahore, Pakistan: Mohammed Nazir Ali, [1957]). [JOURNAL Stamp Collector (Lahore, Pakistan)]

Beleck, Marvin A. Noted Jewish people of the world on stamps: a collection of stamps issued by over 95 countries in the world (Fort Worth, Texas: Marvin A. Beleck, 2017). [IP67409]

Corinphila Auktionen AG. Classic India & Scinde 1600-1858: Die Jochen Heddergott Sammlung = The Jochen Heddergott collection (Zurich, Switzerland: Corinphila Auktionen AG, 2010). [IP67406]

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New Books at the APRL, January 2018

APRL acquisitions, January 2018. To request loans, copies, or scans, or to search our catalog, visit the APRL website.

Andrews, Edwin J. Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, the events and times that molded the man: a grand award winning display exhibit ([Columbia, SC]: Exhibitors Press, 2017). [In process 000067315]

Andrews, Edwin J. Hitler youth, the generations of lost innocence: a grand award winning display exhibit ([Columbia, SC]: Exhibitors Press, 2017). [In process 000067316] Continue reading “New Books at the APRL, January 2018”

Volunteering at the APRL in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Penn State MLK volunteers opening boxes of philatelic literature donations.

One of the more rewarding experiences at the APRL are when we are fortunate enough to have volunteers come to the library to help us with various tasks. One such occasion happened this past Monday when a group of students from the nearby Pennsylvania State University gave of their time to come for a visit and to volunteer in the library as part of a Day of Service in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Upon arriving at the American Philatelic Center in the late morning the students were given a brief tour of the building and then shown some tasks in the library keeping busy until the late afternoon. Continue reading “Volunteering at the APRL in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.”

New Books at the APRL, December 2017

APRL acquisitions, December 2017. To request loans, copies, or scans, or to search our catalog, visit the APRL website.

Abensur, Robert. La voie Franco-Sarde dans les relations internatinales: conventions, réglementations, tarifs 1818-1851 = The Franco-Sardinian route in international relations : conventions, regulations, tariff 1818-1851 ([Paris]: Académie de philatélie, 2017). [In process 000066424]

Birken, Andreas. Die Freimarken von Bhopal 1872-1908 = The postage stamps of Bhopal 1872-1908 (Hamburg: Andreas Birken, 2017). [In process]

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