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Inside American Stamp Collecting
Just a short drive off I-80 in mid Pennsylvania, the American Philatelic Center’s a must-see jewel!
Opened in 2004 in buildings originally occupied by the Pennsylvania Match Company, the American Philatelic Society and the American Philatelic Research Library are in the APC, in the heart of the town of Bellefonte, Pa.—just 15 minutes off the major Interstate 80 route. There is no place in America that is more exciting for stamp collectors.
In addition to the offices of the APS, and a large open space for the APRL, the American Philatelic Center (also known as “the Match Factory”) has meeting and conference rooms that are large enough to actually hold a stamp show. The latter, by the way, is something that is regularly done in this building—this fall, the National Postal History Symposium will be held there along with a large meeting of the U.S. Stamp Society.
By the way, you’ll really love the town of Bellefonte (which is only 15 minutes down the road from State College, former home of the APS).It’s a major site in American air mail history, resembles a well-preserved late 19th century community and has many fine shops and restaurants.
The highlight for us is the beautiful meeting and conference rooms in the APC which were constructed because of specific donations made by caring individuals and philatelic specialty groups.Among these is Maynard Sundman Hall, named after the founder of Littleton Stamp & Coin Company and donated to the APC by his son, Don Sundman, owner of Mystic Stamp Company.This large room is perfect for banquets, shows and large meetings. Smaller conference rooms include:
The Bud and Dodie Hennig Room, the Airmail Room, the Lembersky Room, the Garfield-Perry Room, the United States Philatelic Classics Society Room, and the U.S. Stamp Society Room. Other special rooms will be built in the as-yet-unfinished building—including one devoted to the APS’s past presidents.
If you’re vacationing in the northeastern part of the country anytime soon, include a day at the APC in your plans! For more information, go to: www.stamps.org/theaps/abt_APC.htm.
The Grand Award CAKE TAKER
One of the more imaginative stamp show grand awards has always been the Hopi Kachina Dolls given to the top winner at the annual ARIPEX show which alternate between Tucson and Phoenix every other January. Each recipient of the Kachinas cherishes these unique and very valuable dolls (they increase in value) dating back to the late 1960s.
But ARIPEX’s newest version of the Kachina is the highly-detailed handcarved version shown here by its latest winner. Does it take the cake as the finest of all stamp show grand awards? Tell us!
Involved in many hobbywide leadership positions, Mark Banchik is also a gold medal exhibitor in several specialties.He’s shown here with the exquisite Kachina doll sculpture under glass, his grand award at ARIPEX 2011 in Tucson.
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