Philatelic Society of Lancaster County

The James Buchanan Chapter #173 of the American Philatelic Society  
Chapter #118 of the American Topical Association  

AWARDS, RECOGNITIONS & HONORS

This page recognizes our Members and friends who have over the years received Awards and/or Honors for their dedication, commitment, authorship and leadership to the mission of the Philatelic Society of Lancaster County and philately in general.




And the Awards Are In!
2023-11-09… We are honored to report that the Philatelic Society of Lancaster County (PA) website; developed, designed and managed by President Charles J. DiComo, PhD; has been awarded a Large Gold and Grand Champion medal in the 2023 American Philatelic Society (APS) Star Route competition. Recently relaunched, this competition judges the various newsletters and websites of APS Chapters.

Since the mid-1800s, the Star Routes were the most challenging routes in the country to deliver U.S. mail. Congress called for contractors to deliver the mail with “celerity, certainty, and security,” soon replaced with three stars. Our chapters serve and grow the hobby in those same tough terrains with that same mission.

The Society website (lcps-stamps.org) is our virtual presence; where all can access current and past issues of our award-winning PSLC Newsletter; in addition to our speakers bureau, useful philatelic links, exhibits, presentations, resources, affiliates, president spotlight, regional stamp shows, history and awards, links to our Facebook page and PSLC YouTube Channel, and more!

We are also commend Dr. DiComo for being awarded a Large Gold and a Large Vermeil for his U.S. Philatelic Classics Society and Empire State Postal History Society websites, respectively. Congratulations Charles!

We also congratulate former Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Paul Petersen for being awarded a Vermeil in the 2023 APS Star Route Newsletter competition. Paul has been honored many times over the years for his editorial skills and many years of publishing. In 2023, he passed the reins to Scott Ney, who will no doubt continue the winning tradition. Congratulations Paul!

The full results can be viewed on the APS website: https://stamps.org/community/star-route.


Dr. DiComo takes home two Awards at 2023 Sarasota National Stamp Expo & Writers Unit 30
2023-02-04… The Society is pleased to announce that PSLC President Dr. Charles J. DiComo has been honored with two Vermeil at the 2023 Sarasota National Stamp Expo & Writers Unit 30 for articles published in philatelic journals in 2022. Congratulations Charles!

The winning articles are:
1. A One-Day Wonder: Name of Post Office on Long Island became Jones Beach for a Single Day in 1932. This appeared in The Excelsior!, October 2022, Whole No. 36, New Series, pp. 3-6, the postal history journal of the Empire State Postal History Society, of which Charles is also President.
AND
2. H. H. Warner & Co. ‘Safe Remedies’ Major Double Transfer of Central Vignette on 6¢ Medicine Stamp, RS258dt, which appeared in The American Revenuer, Second Quarter 2022 (Vol. 75, No. 2), pg.
59-61.

To view all the Awardees, click, PDF Mini-Icon 2023 Sarasota Literature Palmares. To enjoy more of Charles’ philatelic research articles and presentations, you can find them on the: President’s Spotlight page.


And the Awards Are In!
2022-11-11… Our own PSLC Newsletter, edited by Paul Petersen, and Society Website (lcps-stamps.org), developed, designed and managed by President Charles J. DiComo, PhD, have won a Gold and a Large Vermeil, respectively, in the APS Star Route competition. Recently relaunched, this competition judges the various newsletters and websites of American Philatelic Society Chapters.

Since the mid-1800s, the Star Routes were the most challenging routes in the country to deliver U.S. mail. Congress called for contractors to deliver the mail with “celerity, certainty, and security,” soon replaced with three stars. Our chapters serve and grow the hobby in those same tough terrains with that same mission.

Twelve times yearly, Paul edits the PSLC Newsletter containing the activities of the Society, with a letter from the President (The Veranda Chronicles); member articles; various reports; awards recipients; regional Stamp Show details etc.

The Society website (lcps-stamps.org) is our virtual presence; where all can access current and past issues of our award-winning PSLC Newsletter; in addition to useful philatelic links, exhibits, presentations, useful resources, affiliates, member spotlight, regional stamp shows, history and awards, etc.

Congratulations, Paul and Charles!

The full results can be seen at:
https://stamps.org/community/star-route


A Trifecta for Dr. DiComo’s A Noteworthy Precancel on Lancaster Watch Company’s Advertising Covers
2021-02-01… It is with great pleasure that we announce PSLC President Dr. Charles J. DiComo was the recipient of the three awards for his article appearing in the February 2021 American Philatelist research issue entitled A Noteworthy Precancel on Lancaster Watch Company’s Advertising Covers. These include a Gold Medal at the SESCAL 2nd Annual Literature Exhibition, a Gold Medal at CHICAGOPEX 55th Annual Literature Exhibition and a Large Vermeil at the American Philatelic Society Great American Stamp Show’s 53rd Annual National Literature Exhibition. Congratulations to all those that submitted their articles; there was keen competition this year.


APS Writers Unit 30 Literature Award
2020-02-10… It is with great pleasure that we announce PSLC President Dr. Charles J. DiComo was the recipient of the Grand Award and Large Gold Award in Literature at the 66th Sarasota National Stamp Expo and Writers Unit #30, which took place February 7-9, 2020. This marked the Second Exhibition of Philatelic and Postal History articles, with a jury that examined and critiqued over 40 articles, headed by Alan Warren, with fellow jurors Nancy Clark and Hal Vogel.

This recognition was for his article entitled New Plate Flaw Discovery: “Dash and Ink Trail” on 3¢ 1851 Stamp. This original research appeared in PDF Mini-Icon The Chronicle of U.S. Postal Issues 259, August 2018 published by the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society. It is rewarding to see that the literature judges at Sarasota recognized that new discoveries involving our stamps (as opposed to our postal history) are nowadays very scarce and thus worth rewarding.

In addition, Charles also received a Large Vermeil for An 1845 “Ship Letter” from Port-au-Prince, Hispaniola to New York City on the Brig Hayti, which was published in the PDF Mini-Icon Excelsior! 29-NS, March 2019. This article first appeared as a Special Feature in the PSLC Newsletter, Vol. 82, No. 1, January 2019 and was awarded the APS 2019 Article of Distinction (see above).

Congratulations to all those that submitted their original research to the APS Writers Unit 30; there was keen competition this year. The Sarasota 2020 Literature Palmares recipients can be viewed PDF Mini-Icon HERE.

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APS Website Competition Award

The Society has been awarded a Gold Medal in the 2018 American Philatelic Society (APS) Website Award Competition. This award recognizes website excellence. Four experienced judges from across the country following a rigorous vetting process made the determination, along with suggestions for continually improving our web presence. We are grateful and honored and have proudly posted the Gold Award badge on our home page. A certificate signed by the President and Secretary of the American Philatelic Society recognizing this great work by Dr. Charles J. DiComo was mailed to the APS representative of our Society. This award exemplifies the very best that is happening out in the local stamp and postal history communities. For more information, visit the APS.

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The January 7, 2019 Issue of Linn’s Stamp News contained an article by William F. Sharpe in the Computers and Stamps section announcing the winners of APS philatelic website competition. The PSLC was prominently featured; thanks Bill.

PDF Mini-Icon “Winners in Philatelic Website Competition,” pg. 22, Linn’s Stamp News, Jan. 7, 2019
PDF Mini-Icon “Winners in Philatelic Website Competition,” pg. 23, Linn’s Stamp News, Jan. 7, 2019



APS Articles of Distinction Award

The American Philatelic Society has established the Articles of Distinction for our Chapters and Affiliates to honor their authors by hosting an annual “best article” competition and submitting the winning article for all to enjoy. In addition to awarding authors, this allows the APS to provide exposure to groups, encourage philatelic writing, and sharing these wonderful articles with the membership. For more info, visit the American Philatelic Society
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  • APS 2019 Article of Distinction, for An 1845 “Ship Letter” from Port-au-Prince, Hispaniola to New York City on the Brig Hayti., by Dr. Charles J. DiComo, PSLC Newsletter, Vol. 82, No. 1, January 2019 View this article and additional award winners on the APS website HERE
  • APS 2017 Article of Distinction, for A Piece of Postal History – 70 Years Later, by Hal Klein
  • APS 2016 Article of Distinction, for The Pennsylvania Philatelist Zip Codes, 1963 and 1964, by Hal Klein


Nicholas G. Carter APS Volunteer Recognition Award

This Award is given to recognize the outstanding efforts of the APS volunteers at national and local levels; and to recognize our younger members whose outstanding leadership is crucial to our future. The awards have been named in memory of Nick Carter who helped to establish them. Nick felt it was important to recognize those unsung heroes who contribute their talents, time and energies to benefit stamp collecting and the Society. For more info, visit the American Philatelic Society



APS Spark Plug Award

This Award is given to recognize positive achievement of benefit to the presenting APS Chapter. Every club must have at least one member who does for the club what spark-plugs do to engines. The certificate may be presented to an individual or an organization. For more info, visit the American Philatelic Society

  • 2017 – Dr. Charles J. DiComo

APS Newsletter Recognition Award

It should be noted that the APS Chapter Newsletter Competition Awards were discontinued in 2017. The Society is very grateful to Paul Petersen for his Editorship and ensuring we publish a first rate Society newsletter.

  • American Philatelic Society 2017 Gold Medal for PSLC Newsletter, Paul Petersen, Editor
  • American Philatelic Society 2016 Gold Medal for PSLC Newsletter, Paul Petersen, Editor
  • American Philatelic Society 2015 Gold Medal for PSLC Newsletter, Paul Petersen, Editor
  • American Philatelic Society 2014 Gold Medal for PSLC Newsletter, Paul Petersen, Editor
  • American Philatelic Society 2013 Gold Medal for PSLC Newsletter, Paul Petersen, Editor
  • American Philatelic Society 2012 Gold Medal for PSLC Newsletter, Paul Petersen, Editor
  • American Philatelic Society 2011 Gold Medal for PSLC Newsletter, Paul Petersen, Editor
  • American Philatelic Society 2010 Vermeil Medal for PSLC Newsletter, Paul Petersen, Editor