News & Events

The book presents the fascinating story of the regular postage stamp issue called the Fourth Bureau Issue. Introduced under the new postal administration of President Warren G. Harding and continuing through the administrations of Coolidge and Hoover and into the Roosevelt Administration, the Issue saw the introduction and development of several production innovations at the government printing plant, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), resulting in refining and increasing production.

Part 1 of this generously illustrated edition relates the chronological stories of the technical and political aspects of the subject selection and development of each value, production and release of each stamp value, and the story of the Issue as scrutinized by the public and collectors. Production varieties are discussed, including their discoveries and associated histories. The period 1922 through 1938 introduced significant technological advancements at the BEP and the underlying storyline is developed in conjunction with the impact of these advancements on these issues.

At the beginning of production in 1922, postage stamps were printed sheet-by-sheet on flat bed presses. The BEP soon developed high-speed rotary presses, associated high-speed perforators, chrome-plated printing plates, and a myriad of other advances that were in common use by 1938.

Part 2 offers twelve additional chapters that provide insight into areas that are closely associated with the Fourth Bureau Issue and advancing production technology at the Bureau during the period. The subjects of these chapters are discussed by a group of contributors who are regarded highly in their areas of expertise.
About the Author of Part 1:
 
Author Gary Griffith spent over a decade researching the entire issue and wrote extensively about the issue in several national publications including the Bureau Issues Association – United States Stamp Society journal, The United States Specialist, and also served as a frequent author and columnist for major philatelic publications, including Linn’s Stamp News, Stamp Collector and Scott Stamp Monthly.
 
Linn’s Stamp News published a pair of books authored by Gary Griffith, bringing together the story of the Fourth Bureau Issue as well as the period commemoratives, air mail issues and other special services. The first book, United States Stamps, 1922-26, was released in 1997; the second volume, United States Stamps, 1927-32 followed in 2001. Griffith assigned his author’s copyright for his writings in those two publications to the United States Stamp Society and we have updated his writings with advances in the body of knowledge of the Fourth Bureau Issue since 2001.
 

About the Contributors to Part 2:
Richard Bates has served as an editor of the Canal Zone Study Group journal and has worked as a volunteer at the National Postal Museum and the Smithsonian.
John Hotchner has long been recognized as one of the premier authorities on twentieth century U.S. philately and has written and exhibited for decades. He is a past president of the American Philatelic Society.
Rodney Juell is an authority on the U.S. philately of the Harding through Hoover administrations and has served as a columnist for multiple journals, writing about the era. He is a co-editor of the United States Stamp Society publication The Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting.
Jerry Katz is a lifelong specialist on the 11¢ Hayes flat-plate printings as well as first day cover collecting. He has self-published more than ten booklets on his specialties.
Louis Fiset is recognized as the foremost authority on the development of stamp Gum Breakers at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and has exhibited on the subject.
James Robinson has spent almost three decades studying various aspects of the Fourth Bureau issue and has written about his discoveries in the The United States Specialist.
Robert Rufe is an authority on Special Handling stamps and the “special” booklet paper printings of the Fourth Bureau Issue. He was instrumental in updating listings in the Scott Specialized Catalogue.
Arnold Selengut is recognized as one of the foremost authorities on United States precancels and is active in The Precancel Stamp Society.
Jay Stotts is the chairman of the United States Stamp Society Fourth Bureau Issue Committee and an exhibitor and writer. He served as editor for this publication.

Congratulations to Greg Ajamian, Robert Rufe and Harry Brittain for being selected to receive the Walter W. Hopkinson Memorial Literature Award for the best article or series of articles published in The United States Specialist during 2021.

The award is presented annually and consists of an engraved plaque and honorarium. This year, the award will be presented during the Society’s annual meeting at PIPEX in April 2022.

“Scott #C23c – The Whole Story” was a six-part series published in six consecutive issues from June to November. The well-written and incredibly organized presentation was true to its title of presenting the whole story of this controversial variety. Each month featured a different aspect of the story and all parts were profusely illustrated with images, tables and graphs. Dr. Brittain and his FTIR absorption spectroscopy again played an important role in providing objective quantifiable data to support the contention that Scott #C23c is a legitimate variety worthy of catalog listing. In the end, armed with the whole story, the reader can draw their own conclusion as to whether Scott #C23c deserves its catalog status.

The Hopkinson Memorial Literature Award selection committee normally consists of the winners of the award for the past three years. Serving as chairman this year was Ken Zierer, 2018 winner for “The Dubious Origins of the Scott Listed Variety 424e.”

Also serving was Steven Altman, 2020 winner for “Al Fluegel and the Missing ‘68s” and “‘Expertizing’ a Unique Fluegel First Day Cover.” Harry Brittain, the 2019 winner for “Kaolin Content in the Paper Used by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to Produce the 1¢ and 2¢ Stamps Between 1894 and 1908”, recused himself from voting this year to maintain the eligibility of his co-authors to compete for the prize.

The award has been presented since 1954 in honor of Walter W. Hopkinson, a long-time supporter of the Society and specialist in plate numbers. His wife, Mrs. Constance B. Hopkinson, established the award based on his appreciation of philatelic scholarship.

A list of previous winners of the award is posted on the Society’s website:

here

Our 2022 Annual Meeting will be held at PIPEX during the weekend of April 29 through May 1 at Embassy Suites by Hilton, Portland Airport, 7900 NE 82nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97220. The show rate is $139 plus tax per night and this rate is available from Wednesday, April 27th through Monday, May 2nd. Amenities include free shuttle service to and from the airport, free breakfast, free wifi and free daytime parking. Reservations can be made using the hotel link on the PIPEX website (www.pipexstampshow.org.) or by calling the hotel at 888 728 3025
Although April may seem like a long way off, you should make your room reservations as soon as possible.

The Exhibit Prospectus and Application are posted on the show website and if you plan to exhibit, you should submit your applications as soon as possible. PIPEXhas been oversubscribed each year since 2014 and with the pent-up demand for exhibiting opportunities resulting from all of the COVID-related canceled shows, I’m certain these frames will fill up fast. USSS members will have preference until February 12, 2022. The deadline for entries is March 21 or until all frames are taken. Inasmuch as this is our annual show meeting, exhibiting members will be able to compete for our two Society exhibiting awards – The Southgate for the best multi-frame exhibit and The Cleland, for the best single frame exhibit.
The PIPEX organizers have also offered to post the exhibits on their website at no additional cost. Just go to the show website for information as to how to do this.

As is our tradition, we will be holding our Dutch Treat Fellowship Dinner on Friday evening at a site to be determined. Details about the dinner, as well as other show particulars will be announced as they become available. Please let us know if you would like to give a presentation at the show or would be willing to volunteer some time to help staff our Society booth.

Nick Lombardi
President

Please take a few minutes to stop by our booth. It may prove to be the most enjoyable time you spend at the show.