Stamp Insider Greetings from the Mountain House
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Stamp
Insider
Essential Reading for Philatelists May / June 2014
Greetings from
the Mountain House
Journal of the Federation of New York Philatelic Societies
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May / June 2014 Contents
Vol. 30 No. 5 President’s Page:
n of Ne
Don’t Just Sit There — Do Something.... 4
Stamp .
tio w
ra
. Editor’s Perspective:
e
Yo
Fe d
rk
Lessons Learned from Philately............... 6
Insider Postal History Sketches:
c.
Ph
n
The Cost Factor in Being a Dealer.......... 8
,I
il a
te s
li c ie
S ociet
Seen at Auction:
www.stampinsider.org Gambling On a Lot Materializing..........10
Mail Bag:
Editor & Journal Webmaster Balbo’s 1933 Transatlantic Flight..........12
Albert W. Starkweather Diane DeBlois: Advertising Mohonk.........14
5668 Tranquility Oaks Dr., Unit 208 Alvin O. Sabo:
Tampa, FL 33624-5849 Remembering the Longest Day................ 26
813-962-7964; astarkweather@nystampclubs.org Steve Swain:
www.starkweatherdesign.com
New York World’s Fairs Anniversaries....34
Associate Editor Albert W. Starkweather
Heather Sweeting This Does Not Augur Well.......................39
14329 Victory St., Sterling NY 13156-3172 Ronald K. Ratchford:
315-947-6761; hsweeting@nystampclubs.org Schenectady’s Octogenarian Mail Box...42
Contributing Editors DeBlois and Harris To Speak at Rompex.....42
Glenn A. Estus Stan Burdick’s Philateli-Calamity........... 44
PO Box 451, Wesport, NY 12993-0451 Stamp In-Sites: Motivgruppe Musik ............ 45
518-962-4558; gestus@westelcom.com Via Air Mail: How I Got Hooked...............46
Deltiology: National Postcard Week ..... 48
Steve Swain Youth & Philately: Spring = Baseball........ 49
5 Meeting St., Roswell, GA 30075-6620
770-649-8376; swain.steve9@gmail.com Stamp Shop Adventures:
The Duke Cooks Up Overdone Stamps......50
Ad Manager & Subscriptions Fillmore the Filatelist:
George McGowan Cachetmakers Discover Receiving Ship......51
PO Box 482, East Schodack, NY 12063-0482 First Day Coverage:
518-479-4396; geolotus2003@nycap.rr.com Ceremony Programs Reflect Cutbacks..... 52
Federation Webmaster Ephemera: Black Jack Selvedge...................53
Thomas M. Fortunato Organization Pages............................... 54–76
28 Amberwood Place, Rochester, NY 14626-4166 James C. Hamilton:
585-225-6822; stamptmf@frontiernet.net Vatican Marks Dual Canonizations.........64
Federation President ATA National Show Plans Listed..............66
The Last Words:
Thomas Auletta Where in the World Is Davaar Island?.....77
258 Ushers Road, Suite 203
Clifton Park, NY 12065-1428
Shows & Bourses......................................78–79
518-877-3027; azusacollectibles@yahoo.com Advertiser Index.............80
Copyright, Advertising, Deadlines
Stamp Insider™ is published digitally six times per year by the Federation of New York Philatelic Societies, Inc., a non-profit
organization, at 1105 Union St., Schenectady, NY 12308-2805. Content ©2013 Federation of New York Philatelic Societies Inc.;
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cannot be returned without a large SASE. Electronic submissions are preferred.
View Online Advertising Rate Card
Editorial & ad deadlines for the two months following are Feb. 15, April 15, June 15, Aug. 15, Oct. 15 & Dec. 15
ra
tio
n of Ne
w
The President’s Page
Thomas Auletta
. .
e
Yo
Fed
rk
c. 258 Ushers Road, Suite 203
Ph
Clifton Park, NY 12065-1428
In
il a
te
s,
li c ie
S o ciet
azusacollectibles@yahoo.com, 518-877-3027
Don’t Just Sit There — Do Something
T he hobby is in the process of undergoing a great deal of change. Many long-time collec-
tors are concerned that there is a decline in interest, enthusiasm, and primarily in the
number of collectors. I do not think that any of us would doubt that the hobby is changing,
and that the way collectors and dealers interact is very much different than in the past. I
belong to the group that views these changes not as heralding the demise of the hobby,
but as representing new opportunities to expand and enrich it.
I previously mentioned the first step in accomplishing this is to recognize that the hobby
is changing and that we have to change with it. To do nothing is probably the worst mistake
we can make. A positive sign is that the philatelic community has begun to realize this, and
dialogue has been initiated as to what ways we need to change. I hope that this dialogue will be
a continuous thing and result in some concrete proposals that will benefit philately.
I am going to throw out some thoughts in contributing to this dialogue. Everyone knows
how the internet has changed our society, and few would argue that it is having a big impact
on our hobby as well. Younger collectors have grown up with the internet and, together with
a group of older collectors, are comfortable with using it. Stamps can be bought and sold,
research can be done, album pages can be printed, auctions conducted, etc. — all without
leaving the computer. This approach seems to work well for many collectors. It is shocking
to many long-time collectors that this group may not know about philatelic shows, clubs, or
societies and even if they do, choose not to participate in them.
To reach these internet savvy collectors, we must simply learn to use the internet effec-
tively ourselves. Many dealers already have a web site and communicate by email. I also
see that many shows, clubs, and societies are also doing this, but obviously we need more
to come onboard. By reaching out in this way, we can better communicate with this group
and continue to publicize this hobby.
Remember that there is a second group out there — those long-time collectors who have
participated in the hobby in the more traditional ways. They may be uncomfortable or un-
familiar with using the internet. Indeed, they may not even own a computer. This group
cannot simply be written off or ignored. We have to come up with ways to maintain contact
with them. Many traditionally attend stamp shows and may also be a member of a club or
a society. I suspect that there are more of this group out there who are not entirely aware of
our philatelic community. How can we reach more of these collectors?
I hope to continue this dialogue in the future. Do you have any thoughts or ideas that
you would like to share? Please contact me and let me know. It takes many participants to
engage in meaningful dialogue. ◾
4 / Stamp Insider • May / June 2014
a.k.a. CoverCrazy 2
DOUBLEDAY
POSTAL HISTORY
Post Office Box 70 ❆ Rindge, New Hampshire 03461-0070
www.doubledaypostalhistory.com ❆ 603-899-9085
1840–1950
Mostly Stamps Tong’s Coat of Arms
ROPEX 2014 BOOTH 7 MAY 16–18
Main Street Armory
900 East Main Street, Rochester, NY
If you collect stamps from any country beginning
with a thru z and issued between 1840 and 1950,
please look for our red sign near entrance.
▶ US, including BOB & Postal History, Europe & Colonies & Worldwide
▶ Haggle-free discounts to 50% • Items from 10 cents to $1000s
Scott Catalogue closeouts • Lots and Collections $10 to $1000s
▶ The show’s sweetest deals • Shop early for best selection.
I look forward to seeing you!
May / June 2014• Stamp Insider / 5
Editor’s Perspective
Albert W. Starkweather
5668 Tranquility Oaks Dr., Unit 208
Tampa, FL 33624-5849
astarkweather@stampinsider.org, 813-962-7964
Lessons Learned from Philately
F rom every issue I edit, I learn at least one new thing about philately and history, but it
is often much more. It is a particular revelation when some of the lessons come from
locations and study areas in which I had an intimate interest. This issue is no different.
Although I lived in Modena, just south of New Paltz, and used the road across the Sha-
wangunks as a shortcut to central New York, I never knew the rich history of the Mohonk
Mountain House, although I passed its entrance twice on every trip. Diane DeBlois provides
great insight into the resort on page 26.
I must confess the cover illustration is a mixed metaphor. Although the postcard is dated
August 6, 1904, the No. 1-A Kodak Autographic Jr. camera was not introduced until 1914, and
the Parker Duofold pen, commonly referred to as the Big Red, was not offered until 1921.
The costs were not inexpensive: Mohonk rates ranged from $35 to $88 per week in
1903 — $894 to $2,247 now, factoring in inflation. The Kodak, sold at $23, would be $527
now. However, you can buy a used one on eBay for around $35. The $7 Duofold would be
$90. Vintage Duofolds are selling at prices that sometimes exceed $200 on eBay.
Federation Changes Needed
Treasurer George McGowan has identified two services provided by the Federation that
require immediate changes to ensure added value to member organizations:
Judges
The organization traditionally has provided certified judges for Federation stamp shows.
Over the years such shows as Fopex and Cincopex have been discontinued and shows that
remain have secured their own judges.
The accredited judges chairman, Maris Tirums, has not had a request in more than a de-
cade, so we are in good shape. We should make this service more widely known, have an up-
dated list of judges, and get a few apprentice judges into the system.
Tirums would like to step down and we thank him for his years of service. We need a new
chairman and are looking for anyone interested in becoming a philatelic judge. Please contact
Tom Auletta or George McGowan if you are interested.
Speakers Bureau
Another service has been underutilized in recent years. We need to find philatelic speak-
ers who are willing to speak at club meetings. Particulars like how far someone is willing
to travel, expenses, and accommodations, if needed, need to be worked out.
If you would like to become a Federation speaker or if your club is in need of a speaker,
please contact George McGowan. Since many clubs will be assembling their 2013–2014
program in the next few months, this should be addressed as soon as possible. ◾
6 / Stamp Insider • May / June 2014
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Send us a No. de sales tax. ver Connection; ery
10 SASE for a
free price list.
John Leszak
Stamps • Postcards • Covers • Ephemera
Supplies • Small Antiques
Free Admission & Parking
Capital District Third Sunday
Stamp & Collectibles Show
www.capdiststampshow.com
10 a.m.–4 p.m. monthly at —
Troy Elks Lodge
134 North Greenbush Rd (Route 4)
Troy, New York 12180
Contact: George McGowan
geolotus2003@nycap.rr.com • 518-479-4396
May / June 2014• Stamp Insider / 7
Postal History Sketches
Elwyn Doubleday
PO Box 70
Rindge, NH 03461
doub@worldpath.net, 603-899-9085
The Cost Factor in Being a Dealer
I n the last issue, I presented a general overview of the reasons many collectors gave
when considering whether they should become a stamp dealer. Certainly a glance
at the dealers at a large show might well give credibility to the idea that “If they can
do it, so can I.” Now let’s examine a few reasons why the process is not quite as easy
as it may appear.
First of all, dealing in philatelic material is quite costly. To build a large stock of inter-
esting and salable material requires a fairly deep pocketbook. Simply having a copy of No.
1 or No. 2 does not guarantee you will be able to sell them.
Your customers will be shopping for both price and condition. If you have average
copies, your customers may have a budget that can only afford a space filler or, conversely,
your customer may insist upon a VF to Gem copy. You must also consider price. Can the
customer purchase a similar stamp to the one you have for less from another dealer? In
either case, you still will have several hundred dollars tied up in your stamps. Your job re-
quires matching your stamps to the right customer.
To build a comprehensive inventory of stamps is an expensive task. The next issue to
confront you on the way to becoming a dealer is now a bit more complex. Where do I get
my inventory? Most new dealers start by selling off their collection or their duplicates.
Where does one go to replenish their stock? Unlike most businesses there is no wholesale
service to buy from. Certainly you can go to other dealers to buy common items of which
they have extras. However, why would another dealer sell you a rare stamp at a wholesale
price when it is likely he could sell it himself? Consequently you may find yourself compet-
ing at a philatelic auction to buy items you might need. Remember, you will be competing
with other dealers and collectors.
At this point you might decide to advertise in the philatelic press or local newspapers
to buy collections. Remember this can be costly. Of course, you also need an extensive
philatelic library including new catalogs and specialized catalogues, depending on your
stock to properly appraise collections.
The next problem is to learn exactly how much you should pay for stock. If a stamp
collection is offered, should you pay 10 percent of catalogue, 20 percent of catalogue, 30
percent of catalogue or full catalogue? You must learn the importance of condition and
just how salable the material is. Remember, just because you might find a topic or issue or
country interesting, do others share that interest?
Next time, we will continue our discussion of the pros and cons of becoming a stamp
dealer starting with how to get customers. ◾
8 / Stamp Insider • May / June 2014
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Seen at Auction
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152 Windmill Road
West Seneca, NY 14218-3776
fuzzy9600@verizon.net, 716-674-0302
Gambling On a Lot Materializing
H ave you bought your $2 inverted Jenny sheet with the hope of finding an upright
sheet? Have you bought more than one? Perhaps you went to different post offices
to try your luck.
The latest census reports seventeen upright sheets recorded. There probably are sheets
that have not been reported. Each upright sheet has a card with contact information to
register the sheet with the USPS. With a press run of two million and only one hundred
upright sheets this is truly a modern quest for the golden ticket!
Dealers are offering $25,000 for an upright sheet with a potential sale price of $30,000.
This conservative estimate takes into account that more upright sheets will be discovered.
Time is running out as the United States Postal Service has announced it will withdraw the
sheets from sale in two years. The odds all one hundred sheets being discovered are being
reduced as the days go by.
Given this scenario, the USPS has intentionally created a rarity — so much so that Rob-
ert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. already has placed an upright sheet in its 2014 Rarities
of the World Sale in June, even though the auction house has yet to have one consigned to
the sale. Siegel announced the sale in its advertisement in the April 21 Linn’s Stamp News.
Editor’s note: Siegel has experience with Scott No. C3a, the inverted Jenny, of-
fering fourteen singles that included three instances where the same stamp was sold
twice, Mabel Green’s locket with posi tion nine (top center), and the Princeton block
of four (top right).
As an incentive Siegel’s is offering $30,000 guaranteed minimum net proceeds and
zero percent seller’s commission to the first person offering an upright sheet. The auction
house is interested in one sheet only gambling on a higher realization.
Never has an auction house advertised a lot it has yet to acquire. It will be interest-
ing to see if this comes to fruition. Will an auction lot materialize? Will you be one
of the bidders? ◾
10 / Stamp Insider • May / June 2014Buy & Sell With Confidence
Whether you’re looking to start a new collection, find
a unique specialized item for your exhibit, or just save some money
on postage, you’ve come to the right place!
Henry Gitner Philatelists offers three convenient ways to buy —
mail order, online from our Web site, and at our eBay store:
http://stores.ebay.com/Henry-Gitner-Philatelists.
Contact us today with your specific needs …
and when it comes time to sell your collection, accumulation,
or dealer stock, you can be assured we pay top dollar.
Buying United States and the World
No one pays more for collections, lots, and accumulations
of lots and covers!
You are always welcome to visit us, but please call first so that we
can devote our time to you. We have 6,500 square feet of stamps!
Henry Gitner Philatelists, Inc.
Philately — The Quiet Excitement!
P.O. Box 3077 / 53 Highland Ave.
Middletown, New York 10940-0800
www.hgitner.com e-mail hgitner@hgitner.com
1–800–947–8267 845–343–5151 Fax 845–343–0068
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmexThe Mail Bag
George McGowan
PO Box 482
East Schodack, NY 12063-0482
geolotus2003@nycap.rr.com, 518-479-4396
Balbo’s fleet
at Century
of Progress
Italo Balbo’s Transatlantic Flight of 1933
A ccording to Robert E. Lana who, in 1996 authored The Mass Flights of Italo Balbo, “He
was a fascist, a member of Mussolini’s inner circle, and sometimes a bully, but he was
also a visionary, an excellent organizer, and a daring pilot. He died in combat in a war
that he believed his country should not be fighting. Italo Balbo was a hero for his times,
respected by friend and foe.”
Early Italian aviation was advanced and successful, however speed races and long dis-
tance flights by a single pilot were much easier to accomplish compared to a mass flight
of several planes over long distances, and Balbo was famous for these, twice crossing the
Atlantic. The first was to Rio de Janeiro in 1930–1931.
In July 1933, Balbo accomplished his most famous cruise, destination being the Chi-
cago Century of Progress World’s Fair. Balbo selected seventy officers to man the twenty-
four Savoia-Marchetti S.55 flying boats. The route was: Orbetello, Amsterdam, Derry,
Reykjavik, Cartwright (Labrador), Shediac (Nova Scotia), Montreal, and Lake Michigan.
On June 28, 1940 Balbo, in his Savoia-Marchetti 79 bomber, was shot down by Italian
anti-aircraft batteries while he was attempting to land. Balbo was 44 years old. For a long
time his family claimed it was an assassination by Mussolini, but most historians believe
it was confusion by the ground crews.
There are many philatelic items, stamps, and covers, that were created for and by these
mass flights, most of which are on the expensive side. Pictured here is what is considered
the “cheapest” Balbo item. The International Airmail Society franked a few hundred event
covers with eight cents in Canadian postage and applied a diamond shaped cachet. Ac-
cording to Lana, “These covers almost certainly were carried by the Italian cruise from
Montreal to Chicago.” Value in 1996 was $25–50. ◾
12 / Stamp Insider • May / June 2014SPECIAL SHOWGARD® COVER ALBUMS
DISCOUNT FOR FEDERATION MEMBERS
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commercial covers. Only Showgard least possible shelf space is used.
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Please send the following:
By River, Lake and Ocean
____ No. 894 U.S.A. size@ $27.95each ____ No. 896 Commercial cover size @ $29.95 each
Clockwise from upper left: Alexandria Bay & Clayton, Inlet & Old Forge, Wanakena
& Cranberry Lake
____ No. 895 with
Canada & boats
Europeanbelow
size (mail boat
____ No.Helen
894C is at theforleft),
Slipcase Ti (Ticonderoga)
No. 894 Album (Black)
& Lake George,
@ $28.95 N.Y.
each (New York) & Canal Zone, Geneva
@ $15.95 each& Watkins, and Skaneateles
Lake. Mail from resort areasresidents
N.Y. State in the early twentieth
please centurysales
add appropriate was tax.
predominately post-
al cards and postcards, the latterShipping
Payment enclosed. often depicting scenes
Charge 10% of vacation
— Minimum locales. RMS in
$4.00.
the killer bars stands for Railway Mail Service. One reason for domestic water routes
Name
was the lack of decent highways.
Address
City, State, CodeAdvertising Mohonk
Networks of Association through the Mail
By Diane DeBlois
The Philatelic History of Vacationing in New York State will be further
explored by Diane DeBlois, Robert Dalton Harris, and Arthur Groton
at the Third Annual Northeast Postal History & Ephemera Show in late July.
M ohonk Mountain House is celebrat-
ing 145 years of offering resort hos-
pitality in the Shawangunk Mountains near
New Paltz in New York’s Hudson Valley. The
“house” is composed of connecting — and
eclectic — structures built between 1879
and 1901 around a lake whose limestone-
buffered waters were trapped by the last re-
treating glacier.
In 1869, Alfred H. and Albert K. Smiley,
twin brothers who were Quaker school teach-
ers, discovered Scopes tavern — a rowdy es-
tablishment on Lake Mohonk in Ulster Coun-
ty. They bought it, largely with Albert’s wife’s
savings, and, in preparation for the 1870
season, ordered new furnishings for the seven
small guest rooms. Albert was the proprietor.
Originally the brothers thought they
would invite just family, but soon real-
ized they needed paying guests. Resolving
they would treat everyone as family, they
laid down two founding principles: There
would be no alcohol served in the public
rooms and they would not advertise. Albert and Alfred Smiley
The Smiley twins also operated a neigh- After acquiring the property, one of Albert
boring hotel, the Minnewaska Mountain and Alfred Smiley’s first purchases was sev-
(Cliff) House beginning in 1879, with Alfred en spring beds that cost $1.40 to ship up
as proprietor. Their younger half brother, the Hudson River to New Paltz. The Sky-
Daniel Smiley, took over management of top Tower atop the ridge at the right was
erected in 1921 as a memorial to Albert
the larger Mohonk. Cliff House was aban- Smiley (1828–1912).
doned in 1972 due to maintenance costs. It
burned to the ground in 1978. The site is now the Minnewaska State Park Preserve.
Continued on Page 16
14 / Stamp Insider • May / June 20143RDANNUAL NORTHEAST
POSTAL HISTORY
EPHEMERA SHOW &
ALSO FEATURING STAMPS & POSTCARDS
10 a.m.–6 p.m. July 26 & 10 a.m.–4 p.m. July 27
Polish Community Center
(http://www.thepolonaise.com)
225 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, New York
FEATURED PROGRAM
Robert Dalton Harris, Diane DeBlois & Arthur Groton:
Philatelic History of Vacationing in New York State
WWW.NPHES.COM
CONTACT GEORGE MCGOWAN AT GEOLOTUS2003@NYCAP.RR.COM OR 518-573-5457
AZU SA AUCTION #5
Saturday May 24, 2014
at our Clifton Park Office 11 AM
Something for everyone!
Worldwide Sets & Singles
Worldwide Postal History
Worldwide Bulk Covers
US Classic & Stampless Postal History
U.S. #O15/O575 US Illustrated Advertising Covers
Mint 1875 Specimen Overprint
c.v. $132.50 US Patriotic / FDCs / General U.S. #480
Mint/NH/VF 1917
US Large Stamp Lots c.v. $375
Worldwide Collections & Accumulations
Worldwide Bulk Lots
Ephemera & Literature
Greenland #22a, 25a, 27a
US & Possessions • Postcards
Mint 1945 3 diff. Overprints Viewing two weeks prior at our store Memel #N70-8
c.v. $825 Mint/NH/VF 1923
& 9:30 to 11 AM prior to the auction. c.v. $220
AZUSA COLLECTIBLES
258 Ushers Rd., Suite 203, Clifton Park, NY 12065
(518) 877-3027 • azusacollectibles@yahoo.com
May / June 2014• Stamp Insider / 15Early Advertising Covers
Before the Mohonk Lake post office was established in 1882, mail was dispatched from
New Paltz. In 1875, the earliest illustration of the hotel appears as a corner card, sent to
Albert K. Smiley at Friends School in Providence, Rhode Island, where he guest taught.
Pencil notations on the cover indicate how many more envelopes and letter paper they
needed to order. The reverse of some covers also had an illustration.
Advertising Mohonk — Continued from Page 14
Shunning overt advertising, Albert Smiley and his descendants exercised their networks of
association. Their main ally was the US Post Office Department and their main tool was a per-
sonalized response to all queries — typed on letterhead illustrating the Mountain House. The
stationery was also supplied to guests, who became advertising agents whenever they used it.
The Mountain House was originally open for the summer season only. In the winter,
the Smiley brothers both lived in Redlands, California. At Christmas, Albert sent crates of
oranges from his orchard to guests of long standing — a generous gift that doubled as a
reminder to make summer reservations.
Continued on Page 18
Drumming Up Business
In a 1902 answer to an enquiry about rooms, left, Albert Smiley quotes prices ranging from
$35–66. In 1917 his nephew, Daniel Smiley seeks to attract a former guest. When the 1932
calendar was issued, most Americans were trying to eat and keep a roof over their heads.
16 / Stamp Insider • May / June 2014NATURE: BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES, FLOWERS
Please contact us for our list of:
Engraved Die Proofs, Imperfs & Deluxe Specialty Items
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P. O. Box 683 • Monroe, NY 10949-0035
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10 a.m.– 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 8
Carrier Circle Hotel
Thruway Exit 35
Future Show Schedule
September 14 & November 9
Contact Ed Bailey
P. O. Box 2338, Syracuse, NY 13220-2338 • 315-452-0593
May / June 2014• Stamp Insider / 17Mohonk Mountain House circa 1895–1910, left, and Cliff House in 1903.
Advertising Mohonk — Continued from Page 16
In 1903 a resort owner at Lake Placid recommended that Mohonk send a “handsome
little envelope calendar” with Christmas greetings. The Smileys agreed — introducing a
long series of envelope-size calendars that showed former guests what the hotel looked
like in winter. The guests voiced their appreciation. In 1912, a Mr. Woolsey of Jersey City
said the calendar was “very pretty, and like all the printed matter you get out each year,
it is a credit to the managers of good old Mohonk, and as a business man who believes in
advertising, I am satisfied it is also a paying proposition.”
The Mohonk Lake post office was established March 27, 1882, and in the first reporting
period postmaster Daniel Smiley earned $474.02. Mail service was extended to a Minnewas-
ka post office on August 8, 1882. In the first year, Alfred H. Smiley is recorded as receiving
payment both for this special mail service to Mohonk Lake ($284.40) and for the postmas-
tership at Minnewaska ($243.72). As special post offices, the two hotel postmasters could
share all the proceeds with the contract carrier. This meant that in that first year, the Smiley
Library of Congress images, Julia Dent Grant cover: Siegel Auctions
establishments had postal revenues of more than a thousand dollars — direct mail at work!
The Minnewaska post office changed its name to Lake Minnewaska on April 1, 1947,
and then closed October 26, 1957. Mohonk Lake post office closed November 30, 1957
to become a branch of the office at New Paltz. It is now a CPU — contract postal unit.
The post offices added to public awareness.
Postmarks are shown on page 19. Julia Dent
Grant’s used her presidential widow’s free
frank on a Mountain House envelope on Au-
gust 17, 1888. The letter was addressed to her
sister-in-law, Helen Louise Dent in care of her
brother Frederick Tracy Dent, using the hono-
rarium “Mes.” (madame) instead of “Mrs.”
The most ubiquitous form of direct mail
advertising was the annual Mohonk booklet that contained rates and descriptions of any new
Article Continued on Page 20
18 / Stamp Insider • May / June 2014Postmark History
The earliest design of the Mohonk Lake
handstamp on a letter sent October 5,
1883 (top left); letter to Paris and then
forwarded, August 13, 1888 (top right).;
cover containing an annual booklet, sent
with the 1902 letter on page 17 (above);
1912 machine cancel (above right); 1920
new design Lake machine cancel (right);
and 1956 machine cancel (lower right)
Minnewaska 1906 postcard (below)
was assessed one-cent postage due as
it was a double card. A 1948 postcard
(below right) shows the new Lake Min-
newaska postmark.
May / June 2014• Stamp Insider / 19Notable Guests
In addition to Julia Dent Grant, other notable guests included, clockwise, industrialists
Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller, naturalist John Burroughs, author Thomas
Mann, labor leader Samuel Gompers, and presidents Rutherford B. Hayes, Chester A.
Arthur, Theodore Roosevelt, and William Howard Taft.
Advertising Mohonk — Continued from Page 18
amenities, along with scenic views. Producing the annual booklet was a large expense and
printers vied for the job, but Mohonk remained true to the
Morrill Brothers in Fulton, New York. Each year, Mohonk
would mail the booklets to all former guests. The cover of
one issue is shown at the right.
Packets of the booklets were sent to travel bureaus, par-
ticularly in New York City. These businesses would have
preferred that Mohonk pay to advertise with them, but
they usually agreed to freely distribute the informational
booklets (as The New England Resorts and Travellers In-
formation Company and the Bertha Ruffner Hotel Bureau
indicated they would do in the first two decades of the
twentieth century). Other bureaus, such as Nast, waited
until their clients requested information about a hotel such
as Mohonk to solicit a booklet that would be sent directly to the client.
Touring companies like the very large Raymond & Whitcomb, who charged the clients
not the hotels, arranged bookings for guests to Mohonk. For instance, a 1909 party of Buf-
fums would pay Mohonk rates and a commission to Raymond & Whitcomb to reserve a room
and receive coupons for Mohonk, which would mail them to Boston for reimbursement. The
Continued on Page 22
20 / Stamp Insider • May / June 2014StampInsider2010 4/5/10 11:55 AM Page 1
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LOTS WILL CONSIST ONLY OF STAMPS, MINT OR USED SETS & SINGLES, NO MORE THAN
BLOCKS OF 4 OF AN ITEM. SOUVENIR SHEETS CAN BE INCLUDED IF YOU DESIRE.
ALL STAMPS ARE SCOTT LISTED & IDENTIFIED. EACH LOT WILL CONTAIN A SUPER
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ALL ORDERS-ADD $10.00 SHIPPING & HANDLING.
432 West 54th St., New York, NY 10019
Tel: (212) 489-8130 ~ Fax: (212) 581-8130
E-Mail: championstamp@aol.com
STORE HOURS: Monday-Friday 10AM-4PM
2010
& Thursday 10AM-7PM
shop online at: www.championstamp.comAdvertising Mohonk — Continued from Page 20
transaction was like the post office money order system. Per-
sonally conducted tours sponsored by the Home Journal could
not actually do business with Mohonk because of its no adver-
tising stance, but still handed out the booklets, observing that
this was onerous work for no remuneration. Their suggestion
of a $25 donation that other hotels had made fell on deaf ears.
Several magazines and newspapers had associated travel
bureaus, and asked Mohonk to have booklets sent to specific
people. Some, such as the Philadelphia Record in 1904, request-
ed that they at least get credit in Mohonk’s response. Maga-
zines aimed specifically at the hotel trade, such as Chicago’s The
Hotel World, often approached Mohonk for advertising — to
no avail. However, when a laudatory article appeared, such as
one by John Willy in Hotel Monthly in 1923, Mohonk reprinted
it as a special booklet and sent it to repeat guests.
Travel publishers included information from Mohonk’s
annual booklet in their literature. In 1908, both Ketchum’s
America’s Famous Resorts and Thomas Cook’s Travellers Gazette
borrowed illustrations from Mohonk. As long as Mohonk
agreed to display copies in their parlor, the advertising was
gratis. Mohonk also agreed to sell Ketchum’s album in its gift Inside Query
shop. Part of their acceptance came from the association with A New York City postal
other hotels listed. Guests would plan their summers to go employee wrote on June
from one hotel to the next. The Smileys made personal friends 10, 1898, to enquire about
among the proprietors on reciprocal visits. rooms. He had seen the
address on a letter “pay-
In 1903 the publisher of an Art Souvenir of the Wallkill
ing Postage Due Bill 879.”
Valley, which abutted Smiley lands to the west, approached The docketed reply: “Gave
Mohonk about including illustrations. Mohonk provided lowest terms &c. To advise.
him with cuts that also appeared in its booklet. Less ar- Sent circ. and time-table.”
tistic, perhaps, but with wide distribution,
was a pamphlet distributed by one of the
railroads that served Mohonk, the New
York Central & Hudson River that included
an illustrated description of Mohonk. The
New Paltz, Highland and Poughkeepsie
Traction Co., operating a trolley across the
across the Hudson, and the New York, On-
tario & Western Railroad — both of which
Timetable
served Mohonk — helped spread the word.
This 1931 monthly railway timetable was
It was a good reciprocal arrangement: designed to be included in a number six
Continued on Page 24 envelope in replies to guests.
22 / Stamp Insider • May / June 2014Saratoga County’s Most Interesting
Collectibles Headquarters
Azusa Stamps and Collectibles
Visit us at:
258 Ushers Road
Suite 203
Clifton Park, NY
azusacollectibles@yahoo.com
• Qualified estate appraiser Store Hours
• Philatelics Thursday & Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (please call first)
• Vintag Comic books
Additional Hours by Appointment
• Non-Sports cards
*Want Lists Filled
• Paper ephemera
*U. S. Mint and Used Stamps,
• 30+ years experience and First Day Covers, Plate Blocks,
store ownership on Long Booklets and Booklet Panes,
Island and in Round Lake Back-of-Book, Possessions
• Insurance appraisals and Trust Territories
*Canada and Provinces
• Dealer Member American
*Israel mint tabs *Vatican mint
Philatelic Society (#94747)
*United Nations
28 years
Also a Selection of:
• Member Ephemera Society Great Britain, including Channel Islands
• Member Long Island British Colonies
Postcard Club France and Colonies
• Comic book seminars and Germany and Colonies
appearance on TV’s Other European
Asia, Central and South America
Antiques Show and Sell
Program Full line of stamp and cover supplies
• Show promotions and Visit us at our new office / gallery
appearances for all your philatelic needs.
Between Ballston Spa National Bank
and Feretti’s Restaurant at Ushers Road
and Route 9, about half a mile east
of Northway Exit 10
AZUSAAdvertising Mohonk — Continued from Page 22
Mohonk would suggest the best transportation method and supply timetables to guests
and the railroads would distribute Mohonk’s literature to potential guests.
Mohonk issued its first postcards with views of the hotel in 1903. These were colorized
photographs arranged for by Taber-Prang in New York City and printed in Germany. The
next were printed in 1906 (right) by Morrill,
which did not specialize in postcards. For
1908, black and white photographic views
printed in Germany were published by Bar-
ton & Spooner of Cornwall-on-Hudson. Sub-
sequent accordion views by Curt-Teich of
Chicago, were published by a souvenir com-
pany in Kingston. Each of these advertised
Mohonk to a wide audience.
Mohonk also provided souvenir menus for guests. The first in 1880 was simple but elegant-
ly printed on heavy card by Charles Mead of Goshen, who also printed the local newspaper.
Later styles used a decorative blank produced by Morrill that was overprinted in house.
Tradesmen and professionals who worked at Mohonk used images of the resort in
their own promotions — a good example of networked advertising. In 1908 a Cobleskill
agricultural firm that had built additions to the barns used a photograph in its trade cata-
logue. McKinney Iron of Albany, which supplied structural steel for the 1900 and 1901
fireproof buildings,– did the same in its 1912 catalogue.
The Mohonk Conferences had a big influ-
ence on the numbers and makeup of the guest
list. At the beginning and end of the summer
season, the Smileys invited participants who
were housed for free. The remainder of the
rooms were always filled by a dedicated audi-
ence. From 1883 to 1917, the Lake Mohonk
Conference of Friends of the Indian met each
October to help the Board of Indian Commis-
sioners decide on policy. From 1895 to 1917
the Lake Mohonk Conference on International
Arbitration met each May to further the cause To Samuel Gompers
of Peace. Annual and other reports from these A letter for the Lake Mohonk Conference
conferences were widely distributed by mail. on International Arbitration sent from
In the beginning, entertainment for guests New Paltz on January 24, 1903, presum-
was provided by the guests themselves. To a ably invited Samuel Gompers to the con-
ference which would be in May.
certain extent, this policy continues in that
performers of many persuasions are invited as guests to provide particular programming — a
barter system that, in itself, expanded and strengthened the Mohonk network of association. ◾
24 / Stamp Insider • May / June 2014ASDA Northern California
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ASDA, P. O. Box 692, Leesport, Pennsylvania 19533Into the Jaws of Death
Remembering the Longest Day
By Alvin O. Sabo
J une 6, 2014, will mark the seventieth anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of
France which occurred at Normandy. This was the largest amphibious invasion in
the history of mankind and it was a combined operation of the United States, Great
Britain, and Canada.
Since 1942 Joseph Stalin had pressured the Western allies to open up a second front
to relieve the Russian forces of the terrible onslaught of the Nazis against them. British
Prime Minister Winston Churchill was reluctant to invade France, probably because of
the bloody nose the British got at Dunkirk, Norway, and Greece, and because of the al-
most total chaos of the amphibious operation at Anzio in Italy.
By 1944 the Germans were clearly losing the war. They had already suffered terrible
losses at Stalingrad and elsewhere on the Eastern front and were being pressured by Russian
forces driving westward. Just as the Germans had shown no mercy to both Russian soldiers
Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York
and civilians, they were now being paid back in kind by powerful forces of the USSR.
In addition, the Allied bombing program inflicted terrible destruction on German
cities. In response, Adolph Hitler diverted 80mm guns, primarily used as antitank
weapons, to be used for antiaircraft weapons to protect German civilians. In addition,
to protect German cities, Hitler also diverted aircraft which had formerly been used on
the battlefield.
In their bombing raids, the western Allies proceeded to accept significant air lossses
to deplete the German air force of strength to the point where on D-Day the Allies
had virtually complete air superiority over the Germans. Despite a weakened Germany
there were still about sixty German divisions in Western Europe under a very compe-
tent general, Gerd von Rundstedt.
Continued on Page 28
26 / Stamp Insider • May / June 2014Vatican City
Mint Year Sets
2012 $82.52
2011 $102.60
2010 $81.35
2009 $92.43
Postal History Documents, 2008 $79.66
Ephemera & Covers 2007 $74.30
Box 477, West Sand Lake Please add 3% postage and shipping:
NY 12196, 518-674-2979 minimum 75 cents, maximum $5.65
FREE price list.
agatherin@yahoo.com
PLEASE JOIN the Penny Black Stamp Company
P. O. BOX 78 Dexter, MI 48130-0078
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ambermanpostal@aol.com
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May / June 2014• Stamp Insider / 27The Allies
Churchill was reluctant to invade Europe, although Stalin had been urging the Allies
to open a second front. President Roosevelt, and Generals Eisenhower and Marshall
finally prevailed in drafting an invasion plan that Churchill could not refuse.
Longest Day — Continued from Page 26
Eventually President Franklin D. Roosevelt, General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Gen-
eral George C. Marshall prevailed and matters proceeded to the point where Churchill
and his staff could no longer object to a European invasion.
Initially a decision had to be made about where on the coast of France the invasion
would take place. The most logical choice was at Calais which would have the shortest sea
distance between Great Britain and France and would offer a direct route through France.
This was also obvious to the Germans who greatly fortified the defenses at Calais. For this
reason, a decision was made to invade at Normandy and to attempt to fool the Germans
into thinking that the invasion was to take place at Calais.
To do this General George Patton, who
had gotten himself in trouble in Italy for
striking an enlisted man, was sent to Do-
ver across from Calais to rule over a make
believe army. Wooden tanks and fake bar-
racks were constructed and constantly
moved. Fake radio traffic was generated
in enormous quantity and Patton was fre-
quently displayed in the area.
The Germans correctly considered Pat-
ton to be our best fighting general and it
No Tanks To the Nazis
was inconceivable to them that he could
get into trouble for hitting an enlisted man. The fakeout invasion force at Dover included
inflatable tanks for the ghost tank corps.
They consequently assumed that the Allies
were fabricating a story to convince them that the real invasion would not involve Patton
and would not take place at Calais.
The invasion took on great importance for both the Germans and the Allies. From
the German perspective, if they could repel an invasion, they could shift divisions from
Continued on Page 30
28 / Stamp Insider • May / June 2014. P. H .
.S EMPIRE STATE
S
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F O UN D ED POSTAL HISTORY
1
9 6 7
SOCIETY
STAMPS ◆ COVERS ◆ POSTCARDS ◆ CLASSIC SPORTS CARDS
George McGowan’s
NASSAU STREET STAMPS & COLLECTIBLES
Time to visit us
and see what’s new!
Extensive Offerings of …
New York State & New England Postal History
RFD Covers – RPO Covers – Naval Covers – Doane Cancels
Topical Covers – Canal Zone Covers and Cards
Location
Visit us in Room 9
of the Wood Realty / Otterbeck Builders Building
4151 US20, Schodack, NY
(½ mile east of the junction of Routes 9 & 20)
Store Hours
Albany 4 Troy Tuesday noon–5 p.m.
Rt.
Thursday noon–7 p.m.
Friday noon–5 p.m.
And by appointment.
Rts. 9 I-90
& 20 Call ahead to be sure we are open.
Exit 11
Mailing Address
✪
Route 20
To Pittsfield
P. O. Box 482
East Schodack, NY 12063-0482
Route 9 geolotus2003@nycap.rr.com
To Hudson (518) 479-4396 or 573-5457Longest Day — Continued from Page 28
Europe to the Eastern front. From the Allies’ perspective, a defeat would be devastating to
morale in both the US and Europe and would severely prolong a quick ending to the war in
Europe. In response to its importance to Hitler, General Edwin Rommel, the Desert Fox, was
dispatched to fortify the coast and defeat any invasion. He decided to concentrate on repelling
any landing effort and proceeded to build bunkers, plant mines, and place obstacles in the
water and on the beaches to impede both boats and men, and to place forces at critical points.
The Allied invasion was codenamed
Overlord and plans were made to invade
with six divisions along a thirty mile front
constituting five different beaches. British
and Canadian forces were at Sword, Juno,
and Gold beaches on the left and American
forces were at Utah and Omaha beaches
on the right. The invasion was planned for
June 5; Unfortunately the weather did not
coöperate. On June 4, the men were loaded
into boats and the Navy ships were readied, but because of the weather, men and ships
were pulled back. Then the Army weathermen made a fateful and gutsy prediction that
the weather would clear enough on June 6 to start the invasion, after which Dwight Eisen-
hower made the fateful decision to proceed.
The invasion started on June 5 with an airborne and glider drop behind German lines
which greatly confused the Germans. Then on June 6 a massive bombardment of the
shore by Navy vessels occurred which lasted for hours. The defenders looking out at the
ocean saw more ships together than they had ever seen in their lives. There were over
5,000 ships carrying about 150,000 men and 1,500 tanks that were utilized in the first
wave landing. The intensity of the fighting varied from beach to beach with some quite
Continued on Page 32
Letters Home
When these letters were posted, the mass invasion was underway. APO 520 (left) was in
Foggia, Italy. APO 557 was from Brampton Grange in Cambridgeshire, England. The build-
ing was vital to the planning and bombing of Germany as the 1st Bombardment Division,
part of the Eighth Air Force, was based there from 1943 to 1945.
30 / Stamp Insider • May / June 2014BA1404 4.5 x 7.5 Top Market Value_BA640 4.5 x 7.5 Super Booth 4/15/13 7:09 AM Page 1
Mystic Pays Top Market Value
for Great Stamp Collections
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and the resources to give you today’s high market prices. We’ll make
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• Rare/High-quality U.S. and foreign stamps • Entire dealer stocks, store inventory, show
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BA1404 StampBuyer@MysticStamp.comLongest Day — Continued from Page 30
easy to attack and others, such as Omaha, being quite difficult. Obviously the Germans knew
something was occurring at Normandy and Hitler was approached to transfer several divisions
and tank reserves from Calais to Normandy. However, he and some of his advisors still believed
the invasion at Normandy was a feint and that the real invasion still would occur at Calais.
In any case, a beachhead was established and subsequent waves of men and matériel
poured into France. By D-Day plus five, 326,547 troops landed along with 54,186 vehicles
and 104,428 tons of supplies and by July 4, more than a million men had landed. It took
almost two months of hard fighting to effect a breakout from Normandy.
It should have been obvious to Hitler and his generals before the invasion that the war
was lost. After the invasion, with the need to fight on two fronts along with a constant
pounding from the air, Hitler had to be delusional not to know the Nazis had been defeated.
Nonetheless there were eleven more months of intense fighting, casualties, and deaths be-
fore the war in Europe finally ended. The invasion was a success and not to be callous about
it, but at a cost of 3,000 Allied deaths, it was a small price to pay. The French paid more
dearly. Between deaths resulting from the bombing leading up to the invasion and casual-
ties resulting from the actual fighting, the French lost about 20,000 civilians.
D-day provides an interesting area of collecting for those interested in history. One of them
is a colorful cover by Army Capt. Frank Teixeira which is part of a coveted series involving vari-
ous events of the War which generally sells from $20 to $25. The others merely commemorate
D-Day and should cost around $6–12. World War II covers in general are not only interesting
and artistically pleasing, but also provide a window to one of the most cataclysmic events in
human history. They generally range in price from $3 to $20 and there are also hand painted
and hand drawn covers by artists like Dorothy Knapp and others that can cost as much as $500
or more. It is a rewarding area that will provide pleasure and education as well. ◾
32 / Stamp Insider • May / June 2014Selling your collection or massive accumulation?
John L. Leszak Makes House Calls
When it’s time to sell your surplus stamps, covers, postcards or other
philatelic junk & accumulations, call John L. Leszak. With 35 years experi-
ence as a full-time dealer John L. Leszak is worthy & well-qualified and has the
connections to find a home for your unwanted material. That’s why his business
name is The Cover Connection. (Yes, he buys stamps too!) Over the years John
has purchased entire rooms, truck loads, and dealer inventories to fulfill the
needs of his customers. John will buy it all, including the good, the bad, and the
ugly, and he won’t “cherry pick” your stuff and leave you with the pits.
John wants to hear from serious sellers, and he’s willing to make house calls
when he maps out his next buying trip. You might have just a box-load to sell, and
you can obtain an authorization number & arrange to mail a box to John for an
offer. Please do not send anything without prior authorization. Lots sent without
an authorization number will be refused.
Sell to someone with the experience, know-how, and the connections.
Call TOLL FREE 1-877-COVER10 (1-877-268-3710)
to discuss your material and potential sale
JOHN L. LESZAK
Philatelist since 1963 … Full Time Dealer Since 1975
Stamps, Covers, Postcards Bought & Sold, Estates Appraised
Member: American Stamp Dealers Association, American Philatelic Society
American First Day Cover Society (Life), Universal Ship Cancellation Society
UPSTATE’S LEADING
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May / June 2014• Stamp Insider / 33You can also read
