CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA

The CIVIL WAR PHILATELIC SOCIETY sponsors an annual CWPS Philatelic Convention and Exhibition held at various WSP Shows across the country. The CIVIL WAR PHILATELIC SOCIETY Convention and Exhibition is the major annual gathering of Confederate and Union collectors and features spectacular exhibits of Confederate and Union stamps and covers. The famous  CWPS Dinner (formally the Southern Supper) is a major philatelic event. Each year at the Society Dinner, the CWPS awards are presented. These consist of the Haydn Myer Award (service to the Society), the CP Writers Award (best article in the Civil War Philatelist (formerly 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 CWPS Trophy (formerly the CSA Trophy) for the best Civil War Exhibit. The awards presentations are always a highlight of the Society Dinner.

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 Confederate Stamp Alliance were moved to the APRL in 2002 and are available for research and study.

23 MAR 2025 -- The 2025 Civil War Philatelic Society Convention was held 14-16 MAR 2025 in Strongsville, Ohio (Cleveland), in conjunction with the Garfield-Perry Stamp Show 2025. Click PHOTOS to see some pictures from the convention. The Society CWPS Dinner was held Friday 14 MAR 2025 at the Rosewood Grill with 30 members and guests in attendance. CWPS President Daniel Knowles MD presiding. Thanks go to the convention local hosts, Wayne Farley and Dan Telep, who were responsible for coordinating the event.

The following awards were presented:

• The CWPS Trophy presented to John Lighthouse. 
• The Haydn Myer Award for Service was presented to Francis J. Crown, Jr.
• The August Dietz Award for Research and Publishing was presented to Kevin Dudley for his article "A Tale of Two Postmasters: The Winchester, Va., Post Office During the Civil War 1861-1864". Published in Vol. 69 No. 4 of the Civil War Philatelist (Fourth Quarter 2024.)  
• The CWP Writers Award was presented to Francis J. Crown, Jr. for his article "The Memphis Due Markings". Published in Vol. 69 No. 1 of the Civil War Philatelist (First Quarter 2024.)

• "West Virginia in the Confederacy" by Wayne Farley  -- CWPS William G. Bogg Memorial Award, APS Gold.
• "Confederate States of America: The Lithographed General Issues" by Leonard Hartmann -- CWPS Robert A. Siegel Memorial Award, APS Large Gold, APS Research Medal.
• "Civil War Washington as Seen Through the Drawings of Charles Magnus, Lithographer" by Randy Smith -- CWPS John W. Kaufmann Memorial Award, APS Gold, AAPE Creativity Award.
• "Civil War Postal History of the Virginia Peninsula" by Rick Calhoun -- CWPS Generals' Award, APS Gold.
• "Using the Documents of Commerce to Fund the Civil War 1862-1872" by John Lighthouse --  CWPS Trophy, APS Large Gold, APS Medal of Excellence pre-1900, USPCS Medal.
• "Mississippi 1861: Post Secession Use of US Postage" (one frame) by James Montich --  CWPS Conrad L. Bush Memorial Award (best one frame exhibt), CWPS President's Trophy (best exhibit by a first time exhibter), APS Gold, AAPE Novice Award.
• "Jean de Sperati Fake Stamps and Cancellations of the Confederate States of America Stamps" (one frame) by Leonard Hartman -- CWPS Trustees' Research Trophy, APS Gold.
• "Mary Pickford (America's Sweetheart" (not Civl War) by Thomas Richards. APS Vermeil.

Our thanks to Mike O'Reilley, Dan Telep, and Dan Knowles for judging the exhibits for the CWPS awards.

Presentations given by CWPS members --

• "The Springfield Facsimiles of Confederate Postage Stamps plus a brief TASCA History" -- Patricia A. Kaufmann.
• "How the Augusta GA Post Office Reopened Under Federal Control in 1864 and 1865" -- Francis J. Crown, Jr.
• "My Favorate Cover" -- Randy Smith
  

Generals in Attendance  -- Gen John Kimbrough MD,  Gen Jerry Palazolo, Gen Trish Kaufmann, Gen Stefan Jaronski, Gen Tony Crumbley, Gen Rick Calhoun, Gen Rex Felton.

The Annual General Membership Business Meeting was held Saturday morning 15 MAR 2024 with President Daniel Knowles MD presiding. The Society continues strong financially. Thomas Richards was in attendence and was congratulated for being a continuous member since 1953. The CWPS will have a presence with a society table at the Boston 2026 Internatioal. The 2025 convention was announced and will be held at the NAPEX Show in Tyson's Corner, Virginia, in late August 2025 with details to follow. A summary of the Trustee's Meeting and the General Membership meeting will be published in the next issue of the Civil War Philatelist in accordance with the By-Laws.

• The 2026 Convention is scheduled for the NAPEX 26 Show in Tyson's Corner, Virginia, 28-30 August 2026. Details on the CWPS Website when available.