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American First Day Cover Society

Devoted to the advancement of first day cover collecting

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AFDCS Awards and Honors
Honoring those who have served the American First Day Cover Society

Glenn C. Michael Special Recognition Awards

Distinguished Service Awards


Honorary Life Membership


Phillip H. Ward, Jr. Memorial Award
For Excellence in First Day Cover Literature


Stacks Image 16201Sponsored by the AFDCS, the Philip H. Ward competition is open to all authors of FDC articles which have appeared in a recognized philatelic publication during a calendar year, or books published during that year. Articles published in First Days are automatically considered. Others may be submitted to the Ward Award Committee chair, Mark Goodson, 315 E. Dewey Dr., Ellettsville, IN 47429, bgdsn@comcast.net.

Philip H. Ward, Jr. of Philadelphia (1886-1963), for whom the memorial award is named, was a prominent, world-famous philatelist. It was due to his pioneering and imaginative spirit that the field of First Day Covers received its initial impetus during the early part of the 20th century. His contributions are unparalleled in the history of the hobby.

See the list of recipients

Glenn C. Michael Special Recognition Awards

Year   Winner(s)
 2022Mark Gereb

 2021

Tom Peluso (posthumous), Otto Thamasett, Tris Fall, James Hogg, Chris Lazaroff, Gary Dickinson, and John White and the Ries Chapter Auction Committee

 2019John Byrnes
 2013Diane and Ralph Achgill, Ralph Nafziger, Betty Hundley
 2010Mark Goodson, Todd Ronnei, Cynthia Scott, Randall Sherman, Richard Sine
 2008Lloyd de Vries, Alan Warren, Dave Bennett, Allen Klein, Peter Martin
 2007John Cali
 2006Hal Ansink, Andrew McFarlane, William Sumpter, Ralph Achgill, Allison Cusick, Norman Elrod, Tom Foust, Foster Miller, and Mike Litvak and his Donation Auction Committee of Dave Bennett, Kathy Clements, Bob Lewin, Tina Phillips, George Rost, Shirley Ulling and Rick Whyte

 2005

Linda Hassa
 2003George Athens
 2002Charles Schretzmann, Hal Ansink
 2001Doug Kelsey, Tom Foust, Barry Newton
 2000Mike Mellone, Dottie Graf, Paul Hubartt
 1999Earl Lowenstein, Gary and Sharolyn Chicoine
 1998Cynthia Scott, Norm Walker, James McCusker
 1997Bob Colby, Foster Miller, Betty Hundley
 1996John Cali, Adam Bert, William Paisley, Ed Ward
 1995Julian Pugh, Bill Wise, Barry Newton, George Athens
 1994Gary Denis, Joe Hough, Lorraine Bailey, Betty Buchanan, Mike Mellone
 1993Lloyd de Vries, Elliot Fischer, Paul Hubartt, Margaret Monty, Steve Ripley
 1992Allison Cusick, John Jezek, Lee Howard, Tom Lane
 1991Barry Ellis, Pat Rourk, Bernie Kroll, Bill Simpson
 1990Gerry Adlman, Bob Masto, Larry Carney, Jack Harlan, Charles Schretzmann
 1989Monte Eiserman, Martin Feibusch, Ron Allen, Cynthia Scott, Bill Sumpter, Alan Warren
 1988Ruth Moore, Mike Litvak, Bill Lloyd, Wayne Gasper, Clark Heins, Bernard Goldberg, Adam Bert

Distinguished Service Awards


 Year

Winner(s) 

 

 Year

Winner(s) 

 2025

TBD

 

2024

D.A. Lux

 2023

No Award

 

2022

Tris Fall & 
Mark Thompson

2021

Gerald Strauss

 

2020

No Award

2019

Dave Bennett, 
Rollin Berger, 
Mark Goodson.
Kerry Heffner

 

2018

No Award

2017

Peter McClure*

 

2016

Chris Lazaroff

2015

Ralph Nafziger

 

2014

Peter D. Martin & 
John H. White

2013

No Award

 

2012

Todd Ronnei

2011

Ralph Achgill*

 

2010

Norman L. Elrod*

2009

 Allen Klein*
Julian Pugh*

 

2008

Lloyd de Vries

2007

Betty Hundley
Doug Kelsey*

 

2006

Michael Litvak
Foster E. Miller, III

2005

Steve Ripley
Betty Buchanan*
Elliot Fischer*

 

2004

Cynthia Scott

2003

No Award

 

2002

Dorothy Graf*

2001

No Award

 

2000 

Michael A. Mellone*
David S. Zubatsky*

1999

Norman Walker*

 

1998

 Joe D. Hough*
William A. Sumpter*

 1997

 Barry Newton
Tom Foust*

 

1996 

 No Award

 1995

 No Award

 

1994 

Gerry Adlman*
E. Lee Howard*

 1993

 John Jezek, Jr.*

 

1992 

 William H. Lloyd*

 1991

 No Award

 

1990

No Award 

 1989

 Wayne P. Gasper*

 

1988 

 Allison W. Cusick

 1987

 Harold G. Ansink*

 

1986 

 No Award

 1985

 Richard A. Monty*

 

1984 

 Donald B. Crisman

 1983

 William H. Bayless*

 

 1982

 Patricia A. Siskin 

 1981

Alan Warren  

1980

 Frank F. Raciti*

 1979

 Adam K. Bert*

 

 1978

 Ben Papell*

 1977

 George A. Comnes*

 

 1976

 Donald G. Heuring*

 1975

 Sol Koved*

 

 1974

 Robert Graebner*
William E. Decker*

 1973

 Curtis Patterson*
Monte Eiserman*

 

 1972

 Richard Thompson*

 1971

No Award 

 

 1970

 Marge Finger*

* deceased

HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBER

Year Number Name Contributions
2024 28 Mark Thompson Exemplary service as Advertising Manager and Treasurer 
2022 27 Michael Litvak 30+ years as Executive Vice President
2009 26 E. Lee Howard* Past President and Director, Bylaws Committee
2009 25 Robert Quintero* Secretary of Motor City Stamp & Cover Club (AFDCS’s oldest continuous chapter), hosted AFDCS conventions, produced thousands of covers for the chapter
2008 24 Allison W. Cusick Past President, long time Expertizing Committee Chair
2008 23 Elliot M. Fischer* Long-time Treasurer
2008 22 Lorraine E. Bailey Cachet and covers sales, long-time Life Member
2008 21 Douglas A. Kelsey* Long-time Executive Director
2007 20 George Athens* Long-time supporter of AFDCS in Florida, representing and promoting the society at local and national shows there with a society table
2005 19 Dottie Graf* Long-time assistant to Mike Mellone
2005 18 Mike Mellone* Long-time Bourse Chairman of AFDCS, Author of Cachet Catalogs
2004 17 Barry Newton Long-term Editor of First Days
2002 16 Tom Foust* Long-time President of AFDCS serving in that office 1988-2006
2002 15 Hal G. Ansink* Long-time Author, Education Dept. Chair, and Director of the Court of Honor First Day Cover series
2001 14 Richard A. Monty* Long-time Chairman of the Board, Author, spearheaded the First Cachets project
1996 13 Alan Warren Charter Member of AFDCS, Director, Recording Secretary, Author
1992 12 Monte Eiserman* Membership Chair of AFDCS over 30 years
1989 11 Curtis Patterson* Past President of AFDCS, long-term supporter of the society, first curator of AFDCS Archives
1985 10 Sol Koved* Long-time Editor of First Days
1980 9 Earl Planty* Past President of AFDCS, author of cachet catalogs
1980 8 Samuel August* Founder of Washington Press and ArtCraft cachets, benefactor of AFDCS
1980 7 Leo August* Founder of Washington Press and ArtCraft cachets, benefactor of AFDCS
1977 6 Henry S. Raposa* Philatelic Program Analyst, Stamp Development Branch, USPS
1973 5 David L. Lidman* Retired philatelic columnist for the New York Times
1972 4 Raymond L. Blozis* Philatelic Affairs Division, USPS, arranged for first day ceremonies
1972 3 Gordon C. Morison* Manger, Philatelic Affairs Dept., USPS
1967 2 Stanley J. Hodziewich* Key Post Office Department staff at first day ceremonies, arranged for cancellations
1958 1 L. Rohe Walter* Special Assistant to the Postmaster General
* deceased

Phillip H. Ward, Jr. Memorial Award

YEAR
AUTHOR(S)
CITED WORK
1964
Stan Hamilton
"Canal Zone First Day Covers"
1965
Curtis B. Patterson and Marge Finger
"Official Cachets on U. S. First Day Covers” series of articles
1966
David J. Simmons
“Israel First Day Covers”
1967
Richard H. Thompson
 "Six Cent Airmail (C19) First Day"
1968
Herbert S. Halm
"First Day Covers of Uruguay"
1969
Adam K. Bert
“Counterfeit First Day Covers” series of articles
1970
Jack V. Harvey
"Earliest Known Date of '22 Two-Cent Use”
1971
Jack V. Harvey
"Four New First Day Cities for the 15c Rotary Special Delivery" as well as his continuing series on FDCs of the Kansas-Nebraska issues
1972
Felix D. Bertalanffy
"The Special Cancellations and First Day Covers of Japan”
1973
Curtis B. Patterson
Series of articles on early cachet makers and servicers
1974
David R. Whitesell
"Yorktown: Anatomy of a First Day"
1975
Barry Newton
For numerous features on both classic and contemporary material which appeared in First Days during 1975
1976
Pat and Ed Siskin
Five-part series on the Valley Forge commemorative of 1928
1977
Henry B. Scheuer
Multi-part series on the Jamestown Commemorative Issue of 1907
1978
Edward Siskin and Henry B. Scheuer
“Designated First Day Dates,” multi-part series on pre-1922 FDCs
1979
Dr. Melvin L. Baron
Multi-part series on the FDCs of the Canadian postal issues of 1930-40
1980
Jack A. Harlan
"Hobart Schacht's Cachets"
1981
Dr. Leon Cheris
Continuing series, "Postal History: Experimental Tagged First Day Covers 1963-1973”
1982
Dr. Leon Cheris
Continuing series, "Postal History: Experimental Tagged First Day Covers 1963-1973”
1983
Marshall Ackerman
Feature column, "The Simple Pleasures of First Day Cover Collecting"
1984
Richard A. Monty
"Prof. Earl G. Planty: The Dean of First Day Cover Collecting"
1985
Donald E. Sabo
"An Illustrated Catalog of the William G. Windhurst Sc. 610 FDCs: With a Critique on his September 1, 1923, Marion Statistics Report"
1986
Douglas H. Henkle
"U.S. Virgin Islands: Part 2 Sc. 799-802 Laird Cachet Varieties"
1987
Larry S. Weiss
"First Day Covers of Sc. 331a and 332a”
1988
Joe D. Hough
Continuing series of articles on First Day Covers of the Virginia Dare commemorative stamp of 1937
1989
Five authors contributing to a FDC symposium in The United States Specialist
"Evolving First Day Fashions" by Ken Lawrence; "What is a First Day Cover?" by George W. Brett; "A PNC Dealer's View" by Ed Denson; "Thoughts on the Legitimacy of Contemporary First Day Covers" by Allison W. Cusick; and “PNC First Day Covers Still Can Be Faked" by Dr. Robert Rabinowitz
1990
Melvin L. Baron and Stan Lum
A series of articles on classic First Day Covers of Canada
1991
Monte Eiserman
"Conversations with Ludwig W. Staehle” series of articles
1992
G. R. "Dick" Danielson
Two-part article "Vincennes and George Rogers Clark 1779-1929"
1993
Robert Colby
"A Study of Sc. C19, 6¢ Airmail June 30, 1934 FDCs"
1994
Tom O'Hagan
"Bill Olvey and K.M.C. Venture Cachets"
1995
Dr. Michael Rosenthal and Dr. Marvin Speer
Ken Boll Cachet Catalogue
1996
Ken Lawrence
Three-part series "First Day Covers in Earliest Usages"
1997
Herb Trenchard
Series of articles on first day ceremonies of the 1940 Famous American stamps
1998
Lloyd de Vries
"How to Service Quantities of First Day Covers"
1999
Tris Fall
Series of articles "On the Trail of That Elusive Cachet"
2000
Alan Berkun and Wilson Hulme
“Aristocrats of US FDCs - July 1, 1851 3¢ George Washington"
2001
Bruce Perkins
"The International Demise of Private Cachetmaking Part II, Canada Post Office Cachets"
2002
Jerry A. Katz
“FDCs of the Special Delivery Issue of 1922"
2003
Barry N. Kaplan and Michael R. Rosenthal
"The House of Farnam Story"
2004
Alan Berkun
"The 1868 Regular Production D, E, and F Grill EDUs"
2005
Eliot A. Landau
"The 1866 15-cent Black Lincoln"
2006
Ralph H. Nafziger
"Fakes and Forgeries on FDCs and Earliest Documented Usages”
2007
Robert Lewin
"The Magnificent Covers of Ejgil J.S. Halvorsen"
2008
Charles Deaton
"The Philatelic Legacy of the Artistic Edmiston Family: The Story of Gladys Adler & Florence Edmiston"
2009
E. Lee Howard
"Jesse Graham Holland, Pioneer Cachetmaker"
2010
Mark Lerner
“Charles R. Chickering Cachetmaker”
2011
David Zubatsky
“Norbert C. Waldau: A Biography and Catalog of his Handpainted First Day Covers”
2012
Jerry A. Katz
“Henry Hammelman: Pioneer Servicer, Dealer, and Exhibitor”
2013
David Zubatsky
“Walter M. Stawuszewski: Philatelic Artist and Collector”; “Dorothea ‘Dottie’ Bundy and Her Handpainted Cachets”; and “Frank J. Ulrich: Designer of Handdrawn Watercolor Cachets”
2014
Harry F. Themal
“Jackie Kennedy’s ArtCraft Cachet”
2015
Douglas S. Weisz
Dorothy Knapp: Philately and Family
2016
Henry B. Scheuer
“Kansas-Nebraska Overprint Stamps: Why, When and Where They Were Initially Sold”
2017
no award

2018
David Zubatsky
For his ongoing bibliographic series in First Days
2019
Ken Lawrence
"Which Items Franked with 1913 Parcel Post Stamps Are Authentic U.S. First Day Covers?”
2020
Kris McIntosh
"The Fight for the Women’s Right To Vote"
2021
Susan Bahnick Jones
Carol Gordon: Unconventional Cachetmaker
2022 (tie)
Henry B. Scheuer
"How the Earliest Collectors Sought Out First Days"
2022 (tie)
Peter J. LaPlaca and Anthony F. Dewey
The Connecticut Tercentennary Issue of 1935
2023
Ken Lawrence "The Greatest American First Day Cover"


YEAR AUTHOR(S) CITED WORK
2023 Ken Lawrence "The Greatest American First Day Cover”
2022 Henry B. Scheuer "How the Earliest Collectors Sought Out First Days"
2022 Peter J. LaPlaca and Anthony F. Dewey The Connecticut Tercentennary Issue of 1935
2021 Susan Bahnick Jones Carol Gordon: Unconventional Cachetmaker
2020 Kris McIntosh "The Fight for the Women’s Right To Vote"
2019 Ken Lawrence "Which Items Franked with 1913 Parcel Post Stamps Are Authentic U.S. First Day Covers?”
2018 David Zubatsky For his ongoing bibliographic series in First Days
2017 no award
2016 Henry B. Scheuer “Kansas-Nebraska Overprint Stamps: Why, When and Where They Were Initially Sold”
2015 Douglas S. Weisz Dorothy Knapp: Philately and Family
2014 Harry F. Themal “Jackie Kennedy’s ArtCraft Cachet”
2013 David Zubatsky “Walter M. Stawuszewski: Philatelic Artist and Collector”; “Dorothea ‘Dottie’ Bundy and Her Handpainted Cachets”; and “Frank J. Ulrich: Designer of Handdrawn Watercolor Cachets”
2012 Jerry A. Katz “Henry Hammelman: Pioneer Servicer, Dealer, and Exhibitor”
2011 David Zubatsky “Norbert C. Waldau: A Biography and Catalog of his Handpainted First Day Covers”
2010 Mark Lerner “Charles R. Chickering Cachetmaker”
2009 E. Lee Howard "Jesse Graham Holland, Pioneer Cachetmaker"
2008 Charles Deaton "The Philatelic Legacy of the Artistic Edmiston Family: The Story of Gladys Adler & Florence Edmiston"
2007 Robert Lewin "The Magnificent Covers of Ejgil J.S. Halvorsen"
2006 Ralph H. Nafziger "Fakes and Forgeries on FDCs and Earliest Documented Usages”
2005 Eliot A. Landau "The 1866 15-cent Black Lincoln"
2004 Alan Berkun "The 1868 Regular Production D, E, and F Grill EDUs"
2003 Barry N. Kaplan and Michael R. Rosenthal "The House of Farnam Story"
2002 Jerry A. Katz “FDCs of the Special Delivery Issue of 1922"
2001 Bruce Perkins "The International Demise of Private Cachetmaking Part II, Canada Post Office Cachets"
2000 Alan Berkun and Wilson Hulme “Aristocrats of US FDCs - July 1, 1851 3¢ George Washington"
1999 Tris Fall Series of articles "On the Trail of That Elusive Cachet"
1998 Lloyd de Vries "How to Service Quantities of First Day Covers"
1997 Herb Trenchard Series of articles on first day ceremonies of the 1940 Famous American stamps
1996 Ken Lawrence Three-part series "First Day Covers in Earliest Usages"
1995 Dr. Michael Rosenthal and Dr. Marvin Speer Ken Boll Cachet Catalogue
1994 Tom O'Hagan "Bill Olvey and K.M.C. Venture Cachets"
1993 Robert Colby "A Study of Sc. C19, 6¢ Airmail June 30, 1934 FDCs"
1992 G. R. "Dick" Danielson Two-part article "Vincennes and George Rogers Clark 1779-1929"
1991 Monte Eiserman "Conversations with Ludwig W. Staehle” series of articles
1990 Melvin L. Baron and Stan Lum A series of articles on classic First Day Covers of Canada
1989 Ken Lawerence, George W. Brett, Ed Denson, Allison W. Cusick, and Dr. Robert Rabinowitz FDC symposium in The United States Specialist - "Evolving First Day Fashions" (Lawrence); "What is a First Day Cover?" (Brett); "A PNC Dealer's View" (Denson); "Thoughts on the Legitimacy of Contemporary First Day Covers" (Cusick); and “PNC First Day Covers Still Can Be Faked" (Rabinowitz)
1988 Joe D. Hough Continuing series of articles on First Day Covers of the Virginia Dare commemorative stamp of 1937
1987 Larry S. Weiss "First Day Covers of Sc. 331a and 332a”
1986 Douglas H. Henkle "U.S. Virgin Islands: Part 2 Sc. 799-802 Laird Cachet Varieties"
1985 Donald E. Sabo "An Illustrated Catalog of the William G. Windhurst Sc. 610 FDCs: With a Critique on his September 1, 1923, Marion Statistics Report"
1984 Richard A. Monty "Prof. Earl G. Planty: The Dean of First Day Cover Collecting"
1983 Marshall Ackerman Feature column, "The Simple Pleasures of First Day Cover Collecting"
1982 Dr. Leon Cheris Continuing series, "Postal History: Experimental Tagged First Day Covers 1963-1973”
1981 Dr. Leon Cheris Continuing series, "Postal History: Experimental Tagged First Day Covers 1963-1973”
1980 Jack A. Harlan "Hobart Schacht's Cachets"
1979 Dr. Melvin L. Baron Multi-part series on the FDCs of the Canadian postal issues of 1930-40
1978 Edward Siskin and Henry B. Scheuer “Designated First Day Dates,” multi-part series on pre-1922 FDCs
1977 Henry B. Scheuer Multi-part series on the Jamestown Commemorative Issue of 1907
1976 Pat and Ed Siskin Five-part series on the Valley Forge commemorative of 1928
1975 Barry Newton For numerous features on both classic and contemporary material which appeared in First Days during 1975
1974 David R. Whitesell "Yorktown: Anatomy of a First Day"
1973 Curtis B. Patterson Series of articles on early cachet makers and servicers
1972 Felix D. Bertalanffy "The Special Cancellations and First Day Covers of Japan”
1971 Jack V. Harvey "Four New First Day Cities for the 15c Rotary Special Delivery" as well as his continuing series on FDCs of the Kansas-Nebraska issues
1970 Jack V. Harvey "Earliest Known Date of '22 Two-Cent Use”
1969 Adam K. Bert “Counterfeit First Day Covers” series of articles
1968 Herbert S. Halm "First Day Covers of Uruguay"
1967 Richard H. Thompson "Six Cent Airmail (C19) First Day"
1966 David J. Simmons “Israel First Day Covers”
1965 Curtis B. Patterson and Marge Finger "Official Cachets on U. S. First Day Covers” series of articles
1964 Stan Hamilton "Canal Zone First Day Covers"

American First Day Cover Society
P.O. Box 57
Somerset, WI 54025-0057

Telephone: 
+1 (540) 940-1629

Email:
afdcs@afdcs.org

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