CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA

The CONFEDERATE STAMP ALLIANCE sponsors an annual CSA Philatelic Convention and Exhibition held at various WSP Shows across the country. The CONFEDERATE STAMP ALLIANCE Convention and Exhibition is the major annual gathering of Confederate collectors and features spectacular exhibits of Confederate stamps and covers. The famous Southern Supper is a major philatelic event. Each year at the Southern Supper, the Confederate Stamp Alliance Awards are presented. These consist of the Haydn Myer Award (service to the Alliance), the CP Writers Award (best article in the Confederate Philatelist since the last convention), and the August Dietz Award (research and writing since the last convention). Click the award name to review a listing of past recipients. In addition to these three awards, the exhibitors at the convention are recognized with a series of various exhibiting awards the most prestigious being the CSA Trophy for the best Confederate Exhibit. The awards presentations are always a highlight of the Southern Supper.

The original inscribed plaque of the Haydn Meyer Award is on display at the APRL (American Philatelic Research Library) in the APS Match Factory Headquarters at Bellefonte, Pa. The archives of the Alliance were moved to the APRL in 2002 and are available for research and study.

5 FEB 2018 -- The 2019 CONFEDERATE STAMP ALLIANCE Convention was held 1-3 FEB 2019 in Sarasota, Florida in conjunction with the Sarasota National Stamp Exhibition 2017. Click PHOTOS to see some pictures from the convention.  The 74th Southern Supper was held Friday 2 FEB 2019 at the Indigo Hotel with 25 members and guests in attendance and with President Deane R. Briggs MD presiding. Thanks go to the convention hosts, Tom and Sandy Lera, for planning and coordinating the convention.

The following awards were presented:

• The CSA Trophy was presented to Daniel Knowles. 
• The Haydn-Myer Award for Service was presented to Robert Rufenacht for his continued service on the CSA website.
• The August Dietz Award was presented to Deane R. Briggs MD for his book Florida Postal History During the Civil War.
• The CP Writers Award was presented to Steven M. Roth and John L. Kimbrough MD for their article "Stampless Provisional Covers Having Charge Box or Similar Notations" in the 2nd Quarter 2018 Confederate Philatelist. 

CSA Members exhibiting at the convention received the following awards:

• "The Development of the Confederate States of America (CSA) Postal Services" -- Daniel M. Knowles -- CSA Trophy, APS Large Gold Medal, American Philatelic congress Award, Postal History Society Award., United States Philatelic Classics Society Award, Collector's Club of New York Award of Merit.
• "A Twofold Study of West Virginia Postal History: The Civil War and Statehood" -- Wayne Farley -- CSA General's Award, APS Gold Medal, Collector's Club of New York Award of Merit.
  
• "Confederate Advertising Covers" -- Larry Baum -- CSA Trustee's Research Trophy, APS Vermeil Medal.
  
• "Arkansas 1861-1865: A Divided Postal System" -- Bruce Roberts -- CSA General's Award, APS Gold Medal.
• "1861 United States Post Office Operating in the Seceded States" (one frame) -- Jerry Wells -- CSA William G. Bogg Memorial Award, APS Vermeil Medal.
• "New Orleans in the Confederate Mail System" (one frame) -- Doug Weisz -- CSA President's Trophy, APS Large Gold Medal, Court of Honor.
• "Confederae States 2c Rates and Fees" (one frame) -- Clifford Alexander -- CSA Conrad L. Bush Memorial Award, APS Gold Medal.
• "Edged in Black - Mourning Covers in the Confederacy" -- Paul Bearer (David Savadge Evil Twin) -- CSA Robert A. Siegel Memorial Award, APS Large Vermeil Medal.

Our thanks to Tom Lera, John Walker, and Rodney Kelley for judging the Confederate exhibits for the CSA awards.

A special appreciation award was presented to Sandy Lera by President Deane Briggs for her support of the Alliance and for acting as a co-host for the convention.

Patricia A. Kaufmann was awarded an APS Large Gold Medal and the Literature Reserve Grand Award for her article "Civil War Prize Court Mail: Profit and Bounty on the High Seas Led to Philatelic Treasures" in the April 2018 issue of The American Philatelist.

Presentations given by CSA members --

• "Florida Civil War Railroads" -- Deane R. Briggs MD

CSA Generals in Attendance  -- Gen John Kimbrough MD, Gen Rich Murphy, Gen Larry Baum, and newly promoted Gen Harvey Teal.

The Annual General Membership Business Meeting was held Saturday 3 FEB 2019 with President Deane R. Briggs MD presiding. The Alliance is strong financially. Sites of future meetings and conventions were announced with details to follow as they become available. Harvey Teal was promoted to the honorary rank of General. It was announced that Wayne Youngblood will assume the editorship of The Confederate Philatelist beginning with the frst issue of 2019. In the Aunthentication Service report, it was announced that there will be a modest raise in the fee schedule in response to the recent increases in postal charges. The full report of the General Membership Meeting will appear in the next issue of The Confederate Philatelist in accordance with the By-Laws.

• The 2020 annual convention is planned for the NAPEX 2020 show at the McLean Hilton Hotel in Tyson's Corner, Va 5-7 JUN 2020. The local host is Randy Smith. More information later when available.