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            | Tuesday, June 6, 2023Malaria 9:13 pm cdtEvery now and then I'll discover a piece of mail that contains
                  a tragic message. Inscribed within
                  this very sad postcard, the message states that on September 26th 1934 a close friend or beloved family member has died from
                  malaria in Monroe, Louisiana.  Malaria
                  is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include
                  fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. 
 Addressed to Mrs.Mattie Mitchell in care of Mrs.Viola
                  Watson of Simsboro, Louisiana and postmarked Spetember 27th 1934, the postcard, signed by Ruth, says: Dear Mama, I just want to let you know that Christina died last night
                  at 8 o'clock. She died of malaria. It had dried up all of her blood and even the marrow in her bones. I feel so sorry for
                  Ada. They are to have her funeral tomorrow. We both are well. Lovingly Ruth   
 The World Health Organization estimates that in
                  2021 there were 247 million new cases of malaria resulting in 619,000 deaths. Children under 5 years old are the most affected,
                  accounting for 67% of malaria deaths worldwide in 2019.
 Malaria is presently endemic in a broad band around the
                  equator, in areas of the Americas, many parts of Asia, and much of Africa; in Sub-Saharan Africa, 85–90% of malaria
                  fatalities occur.
 
 Malaria is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions because of rainfall, consistent high
                  temperatures and high humidity, along with stagnant waters where mosquito larvae readily mature, providing them with the environment
                  they need for continuous breeding.
 
 Climate change is likely to affect malaria transmission, but the degree of effect
                  and the areas affected is uncertain.
 
 The summer is upon us in Memphis.
 
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       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 

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 ! 
 

 
 
      
          “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.”