CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA

The Confederate Stamp Alliance (CSA) is our national philatelic organization for all those who are sincerely interested in Confederate Philately. 9 NOV 2008 -- The Alliance now numbers 630 members across the USA and in quite a number of foreign countries as well. Some of the advantages to being a member are:

1. All members receive the quarterly journal (The Confederate Philatelist).
   -- 9 NOV 2008 --The current October - December 2008 issue contains the following articles:
   • "President's Prerogative" by Patricia A. Kaufmann.
   • "A General Lee Cover Emerges" by James L. D. Monroe.
   • "CSA Overprints on United States Stamps" by Justin Poklis.
   • "An Archer & Daly Imprint on a Keatinge & Ball Printing -- A Major New Discovery" by Randy Neil and Patricia A. Kaufmann.
   • "Exhibitors Forum" by Randy Neil.
   • "Gems of Confederate Philately" by The Editors.
   • "Gen Ron R. Tate 1944-2008" by Roger Oswald.
   • "CSA Marine POW Cover from New Orleans Prison" by Galen Harrison (Click the title if you wish to read the article.)
   • "The Joseph Parry Correspondence / Salisbury Prison" by Lawrence Lohr.
   • "Diamond Anniversary Endowmenr Report" by Peter W. W. Powell and James L. D. Monroe.
   • News of the Alliance.
   • "The Back Page" by Col Randy Neil, Editor.
   • Click Confederate Philatelist Archives if you wish to review and read previous articles that have been posted here.

2. Access to an Authentication Service for CSA stamps and covers. The authentication service is also available to non-members, but the fees are higher. For more information about the CSA Authentication Service (opens in a new window) please visit the Service's separate website.

3. Annual Confederate Convention and Exhibition sponsored by the Confederate Stamp Alliance and held at various shows across the country. The next Confederate Stamp Alliance Convention is scheduled for the FLOREX 2009 show in Orlando, Fla 4-6 DEC 2009. Convention Reports and Photos chronicle the CSA Conventions from 1999 to the present including a report and photos of the JUL 2008 Charlotte NC convention and details concerning the upcoming Orlando, Fla convention when available.

4. In addition to the annual Convention, the Alliance sponsors another weekend meeting for Confederate Philatelists at various locations throughout the country and usually midway between the annual conventions. The next Mid-Year Gathering will be held in Charleston SC 14-16 NOV 2008. Details on the upcoming Mid-Year meetings (updated 5/10/2008) as well as reports and photos of prior Gatherings can be found on the CSA Mid-Year Gathering page.

5. Confederate Stamp Alliance members receive an automatic 10% discount from my Confederate Stamps and Postal History Net Price Lists.

Confederate States Catalog and Handbook -- In October 2006, the Confederate Stamp Alliance announced acquisition of the rights to the New Dietz Confederate States Catalog and Handbook last published in 1986. The 21st Century edition of the Confederate States Catalog and Handbook is long overdue and will no doubt be in much demand by collectors, serious students and dealers. The new catalog will take advantage of all the marvelous changes in technology that have occurred in the past two decades including the strong likelihood of a full color catalog. The publication goal is 2010 in an attempt to coincide with the 75th Anniversary of the Confederate Stamp Alliance. The Alliance 75th Anniversary celebration will be held in Richmond, Virginia, in conjunction with the APS StampShow in August 2010. More information about the project can be found on the Confederate States Catalog and Handbook Website (opens in a new window).

If you are an active CSA Collector, the Confederate Philatelist and the above described discount from my net-price lists are well worth the annual dues. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Confederate Stamp Alliance, just access the CSA Membership Application (opens in a new window) and print it out. The directions for filling out the form and mailing it are self-explanatory.

To learn more about the Confederate Stamp Alliance (CSA) and review the history and services of the Alliance as well as the latest official newsletter among other features, please visit the official Home Page of the CSA using the link below (opens in a new window). As of July 2004, the Confederate Stamp Alliance Website has been redesigned and placed under new managment. I am no longer involved with the design and updating of the Official Alliance Home Page which I first put online in 1999. Some elements and write-ups of my original Alliance Website were incorporated into the new site by the designers. Also, my original write-ups and photos from the prior conventions and gatherings can all be found on the new "Convention" and "Gathering" pages above which are now part of this website. These have also been incorporated with a different design into the new official Alliance website. (JLK)

The separate Confederate Stamp Alliance Unofficial Bulletin page operated by myself and Gen Conrad L. Bush CSA has been discontinued. But the CSA Unofficial Bulletin remains very active in the way of periodic E-mail announcements. Any CSA member who would like to receive the CSA Unofficial Bulletin by E-mail, please contact Gen Conrad L. Bush CSA (clbcsa@cox.net) to be placed on the Unofficial Bulletin E-Mail List. This is a must for the CSA Members who really want to keep up with current CSA activities and news as we strive to present the latest CSA news as soon as possible to the members on the E-Mail list. Access the CSA Unofficial Bulletin Archives if you wish to review prior notices beginning with the July 2004 Bulletin -- 22 MAY 2007.

At the Washington DC 2006 International Show held 27 MAY - 3 JUN 2006, I had the privilege of having on display at my booth the original 2c Altered Printing Plate constructed for the Confederacy by De La Rue and Company in London, England in 1862. The plate was shipped to the CSA by De La Rue but never made it to Richmond and simply disappeared until August Dietz Sr was able to locate it and secure ownership in 1926. The plate was on loan for the show courtesy of CSA Member Colonel Bruce Engsler of Charlottesville, Virginia who is the current owner (only the third owner since 1926). The plate can be seen in the left foreground in the picture below with a closeup following.

A surprise visitor to the show is seen in the photo above. Holding the plate is August Dietz IV, Great Grandson of August Dietz Sr (1869-1963) who is known to all CSA collectors as the Father of Confederate philately. August Dietz Sr was a founder of the Confederate Stamp Alliance in 1935 and its first president. Mr. Dietz IV (known as Andy) was very kind to share with us at the booth family memories of his great-grandfather. He remembered the plate although he admitted that he had not seen the plate since he was eight years old. Another interesting fact is that Mr. Dietz IV is still in possession of the original Washington Flat Bed Press used in Richmond to print the CSA stamps. August Dietz Sr obtained that press many years ago, and it is still in the family's possession today.

Click PHOTOS if you wish to see some additional pictures from the Washington 2006 Show.