Adopt-A-Book to Support APRL’s Digital Collections

The American Philatelic Research Library has one of the world’s largest and most accessible collections of philatelic literature. With nearly four miles of materials that comprise over 90,000 items including 23,000 book titles and 5,700 journal titles, the need to provide worldwide access to these materials has never been greater. In keeping with this, in 2017 the APRL created its digital collections database, APRL Digital, and began digitizing journals, books, maps, exhibits and photos from its collection. Currently the database has over 500,000 pages of material which includes complete journal runs of the American Philatelist, the Philatelic Literature Review, Postal History Journal, Collectors Club Philatelist and the American Philatelic Congress Books to name a few as well as digitized books, maps, exhibits, photos and even a movie or two.

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.

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]

Resource of the Month – New Issues for a New Year

For those that frequent the American Philatelic Society web page one of the most popular destinations on the website is the page that lists the new U.S. stamp issues. Collectors are eager to find out what the latest issues are and when they are due to be issued. Similarly here in the library, one of the lesser known items that are regularly received and added to the American Philatelic Research Library collection on a daily basis are what are known as New Issues announcements and forms. These often pamphlet-shaped materials are received in the library from numerous worldwide national stamp issuing agencies as a form of announcing their newest issues and providing ordering information.