May-June Topical Tidbits
May 3, 2013
Come one, come all! Here comes the philatelic circus!! Experience the spectacle and excitement of the circus as you explore these pages. This issue of
Topical Tidbits explores the circus through stamps.
Download the May-June 2013 issue.
Press release - ATA Reissues Watercraft on Stamps Handbook
April 19, 2013 pdf version
The American Topical Association (ATA) has released a second printing of its popular Watercraft on Stamps handbook. The first (smaller) edition of the book has
been out of print for several years. To honor multiple requests for the book, a second printing in an expanded size format has been made.
Watercraft on Stamps was edited by Katherine A. Kirk of ATA's Ships on Stamps Unit. Contributors include Bjoern Moritz, Wolf Spille and Myron Molnau. The handbook was designed by Amanda Morgenstern and printed by Minuteman Press. Read more...
Press release - Jean C Stout Selected as 2013 ATA Distinguished Topical Philatelist
April 11, 2013 pdf version
Topical collector Jean C. Stout of Jackson, Mississippi, has been selected as the American Topical Association 2013 Distinguished Topical Philatelist, according
to an announcement by DTP committee chairman Donald W. Smith. The award will be presented May 18, 2013, during the ATA National
Topical Stamp Show in Rochester, New York.
Read more...
March-April Topical Tidbits
March 4, 2013
This issue of Topical Tidbits takes a look at the world of soccer through stamps. This issue was prepared with the help of Agbenyega
Adedze, an instructor at Illinois State University. In addition to soccer, his collecting interests include African culture.
Read more about this universally appealing sport and learn how five lucky young collectors can win this souvenir sheet. Download the March-April 2013 issue.
Selected study unit - The Perfins Club
January 28, 2013
One of the strategies that corporations and postal authorities have employed to prevent theft was to mark the items that they owned with their
logo or other identifying marks. When it comes to postage stamps, sometimes overprints were used, but from about 1900 through the middle of the
20th century, one practical method of identification has been to perforate a design into the stamp. Stamps that are so marked are known as
"perfins" (a portmanteau of "perforated" and "interior"). The
Perfins Club was formed in 1943 to help perfin collectors in their enjoyment of the hobby. Membership in The Perfins Club includes a
subscription to the almost monthly Perfins Bulletin and other benefits. More information is at the club's website
http://www.perfins.org/.
Press release - ATA offers free checklist as membership incentive
January 11, 2013
The American Topical Association is expanding its membership incentives by offering a free topical checklist of choice to all new members. Prior
members who reinstate for a minimum of two years are also eligible for the offer. ATA is the largest affiliate of the American Philatelic
Society, and its membership has been growing as thematic stamps become more popular and more member services are offered. This free checklist
offer is expected to grow the organization even more. Read more...
Press release - Ropex-NTSS 2013 Seeks Exhibits, Dealers
January 9, 2013
For the first time two World Series of Philately events will be taking place at one time under one roof. The Rochester National Stamp Show
(Ropex) and National Topical Stamp Show (NTSS) present ROPEX-NTSS 2013 on May 17-19 at the Main Street Armory
in Rochester, N.Y. The shows are sponsored by the Rochester Philatelic Association and the American Topical Association.
Billed as "Two Shows in One," each organization is running its own exhibit competition along with managing a portion of tables in a combined 50-dealer superbourse. Read more...
Press release - ATA "Topical Tidbits" Wins Medal in International Competition
November 12, 2012
The American Topical Association won Second Place/Honorary Award Silver, with Special Prize, for its new series of philatelic youth materials,
"Topical Tidbits," in an international philatelic literature competition. Palmares have been posted for
PROMO4YOUTH, a special division of the International Philatelic Literature Exhibition (IPHLA) held in Mainz, Germany, Nov. 2-4.
"Topical Tidbits," ATA's online resource for youth, teachers and philatelic youth leaders, was one of eleven entries in the noncommercial division of the IPHLA PROMO4YOUTH. First Place/Gold was awarded to BdPH (Germany) Department of Education and Youth; Stamp Camp USA received Third Place/Bronze. Read more...
Press release - ATA Creates Stamp Collecting Module for Educators and Youths
September 19, 2012 pdf version
The American Topical Association (ATA) is producing colorful and interesting modules especially for youth collectors and educators. In
recognition of National Stamp Collecting Month in October, the latest 20-page Topical Tidbits module is
available at http://www.americantopicalassn.org/youth.
A wide variety of free interesting and educational material for youth is found on the ATA website. Creation of the Topical Tidbits modules supports the "Stamps Teach" project being carried out by the National Postal Museum and the American Philatelic Society.
The Topical Tidbits module on stamp collecting features creative and colorful games, puzzles and quizzes in areas such as Branches of Philately, Other Ways of Collecting, Stamp Collecting Tools, Caring for Stamps, Parts of a Stamp, Types of Stamps, Special Service Stamps, Perfins, U.S. "Firsts," Stamp Oddities, Stamp Nicknames, Famous Stamp Collectors, and a Stamp Fortune Teller. The last page of the module is an answer key to nine different activities presented.
Press release - Nominations Sought for ATA Distinguished Topical Philatelist
September 13, 2012 pdf version
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2013 American Topical Association Distinguished Topical Philatelist
(DTP) Award. ATA is the world's largest organization for thematic philatelists.
The DTP Award is the highest honor given by the ATA and will be presented at the Awards Banquet of the 2013 National Topical Stamp Show (NTSS) in Rochester, N.Y. NTSS will be a joint show with Ropex on May 17-19, 2013.
ATA website awarded Gold at APS Stampshow 2012
August 19, 2012
In the first competition of APS chapter and affiliate websites, the American Topical Association's website received a Gold award.
The award was designed to highlight excellence in web design and usability among philatelic organizations,
shows and clubs. Sixteen websites were judged in the competition. The complete list of award winners
also included ATA study units—the American Society of Polar Philatelists
and the Mathematical Study Unit—as well as the
Rochester Philatelic Association, the co-host of the 2013
National Topical Stamp Show.
New Member Incentive
New incentives for membership or reinstatement in the American Topical Association have been announced. Membership costs are $25 in the U.S. or
$33 international. Each new ATA member will receive two free ATA handbooks. One book is ATA HB 133, Adventures in Topical Stamp
Collecting, the seminal work authored by George Griffenhagen and Jerome (Jerry) Husak. The second free ATA handbook will be selected by the
incoming ATA member from a list of 45 different books while handbook supplies last.
A list of the ATA Handbooks available during this membership incentive is included with the ATA membership application. Returning ATA members are eligible for this offer upon reinstating the membership for two years; returning members should use the ATA membership reinstatement form. Read more