11 FEB 2014 -- The 2014 CONFEDERATE STAMP ALLIANCE Convention was held 7 - 9 FEB 2014 in Sarasota, Florida in conjunction with the Sarasota National Stamp Exhibition. Click PHOTOS to see some pictures from the convention.  The 69th Southern Supper was held Friday 7 MAR 2014 with about 35 members and guests in attendance and with President Richard Murphy presiding. Thanks go to the convention hosts, Lee Ann Wrisley and Deane R. Briggs MD, for planning and coordinating the convention. Various CSA dealers in attendance: Phil Warman, John Kimbrough, Stanley Piller, Patricia A. Kaufmann, James Taff, Tony Crumbley, Jerry Palazolo.

The following awards were presented:

• The CSA Trophy was not presented this year.
• The Haydn-Myer Award for Service was presented to Randy L. Neil.
• The August Dietz Award was presented to Richard L. Calhoun for his monograph The Confederate Postmaster Provisionals of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
• The CP Writer's Award was presented to Harry G. Brittain for his series of articles "Forensic Studies of Stamps Issued by the Confederate States of America."

CSA members exhibiting at the convention received the following awards:

• "Florida Confederate Postal History" -- Deane R. Briggs MD -- CSA Trustree's Research Trophy, PHS Medal, MPHS Medal, USPCS Medal, APS Gold Medal and Grand Award.
• "Independent State and Confederate Mail of West Virginia 1861-1865" -- Wayne Farley -- CSA Robert A. Siegel Memorial Award, APS Gold Medal.
• "The Confederate States of America Postal Intiative" (One Frame) -- Daniel Knowles -- CSA President's Trophy, APS Gold Medal..
• "Patriotic Covers Used Within and From the Confederate States 1861-1865" -- John H. Walker -- CSA General's Award, APS Vermeil Medal.
• "US Naval Mission to Brazil Cancels 1922-1977" (non-Confederate) (One Frame) -- Thomas Richards -- APS Vermeil Medal.

Thanks to Scott Trepel President of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc for sponsoring the entire bar at the Southern Supper.

Thanks to convention host Lee Ann Wrisley for organizing a tour of the Gamble Mansion located not far from Sarasota.

Excellent presentations on Confederate related topics:

• Deane R. Briggs MD -- "The Bryant-Stephens Confederate Correspondence."
• Deane R. Briggs MD -- "Jacksonville During the Civil War."

CSA Generals in Attendance -- Gen Conrad Bush, Gen Frank Crown, Gen Jerry Palazolo, Gen Trish Kaufmann, Gen James Monroe, Gen John Kimbrough, Gen Peter Powell, Gen Tony Crumbley.

The Annual General Membership Business Meeting was held Saturday 8 FEB 2014 with President Richard Murphy presiding. The Alliance is strong financially. Sites of future meetings and conventions were announced with details to follow as they become available. The full report of the General Membership Meeting will appear in the next issue of the Confederate Philatelist in accordance with the By-Laws.