Reprinted from  The U.S. Specialist, June 1999

For almost a decade the Board has recognized that United States stamp production has undergone a dramatic change. When the Bureau Issues Association was founded in March 1930 the Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced the entirety of United States postage and revenue stamps. In a Special Bulletin President Hugh M. Southgate wrote "The Philatelic Plate Number Association has adopted an new name, Bureau Issues Association, as indicative of the Association’s enlarged scope of activity. The entire philatelic output of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is now the objective instead of plate numbers only as in the past. Paper, gum, marginal markings and guide lines, as well as methods of manufacture follow the plate number as a field for study and collection." Southgate went on the say "Variation in our stamps generally arise from a change in methods of manufacture having in view an improvement of the product or reduction of cost. To ascertain the cause for change, study its results and record the findings will be an aim of this Association."

President Southgate’s words are as meaningful today as they were seventy years ago but the world around us is changing. In the decade of the nineties, there has been a revolution in the production of sheet, coil and booklet stamps offered by the United States Postal Service. New methods are being employed in producing our stamp every year. Most importantly, the manufacture of United States stamps has been passing from the hands of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to a half-dozen contract security printers. Today less than half of our stamps are the product of the BEP. As a specialized collector and researcher of the Second Bureau Issue I feel a sense of loss in this sea of change. After all, the Second Bureau Issue, the Series 1902, was the first regular issue completely designed and produced by the Bureau’s craftsmen.

Like most of our members with varied interests in U.S. stamps, the Board of Governors recognizes the changing environment. "Know Your Country’s Stamps" has been our motto from our beginnings. The focus of our research and studies has been expanding to encompass all of our nation’s stamps. This is reflected in our most prestigious research work, the Durland, Standard Plate Number Catalog which covers all United States and Confederate States postage stamps as well as an expanding Back-of-the-Book selection.

Recognizing our interest in all U.S. stamps, a decade ago we created an additional name for our organization, the United States Stamp Society. The Board of Governor has decided that it is now time to formally change the name of the Association to the "United States Stamp Society." The implementation of such a change will entail a change in the by-laws. We welcome a dialogue on this important move and urge members to contact members of the Board or write to the Editor of the "Specialist." It is hoped the members would vote on the necessary by-laws changes with the fall membership dues mailing. The changes, if approved would take effect next year in celebration of our 70^th Anniversary.