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.

3 SEP 2026 -- The 2026 Civil War Philatelic Society Convention was held 28-30 AUG 2026 in Tysons Corner, Virginia, in conjunction with the NAPEX 2026 Stamp Show. Click PHOTOS to see some pictures from the convention. The Society CWPS Dinner was held Friday 28 AUG 2026 at the Wildfire Restaurant with 49 members and guests in attendance. CWPS President Daniel Knowles MD presiding. Thanks go to the local convention host, Randy Smith, who was responsible for coordinating the event.

The following awards were presented:

• The CWPS Trophy presented to Daniel Knowles MD. 
• The Haydn Myer Award for Service was not presented.
• The August Dietz Award for Research and Publishing was presented to Harry G. Brittain PhD, Steven Feller PhD, Patricia A. Kaufmann for their article "Forensic Proof that the 2c and 10c Charleston Provisional 'Essays' are Fakes" which appeared in the Third Quarter 2025 Issue of the Civil War Philatelist.
• The CWP Writers Award was presented to Stephen Milne for his article "The Dean Family and the Spartanburg Provisional" which appeared in the Fourth Quarter 2025  Issue of the Civil Wat Philatelist.

• "Handling American Domestic and International Mail 2860-2869: The Decade of Turmoil, Expansion and Resurgence" by Daniel m. Knowles MD  -- CWPS Trophy, CWPS William G. Bogg Memorial Award, APS Large Gold, NAPEX APS Grand Award
• "Using the Documents of Commerce to Fund the Civil War 1862-1872" by John Lighthouse -- CWPS Trustees' Research Trophy, APS Large Gold, American Philatelic Congress Award for Excellence for Exhibit Text, NAPEX Douglas K. Lehmann Award, 
• "Confederate Locals - The Postmasters' Provisionals of the Confederate States of America (1861-1864)" by Stephen Milne -- CWPS President's Trophy, CWPS John H. Reagan Confederate Postmaster General Award, APS Large Gold, AAPE Novice Award, APS Pre-1900 Medal of Excellence, USPCS Medal.
• "Circulars Mailed in the Southern States" by Randy Smith -- CWPS Generals Award, APS Gold.
• "United States Mail Srvice in the South after Secession - the 3c Single-Letter Rate" by Jerry Wells -- CWPS Generals Award, APS Gold.
  
• "Civil War Washington as Seen Through the Drawings of Charles Magnus, Lithographer" by Randy Smith -- CWPS Robert A. Siegel Memorial Award, APS Gold, AAPE Creativity Award, NSDA Most Popular Exhibit Award.
• "West Virginia Patriotic Uses During the Cvil War" by Wayne Farley -- CWPS John W. Kaufmann Memorial Award, APS Gold.
• "Mississippi 1861: Post Secession Use of US Postage" (one frame) by James Montich --  CWPS Conrad L. Bush Memorial Award (best one frame exhibt), APS Gold.
• "Listed Varieties of the Confederate States 5c Blue Typographed Stamps Printed in Richmond, Virginia" (one frame) by Dennis King -- CWPS Jack E. Molesworth Award, APS Large Vermeil.

CWPS Members with Exhibits that are not Civil War:

• "Wiley's Washington & Baltimore Short-Lived One Cent Despatch Post" by Cliff Alexander -- APS Large Gold, NAPEX APS One Frame Grand Award.

Our thanks to Mike O'Reilley, Jim Curtis, and Rodney Kelly for judging the exhibits for the CWPS awards.

Presentations given by CWPS members --

• "New Orleans Postmaster Provisionals" -- Mike O'Reilly.
• "Suspended Mail Service Across-the-Lines during the American Civil War" -- Daniel Knowles 
• "Some Glimpses into the Postal Service for the Army of the Northwest 1861-1862 (and a New Discovery! - Camp Allegheny, Va.) -- Stefan Jaronski to the Virginia Postal History Society
  

Generals in Attendance  -- Gen John Kimbrough MD,  Gen Jerry Palazolo, Gen Trish Kaufmann, Gen Stefan Jaronski, Gen Rick Calhoun, Gen Rich Murphy.

The Annual General Membership Business Meeting was held Saturday morning 29 AUG 2026 with President Daniel Knowles MD presiding. The Society continues strong financially. The 2026 convention was announced and will be held at the CHARPEX Show in Charlotte NC in late July 2026 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 2027 Convention is scheduled for the CHARPEX 27 Show in Charlotte NC in July 2027. CHARPEX is being planned as a two day Friday-Saturday show. Details on the CWPS Website when available.