Northwoods Philatelic Society

APS Chapter #1477

IRON MOUNTAIN, MI
Classroom Wing, First Lutheran Church, 1210 S. Stephenson Ave., 3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm
Contact:

Officers:
Tom Pleyte, President
Milt Wirth, Vice-President
Mark Pleyte, Treasurer
Jim Stearns, Secretary/Bulletin Editor

The January meeting of the Northwoods Philatelic Society will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at the First Lutheran Church, 1210 South Stephenson Avenue, Iron Mountain. This meeting will feature our Stamp Club auction, including some Sedona lots. Come early to help prepare the bid sheets.

DECEMBER MEETING MINUTES: The December meeting of the Northwoods Philatelic Society was called to order by President Tom Pleyte. Minutes of the November meeting were approved unanimously. The Treasurer's report submitted by Mark Pleyte was also approved unanimously. Tom Pleyte also remarked on the receipt of a thank you note from the family of Adonia Jensen.

Al LeBlanc brought along copies of the Topical Times and the December Across the Fencepost was distributed. Ellsworth Semler volunteered to bring treats in January to commemorate the 63rd wedding anniversary of Ellsworth and his bride, Rhodora. Congratulations Ells.

Milt Worth brought in an excellent display of his 1932 Christmas Seal material, which includes many interesting seals and varieties, and much unusual material. Jim Stearns reported on a reminder from member Jim Byrne regarding the Wisconsin Federation's challenge to Clubs to participate in a one frame competition at WISCOPEX in April 2012. The Club challenge encourages Clubs to prepare either a 16 page frame made up of four mini exhibits, of 4 pages each, or to submit a frame of 16 pages with each page being from an individual collector, but on a common topic. Jim Byrne noted both he and Milt Worth have exhibited four page exhibits in the past, and that they are fun to make and easy to accomplish. There appeared to be a significant amount of interest. Numerous members seemed to have material that they could create exhibit pages for. There appeared to be more interest in presenting a frame consisting of four separate four page exhibits. There also appeared to be a possibility that the Club might want to reserve two frames, so that eight four page exhibits could be submitted. Milt Wirth will bring samples to the January meeting, and everybody is encouraged to give serious thought to their willingness to join in this project. If anyone has questions for Milt in the meantime, contact Milt at . Milt distributed complimentary covers he had created at Christmas, Michigan, obtaining a cancellation on a USA Christmas stamp as well as the 2011 Christmas Seal.

Before intermission, the Club again enjoyed the Philatelic Christmas gift exchange. In the neighborhood of 11 or 12 gifts were swapped and found new homes. In addition, Tom and Mark Pleyte brought their annual special treat of gingerbread cookies. After devouring most every cookie in sight, the Club adjourned to the monthly Stamp Club auction, by Tom Pleyte and Jim Stearns.

SPEAKING OF STAMPS: In addition to Milt's National Christmas Seal exhibits, he has also been able to participate in a national meeting in Ohio. He brought back with him an excellent small book, The Santa Claus Post, by Larry Hixon. This book provides a wealth of information regarding some unusual Seals. Although they are not national TB or Red Cross Seals, the Santa Clause Post Seals first appeared in 1887. Their resemblance to the 2 cent US postage stamp of 1883 is remarkable and were printed in a similar reddish brown color. The Hixon Catalog limits itself to listing labels specifically for the Santa Claus or Christmas post, but includes variations. The greatest period of use falls between 1908 and 1912, although the 1887 seal is very desirable but quite scarce.

The Across the Fencepost included several holiday greetings from Wisconsin Federation member Clubs including our own. In addition, there was a prospectus offered for WISCOPEX 2012 exhibiting challenge. That show will take place on Sunday, April 15 in Madison, Wisconsin. This show will take the place of DANEPEX. It is not too early to circle your calendar to make a trip to Madison. Prior to WISCOPEX, don't forget the Janesville show on February 12, STAMPFEST '12 in Milwaukee on March 3-4, and of course, don't forget BAYPEX '12 sponsored by our friends at the Green Bay Philatelic Society at St. Matthew's Catholic Church on March 24. Ray Perry is again helping organize that show, and his email address is in Across the Fencepost newsletter if you want to contact Ray.

Speaking of the Green Bay Club, Milt Wirth and Jim Stearns plan to travel to Green Bay for their meeting on Thursday, January 19. Bill Robinson will be providing an educational program on cover collecting. Milt, Jim & Glen will be heading south, so if you are interested, contact Milt.