FEBRUARY, 1986

Across the Fence

Wisconsin Federation of Stamp Clubs Newsletter Vol. 8 No . 6

Notes From Bill

We are experiencing our usual cold winter . Many of us like to stay home , keep warm and watch "the tube . " Why not take some time and decide what you want to exhibit when your club has its next show . If you have a problem with some phuse of your exhibit, why not ask a fellow club member to help you solve your problem . Who knows? You could win Best of Show at your club exhibit and be asked to display your exh i bit at V/I SC0PEX this fall. You mi ght even end up a Champion of Champions!

The state show, WISC0PEX, will be held in Milwaukee on Sep­tember 27 and 28 t h is year . Youth will be able to exhibit at no charge , and full details for adult competition are available from Gaylord Yost , l' . 0 . Box 1013, Milwaukee, WI 53201- 1013 .

I would like to see a good showing by youth from around the state and, of course, exhibits from our top philatelists . So , let's get busy and turn those ideas into exhibits. I t hink if we could get three entries from each club , we ' d have a fine bunch of exhibits and a very successful show .

So, fellow club members and youth--let ' s get going!

The Editor would like to thank the Central Wisconsin Stamp Club and the Northwestern Mutual Stamp Club .for their kind and generous donations to ., Across t he Fence . " 'rhis support is greatly appreciated .

There will be a meeting of the VIFSC Executive Board on March 1 , 1986 from 12- 2 p . m. It will be held in Bruce Hall (across from MECCA) and interested parties shoul d inquire at the MPS reception desk or WFSC table .for directions . This meeting is being held in conjunction with MILC0PEX '86 .

The Manitowoc Philatelic Society will be sponsoring a public auction to be held April 13th at the Club Billmar supper club , 3627 Cty Trunk CR ( l ¼ miles south of Manitowoc on old hwy 141) .

Lots may be viewed 11:30- 1:00 with the auction to begin promptly at 1 : 00 .

Inquiries and consignments shoul d be directed to Manito­woc Philatelic Society, % Ed Balaban , 909 S . 8th St ., f'lanito­woc , WI 54220 .

Mr . Herb Trenchard , a trustee of APRL and a member of sev­eral APS committees , would like to purchase phil atelic souvenirs from WISC0PEX and other '.!FSC sponsored shows . He is interested in obtaining seals , l abels , souvenir cards , programs , cacheted covers , and , especially , banquet menues.

He already has severa l items from the 30's to the 60 ' s but would like to broaden his collection of WFSC-related souvenirs . If you can help Mr . Trenchard directly or with a referral , pl ease contact him a 6909 40th Ave ., Hyattsvil le , MD 20782 .

A T T E N T I O N A L L W F S C CLUBS!

WANT FREE PUBLICITY FOR YOUR CLUB? WANT TO INCREASE YOUR TREASURY?

HERE'S YOUR CHANCE!

The WFSC will have a table at MILO'.)PEX, Feb. 28 thru Mar. 2--a national show that will draw collectors from throughout the state. The purpose of this table is to give you an opportunity to publicize your club's existence, your own future shows, swap programs, newsletters, etc . with other clubs, and provide a place to market any of your leftover WISO)PEX covers from the past. In addition, the WFSC will be able to share with you some details of its u]rCOl!ling programs and activities .

In order to participate, all you have to do is provide us with your club materials. They may be dropped off at the table by one of your representatives, or sent directly to: Robert F. Meyer, P. 0 . Box 25802, Milwaukee, WI 53225 . Since we would be putting out a call for such items for the WFSC society lounge space at Al,IERIPEX anyway, we can pick up your club remains after the show and store them for use again during May 22 thru June 1.

The table will be manned by WFSC officers and appointees, but if you feel you can spare a bit of time to help out, it would be most appreciated. A quick card or letter to Bob Meyer stating such intentions would be helpful. You may also especially wish to consider having your own club representative supervise the sale of any of those WISO)PEX covers.

Don't miss this opportunity! Get your club materials together now, and be prepared for MILO'.)PEX!

Exhibits are being solicited for \HSCOPEX ' 86 to be held in Milwaukee on September 27-28 of this year. Gaylord Yost, P .O. Box 1013, Milwaukee , WI 53201-1013 , is coordinating the exhibit and will field any questions conc erning exhibits for ',JISCOPEX . A prospectus and appl ications are currently avail ­able from Mr. Yost (as above) and will be published in a future issue of ATF.

JOINING WITH JUNIORS

by Mary Ann Bowman

Helping a youngster to get the most out of a sbamp show takes some guidance from an adult. Here are some suggestions to help the junior get the most for his time and money.

Upon entering the show area, pick up a program. The lists exhibits, dealers, meetings scheduled, and programs map showing the layout of the area is sometimes included. plan your day's events.

program typically planned. A use it to

One of the first things I do is to walk through the entire show area. See what dealers are present and what types of materials they have brought. TO get a feel for their pricing structure, choose a U.S. set that most dealers carry (1940 Famous Americans . Bicentennial Souvenir sheets, etc.) and use that as a measuring stick.

After you have surveyed the show area, you will probably want to visit some of the dealers in more depth. Make sure you have a catalog, want list, pair of tongs, and magnifying glass. If you are looking for a particular stamp, know exactly what you want as far as condition and price are concerned.

If there are any new or out of town dealers, make sure you see them as you may not have the chance to see them or their stock often.

Many exhibitimns have a post office branch. Make sure you have a list of things that you might obtain for year collection. Also be sure to take along a large envelope or stockbook to carry your purchases home safely.

Above all, be sure to look at the exhibits. Look at exhibit8 that most nearly match your own collecting field. Look at exhibits with an eye to someday showing your own collection. Study the types of pages used, lettering, and arrangement of material on a page. Study an exhibit for its content and information.

If you are going to be at Milcopex, look me up. I'd love to meet you. correspondence may be sent to MaryAnn Bowman, P.O. Box 1451, Waukesha . WI 53187.

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Milwaukee Philatelic Society PRESENTS

MILCOPEX 86 ANNUAL POSTAGE STAMP EXHIBITION AN D BOURSE

AT MECCA Milwaukee Exposition & Convention Center

BRUCE HALL 500 WEST KILBOURN

MILWAUKEE, WI

FEBRUARY 28, MARCH 1, 2, 1986 •FRIDAY (10 am to 6 pm) ' SATURDAY (10 am to 6 pm)'

'SUNDAY (10 am to 4 pm)'

UNITED NATIONS PHILATELY EXHIBITION THEME

FREE ADMISSION REDUCED PARKING RATE AT MacARTHUR SQUARE

• APS Champion of Champions Qual1fy1ng Exh1b1t • 2000 Pages of Stamp Exhibits

• A.P.S. Accredited Judges • A. P.S. Judging Seminar

• A Set of Three Multicolored Cachets • Pictorial Cancellations

• UNITED STATES, UNITED NATIONS, POSTAL STATIONS • JUNIOR PROGRAM ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

• A 58 Table Bourse from throughout the U.S.

WRITE TODAY FOR EXHIBITION RULES AND/OR BOURSE APPLICATION

BOURSE APPLICATION MPS BOURSE, P O BOX 1266

MILWAUKEE, 53201 -1266

EXHIBIT RULES AND APPLICATION G.C. YOST, MPS EXHIBITS, P.O. BOX 1013

MILWAUKEE, 53201 -1013

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• Countdown to AMERIPEX

by Gene 13 owrnan liidwest Cornrnisioner

The United States Postal Service has gone all out to assure the success of Ameripex '86. A year in advance of the show they issued the Ameripex stamp featuring a reproduction of the 1¢ Be njamin Franklin stamp from the turn of the century. This month we will see the i ssuance of an airmail postcard promoting the event as well as a first time ever booklet of eight commemorative type stamps promoting stamp collecting. The unique feature of the $1.76 booklet will be the fact that the cov e r can be used as a pass for free admission to Ameripex - a value o f $2.50 in itself. The grand finale to the stamp issuing program will be a set of four 8" x 4" souvenir sheets, each containing nine different 22¢ stamps depicting all of the former but deceased presidents. The first day ceremony will be held at the show in the O'Hare Exposition Center.

The USPS has reserved two large areas of floor space in the gigan­tic hall. One of the areas will have a museum quality stamp display as well as an audio-visual show "History of America as seen through Stamps . " Bureau of Engraving and Printing Personne l will be on hand to demonstrate the design and production of postag~ stamps. Another area will be devoted to young folks with emphasis on the Ben Franklin Stamp clubs. The 18 award winning YES (Youths Exhibiting Stamps) entries from around the nation will be on display.

Naturally the Postal Se rvice booth will be staffed with personnel who will be happy to sell you all of the new issues from the last couple of years.

The Ripon Philatelic Society has elected new officers f or 1986 . Beth Walters will serve as president with Hilda Casetta and Fred Ericksen as vice president s . Roberta Comfort will continue as secretary , and Mary Beuthin will serve as treasurer.

Congratul ations and best wishes to these people who care enough to serve .

PHILATELIC TRIVIA

We are pleased with the ever increasing response to our trivia contest. December's winners received a freak coil pair - the 6¢ Scott #1338 misperfed right down the middle. congratulations go to Bill Scheitzach, Elmer Grochowski, and Clete Delvauxl You too can be a winner. Enter today.

1. What was the only format of the 1982 Bighorn Sheep issue? 2. John Bassett Moore is depicted on the $5.00 issue of which of

the following issues - - Liberty issue, Prominent Americans issue, or Presidential issue?

3. What is a stamp with no perforations called? 4. What is a stamp with perforations on only the two opposite

sides called? 5. What is a stamp with perforations on two or three adjacent

sides but not on all sides called? Submit your answers in letter or postcard. Be sure your entry

includes your name, club affiliation, and whether you are an adult or junior member. All entries must be received by the last day of the month. Three philatelic prizes will be awarded from a drawing made of correct answers. A future ATF will give the correct answers and name the winners. The prize will be sent to the club president or represen­tative for presentation at a regular club meeting. Send entries to Gene Bowman, P.O. Box 1451, Waukesha, WI 53187.

Answers to the January contest: ljMarines raising the flag on Mount Suribachi, 2)4, a 3¢, 8¢, 8¢ &11¢ 3)Rural Free Delivery 4)1951, and 5) waterfowl.

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Stamp Show Calendar from back page

April 19 : Public Auctio n at Do wnt own Holiday Inn , Green Bay . vim . B. Robinson , 1641 Bruce Ln ., Green Ilay , WI 54303 .

April 19- 20 : POLAPEX ' 86 , Poli sh American Stamp Club . Ki l bourn Walker Hall, MECCA , Mi lwaukee .

April 26- 27 : LACOPEX ' 86 , Lake County Philatel ic Soc i ety . Lakehurst Shopp i ng Center , Belvidere Rd . and Rt . 41, Room 120 .

May 4: Green Bay Spring Stamp and Coin Show , 1,vm . B. Robinson . Downt own Holiday Inn , Green Bay .

May 22- June 1: Af1ERIPEX .

September 2k- 28: WISCOPEX ' 86 with Stampfest ' 86 , ':iFSC and Milwau ee Philatelic Society. MECCA , Mi lwaukee .

September 27-28: WaUSApex , Wi sconsin Valley Philatelic Societ y . Wausau .

October 25- 26 : TOSAPEX ' 86 , Wauwatosa Philat el ic Society , Inc.

President Douglas Galaszewski , Vice Pr esident Jennifer Horvath , Treasurer Emil Dujanovic, and Secretary Irene Orz will lead the Milwaukee Philatelic Society in 1986 . They will be assist ed by directors Edi th Ann Malson , Gaylord Yost, and Harold Keppl er.

WFSC extends its be st wishes and congratulations to t hem.

Back to Basics Tool of the Month: St amp Tongs

Out of all the too l s fo r collecting stamps that I have , there is only one that never finds it s way into my storage box . 'Phis indispensable too l is a pair of stamp tongs .

Stamp tongs look like a big pair of tweezers and come in an amazing number of sizes and styles . Long and short , thick and thin , rounded ends , po inted ends , spade ends , strai~ht and bent tips , and on and on . I probably have ten different pairs of tongs l aying around . Each one has a different use .

My favorite is a pair of thin, sur[si cal steel , straight , spade end tongs. The spade ends are l arge enough to hold a stamp securely without covering too much of it . The steel is thin enough to allow me to get under a stamp laying on a table top . and the ends are straight because I prefer them that way .

I also have a similar pair with bent tips that are handy for s ort ing t hrough a l arge pile of stamps .

'.!'hen there ' s the pair Hi th large rounded ends that I use for fishing stamps out of a soaking bath .

And there ' s a p air of very pointed , very long tongs I take to stamp shoHs . They take a while to learn how to use , but they ' re excellent fo r examining that special purchase I usually make when I ' m attending a show .

There ' s also a p ile of tongs I don't use . Either they're not springy eno ugh , too springy , too t hick to get under a stamp , or their ends don ' t meet properly .

\·/hy bother with tongs? Simple : the oil on your fingers can damage or stain a stamp . And besides , it's j ust good man­ners to handle stamps carefull y and cleanly. Stamp dealers certainly appreciate customers who handl e their material with care , and it's nice to be trusted with classic and even rare stamps be cause you 've shown you care enough to do it right-­with tongs .

"Something fishy going on at LACOPEX ' 86? Yes , our show postmark will honor Waukegan ' s COHO Lakefront Festival ."

Courtesy : LCPS t-lewsletter, "Purely Personal Perforations"

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Stamp Show Calendar Februarl 15- 16: KECOPEX ' 86 , Kenosha Stamp and Cover Club .

Ho iday Inn , 5125 6th Ave ., Kenosha . Februar! 16: CENWISPEX ' 86 , Central 'tlisconsin St amp Club .

Ho iday Inn , Stevens Foint . 10- 5 . February 16: Appleton Stamp and Coin Show , R&M Stamps .

Paper Valley Hotel , 333 W. College Av ., Appleton . 10- 5 .

February 23: Green Bay 1.vinter Stamp and Coin Show, Wm. inson . Downtown Holiday Inn , Green Bay .

B. Rob-

February 28- March 2: MILCOPEX 1 86 , Milwaukee Philatelic Bruce Hall , Milwaukee . Please see ad for details .

Society .

April f - 6: SHEPEX 1 86 , Sheboygan Stamp Club . Sheboygan i ation Center , 1305 St . Clair Ave ., Sheboygan .

Rehabil-

April 12- 1£: OUT APEX ' 86 , Out agamie and Oshkosh Fhilatelic Socie ies . Valley Fair Mall , 2145 S . Memorial Drive , Appleton. 10-5.

April 11: Public Auction, Manitowoc Philatelic Society. Club Bi lmar sup~er club, 3627 Cty rrunk CR, Manitowoc . Viewing , 11:30; Auction, 1: 00 .

AVENUE STAMPS

Buyers & Sellers of :

All Serious Collections

Belle r U.S., Conada, Foreign

Duck Stamps & Postal His tory

Want Lists Serviced Estates Purchased-Appraised

229 East College Avenue Appleton, WI 54911

Dennis R. Lemke (414) 731-4740

continu ed on preceeding page

Acl Sr°'ce for reN t

3y pt>-Je - 18.00

{ f ~fe -f It, OCJ

frAII f°'J e -~JO.oO (or- /e H)

T1ped Ads J.5" wo rds - ,/). q,E_.

ACROSS THE FENCE: Monthly Newsl etter of the Wisconsin Federation of Stamp Cl ubs . Ki r k Becker: Editor and Publ isher. Infor mation , news articles, and ad copy should be sent to Edi tor, 1688- B Shawano Ave . #14 , Green Bay , WI 54303 . Phone: (414) 494- 9696 . Advertising policies and rates avail abl e upon reques t . Ad and copy deadl ine : 21st of each month . 500 copies pr inted .

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