The Official WebSite of David Saks - Online Since 1999
David Saks' Blog - Stamps & Everything Else

Translated In 100+ Languages

BlogMisc/puffin1ab.jpg
 
 

Archive Newer | Older

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Chuck Ripper - Wildlife Artist

Chuck Ripper was born in 1929.

His artwork is featured on the stamps of my nation.

Here's a link to his work at Wind River Studios (click)

Chuck designed the wildlife series for the United States Postal Service in 1987.

This is an ArtCraft cachet with the first day of issue cancellation.

Pika FDC 1987

Here are some details for you.

Idaho : Pika
Issue Date: June 13, 1987 -  Postmarked June 13 1987
City: Toronto, Canada

  “Capex '87” International Stamp Exhibition, Toronto. North American Wildlife Issue 1987
Stanley Gibbons Catalogue No:2289 
Scott Catalogue No:2319 

Pika by Chuck Ripper

Pikas are small mammals related to hares and rabbits. They also are known as conies, rock rabbits, and other local names. They are found in Asia and western North America. Their length ranges from five to 12 inches (12.5-30 cm) and weight from four to 14 ounces (110-400 g). Pikas have short legs, rounded ears, no visible tail, and soft, dense, and usually grayish brown or reddish fur. They live mostly in colonies. Pikas have evolved through surviving winters without hibernating. In the summer they begin to gather grasses and other plants and spread them to dry. The vegetation is piled into stacks for food during the winter.

Chuck is almost 90 years old, going strong and still painting.

Chuck Ripper

Congratulations Chuck !

2:48 am cst          Comments

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Farewell ArtCraft

I received the sad news today about ArtCraft.

ArtCraft will not produce first day covers any longer.

ArtCraft first day covers served stamp collectors for more than 75 years, beginning in 1939 with the New York World's Fair.

ArtCraft NYC World's Fair Cachet 1939

I'm predicting a sudden, salubrious escalation in the value of the ArtCraft cachet, all ArtCraft first day covers and ArtCraft portrait cards.

Their departure has indeed signaled the end of an extraordinarily crucial, very important, highly significant and exceedingly meaningful period in time. A mournful signal which will be heard around the world and lamented throughout the multitude of philately.

Leo and Sam August treasured their associations with the world's greatest philatelists. Leo's contributions to our hobby were significant enough to earn the coveted Luft Award and a place in the APS Hall of Fame.

ArtCraft has well-earned it's place in the great chronological record in the history of philately.

Their raised ink, line-engraved intaglio printed cachets are the among the most aesthetic in the world.

ArtCraft cachets were not just beautiful.

They clearly demonstrated and showcased the wonder of human creativity as nothing else could.

For the next few weeks I'll showcase the beautiful ArtCraft collection for you in my blog.

Here's ArtCraft's last First Day Cover

Snowflakes issued October 23, 2015

Snowflakes - The Last ArtCraft First Day Cover

Let's look at Pennsylvania Toleware.

Toleware is derived from the French tole peinte meaning painted tin.

The first American toleware was produced in Connecticut.

By 1850 the Pennsylvania Dutch community had made toleware a prominent part of their life.

This beautiful intaglio engraved ArtCraft first day cover was issued in Lancaster, Pennsylvania April 19, 1979.

Dutch Pennsylvania Toleware FDC

 Here is the attached block of four stamps designed by artist Bradbury Thompson.

 Toleware FDC Block of Four

 The departure of ArtCraft is sad news for stamp collectors and philatelists throughout the world.

====================================================================

I'd like to thank the American Philatelic Society for honoring me today at the AmeriStamp Exposition in Atlanta , Georgia.

American Philatelic Society
2:10 am cst          Comments

Friday, January 29, 2016

Endangered Flora

Congress passed legislation known as the Endangered Species Act in 1973.

It was the first federal law passed to protect endangered American wildlife, both plants and animals.

Endangered Flora

The United States Postal Service honored this great law on June 7th, 1979 with this first day cover recognizing four imperiled plants:

The Hawaiian Wild Broadbean
The Persistent Trillium
The Antioch Dunes Evening Primrose
The Contra Costa Wildflower
 
Endangered Flora block of four

Artist Frank Waslick designed the block of four 15 cent U.S. stamps featuring endangered flora.

Scott #1786a

2:38 am cst          Comments

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Dandys & Dancers
Look at this stamp. It's the Draisienne otherwise known as the "Dandy Horse". It was patented in France in 1818 and is the father of the bicycle, although this representation appears to have been from 1809, a full 9 years prior to the patent. This artistic rendition on a well-designed stamp, also known as the Michaux, from Mali issued on August 12, 1968 demonstrates it's useful properties as well. Remarkably, the invention is attributed to German Karl Drais, hence Draisienne.

Dandy Horse

And what of our Poilsh dancers ? Arent they extraordianry ? Here they are represented beautifully in the philately of their native country. They're dancing to the music of Stanislaw Moniuszko.

This commemorative stamp was issued on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Moniuszko, September 15, 1972.

Polish Dancers

Here's the original album page from which the above were examined.

Philately

 

5:57 am cst          Comments

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Monks & Geishas

In my continuing series of Art On Stamps, to include costumes, important people and other visual representations, I've provided you with a glimpse below of additional postal creations from Trucial States Sharjah, Ras Alkahaima, Ajman and Dubai in addition to Europe's Poland, Hungary, Dominca, Grenada and Romania.

The two from this sheet that I've examined for you are the 1.85 Riyal Ras Alkahaima Japanese vignette of the Geisha with a flute and the 1970 Romanian Fresco originally mounted upside down on the album page below a few decades ago.

Art On Stamps

Kitagara Utamaro represented his country powerfully with his artistic vision.

The Trucial State of Ras Alkahaima honors his work on this beautiful stamp from the 1970's.

Geisha Flautist

 The 1.75 Leu Romanian Fresco of 1970 of the Voronet Monastery

Romania 1970 Northern Moldavian Monastery Frescoes

Issue Date : 29 June 1970, Designed by : E. Palade, Printed by : Fabrica de Timbre,Bucharest, Print Process : Lithography, Perforations : 13¼ - The Voronet Monastery in Romania constructed in 1488.

Voronet Monastery

 Here's the Voronet Monastery as it exists this day.

Voronet Monastery Romania

4:48 am cst          Comments

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Would You Hire A Realtor ?

Some Realtors are unscrupulous.

Not all.

Many are forced to belong to a Realtor board because area NAR-affiliated brokers dominate the real estate market and refuse to hire agents unless they become Realtors.

They violate anti-trust laws, burglarize clients homes, lie about property condition , engage in bid rigging and manipulate markets.

Do a FSBO, "For Sale By Owner", when you get ready to sell your home and find a real estate agent that's not affiliated with any Realtor board.

When you buy a home, find a properly licensed real estate broker, and agent, who is not a members of NAR, the National Association of Realtors or any local "Realtor" board.

The National Association of Realtors has been prosecuted by the Department of Justice for violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

The Realtor

If you want to see thousands of cases in recent years about dirty Realtors and other "real estate professionals", and the innocent victims and families whose lives they destroyed, click this red button:

Real Estate Fraud Files

12:20 am cst          Comments

Monday, January 25, 2016

Mozart & Warthogs

Here's a  page of costumes on stamps for you.

Romania, Dahomey, Poland, Ajman, Yemen, Rasal Khaima, Manama., Senegal and Upper Volta are represented from the1970's forward.

I like Thadais Helbing's portrait of Mozart on the 1 Riyal from Manama and the 2F wart hog ceremonial mask from Upper Volta.

Costumes

Mozart

 

Volta Wart Hog

10:11 pm cst          Comments

Friday, January 22, 2016

Fair & Balanced - Revising Miranda

 

Scales.jpg

In this day we find that many in our nation are an ever-present danger to this country.

Our law-abiding citizens are imperiled.

Violent crimes, drug abuse, domestic strife, unreasonable, unprovoked acts of aggression threaten our cities.

The recent national press targeting police actions, regarding the apprehension of criminals, to a degree that exceeds the bounds of reason or moderation is broadly farcical.

The actions of a few should not subject the upright and morally sound police officers protecting America, serving our courts and the criminal justice system to less than a favorable reception by this nation.

The concept of "Miranda rights" was enshrined in United States law following the 1966 Miranda v. Arizona Supreme Court decision, which found that the Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights of a defendant had been violated during his arrest.

The first two statements are:

1. You have the right to remain silent.
2. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.

I would respectfully submit, to Congress and our Supreme Court, that line two be amended to read:

2. "Anything you say can and will be used against you, or in your defense, in a court of law."

Otherwise, the second statement, as it now exists in the Miranda Warning, infers that any statement that you make could become prejudicious without a defense option.

The scales of justice are balanced with my revision and it demonstrates that the court stands behind the principal of "innocent until proven guilty".

Think about it.

8:19 pm cst          Comments

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Stanley Booth

I had dinner with my pal Stanley Booth tonight.

Stanley Booth

Stanley spent a healthy part of his life on the road with the Rolling Stones.

He's still a good friend to Mick, Keith, Charlie, Ron, Bill and the others.

Keth Richards & Stanley Booth

Keith Richards and Stanley Booth 1972

Read his book, "The True Adventures of The Rolling Stones"

The True Adventures of The Rolling Stones

It's an international best-seller.

Like this one:

Rythm Oil

We had fun talking about congress, the presidential race, the convoluted laws of the land, and had some damned good laughs.

Stanley's being honored by his friends at the University of Georgia next month in a celebration of his life and work.

I'm very proud to say that he's one of my best friends, and even prouder to be one of his.

7:33 pm cst          Comments

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Nipper

Francis James Barraud was born into a family of artists in London on June 16, 1856.

He studied art at the Royal Academy School and in Antwerp.

An accomplished technician, he was a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy and throughout the country.

His painting His Master’s Voice brought him world wide fame.

Francis Barraud

Nipper was a stray dog found by Mark Barraud (Barraud’s brother) in 1884.

He was called Nipper because he a habit of nipping at the back legs of Mark's friends.

Nipper became Francis’ pet three years later when his brother,Mark, died.  

This picture of Nipper was taken about 1890.

Nipper

On May 31, 1899, Barraud went to the Maiden Lane offices of The Gramophone Company with the intention of borrowing a brass horn to replace the original black horn in the painting.

This is the original painting.

Original Nipper

‘His Master’s Voice’ was created before 1899, although in the original painting Nipper is listening to an Edison phonograph.   

Manager William Barry Owen told Barraud that if he would replace the machine with a Berliner disc gramophone he would buy the painting for the Company.

Since then Nipper has been the most famous dog in the world.

This is Barraud's final masterpiece.

His Master's Voice

Nipper was born in Bristol, England in 1884.

Nipper died of natural causes in 1895 and was buried in Kingston upon Thames in Clarence Street, in a small park surrounded by magnolia trees.

7:18 am cst          Comments

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Come Fly With Me - The Airmail Stamps of Ajman

Ajman knows how to make a postage stamp interesting.

The Emirate of Ajman is on the coast of the Persian Gulf.

The post office in Ajman  opened on November 29, 1963.

Ajman issued its first stamps on June 20, 1964.

Here's one of their airmail stamps, issued in 1969, featuring the art of Jean Baptiste Camille Corot, a French painter well known for his landscapes and portraits.


This is Corot's "L'odalisque romaine Marietta" (The Roman Odalisque Marietta) painted in 1843.

The Roman Odalisque Marietta

And the actual painting.

Corot

 Looks like she could carry the male, er uh...mail.

5:07 am cst          Comments

Monday, January 18, 2016

Martin Luther King

My grandmother owned a dry goods store at 520 South Main Street,
near the corner of South Main Street and Calhoun Avenue, in the same block as the Lorraine Motel.

I played in the parking lot of the Lorraine when I was a small child.

450 Mullberry Street.

There was a sandwich shop behind the motel called Mrs.Drake's
where I could buy sandwiches from a sweet lady in a window who
made them fresh for ten cents.

I detest racism.

It's a disease.

We must find a cure.

My grandmother, Rachel Herzog,
a victim and survivor of the early 20th century
Pogroms that spread to Central Europe,
taught me to understand this and fight it.

Dr.King was more than an evangelist.

He was God's physician searching for a cure.

We must continue his work.

Martin Luther King January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968

1:12 am cst          Comments

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Seventeen

 I was seventeen when this picture was taken at Wooddale High School in 1969.

Wooddale Class of 1970

Geekdom was just starting to become fashionable.

The stupid glasses kept slipping off of my nose.

2:00 pm cst          Comments

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Philately Exposed - Nudes On Stamps

Visit my new page:

Nudes On Stamps

The world's postal authorities

throughout philatelic history

have used famous painters' nudes on stamps.

Pcasso - Woman Dressing Her Hair - 1954

 Picasso - Woman Dressing Her Hair - 1954

Listen to my radio show tonight live from

The University of Memphis

6:46 pm cst          Comments

Friday, January 15, 2016

Wil Wheaton

 Wil Wheaton is an extraordianry man, a gifted writer and actor.

Wil Wheaton

Wil was asked for advice about evolving and becoming a person.

Here's what he said:

"Probably the hardest thing to do is to accept that, at 13 and probably all the way to 25 or so, you’re constantly changing. What works for you one week may not work at all the next week, and you have to give yourself permission to make mistakes. You have to be kind and gentle with yourself, and just do your best to be the kind of person you want to be around.

  • Be kind
  • Be honest
  • Be honorable
  • Work hard
  • Always do your best and accept that “your best” varies from day to day
  • Be the kind of person you want to be around
  • Stand up for yourself
  • Stand up for people who are unable to stand up for themselves

Thank you, Wil.

4:04 pm cst          Comments

Thursday, January 14, 2016

The Mourning Cover

In the 19th Century, when a loved one died, a letter was sent to the family notifying them of the death of their relative.

The letter had a black frame around the outside edges.

The black frame means that someone has died.

Cecelia Clericus was 24 years old when this letter was sent to her brother, Louis, in 1889.

Mourning Cover

She died June 27, 1889 in Cincinnatti, Ohio from pulmonary tuberculosis, otherwise known as consumption in the 19th century.

Louis was a brilliant artist living in Memphis whose paintings reside in Victorian Village, a section of Memphis with 19th century homes that are listed on the National Historical Register..

The cover was sent from Springfield, Ohio to Memphis, Tennessee enclosed in this envelope, dated May 13, 1889, six weeks before Cecelia passed away

Why ?

Notice the May 13 postmark.

Sringfield Envelope

It appears to be addressed by the same person who addressed the mourning cover.

The mourning cover was originally mailed to Louis who had been staying at the Washington Park Hotel in Cincinnati.

The mourning cover was mailed enclosed in the May 13th envelope to Louis at the Fransioli Hotel in Memphis.

This memorial card was enclosed.

Memorial Card

And the reverse.

Memorial Card

The details of Cecelia's death and interment in Spring Grove Cemetary.

Interment Details

She was very beautiful and too young to die.

Cecelia Clericus

Why was the mourning letter enclosed in an envelope dated six weeks before she died ?

Could it possibly have been a polite memorial reminder sent from Spring Grove Cemetery approximately a year after Cecelia's passing and the cancellation date on the envelope an inadvertant error created by the postal clerk, or just an attempt to forward the sad news about Cecelia to Louis ?

The stamps on the covers include Scott #212 1 cent Franklin ultramarine on the Cincinnati mourning cover and Scott #213 2 cent Washington green on the Fransioli / Memphis cover.

3:21 pm cst          Comments

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

North German Confederation Mystery Solved

From my friend, Heinrich Hahn, President of The Huntsville Philatelic Club

Huntsville Philatelic Club

Hello David,
 
Thanks for your email. 
The name of the city is Guntersblum in Rheinhessen (second line).
Hope this helps.
Best wishes for the New Year,
 
Heinrich
================
Guntersblum
 
The Guntersblum arrival cancellation below confirms that the cover remained in the Grand Duchy of Hesse which was not a member of the North German Confederation, and that Upper Hesse's mail service was administered by the North German Confederation's postal authorities.
 
Guntersblum
 
The stamp on the cover is North German Confederation.
 
The Grand Duchy of Hesse was a member of the German Confederation, however.
 
The dispute between the two dominant member states of the confederation, Austria and Prussia, over which had the right to rule German lands ended in favour of Prussia after the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, and the collapse of the confederation.
 
This resulted in the creation of the North German Confederation, with a number of south German states remaining independent, including the Grand Duchy of Hesse, although allied first with Austria (until 1867) and subsequently with Prussia (until 1871), after which they became a part of the new German Empire.
 
Seems as though, ironically, they had their own Civil War taking place about the same time as the one on our shores.
 
The province address in the lower right, Rheinhessen, was annexed to the Grand Duchy of Hesse in 1815.
 
Hesse finally lost it's independence when it joined the Reich in 1871.
 
The cover's a winner !
==================================================
 
 
Heinrich has a magnificent eye for detail.
The mark of an extraordinary and very great philatelist.
 
Many thanks, Heinrich !
My sincerest best wishes for a very happy new year !
 
1:11 pm cst          Comments

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

North German Confederation 1868 Mystery Cover
 
I can't identify the name of the town or city in this photograph.
 
-bluim ?
 
It's on the North German Confederation cover below that was sent from Giessen to the city in the photo in 1868. 
 
I believe it may be an extraordinary cover because the Grand Duchy that it was forwarded from, Hesse, was not a member of the North German Confederation, and Giessen, which is part of Upper Hesse, was occupied by Confederation postal authorities at that time.
 
The small penciled lettering and numeral in the upper left hand corner, "NDP 9", are also unfamiliar to me.
Could NDP 9 stand for the "Nord Deutscher Postrezirk #9" (North German Postal District #9) ? 
 
Could the pencil marking possibly be a postmaster, dealer or inventory controlled marking ?
 
Here's the cover entire:
 
Giessen
 
And reverse destination cancellation:
 
-SBLUIM ?
 
I can't determine the origin of the reverse CDS and I believe it's the same name as that of the 1st photo.
 
Perhaps one of our German or foreign cover experts could chime in on this mystery ?
 
I've been researching this cover for three days.
 
I contacted R.Schneider, one of the most renowned German philatelists in the nation, and he can't identify it precisely, although he's suggested that it may have been sent to the Rheinhoffen / Karlsruhe region.
 
Rheinhoffen or Rheinhaffen appears to be the inscription to the bottom right.
 
I scanned the CDS above with RetroReveal and obtained amazing varieties of resolution, yet elusive as to the town or city in the CDS.
1:20 pm cst          Comments

Monday, January 11, 2016

Boris Godunov

Modest Moussorgsky was a composer whose music can transform your life.

Written in Russia between 1868 and 1873, the masterpiece Boris Godunov is about power and remorse.

The recording with the Chorus of  National Opera of Sophia under the direction of Andre Cluytens fills the air in my house today.

Strains of "Pictures At An Exhibition" can be heard in the opening chorus of Act I.

It was recorded in 1962 and will chill your spine.

Boris Godunov

1:26 pm cst          Comments

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Rarities From China

The Lotus Flora T-54 Issues of August 4, 1980 are commanding high prices worldwide.

It's setting records for prices realized.

The set of four stamps, Scott #'s 1613-1616 in the first image, catalog in Scott 2014 for $92.50

The Lotus Souvenir sheet, Scott #1617, is at $350, very scarce, and tough to find.

Hammer price exceeeds catalog by a healthy margin for mint never hinged sets.

Find them !

Lotus Flora Set

1980 - Chinese Postage Stamp New Lotus Over Water Flower Stamp designed by Chen Xiaocun

 

 1980 Lotus Souvenir Sheet

Technical details
Scott No: 1613-17
Serial number: T54, T54m
Values in set: 4 + 1
Date of issue: August 4, 1980
Denomination: 94 fen
Designer: Chen Xiaocun
Size of stamps: 31*38.5mm
Perforation: 11.5
Sheet composition: 50 (10*5)
Size of S/S: 70*146mm
Stamp of S/S: 52*93mm
Perforation: 11.5
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works
1:59 pm cst          Comments

Saturday, January 9, 2016

The Chinese Golden Monkey

Look at the stamp below.

It's the Chinese Golden Monkey.

It commemorates the Year of the Monkey.

It sells in the five figure range now.

China created a stamp collecting frenzy with this gem.

It's 2014 Scott Catalog value is $1800 and usually sells for more at auction.

It was issued by the People's Republic of China on February 15, 1980.

It's known as the T46, it's perforated 11.5 vertically and horizontally.

The standard for describing perforation is the number of holes

(or the "teeth"or perfs of an individual stamp) in a 2-centimeter span.

It's Scott Catalog number is 1586.

Excellent forgeries of this expensive, rare stamp are known to exist.

So watch out !

Mine is real. Here it is.

Year of the Monkey T46

1:45 pm cst          Comments

Friday, January 8, 2016

Happy Birthday, Elvis !

Today's Elvis' birthday.

He's 81.

I went by his house this morning for cake and ice cream.

There was a nice birthday ceremony honoring him for his fans.

Happy Birthday, Elvis !

Mason Cancel

12:41 pm cst          Comments

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Execution by Elephant

This is new to me.

I was unaware that this form of execution was practiced.

Get the kids out of the room.

Here's the link to the video:

Execution by Elephant

Execution by Elephant

8:51 am cst          Comments

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Star Trek 50th Anniversary Forever Stamps
 
 
Star Trek
 
A set of four digitally illustrated stamps
in a pane of 20 will mark
the 50th anniversary of the debut of 
the original Star Trek television series.

The designs show the starship Enterprise
within the Starfleet  insignia, the
silhouette of a crewman caught in a
transporter beam, the Enterprise shown from
above, and the Vulcan hand salute often used
by one of the show's leading characters,
Mr.Spock, framing a view of the the
Enterprise in orbit around the planet
 
There is no text on the stamps identifying
them as Star Trek issues, but a Star Trek
imprint will appear in the selvage,
according to the
United States Postal Service.
 
The words “SPACE... THE FINAL FRONTIER,”
from Captain Kirk’s famous voice-over appear beneath
the stamps against a background of stars.
 
The stamps were designed by Heads of State under the art
direction of Antonio Alcalá
 
I'll be in line when they go on sale.
 
12:15 pm cst          Comments

Monday, January 4, 2016

Shirley Eaton

Shirley Eaton is the very sexy and incredibly beautiful Jill Masterson in Goldfinger.

I created this fantasy USA Forever postage stamp for her birthday, January 12th, using one of her  portraits, inaugurating a week-long celebration of her life.

This stamp belongs to Shirley.

Shirley Eaton in Goldfinger

I saw the film when I was twelve when it opened at the Malco Orpheum in 1964.

Goldfinger is a timeless masterpiece !

Happy Birthday, Shirley !

Love,

David

12:44 pm cst          Comments

Sunday, January 3, 2016

My Passion for Stamp Collecting

Since the age of five I've been enamored by, smitten by, affected overwhelmingly by stamp collecting.

Here's a photo from the Commercial Appeal, published on Thanksgiving Day in 1992, of me with a scientific instrument I had recently purchased to use with my hobby.

The VTech electronic viewer was ahead of it's time. It cost as much as a new car.

I'm examining perforations in a stamp from my collection.

Stamp collecting is great ! Get into it !

David in the Commercial Appeal 1992

                               The Commercial Appeal Thanksgiving Day 1992

9:36 pm cst          Comments

Saturday, January 2, 2016

The David Saks Show & Frisky Radio

One of my favorite internet stations is Frisky Radio.

The rhythmic devices the musicians use are mesmerizing.

Spellbinding !

I listen to the station when I work out or need a picker-upper.

You should, too ! It's great !

frisky.jpg

 The internet stream address is http://stream.friskyradio.com:8000/

=============================================================

Listen to my radio show tonight from 9pm till midnight central standard time live from

the University of Memphis.

Click the station promo to listen :

The David Saks Show

The University of Memphis

4:02 am cst          Comments

Friday, January 1, 2016

Happy New Year !

I remember my wife this day, as I do everyday.

Even 29 years later, I miss her more than I could ever explain.

I will always love you, Rhonda.

 

Rhonda with Varsity Cheerleaders

 

12:58 am cst          Comments


Archive Newer | Older

ArtCraft

For the next few weeks I'll be talking about the first day covers of ArtCraft along with everything else.

ArtCraft closed it's doors recently after 76 years of making philatelic history.

I'm predicting a sudden, salubrious escalation in the value of the ArtCraft cachet, all ArtCraft first day covers and ArtCraft portrait cards.
Including those connected to the Postal Commemorative Society

Their departure signals the end of an extraordinarily crucial, very important, highly significant and exceedingly meaningful period in philately

A mournful signal which will be heard around the world and lamented throughout the multitude of collectors

Leo and Sam August treasured their associations with the world's greatest philatelists

Leo's contributions to our hobby were significant enough to earn the coveted Luft Award and a place in the American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame.

ArtCraft has well-earned it's place in the great chronological record in the history of philately.

Their raised ink, line-engraved intaglio printed cachets rank among the most aesthetic in the world.

ArtCraft cachets are not just beautiful.

They are works of art that showcase the wonders of the world and illuminate the powers of human creativity and ingenuity.

The Coober Pedy Cover
One of the World's Great Philatelic Rarities

Coober Pedy

Could this become la pièce de résistance de toute la modern Australian philatélie ?

Coober Pedy is a town in northern South Australia. The town is sometimes referred to as the "opal capital of the world" because of the quantity of precious opals that are mined there. Coober Pedy is renowned for its below-ground residences,called "dugouts", which are built in this fashion due to the scorching daytime heat. The name "Coober Pedy" comes from the local Aboriginal term kupa-piti, which means "white man's hole".

Opal was found in Coober Pedy on 1 February 1915; since then the town has been supplying most of the world's gem-quality opal. Coober Pedy today relies as much on tourism as the opal mining industry to provide the community with employment and sustainability. Coober Pedy has over 70 opal fields and is the largest opal mining area in the world.

Coober Pedy - no village, no buildings, no roads, just desert, mountains dotted with boulders. A bizarre lunar landscape, but for opal seekers is the most exciting place on earth, where again every day is the true challenge, happiness and luck just a shovel width apart and where life is defined by two words: winners and losers. Coober Pedy, grab your hat, throw it into the air and where it lands start digging !

 

Coober Pedy
 

 Linn's Stamp News

“The Scott Numbers are the copyrighted property of Amos Press Inc., dba Scott
Publishing Co. The marks Scott and Scott’s are Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office,
and are trademarks of Amos Press, Inc. dba Scott Publishing Co. No use may be
made of these marks or of material which is reprinted from a copyrighted
publication of Amos Press, Inc., without the express written permission of Amos
Press, Inc., dba Scott Publishing Co., Sidney, Ohio 45365.”

Hunger/faobanner.jpg

David Saks

Winner of the Coveted Memphex 2019 Marshall Trophy for "Best of Show"
Philatelic Exhibit "The Famous American Stamp Series of 1940"