Stamp Column Archives

Glassine Surfer April 2004

The site is but two years old, and was fortunate to have a member's son in the web design business. Father Stuart Duggan supplied materials and text, while son Sebastian put the pieces together, together creating a very enjoyable website.

Anglo-Boer War Philatelic Society
http://www.boerwarsociety.org

The Internet Philatelic Dealers Association's website has been revamped. Online, you'll find IPDA press releases, an application, the code of ethics, stamp ID help, and a list of officers.

Formed by dealers, it's the only organization of its kind for dealers who use the Web for the lion's share of their trade, and if that describes your situation, they want you.

Their aims are to promote integrity, honesty, expertise and reliability while building the stamp hobby. The free monthly newsletter contains information, news, and opinion specific to internet philatelic dealers.

IPDA
http://www.ipdaonline.com

And while you're surfing this weekend, you could tune in your internet radio to APS Stamp Talk, a streaming audio program on the web.

Nancy Clark hosts the weekly one-hour APS Stamp Talk program that you can catch anytime by just going to the site and clicking your mouse. The show is live every-other Wednesday at 3pm est, and invites you to call in with your questions or comments.

Stamp Talk started in January with guests and callers from around the USA and France, and the topics include anything of interest to philatelists.

By now, there's hours of shows just waiting for you to enjoy. Just do some clicking, get comfortable, and enjoy. After all, they're talking stamps.

APS Stamp Talk
http://www.wsRadio.com/apsstamptalk

And maybe in the near future, Nancy will host a show about proposing new stamp issues and some of the recent issues we wish there never were.

The Members of the COALition of the United Mine Workers of America have put together an entire website to gather support for a US commemorative stamp honoring America's coal miners. It's a full-fledged site with info on the group, their efforts, media reports, coal mining, and getting involved in their effort.

So far, they have submitted more than 80,000 signatures to Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee and gotten the support of nearly 300 elected officials.

Anyone who knows coal mining knows miners sometimes pay a terrible price for working the mines. It's dangerous and sometimes lethal. And not only are there accidents, but occupational diseases like black lung are unforgiving.

COALition
http://www.coalminerstamp.com

If there's any group of American workers that deserves to be honored, surely it's our coal miners.

Speaking of excavations, the Old World Archaeological Study Unit has an inviting website with an online philatelic exhibit, a cover gallery, a question and answer forum, articles, book reviews and links related to archaeology. The only thing missing is the spade and shovel.

Formed in '77, the OWASU's interests are mainly along (scientific) archaeological lines, but they're enhanced by mythology, cultural anthropology, and other prehistory tidbits as well. Afterall, Indiana Jones probably inspired more than a few to seek their own Holy Grail.

Webmaster Fran Adams says, "We're attempting to make the online hobby experience as pleasant as possible by ensuring the site is fast, easy to navigate and content rich. If you didn't notice our website interface, and found the information you needed without fuss, we did our job - that's the target."

Content has been rolling into the site on a regular basis since launch, so if you enjoyed it last week, there's even more to like today, which proves that archaeology, like wine, improves with age.

Old World Archaeological Study Unit
http://www.owasu.org/

The OWASU's website administrator, Fran Adams, is also known for her philatelic exhibits and their online presentations, which are hosted on her site. There are several in depth sections relating to exhibits and some online exhibits you'll enjoy, such as "The Complete(ly Philatelic) T. Rex," "Neandertal," and "Dark Caves - Bright Visions."

Though the widespread use of online exhibits is still on our stamp horizon, Fran's presentations are proof that exhibits are the best method to explore and tell the stories of the philatelic world.

Fran Adams
http://www.franadams.com/adams.html