What I Do in Philately

Philately is the fancy term for Stamp Collecting

I became a philatelist in 1981, after attending my first stamp show. It was called NEVPEX-TOPEX and took place in Reno, Nevada. I have lots of stories to tell, and this section will grow to several pages, but for now -- I will simply list all the organizations I joined over the years (starting in 1982) and provide links to their websites.

	The American Philatelic Society (APS) is the oldest and largest organization in the U.S.A. and has members worldwide. Their monthly publication, The American Philatelist, has well-researched articles, lists of dealers selling stamps, lists of stamp shows. and news of the stamp community.
	The American First Day Cover Society (AFDCS) is for people who want not just stamps, but stamps on envelopes that also have text and art. The First Day of Issue cancel makes it a FDC. The AFDCS has an award-winning journal titled First Days.
	The American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors (AAPE) helps collectors who share their material at stamp shows in rows of exhibit frames. Their journal, The Philatelic Exhibitor, has tips about display methods and discussions about judging standards.
	The American Topical Association (ATA) encourages stamp collecting by topic, that is, the subject on the stamp. Whatever subject catches your fancy is probably available on dozens or hundreds of stamps worldwide. Topical exhibits are what enticed me into the hobby! At my first stamp show, I learned all about elephants, mushrooms, and bees. Join, and see their journal Topical Time.
	The study unit known as Journalists, Authors, and Poets on Stamps (JAPOS) is a small group of people who love literature. They submit articles for their quarterly 12-page publication, JAPOS Bulletin, about writers or their works honored on stamps around the world.
	Recently, women have jumped into what was a male-dominated hobby. In 2007, the Women Exhibitors club was formed as a sub-group of the AAPE. Their publication is called WE Expressions