CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA

In addition to the Annual Convention, the CONFEDERATE STAMP ALLIANCE sponsors a Confederate Philatelic weekend usually held midway between the conventions. The CSA Mid-Year Gathering is an excellent opportunity to bring with you portions of your collection to share with other Confederate Collectors. It is also an excellent opportunity to share information and to obtain answers to your questions as many very knowledgeable collectors do attend.

22 MAY 2007 -- During the weekend of 18-20 MAY 2007, the Confederate Stamp Alliance met in Memphis, Tennessee for the annual Mid-Year Gathering. Approximately 60+ Confederate Stamp Alliance Members and Guests gathered together for the traditional annual Confederate Philatelic Weekend. Jerry and Sandra Palazolo, the host and hostess, put together a truly magnificent event,

• A very active trading room composed of nine major dealers in CSA material
• Formal presentations and updates on the progress of the new CSA Catalog
• The traditional CSA Hospitality Room
• A wonderful evening cocktail party at the Palazolo home on Friday evening
• A fabulous dinner Saturday night at historic Howard Hall

Formal Presentations included --

• "Army Mail of the Army of Northern Virginia" by Stefan Jaronski
• Several presentations concerning details of the work in progress on the new CSA Catalog which is projected to be ready in 2010 conducted by the the major editors -- Trish Kaufmann, Frank Crown, and Jerry Palazolo

Much absolutely superb material was on display for all the attendees to see, examine and appreciate. Schuyler Rumsey announced a major auction of CSA material in the Fall and brought much of the material to be offered for the members to review.

CSA Generals in attendance were Gen Conrad L. Bush, Gen Jerry Palazolo, Gen Patricia Kaufmann, Gen Roger Oswald, Gen Ron Tate, Gen Rick Calhoun, Gen Tony Crumbley, Gen Frank Crown, Gen Peter Powell, Gen Stefan Jaronski, and Gen John Kimbrough.

Many thanks go to the following dealers in attendance who helped to underwrite the cost of the event by sponsoring dealer's tables in the trading room -- John Kimbrough, Stanley Piller, James Taff, Roger Oswald, Tony Crumbley, Vicar Warman, Labron Harris, Joel Rind, Trish Kaufmann. In addition, thanks go to John Kimbrough and Stanley Piller for sponsoring the Hospitality Room and Schuyler Rumsey of Schuyler Rumsey Auctions for sponsoring the dinner wine at the Saturday banquet.

Click HERE if you wish to see some photos from the Memphis, Ten 2007 Gathering. (Warning: there are 16 photos to load which is best done with a high speed DSL, cable, or other broadband connection. It might be a little slow with a dialup connection.)

• The 2008 Mid-Year Meeting will be held in Charleston SC 14-16 NOV 2008 hosted by Gen Jim Monroe and Cols Rich Murphy and Larry Baum.
• The site of the meeting will be the Holiday Inn at Patriot's Point in Mt Pleasant SC. A special room rate (single or double) of $119.00 for Friday and Saturday nights and $89.00 for all other nights has been negotiated. Reservations can be made by calling 843-884-6000 or 800-290-4004. Be sure and mention the Confederate Stamp Alliance meeting for the special rates. Please make all reservations prior to 10/13/2008.
• The Mid-Year Southern Supper will be Saturday evening 11/15/2008. There will be a variety of food items with no menu to choose from. Cost is $50.00 per person attending. Send your check made out to the "CSA" to Col Larry Baum, 316 West Calhoun Street, Sumter SC 29150.
• Major CSA dealers will be in attendance (including myself - JLK) plus there will be two seminars held on Saturday on topics to be announced.
• Plan to come as this is sure to be a popular and well attended meeting. Make a vacation of it and stay as long as you like at the hotel at the special meeting rates.