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 Southern Supper (now the CWPS Dinner) 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 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.

26 JAN 2023 -- The 2023 Civil War Philatelic Society Convention was held 20-22 JAN 2023 in Sarasota, Florida, in conjunction with the Sarasota National Stamp Exhibition 2023. Click PHOTOS to see some pictures from the convention. The Society CWPS Dinner was held Friday 20 JAN 2023 at the Sarasota Indigo Hotel with 30 members and guests in attendance and with President Mike O'Reilly presiding. Thanks go to the convention hosts, Deane Briggs MD and Tom Lera, who planned and coordinated the entire event.

The following awards were presented:

• The CWPS Trophy was not presented. 
• The Haydn Myer Award for Service was presented posthumously to Larry Baum.
• The August Dietz Award was presented to Frank Crown for his research on Cushing's Express and the subsequent publication of his research (Edward Cushing: His Express and the Mail) in the 2022 American Philatelic Congress book.  
• The CWP Writers Award was presented to Patricia A. Kaufmann for her article A Cammann Imprint Discovery That Changed a Catalog Listing Plus Insights on Dr. James T. Paterson. (CWP 3rd Quarter 2022).

Exhibits and Awards:

• "The De La Rue Stamps for the Confederate States of America" by Leonard Hartmann -- CWPS Trustee's Research Trophy, APS Large Gold, APS Research Medal.
• "Florida Postal History 1821-1861 Stampless Cover Stories" (one frame not Civil War) by Richard Lomax -- APS Large Vermeil.
• "CSA #1 From Embattled Confederate Capitals" by Kenneth Miller -- CWPS Robert A. Siegel Memorial Award, APS Large Silver.
• "Coping with Adversity: Confederate Covers in a Time of Paper Shortages" by Randy Smith -- CWPS William G. Bogg Memorial Award, APS Large Vermeil.
• "Re-Federalization of Confederate Post Offices 1862-1869" by Dan Telep -- CWPS General's Award, APS Vermeil.
• "John M. G. Parker Union Army Postmaster 1862-1865" (one frame Ship Island) by Tom Lera -- CWPS Robert A. Siegel Memorial Award, APS Large Vermeil, APS One Frame Reserve Grand Award.
• "Flag Covers Rallied Southern Pride in a New Nation" by Randy Smith -- CWPS John W. Kaufmann Memorial Award, APS Large Gold, APS Medal of Excellence.
• "Civil War Postal History of Martinsburg, (West) Virginia" (one frame) by Wayne Farley -- CWPS Conrad L. Bush Memorial Award, APS Large Vermeil.
• "Tuscaloosa During the Civil War" (one frame) by Richard Lomax. CWPS President's Trophy, APS Vermeil.
  

Literature Exhibits and Awards:

• "State Revenue Stamps of Florida: An Introduction" by Richard Lomax from the Florida Postal History Journal. APS Silver-Bronze.
• "A Cammann Imprint Discovery That Changed a Catalog Listing Plus Insights on Dr. James T. Paterson" by Patricia A. Kaufmann from the Civil War Philatelist. APS Large Gold.

Our thanks to Deane Briggs, Dan Knowles, and Mike O'Reilly for judging the exhibits for the CWPS awards.

Presentations given by CWPS members --

• "Website Update" -- Mike O'Reilly and Frank Crown
• "Jacksonville During the Civil War" -- Deane Briggs MD

Generals in Attendance  -- Gen John Kimbrough MD, Gen Rich Murphy, Gen Frank Crown, Gen Tony Crumbley, Gen Stefan Jaronski, Gen John Walker, Gen Deane Briggs MD, Gen Jerry Palazolo

The Annual General Membership Business Meeting was held Saturday 21 JAN 2023 with President Mike O'Reilly presiding. The Society continues strong financially. Elections for new officers and trustees will be held at the end of the year, and a new membership chairman will need to be recruited. Membership is declining and has dropped below 500 for the first time in many years. This is a problem common to all philatelic organizations. 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 2024 Convention is scheduled for the St Louis Stamp Expo 22-24 MAR 2024. More details to follow when available,
• The 2025 Convention is tentatively planned for the Garfield-Perry March Party in Cleveland, Ohio,