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Passing of Steve Feller

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The Society is sad to report the passing of Steve Feller. Steve joined the Society in 2007 and contributed multiple articles to the CWPS journal over the past 5 years. The above photo was extracted from an article Steve contributed to the Q4 2020 edition of the journal. Steve stands in front of the Thomas de la Rue pub in St. Peter Port, Guernsey in 2006. This is near the birthplace of de la Rue. The printing company founded by de la Rue was one of the leading stamp printers in the world at the time of the American Civil War. You can read the full article here.

The society is thankful for Steve’s contributions and extends our sympathy to his family and friends. In the recently completed society elections, Steve was voted to serve as a Trustee for the 2026/2027 term. In concurrence with the by-laws, in order to the fill the vacancy, the existing board voted unanimously to re-instate James Montich as a Trustee. Jim was included on the election ballot and was only a few votes short of Steve in his bid for re-election. We thank Jim for his willingness to continue his support of the Society as a Trustee.

New Mississippi Confederate Stampless Cover project

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A new project has been undertaken by CWPS members Frank Crown, James Montich and Jerry Palazolo. The intent of this project is to update and list “all known markings” on Mississippi stampless covers from the Confederate era.

This project in being built upon a series of previous efforts with origins in 1945 when August Dietz began chronicling handstamped paid markings from the various Confederate States in his latest edition of a Confederate catalog. These predecessor projects finally culminated in 2012 with the publishing of the Confederate States of America Catalog and Handbook of Stamps and Postal History.

The initial results of this new project can be found from the main menu under “Resources / Confederate Census / Stampless Covers / Mississippi Stampless Covers from Major Holdings” or just click here.

CWPS President Daniel Knowles receives Grand Award in CCNY Single Frame Competition

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CWPS President Daniel Knowles’ exhibit “Trans-Mississippi River Express Mail Service by the CSA POD and Private Individuals during the American Civil War” was presented the Grand Award at the Collectors Club of New York (CCNY) 2025 Single Frame Competition.

Dan was also awarded the “CCNY Friendship Cup” which is given to the exhibit voted as the best by the Club members (similar in nature to the “Most Popular Exhibit Award”).

The program containing the full list of 17 exhibits can be found here. Although their exhibits were not Civil War related, three additional CWPS members participated in this competition:

  • Alfredo Frohlich – Replating Colombia’s 1861 1 Peso Stamp
  • Chip Gliedman – The Temperance Movement’s Use of the Mails in English-speaking Countries in the Mid-19th Century
  • Michael Wilson – “Golden Age of Flight” & A Postal Thief

A recording of the event is available here. Several individuals were chosen to describe their exhibits to the attendees. The selected CWPS member presentations can be viewed at the following points in the video:

  • Daniel Knowles (25:30)
  • Michael Wilson (44:30)
  • Chip Gliedman (57:20)

Our congratulations to Dan and the all participants in this competition.

Extending Our Reach

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The CWPS is consistently looking for opportunities to educate others while expanding our reach in the collecting community. CWPS member Trish Kaufmann has developed an educational presentation that can be delivered to a wide range of audiences. The presentation covers a broad spectrum of both Union and Confederate Postal History topics. It provides a cross section of topics designed to engage the audience and generate interest in our Society.

We are in need of CWPS members who are willing to share their enthusiasm with others and enlist them to explore this interesting time in our nation’s history. Help is also needed in identifying groups that would be interested in having the CWPS speak at their events. The presentation was created to be given at stamp clubs, stamp shows and other groups such as Civil War Roundtables. Our members are the best source to identify opportunities at local stamp clubs and Civil War related events.

Call to Action

The hard work has been done. Several individuals have taken the leap and shared this presentation already and we have people ready to help you get started. You will be provided with the presentation materials along with supporting documentation to help you prepare for the event. The presentation has been structured to be delivered in 25 to 35 minutes and does not require extensive training or specific in-depth knowledge to present

Take the next Step!  Start by contacting the team at contact@civilwarphilatelicsociety.org . A team member will get back to you shortly to assist you. You can click here to see a delivery of this presentation by Trish Kaufmann to the Philatelic Society of Lancaster County PA.

 

 

Thank you in advance for your help on this important effort for our Society.

Special Buy on Select Books

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Take this opportunity to add these important resources to your library at attractive prices including Free US Shipping.

 

Florida Postal History During the Civil War
Deane R. Briggs, MD

$50

This book is the definitive text documenting the Confederate and Union postal systems operating in Florida between 1861 and 1865. Most of the major Confederate and Union covers are reproduced in color, with a complete census of over 1600 covers. Author Deane R. Briggs, MD, has spent 30 years researching and exhibiting Florida postal history. His research uses records from auction catalogs dating to the 1930s as well as archival material from the Florida State Archives, making this an invaluable Civil War postal history reference. (292p)

Special Mail Routes of the American Civil War
Steven C. Walske, Scott R. Trepel
$25

Excellent Civil War postal history reference including sections focused on; Suspension of USA Post Office Routes, Precursor Private Express Routes, Across-the-Lines Private Express Routes, Flag-of-Truce Routes, Trans-Mississippi Routes, Blockade Runner Routes, Trans-Rio Grande Routes, Covert Mail Routes, and Private Express Routes in the CSA. (282p)

 

Confederate States of America
Philatelic Fakes, Forgeries, and Fantasies of the 19th and 20th Centuries
Peter W. W. Powell
John L. Kimbrough MD
$50

A “must have” book for any collector of Confederate stamps and covers. Contains very clear images and descriptions of the many known fakes in an easy-to-use format. This book will save you much more than the cost by allowing you evaluate material from a position of knowledge. (432p). Our thanks to John L. Kimbrough MD for his inventory donation allowing us to make this offer.

 

The Springfield Facsimiles of Confederate Postage Stamps, 2nd Edition
Steven M. Roth, Francis J. Crown, Jr., Patricia A. Kaufmann
$40

An important resource which answers the “What/Who/How” questions while describing the characteristics of the Springfield Facsimiles, the Dietz Facsimile and the TASCO Booklets. Using this book, you will be able to identify these items which, although not valid for postage, are collectible in their own right.  An “easy to follow” book with detailed illustrations. (116p)

Use Paypal to purchase these books at our CWPS Store.  To purchase using a check, please email cwfarley@aol.com with your request. 

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About the CWPS

The CIVIL WAR PHILATELIC SOCIETY is a non-sectional, non-political organization for fraternity, research and cooperation among hundreds of collectors of Civil War stamps, covers, and postal history. Email our webmaster with comments, suggestions and corrections.

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