The New CartoPhilatelist Captures the Gold at the 65th NTSS!

ATA NTSS 2014 Logo

ATA 65th NTSS 2014 Logo

At the American Topical Association’s 65th National Topical Stamp Show (NTSS) [St. Louis Missouri, USA] held in June 2014, The New CartoPhilatelist was awarded the prestigious Gold Medal in the Medium Study Units (50-200 members) class. In addition, TNCP received the Grand Prize as the best of the 10 journals entered in this category. The award was presented at the banquet dinner to our Journal’s editor Mr. Martin Oakes who was joined at the ceremony by Society Vice-President David Wolfersberger and Society President Emeritus Miklos Pinther.  “This award is not only proof of Martin’s dedication and effort towards producing each issue, but also the high level of research and attention to detail evident in the articles and content submitted by the authors. This is a wonderful recognition for the Society,” said CPS President Mark Honig. “Congratulations to everyone over the years who have helped put The New CartoPhilatelist on the philatelic literature world map!”

Martin Oakes, Editor,
The New CartoPhilatelist
(Gold Medal, 50-200 Members
Study Unit)
Miklos Pinther (L), Single Frame, “Map Stamps That Never Made It,” Silver-Bronze;
David Wolfersberger (R), Editor, Enophilatelica
(Gold Medal, less than 50 members Study Unit)

Web Site Status

2013-12-30  (23:30 UTC)

After a discussion with the Officers, the Forum and CPS Exchange pages have been removed. Unfortunately the Forum was not largely used and became difficult to manage due to spam posts. The CPS Exchange was dormant for a number of years and did not take off as was hoped.  If you are interested in participating in an online philatelic community,  please have a look at these two, very fine forum sites: Stampboards, a very active, large and well established site, and also Stamp Exchange, a newer and increasingly active forum.   Please note that the CPS is not endorsing either of this forums, but only wanting to pass along this information to our members. There have also been updates to the base software which runs our site. Please use the contact form if you are having problems or any questions about our site.

Continue reading Web Site Status

Revision 6 of the Maps on Stamps Checklist is complete

Revision 6.0 of the Maps on Stamps Checklist is now ready for distribution to members of the CartoPhilatelic Society. Since the last update of the Checklist in 2011, over 800 items have been added along with numerous corrections and clarifications. The Checklist comprises over 37,600 records representing over 38,500 individual stamps, souvenir sheets,  and other philatelic material.  When printed the Checklist is 783 pages in length including 6 pages of introductory material.

The Checklist is available for purchase only by current members of the CartoPhilatelic Society and is available  in both digital form, as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, and in hardcopy format. Continue reading Revision 6 of the Maps on Stamps Checklist is complete

Discovery of Some Previously Unknown Map Stamps

New Caledonia sc651

New Caledonia sc651

New Caledonia scC275

New Caledonia scC275

China sc3031

China sc3031

South Korea sc1516

South Korea sc1516

Cartophilatelic Society president Mark Honig informs us of finding some previously unknown map stamps. First up is the 170fr August 26, 1991 issue from New Caledonia for the French Institute of Scientific Research (sc651). A number of research themes are depicted on this very colorful stamp. In the center is a stereo or dissecting microscope and on the stage of the microscope is a map of New Caledonia.  Definitely a hidden map! The next newly discovered map stamp also comes from New Caledonia. The 130fr airmail issue of July 20, 1996 marks the Indonesian Centenary (scC275). The stamp depicts a man and woman dressed in traditional Indonesian attire. Behind the couple is a tree. In the branches and leaves of the tree, the islands of the Indonesian Archipelago can be seen. A very interesting and uniquely designed map stamp. From the South Pacific we move to North Asia.  Here, the first newly discovered map stamp is from the June 1, 2000 “Stampin’ the Future” children’s stamp design issue (sc3031). The 60f denomination stamp features an image of a young girl in front of a computer screen which depicts a map of China and Taiwan and a “bridge being constructed” across the South China Sea between China and Taiwan. The next discovery is from South Korea (sc1516), with the 80w October 8, 1988 issue marking the 22nd Congress of The International Iron and Steel Institute, that we assume was held in Seoul about that time.   This thematic stamp depicts a large foundry ladle in a steel mill pouring out molten metal. A world map with a very interesting looking projection is shown on the side of the ladle. For our final discovery we move to the Netherlands and a personal note from Mark regarding the next newly discovered map stamp. Mark writes, when I was browsing ebay for map stamps I noticed this stamp with what looks like a small map. I immediately knew I must have this stamp because it is a stamp from my own country. I pulled my album and I scanned for the stamp. This stamp has been issued, as part of a set of 4, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the liberation for the Netherlands from nazi-Germany in 1945.  The detail shown in the map is part of a newspaper, “The Flying Dutchman,” air-dropped by the Allied Air Forces, and shows the Russian front advancing from Tarnopol to Cherzon.  After a bit of searching I found the map was shown on  the cover of the March 16, 1944 issue. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that this stamp has been in my album for 28 years without me noticing it as a map stamp.  The stamp (and set) are not expensive. The stamp has also been issued as a coil stamp. These coil stamps can be recognized by the cut perforations along the top and bottom. Mint coils have a number on the back of every 5th stamp.  Perhaps now is the time to check your own collections for more hidden map stamps, you never know what may be hiding there. Please let us know what you find!

Netherlands sc666

Netherlands sc666

"The Flying Dutchman," March 16, 1944

“The Flying Dutchman,” March 16, 1944

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CartoPhilatelic Society Officers (2013 – 2016)

The election of officers for the CartoPhilatelic Society for the period of April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2016 has been completed and the results have been approved by the current officers.

These members have been elected to the following positions:

  • President:    Mr. Mark Honig  (Netherlands)
  • Vice President:   Mr. David Wolfersberger  (USA)
  • Secretary:   Ms. Marybeth Sulkowski  (USA)
  • Treasurer:  Mr. Ed Vallery  (USA)
  • European Representative:  Mr. Volker Woesner  (Germany)
  • Asia/Pacific Representative:  Mr. Brian Marshall  (New Zealand)
  • Representative at Large:  Mr. Philip Coop  (USA)

In addition to the elected officers, Mr. Martin Oakes will continue as Editor of The New CartoPhilatelist Journal and Mr. Reese Plews will continue as Society web administrator.

“Thanks to all of the officers for their commitment of time and effort to help ensure the continued success of the CartoPhilatelic Society.

My thanks to all of those who served as officers and to all members who helped make my time as President enjoyable and fulfilling. I look forward to working with Mark as he takes over as President. I am sure that all members will provide the same level of support to Mark as was given to me. ” — David Wolfersberger, March 2013.