APS# AF0224
History of the Society
The Georgia Postal History began as a suggestion by Ervin Underwood to form a society to study the postal history of Georgia. Four collectors, McCary Ballard, Frank Crown, Tom Kingsley, and William McDougall responded to the suggestion and met with Underwood on 15 April 1984 to discuss the idea. At that time is was agreed to proceed with the formation of a society and Underwood volunteered to act as Secretary pro tem until a formal structure was established.
By the end of the year the structure of the society was agreed upon and the first elections conducted. The officers selected for the first three year term were Ervin Underwood, President; Francis J. Crown, Jr., Vice- President; Douglas N. Clark, Secretary; and Ernest C. Owens, Treasurer.
In short order a newsletter was published and in May 1985 the first issue of the G. P. H. S. Bulletin was published under the editorship of Douglas N. Clark. The Bulletin continued through July 1991. It was followed in September 1991 by Georgia Post Roads, the current publication of the Society.
The society which numbers about 35 members, meets once a year at what is now called the Southeastern Stamp Show (formerly Peach State Stamp Show).
Benefits of Membership
The Georgia Postal History Society is devoted to the study of all aspects of Georgia postal history. This includes the pre-stamp or stampless period that goes back to the late 1700s, the Confederate period, fancy cancels, machine postmarks, RFD markings, railroad markings, flight covers, first days, last days, use of a particular stamp on covers from Georgia and just about anything else you can think of that mixes stamp collecting and Georgia. Basically there is something for everyone.
Benefits of membership include a quarterly newsletter, "Georgia Post Roads", featuring articles on various aspects of Georgia postal history. There is an annual meeting held each year at the Southeastern Stamp Show in Atlanta. You also have the benefit of meeting and corresponding with other members of the society, many of whom are recognized experts in their Georgia postal history specialty.
TO JOIN CONTACT
Frank Crown
PO Box 98626
Tacoma, WA 98626
Mike O'Reilly
PO Box 1131
Huntsville, AL 35807-0131
