December 20:  USPS has decided that it will no longer require its private security printers to use a new plate number when plates are substituted in the printing process.  The plate numbers were originally intended as an accountability device between USPS and BEP, but this is no longer necessary.  Starting with 2007 issues, the plan is to assign Plate #1 for each color printed (examples:  P1, S1111, V11111...).  Except in rare cases, plate #1 will continue to be used even if a new plate is substituted for one or more colors.  USPS expects to save a considerable amount of money each year in reduced costs associated with the assigning, replacement and accountability for printing plates.  This decision apparently applies to sheet stamps, coils, and booklets.

What does this mean for plate number single collectors?  Apparently, even if a stamp goes through multiple printings, only one plate number will be assigned to it.

December 3:  It has become necessary to change the email address for Rick Burdsall, APNSS Secretary and Webmaster.  A new address has been created, apnss-sec, followed by the @ sign, followed by apnss.org.  Messages sent to the old address will still be retrieved, but this is only done weekly as they are hard to find among the hundreds of spam messages received daily by that address.  [The new email address has not been added to any of the clickable spots, and is not listed in its standard format of name@domain.type within the text of the web site, to avoid the "harvesting" of email addresses that led to the current problem.]  You can replace the old one for "secretary" with "apnss-sec" in your email service's address book.

December 2:  A tagged version of the Literary Lion coil has been reported and has been assigned Scott 3447b.  However, the plate number used to produce it is not known as no tagged plate number single or multiple has been found.

November 28:  The Canal Zone Study Group has a new web site, so our links to it have been updated.

November 26:  New Scott catalog numbers reported for 2006 issues.  Details on the 2006 page.

November 17:  APNSS membership application forms will be available at the SUPEX (Suburban Collectors Club of Chicago) show in Countryside, IL, Nov. 24 and 25.

November 15:  APNSS membership application forms will be available at the CHICAGOPEX '06 show in Arlington Heights, IL, Nov. 17-19.

November 8:  New Scott catalog numbers reported for 2006 issues.  Details on the 2006 page.

October 18:  A checklist of all possible combinations of the brown and yellow plate numbers for the 1968 Christmas stamp, Scott 1363, is available as a supplement to the 2007 Hebert's Catalog.  It is not expected that all 4,800 possible combinations (30 yellow plate numbers x 160 brown plate numbers) were actually used, but it is not known exactly which combinations do in fact exist.  The supplement can be used as a checklist, as well as for reporting which combinations you have found.  If you are interested in obtaining the supplement, email the Secretary.

October 15:  New plate numbers and Scott catalog numbers reported for 2006 issues.  Details on the 2006 page.

October 13:  The new 2007 Hebert's is reviewed in the regular "Books Received" column in Linn's Stamp News.  Ordering details are on the Publications page.

October 9:  New plate numbers reported for 2006 issues.  Details on the 2006 page.

September 29:  If you have ordered a 2007 Hebert's catalog recently, the editor has had a death in the family.  All orders will go out by Media Mail Tuesday morning, Oct. 4.  Thank you for your patience.

September 15:  New Scott catalog numbers reported for 2006 issues.  Details on the 2006 page.

September 12:  New plate numbers reported for new 39¢ Lady Liberty issues.  Details on the 39¢ Flags page.

September 5:  APNSS member Myron Schmidt has laid out album pages for each plate number used to print the 1938 Presidential series, the "Prexies."  They are available as a pdf file, free for the asking, which you can print on your choice of paper stock.  Email the Secretary for details.

August 3:  We have added a link to Don Schilling's web site, The Stamp Collecting Round-Up, featuring news, links and more about stamp collecting.  Check it out on the Links page.  Don features a nice write-up on APNSS.

July 23:  The 2007 edition of the Hebert's Catalogue of Plate Number Singles is in the final stages of printing and assembly.  There is a discount for APNSS members.  Ordering details can be found on the Publications page.

July 19:  New plate numbers and Scott catalog numbers reported for 2006 issues.  Details on the 2006 page.

July 15:  The APNSS Annual Meeting will be held during APS Stampshow in Chicago (Rosemont) in late August.  Make plans now to come to the show, and to the meeting.

July 14:  New plate numbers reported for 2006 issues.  Details on the 2006 page.

June 24:  Web site visitor Kurt Lange reports that Scott 3979 apparently does not have microprinting as had been originally listed. This has been corrected.  Additional details on the Spotlight on 39¢ Flags page.

June 20:  The June issue of Plate Numbers is in the mail.  The closing date for the 173-lot auction is July 15.

June 17:  Doug D'Avino reports that APNSS member Wallace Cleland was awarded the USSS George Brett Century of Service Award at Washington 2006.  We congratulate Wallace on this well-deserved honor.  Further details will be posted as they become available.

June 13:  We have added a link to Todd Uebele's web site specializing in the 32¢ Flag Over Porch issues.  This extensive site describes and illustrates all known varieties and includes up-to-date pricing info.

June 12:  New Scott numbers and plate numbers reported for 2006 issues.  Details on the 2006 page.

June 7:  Plate number reported for 2006 Duck stamps.  Details on the 2006 page.

June 3:  Doug D'Avino reports that about 90 people were on hand for the May 27 release of the Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting, at Washington 2006.  For more details, check out the USSS web site at http://www.usstamps.org/.

June 2:  Scott numbers reported for recent issues.  Details on the 2006 page.

May 27:  Release date for the Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting, in a ceremony held at Washington 2006.  For more details, check out the USSS web site at http://www.usstamps.org/.

May 9:  Scott has assigned the same catalog number to the Avery and Ashton-Potter self-adhesive Lady Liberty booklet stamps.  Additional details on the Spotlight on 39¢ Flags page.

May 8:  Scott numbers reported for recent issues.  Details on the 2006 page.

April 30:  More plate numbers and positions reported for recent issues.  Details on the 2006 page.

April 13:  Scott numbers reported for recent issues.  Details on the 2006 page.

April 12:  A new variety has been reported of the (5¢) Sea Coast coil, with a plate number and the larger black date of Scott 3874 but combined with the "deep valley" die cut of Scott 3874a.  Further details on the Sea Coast page.

April 4:  The results of our recent Membership Survey have been posted to the Membership page.

April 4:  New plate number reported for the 2003 (10¢) Atlas coil.

April 3:  More plate numbers and positions reported for recent issues.  Details on the 2006 page.

March 25:  Images uploaded of plate number singles of the new airmails.  Details on the 2006 page.

March 18:  It's official - the 2005 edition of the Hebert's Catalogue of Plate Number Singles is SOLD OUT!  Today we shipped the last three copies to an APNSS member, to a returning member, and to a successful bidder on eBay.  A few copies are still in stock at Subway Stamps (Item HR-013) and can be ordered directly from them.

March 17:  Two plate numbers reported for new Dr. Salk issue.  Details on the 2006 page.

March 15:  Plate numbers reported for new Dr. Sabin and Dr. Salk issues.  Details on the 2006 page.

March 10:  New Scott numbers assigned to recent 2006 issues.

March 9:  Plate numbers and coil plate number intervals announced for upcoming 2006 issues.

March 8:  New Scott number assigned to the new 37¢ Flag booklet variety that was reported in January.  Details on the Spotlight on 37¢ Flags page.

February 22:  The February issue of Plate Numbers is in the mail.  Auction date closing date is March 15.

February 18:  USPS has announced it will add a 39¢ reissue of the 2005 Ronald Reagan stamp to the  2006 program.  Also, it appears the 87¢ Albert Sabin stamp will be printed by both Sennett and BCA, but that plate numbers starting with S will be assigned to both printings.

February 11:  Plate numbers, booklet and coil formats and plate number intervals announced for upcoming 2006 issues.

February 10:  New Scott numbers assigned to recent 2006 issues.

February 4:  The 10¢ American Clock coil to be issued later this year will be water-activated, like the 1¢ Tiffany Lamp, 3¢ Teapot and 5¢ Toleware coils from the last several years.  This is a change from the previously-announced self-adhesive coil format.  Details on the 2006 page.

February 1:  New plate number reported for Ashton-Potter (39¢) non-denominated coil.  Plate number corrected, positions corrected for the Ashton-Potter version of the 2¢ Navajo Necklace stamp.  Details on the 2005 page.

January 25:  New die cut variety reported on 37¢ Flag booklet pane from 2002.  Details in Linn's Jan. 30 issue, and on the Spotlight on 37¢ Flag page.

January 25:  New 2006 issues announced, new Scott numbers assigned.  Details on the 2005 and 2006 pages.

January 22:  The United States Stamp Society has announced that pre-publication orders are being taken for the Encyclopedia of Unites States Stamps and Stamp Collecting, due out this spring.  Three individuals who are members of both APNSS and USSS contributed chapters to this work:  Doug D'Avino, Wallace Cleland and Rick Burdsall.  A pre-publication order form is available on the USSS web site.

January 22:  A number of new plate number single examples have been added to the 32¢ and 33¢ Examples pages.

January 15:  The results of the December 2005 membership survey have been moved from the Membership page to here for archiving.

2005 Membership Survey Results

A membership survey was included in the final issue of Plate Numbers  for 2005.  We had an excellent response rate of over 20%.  Here is a summary of the results:

Logo design:

• 5 preferred the "legacy" logo  (13% of total; 29% of those who answered)
• 11 preferred the "4980 APNSS" logo  (30% of total; 65% of those who answered)
• 2 preferred a logo with an alternate design  (5% of total; 12% of those who answered)
• 19 no answer  (51%)

Shirts:

• On the question of producing shirts, 17 (53%) were in favor whereas 15 (47%) were not.  There were 32 responses.
• 16 (46%) said they would buy a shirt whereas 18 (51%) would not, with 1 (3%) not sure.  There were 35 responses.
• 7 (37%) were interested if the shirt was priced at $15-$20; 9 (47%) if the shirt was priced at $20-$30; 2 (11%) if the shirt was priced at $30+; and 1 (5%) would pay for actual cost.  There were 19 responses.
• 17 (65%) preferred a pocket, and 9 (35%) preferred without a pocket.  There were 26 responses.
• 5 (22%) preferred the logo above the pocket; 6 (26%) preferred the logo on the pocket; and 12 (52%) had no preference.  There were 23 responses.
• 80% preferred a single-color shirt, with individual color preferences as follows:  6 votes for blue, 3 for white, 2 for red, 2 for charcoal, 1 for tan, and 1 for any single color.

Hebert's Catalog:

• A 2-year publication schedule was preferred by 31 to 1 (97%).
• A 3-year publication schedule was also preferred, by 29 to 3 (91%).
• This appears to indicate that members would like to see a new Hebert's edition every 2 to 3 years.  Since the last few editions have sold out in about 18 months, a 2-year schedule has been necessary.
• On the question of whether periodic distribution of Hebert's supplement pages would be desirable, 11 (34%) said yes, 20 (63%) said no, and 1 (3%) had no preference.  There were 32 responses.
• 31 (89%) preferred a format change to standard 8-1/2 x 11 paper.  4 (11%) preferred the approximately 6" x 8-1/2" format that has been used for the past several editions.  There were 35 responses.

Chicago APS show:  Five respondents indicated they would be willing to help staff a booth at the August 2006 APS show in Chicago, to be held in Rosemont Aug. 24-27.  19 indicated they were willing to contribute towards giveaway packets of plate number singles to be distributed at the show.  We will have a booth, and our annual meeting will be held Saturday morning Aug. 26 at 10:00.  Watch for more information on the show and giveaway packets in Plate Numbers.

Thanks to APNSS President Eric Chaulsett for devising and distributing the survey and tabulating the results.

January 6:  New plate number reported for the 2003 (10¢) Atlas coil.

January 3:  Dues for 2006 are due.  $8 for one year or $15 for two years.  Dues can be mailed to the APNSS Secretary at P.O. Box 1023, Palatine, IL  60078-1023.  Check your mailing label on the latest Plate Numbers as it has your APNSS membership expiration date of record.  Make checks payable to APNSS.  You can also pay all or part of your dues using mint plate number singles at face value.