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Chairperson
Terry R. Scott
P.O. Box 10406
Napa, CA 94581
Latest Dummy Stamps Study Group Newsletter Released
Issue number 11 of the Dummy Stamps Study Group newsletter has been
released. This and all previous newsletters can be downloaded
below.
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| Issue #11, Spring 2008 | 1.9M |
| Issue #10, Winter 2007-2008 | 3.6M |
| Issue #9, Fall 2007 | 441k |
| Issue #8, Summer 2007 | 914k |
| Issue #7, Spring 2007 | 443k |
| Issue #6, Winter 2006-2007 | 718k |
| Issue #5, Fall 2006 | 898k |
| Issue #4, Summer 2006 | 474k |
| Issue #3, Spring 2006 | 343k |
| Issue #2, Winter 2005-2006 | 448k |
| Issue #1, Fall 2005 | 578k |
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2007 Annual Board Meeting Committee Report
The Dummy Stamps Study group (DSSG) currently has about 20 members. The
majority of contact is maintained mostly by e-mail but occasionally some
written correspondence is required.
The DSSG currently has two research paper projects underway. These projects
are: updating Research Paper Number 3 - Dummy Stamp Booklets; and compiling
a comprehensive listing of the different defacement lines on the black "For
Testing Purposes Only" coil, Scott #TD107b.
Other projects being undertaken by the DSSG are: 1) producing a listing of
all known dummy/test stamp references; 2) compiling a listing of all known
dummy/test stamp auction appearances, including prices realized when
available; and 3) compiling a listing of all known dummy/test stamp
complete roll sizes and box and roll labels.
This past year and this year, several articles on dummy/test stamps were or
will be published in The Specialist by DSSG members.
The DSSG publishes a quarterly newsletter. All completed newsletters are
available for on-line downloading and viewing at the DSSG web site:
http://www.usstamps.org/dssg.html.
One of the DSSG members, Joann Lenz, maintains a web site related to
dummy/test stamps at:
http://stampsjoann.net/Dummy-Intro/Dummy-Intro-main.html. Another DSSG
member, Eric Olson, also maintains a web page pertaining to dummy stamps. It
may be found at: http://www.star-bits.com/dummystamps.htm.
After receiving information from a DSSG member, the eBay Stamp Watch worked
to remove a "dummy" item similar to a certain item with an APEX certificate
that stated the defacements lines were fake and corrected a listing for
another item that was not a "dummy."
2006 Annual Board Meeting Committee Report
The Dummy Stamps Study Group (DSSG) currently has about 20
members. Contact is maintained mostly by e-mail but some
written correspondence is occasionally required.
Projects currently underway by the DSSG are: 1) updating
Research Paper Number 3 - Dummy Stamp Booklets; 2) compiling
a comprehensive listing of the different defacement lines on
the black "For Testing Purposes Only" coil, Scott #TD107b
with the thought of making it a research paper; 3) producing
a listing of all known dummy/test stamp references; 4)
compiling a listing of all known dummy/test stamp auction
appearances and prices realized; and 5) compiling a listing
of all known dummy/test stamp complete roll sizes and box and
roll labels.
Several of the DSSG members have made presentations about
dummy/test stamps at local stamp club meetings during the
past year.
This past year and this year, several articles on dummy/test
stamps were or will be published in The Specialist by DSSG
members. One member has published a dummy/test stamp related
article for another publication.
The DSSG publishes a quarterly newsletter the first of which
was in the Fall of 2005. The newsletters are announced to the
members and others, that they are available for viewing at
the DSSG web site. Those
without computers receive a copy by mail.
A few members of the DSSG have exhibited dummy/test stamps
for fun at different shows.
One of our members, Joann Lenz, maintains a web site related
to dummy/test stamps at:
http://stampsjoann.net/Dummy-Intro/Dummy-Intro-main.html.
Dummy Booklets Study Group Name Change
by Terry R. Scott
A recent poll of the members of the Dummy Booklets Study Group has
indicated that the focus of the group needs to be expanded beyond just
dummy booklets.
Ever since the Krause-Minkus Catalogue began listing test stamps, there
has been a steady rise in the interest of all types of dummy/testing
material and the group would like to expand their area of study and
research to include all types of dummy material.
Choosing a new name for the group was no easy task. There are a lot of
collectible items that one would fit into the dummy/test stamp category
but seem to be just out of reach of the true meaning.
It was decided that a new title for the group of "DUMMY STAMPS STUDY
GROUP" would cover all aspects of dummy material. We will not let the
title of the study group limit the scope of our interests.
A general listing of the types of materials that the group would be
interested in would include, but not be limited to: stamps or stamp like
objects used to develop and test stamp production equipment; stamps or
stamp like objects used to develop, test and adjust stamp vending
equipment; stamps or stamp like objects used to develop, demonstrate and
test stamp affixing equipment used by private mailing companies;
facsimile stamps used for training students at business colleges and
postal training centers; postal stationery, for example the demonetized
embossed envelopes and blank postal cards used to test/demonstrate the
StampMaster vending machines, Pitney-Bowes Mark IIs, Burroughs automated
sorters, etc., during the Parade of Postal Progress; tokens used in
place of coins to test/demonstrate and train postal clerks to use postal
vending machines; booklet covers, coil leaders/seals on dummy rolls;
dummy coil roll and dummy booklet labels or box labels; and meters.
We want to avoid conflict with the study areas of other groups such as
Essay-Proof Committee.
All of us collect other "dummy" material in addition to booklets, and we
can simply participate when our expertise is needed.
We would welcome any persons who wish to join the new group. It's fun
and it's free.
Please contact the Dummy Stamps Study Group Chairman Terry R. Scott,
P.O. Box 10406, Napa, CA 94581.
2005 Annual Board Meeting Committee Report
Earl McAfee's death in June, 2003 left a huge void as
chairman of the Dummy Booklets Study Group. I agreed to
assume the position of Chairman last year, and there is a
lot to be done.
There are currently a dozen or so active members of the
Dummy Booklets Study Group (DBSG). Contact is maintained
mostly by email with some written correspondence.
During the past several years, various members of the DBSG
have made great progress in getting many of the dummy
booklets, as well as other test stamps, listed in the
Krause-Minkus Standard Catalog of U. S. Stamps. The 2004
issue was a culmination of these efforts working with Steve
Unkrich, editor. This is the most comprehensive listing of
test stamps available in publication as of this date.
With the end of Krause-Minkus as a stamp catalogue
publisher, similar efforts are currently underway with the
editor of the Scott Specialized Catalogue of U. S. Stamps
and Covers. Early indications are that the Scott listing
will definitely be more comprehensive than the previous 2005
Scott listing and will be updated over the 2004
Krause-Minkus listing.
The last publication of Research Paper Number 3 - Dummy
Stamp Booklets was released in September, 1998. Since then
there have been several new discoveries of dummy booklets
and dummy ATM test sheetlets, some of which were first
reported in The United States Specialist. Additional
information on previously listed items has also been found
and will be updated in the new edition. The goal of the DBSG
is to issue an updated version of Research Paper Number 3 -
Dummy Stamp Booklets, hopefully in Spring, 2006.
Various members of the DBSG have suggested that the study
group be expanded to include all test stamp types: sheet,
coils and booklets. Possibly two separate groups or two
groups under one name would be best. We are currently
polling members to see if there should be a separate or
combined group with the DBSG and possibly renaming the
DBSG. Suggested names may be: Dummy Stamp Study Group, Test Stamp
Study Group or Dummy Stamps and Products Study Group. Your
input and suggestions are welcome so we can expand the study
of all test stamps. Please contact me at: Terry R. Scott,
P.O. Box 10406, Napa, CA 94581 or by
e-mail.
2002 Annual Board Meeting Committee Report
The bulk of the work on U.S. dummy booklets was completed with the 1998
third edition of "Research Paper #3, Dummy
Stamp Booklets." There are
some additions that yet have to be made, and certainly other items
eventually will become known. However, the grunt-work on booklets has
been done. It's time to move on.
Since that 1998 publication, active interest in dummy booklets by study
group members has drifted toward other types of dummy material. This
type of material has not been as formally well documented as dummy
booklets now are. Without doubt, these "other types of dummy material"
would make an interesting, and needed, research paper.
For example, although U.S. stamp catalogues now include some dummy
stamps (misnamed "test stamps"), additional background information about
those stamps definitely should be made more available to collectors. As
we stated at the beginning of the dummy booklet paper, "This was the
first time all known information about U.S. dummy booklets was placed in
one source." The same need exists for other dummy items. Information
available from scattered sources and from new research needs to be
combined for this popular field of interest.
At least one attempt was made to organize a BIA/USSS "Dummy Material
Study Group," but for various reasons the idea of an "official" USSS
committee never materialized. Several articles have been published in
The U.S. Specialist about non-booklet dummy stamps, but they have
appeared under the umbrella of the Dummy Booklet Study Group.
As it stands now, an informal group of people interested in all dummy
stamps exists and is active in exchanging information about the
subject. Participants include most of the dummy booklet group plus
several other people. (A good contact about this group is USSS
Secretary, Joann Lenz.) Communication is by e-mail. Perhaps a little
push in the right direction could see some action taken toward a Dummy
Material Paper(s).
The Dummy Booklet Study Group has been under the aegis of the USSS
Booklet Committee, and its Chairman was appointed by that committee
head. A possible suggestion would be to rename the Dummy Booklet
Committee to something like "Dummy Material Study Group," perhaps making
it an independent USSS committee, its chairman appointed by the USSS
President. The Dummy Booklet Committee could become a sub-committee to
the material group. Earl McAfee would be happy to be "of counsel" to
the booklet section, but because of several factors would not be an
active participant in the dummy materials group.
This article was published in the April 2001 issue of The Specialist. Color
images from this article are now online.
This article was published in the March 2001 issue of The Specialist. Color
images from this article are now online.
2000 Annual Board Meeting Committee Report
The basic function of this committee now is the maintenance of Research
Paper #3, Dummy Stamp Booklets, which is
in its 3rd edition. The paper
seems to have filled a gap in philatelic information gathering that
previously had been largely ignored. Undoubtedly the paper has
stimulated greater interest not only in dummy booklets but also in the
complete field of dummy stamps.
An article appeared in the June, 2000 issue of The Specialist ($5.00
Jack London Dummy Booklet); additional article(s) will follow on other
discoveries. Interestingly, and rather typical for the subject, the
material discussed sat in the owner's hands for several years before
being reported.
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