ATFP-JulyAugSept2022

July-August-September 2022 VOLUME 44 ISSUE 3

Newsletter of the Wisconsin Federation of Stamp Clubs

www.wfscstamps.org

WELCOME BACK!
ROCKFORD STAMP CLUB
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE The WFSC is The auction begins at 10 a.m. and there
pleased to is no club business conducted at this
by Gregg Greenwald announce meeting. Occasionally, someone will
WFSC President that the Rock- present a show-and-tell and any special
ford Stamp Club announcements will be made. Auction
REGARDING STAMP SHOWS (Rockford, Ill.) lots generally run in the same range as
has rejoined the WFSC. The club previ- the Wednesday meeting night auction.
Assummer ously held WFSC membership during Recently, however, meeting attendance
is wind- the years 1962-73 and 2000-09. It hosted and auction lot numbers have been
ing down, the fall WISCOPEX in 2002 and again in 2006, down due to COVID-19 and variants
stamp show season for the WFSC’s 75th anniversary. and have not bounced back to pre-
is nearly upon us. The club’s 53 members meet on the COVID numbers.
The show commit- first Wednesday of each month (except
tees work very hard July) at the Ken Rock Community Frank Schmitt is the current presi-
months in advance Center, 625 Adams St., Rockford, Ill. dent of the club. Tim Wait is chairman
to make certain that Doors open at 6 p.m. for buy-sell-trade of the club’s annual local show named
collectors will have among members. The meeting starts at “Rockford 2-3-4 Stamp Expo.” The
an enjoyable time at the show. Dealers 7 p.m., which includes a show-and-tell 2-3-4 indicates that all exhibits are two,
attending the shows build their stock to period and occasionally a program. three, or four 16-page frames. The pur-
help collectors build their collections. Upon adjournment of the meeting there pose is to provide a competition alterna-
Those making presentations spend a is a live auction until all lots have been tive from national-level shows that offer
good deal of time preparing to share offered. Number of lots run from a low only a single-frame or a multi-frame (up
their knowledge with other collectors. end of 40 to a high end of 150-plus. to10 frames) exhibit option. The smaller
All in all, there are many people The club also hosts an auction on two-, three-, and four-frame exhibits can
working very hard to make the shows the third Tuesday of each month (July be overshadowed by well-developed
accommodating for those who attend. included) at the same Wednesday night five-to-10-frame exhibits and usually are
Please consider helping out those who meeting location. Doors open at 9 a.m. not considered for the grand or reserve
work so hard by planning to attend for buy-sell-trade and lot submissions. grand awards.
one or more shows this fall. The show
calendar can be found on page 11. (cont’d. on p. 2)
Speaking of shows, WISCOPEX
2023 has been set for May 6-7. My INSIDE
thanks to the Fond du Lac Stamp Club
members for taking the lead to secure President’s Message 1 Editor Wanted 4
the Hotel Retlaw for the event. WISCOPEX 2023 Update 4
Finally, on behalf of the Federation, Welcome Rockford Stamp Club 1 Unusual Stamps Crossword 5
I extend a warm welcome to the Rock- Answers to Rhyme Time —
ford Stamp Club. With its addition to MILCOPEX 2022 2 5
our roles, the Wisconsin Federation of Countries 6
Stamp Clubs now has member-clubs in October National Stamp Collecting The Wildings, Pre-Machins
Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa and Illinois Notes From A Magpie — My 8
— a quad-state organization! q Month 2 11
Favorite Thing
Club Connections 3 Show Calendar

Educational Programs Wanted 3

Federation News 4

Call for Hall of Fame Nominations 4

Rockford Stamp Club MILCOPEX 2022 WFSC OFFICERS
(cont’d. from p. 1)
MILCOPEX 2022 sponsored by PRESIDENT
For further information about the the Milwaukee Philatelic Society will Gregg Greenwald
Rockford Stamp Club and its annual take place Friday, September 16 through 2401 Bluebird Ct.
show, visit the the club’s website at Sunday, September 18 at a NEW LO- Marshfield, WI 54449
rockfordstampclub.com or email Frank CATION. The show will be held at the [email protected]
Schmitt at [email protected]. q Brookfield Convention Center, a new fa-
cility located in the suburb of Brookfield, VICE PRESIDENT
OCTOBER NATIONAL STAMP about 13 miles west of Milwaukee. (The Brian Liedtke
COLLECTING MONTH convention center is located on the same 4625 South Scot Dr.
lot as Brookfield Square shopping mall, New Berlin, WI 53131
Free posters available at but in a separate facility south of the mall.) [email protected]
www.wfscstamps.org.
Click on Club Resources Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on SECRETARY
Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 Clarence Davis
Print out several copies and get p.m. on Sunday. Parking and admission W4022 Linden Dr.
them out and about. Customize are free. Malone, WI 53049
them with an add-on attached to [email protected]
the bottom that includes meeting Dealers will offer a variety of phila-
telic and postal history collectibles. The TREASURER
dates and location. show will include competitive exhibits David Rees
judged by a team of five accredited N4256 Evergreen Dr.
American Philatelic Society judges. Rio, WI 53960
Winners will be recognized at an infor- [email protected]
mal gathering late Saturday afternoon.
As a World Series of Philately show, the VP YOUTH DIVISION
multi-frame grand award winner will be MaryAnn Bowman
eligible to compete in the 2023 Great P.O. Box 1451
American Stamp Show in Cleveland, Waukesha, WI 53187
Ohio, August 10-13, 2023. [email protected]

Educational programming will be EAST CENTRAL REGION VP
available for in-person as well as virtual Bill Manka
attendance. For details about MILCO- [email protected]
PEX, exhibiting and dealer information, Fond du Lac Stamp Club
schedule of events, and participating soci- Kettle Moraine Coin & Stamp Club
eties, please visit www.milcopex.org. q Manitowoc Philatelic Society
Sheboygan Stamp Club
Across the Fence Post is the official publication of the Wisconsin
Federation of Stamp Clubs, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organi- SE REGION VP
zation. The WFSC is a life member of the APS (since 1953), and Anna Trischan
a chapter member of the ATA. For more information about the [email protected]
WFSC, please visit the website, www.wfscstamps.org. American Topical Association No. 5
Germany Philatelic Society
ATFP is currently published four times a year: January, April,
July, October. News of Wisconsin collectors, club news and other (Chapter 18)
gratis original features are welcomed. The editor accepts sub- Milwaukee Philatelic Society
missions in any format, but prefers email if possible. The editor Waukesha County Philatelic Society
reserves the right to make editorial changes to submitted copy. Material appearing in ATFP Wauwatosa Philatelic Society
not carrying an individual copyright notice may be reproduced only by not-for-profit organiza-
tions, provided the author(s) and ATFP receive credit or attribution. All materials carrying an NE REGION VP
individual copyright notice are the sole property of the author(s). Ray D. Perry
Unless explicitly stated by an officer in conjunction with official WFSC business, opinions [email protected]
expressed by the editor or individual authors are not necessarily endorsed by the WFSC. Bay de Noc Stamp & Coin Club
Submission deadlines for editorial and advertising materials are the first of the month Green Bay Philatelic Society
preceding month of publication. Editorial matter should be sent to: Karen Weigt, Interim Editor Northwoods Philatelic Society
ATFP, 4184 Rose Ct., Middleton, WI 53562, 608-609-6173, [email protected]. Oshkosh Philatelic Society
Send advertising material to Brian Liedtke, Advertising Manager, ATFP, 4625 So. Scot Wisconsin Postal History Society
Dr., New Berlin, WI 53131, 414-731-9794, [email protected]. For a complete list
of advertising rates and policies (display, classified, and listings), request a copy from the CENTRAL REGION VP
advertising manager. Chuck Rebek
[email protected]
2 Across the Fence Post July-August-September 2022 Central Wisconsin Stmap Club
Chippewa Valley Stamp Club
Lakeland Stamp & Coin Club
Wisconsin Valley Philatelic Society

SW REGION VP
Bill Lothary
[email protected]
Badger Stamp Club
Baraboo Stamp Club
Janesville Stamp Club
Monroe Stamp & Postcard Club
Rockford Stamp Club
Tri-State Stamp Club

by MaryAnn Bowman, WFSC VP Youth Division or concept, as well as PowerPoint-type
Chrmn. Publicity and Public Relations Committee programs with a script. Can you con-
tribute a program idea? See the boxed
CLUB CONNECTIONS announcement below and the WFSC
website (www.wfscstamps.org) for more
The second quarter of 2022 offered YouTube channel where the programs details and a submission form.
an opportunity for WFSC clubs have been archived.
and their members to once again Ah, the lazy, crazy days of summer
meet at WISCOPEX for the annual con- Badger Stamp Club (Madison) when many clubs use this time to take a
vention and exhibition of the Wisconsin uses a committee to plan future programs break from club meetings. Some clubs
Federation of Stamp Clubs, hosted by for their meetings. Members can suggest have found a way to incorporate a little
the Fond du Lac Stamp Club. It was ideas as well as volunteer to give a social time by throwing picnics or meet-
good to see so many familiar faces after program. Planning programs for monthly ing for an ice cream social. Individual
a long drought of pandemic-driven meetings is not an easy task but by hav- collectors might retreat to an air-condi-
and self-imposed quarantines due to ing a committee help to plan, implement, tioned room to enjoy a little bit of time
COVID-19. and solicit speakers, the shared responsi- sorting stamps, organizing collections,
bility does not all fall onto one person.. hunting down new material for their
So what have some of our clubs collections via auction houses or internet
been doing? Several clubs held major Sometimes clubs rotate the respon- sites. How ever you choose to phila-
spring auctions. How is a major auction sibility of club programming by hav- telically enjoy the summer, may it be a
different from a regular club auction? ing each member take a turn in either rewarding experience and refresh your
In the case of the Milwaukee Philatelic providing a program or finding another enthusiasm for our wonderful hobby! q
Society and the Waukesha County collector to do it in their place. Clubs
Philatelic Society, the value of the lots have also been known to have group $ $ HONORARIUM $ $
makes the difference. Each submitted presentations whereby three or four FOR WEB CONTENT
lot must have a minimum catalog value members decide on a subject and each
of at least $5; however, the item can member of the group presents some Wanted! Club Educational
have no minimum bid. These auctions aspect of that topic. Program Ideas
tend to bring out better valued and
more interesting lots. Another plus, Programs don’t always have to be a Up to $10 for activity sheets such as
these meetings tend to generate a bigger formal presentation. Clubs might have scavenger hunts, word games, etc.
audience as more members turn out for show-and-tell nights where members
these special events. bring along an item to share. It might Up to $25 for programs/lessons
be their latest acquisition or a philatelic that detail skills or concepts being
These major auctions stand in item related to a specific prearranged taught/presented. List materials
contrast to regular club auctions or theme. The Green Bay Philatelic needed, outline of procedure or im-
mini-auctions where typically lots of Society recently had something similar portant ideas within the concept.
lesser value are auctioned, sometimes which they “billed” in their newsletter as
even as a silent auction. Also, these Philatelic Small Talk. Up to $50 for video or PowerPoint
auctions tend to have a smaller number programs with script. Should be about
of lots where major auctions might have I am always pleasantly surprised 15 to 30 minutes in length.
50 to 100 lots. There is no specific mini- when I get the newsletters from the
mum value expected on these lots. Northwoods Philatelic Society (Iron Application on WFSC website.
Mountain, Mich.) The attendance Material can be for either adult or
The American Topical Associa- at their monthly meetings rivals that youth collectors. Submissions re-
tion Chapter 5 (Milwaukee) has been of larger Wisconsin stamp clubs. An main the property of the WFSC and
hosting hybrid meetings — a combina- item of interest to me (being a former will be posted upon approval of the
tion of in-person and virtual meetings. teacher) was a letter-writing exhibit at Website Committee.
June found the club enjoying a program the children’s Imagination Factory in
by Eric Knapp. Eric lives in Alaska and Iron Mountain. The exhibit was titled Original and creative pieces are
his program was fittingly titled “Topical “Employment Starts Early” and teaches encouraged.
Tales of Alaska.” Members are looking young students the importance of learn-
forward to another hybrid meeting/ ing how to write letters. JOIN THE WFSC EBLAST LIST!
program in August which will feature
Foster Miller speaking about the unusual Just a reminder: there are hundreds Send your email address to
and creative works of the late cachet of dollars waiting to be claimed by our Eblast Manager Ken Grant
maker Hideaki Nakano. members willing to create club edu- at [email protected]. Be
cational programming which includes sure to send Ken any address
You, too, can enjoy these presen- things like the pencil activities seen changes, too.
tations by heading over to the WFSC regularly in Across the Fence Post, de-
tailed lessons that teach a philatelic skill

July-August-September 2022 Across the Fence Post 3

FEDERATION N EWS WANTED!

SPRING EXECUTIVE BOARD MEET- CALL FOR HALL OF FAME Editor: Across the Fence Post
ING NOTES — APRIL 23, 2022, VIA NOMINATIONS
ZOOM The WFSC is in need of an editor for
The WFSC recognizes up to its publication, Across the Fence Post.
Treasurer’s Report — The 2021 three prominent Wisconsin philate- You could be that editor. Picture your-
financial report (Jan.1 thru Dec. 31) was lists per year for their contributions self in one of the above blank faces.
approved as distributed with minutes to the hobby. Nominations for 2022
of the Annual Business Meeting on candidates for the Wisconsin Phila- When you can see yourself in one of
April 9. The December 31 balance was telic Hall of Fame are due Decem- those images and want further infor-
$7106.50. ber 31, 2022. mation, please contact Ray Perry at:
[email protected] or call at (920)
ATFP — Karen Weigt will contin- Please note the following when 660-2154 with your name and contact
ue as interim editor with issues done submitting nominations: information. Thank you!
quarterly. A search for a new editor
continues. Dave Rees will handle the • Contributions of a purely WISCOPEX 2023 COMMITTEE
responsibility of communicating to the local club nature shall not be the UPDATE
ATFP distributor the number of copies sole reason for selection to the Hall
needed for each club. of Fame. Jim Stollenwerk, Clarence Davis and
Bill Manka met with Ashley Lane, sales
WISCOPEX 2022 — Comments • A deceased philatelist may manager, at the Hotel Retlaw in early
were that the show was successful and not be nominated or considered until July. We are moving ahead on WIS-
the Hotel Retlaw is a good venue. Future three years after his/her death. COPEX 2023 plans.
shows at the Hotel Retlaw need better
signage and the silent auction should Only WFSC member clubs Jim Stollenwerk will serve as gener-
be moved to the hallway. Tables more may submit nominations and each al chairman. In a passing of the baton,
suited to a stamp show are also needed. nomination must be seconded Clarence Davis is working with Jim
by two other member clubs. The on the general chairman duties. Bourse
Awards Chairman — Responsi- nominating club is responsible Chairman Bill Manka will be sending
bilities of the awards chairman were for making arrangements with the show information to the dealers.
discussed. seconding clubs to provide those
seconds. The nomination and Mark your calendars for WIS-
Hall of Fame Committee — John seconds should be sent together to COPEX 2023 at the Hotel Retlaw on
Paré reported that he had ordered and re- the chairman of the Hall of Fame May 6-7. Stay tuned to ATFP for addi-
ceived 30 Hall of Fame pins. He turned Committee. tional details on the Wisconsin Federa-
them over to Dan Undersander. tion of Stamp Clubs 91st convention and
A nomination should include a exhibition in Fond du Lac, WI.
WISCOPEX 2023 — It was unan- statement identifying the nominee,
imously agreed that the WFSC will a short philatelic biography, and the SDavaetetsh!e
sponsor the event with no host club and reasons why that person should be
pursue the Hotel Retlaw as the venue for selected for the Wisconsin Philatelic May 6-7, 2023
the dates May 6-7. Jim Stollenwerk will Hall of Fame. Send the nomination
serve as general chairman with commit- and seconds to Dan Undersander, wFor iscopex 2023 at the
tee members Gregg Greenwald, Brian Chrmn., Hall of Fame Committee,
Liedtke, Clarance Davis, Bill Manka, 3804 Dolphin Dr., Madison, WI Hotel Retlaw, Fond du Lac, Wis.
John Paré and Karen Weigt. 53719, [email protected]. sponsored by the Wisconsin Federation

Christmas Stamp First-day VP Chuck Rebek reported a location of Stamp Clubs
Promotion — MaryAnn Bowman will change for CENWISPEX in October.
contact Jay Bigalke for suggestions on Aimée Devine, temporary Southwest
how to proceed with promoting a first- VP, related that the Janesville Stamp
day ceremony for a Christmas stamp at Club show will be in February.
Waupaca, Wis.
Next Meeting Date — The next
Region VP Reports — East Central meeting will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday,
VP Bill Manka talked with club reps at August 27, 2022, via Zoom.
the Annual Business Meeting. South-
east VP Anna Trischan reported that
ATA Chapter 5 conducted a successful
hybrid meeting (Zoom and in person).
Northeast VP Ray Perry reported on a
successful show in Green Bay. Central

4 Across the Fence Post July-August-September 2022

by Joe Kowalski, Fond du Lac Stamp Club Answers will appear on the WFSC website and in
the next quarter’s Across the Fence Post.
Crossword

ACROSS

2. Liechtenstein – needle craft
used to create 300th anniversary
crown image

3. Faroe Islands – maritime-themed
stamps printed on actual ____
skin!

6. U.S. – shape of Global Forevers
since 2010

7. Great Britain – 50th anniversary
of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign was
printed in ____ leaf

10. India, Polynesia, others –
scented coffee, roses, lemon,
sandalwood, etc. (three words)

11. Chad and others – anti-COVID
stamps showed Penny Black’s
Queen Victoria wearing a ____

13. Iceland – geological phenomenon
pictured using ash-embedded
stamp ink

DOWN 8. Bhutan – material used for 15. Joint U.S. and Canada – flippable
se-tenant featured this sport
1. U.S. and others – holey stamps 1972 playable record stamps
ANSWERS TO RHYME
4. U.S. – astronomical phenomenon 9. Switzerland – selfie stamps TIME — Countries
revealed using thumb heat used a ______-like surface
from Apr.-May-June 2022
5. Austria – base material “com- 12. Tonga – yellow fruit shape ATFP, p. 8
memorating” shortage of essential 14. Spain, not Japan – paper craft
skill needed to fold these stamps
bathroom item (two words)

1. mare tail/air mail
2. yachts/Scott’s
3. songs/tongs
4. clamp flub/stamp club
5. surfer nation/perforation
6. kid/grid
7. perturbed bum/disturbed gum
8. flint ever singed/mint never
hinged
9. converted Kenny/Inverted
Jenny
10. daughter shark/watermark
11. sashay/cachet
12. great Bach/plate block

July-August-September 2022 Across the Fence Post 5

by Carol and Milt Wirth, Northwoods Philatelic Society

THE WILDINGS — Shall we call
them pre-Machins?

andra Mary, ascended to the throne tive postage stamps, now
as Queen Elizabeth II.
referred to as the Wilding
Many photographs of the
25-year-old Queen Elizabeth II were Issues.
taken during a sitting on February
Definitive British stamps went 26, 1952, just 20 days after the Dorothy Francis Edith
through a transition beginning young Queen’s accession. These
in 1952. On February 6, 1952, photographs became the basis Wilding (1893-1976) was
King George VI died and the Heiress for the designs of the new defini-
Presumptive, Princess Elizabeth Alex- a noted English photogra-

Figure 2 — The first pher from Gloucestershire.
18 Wildings (Regional
issues not included)) The Wilding definitive Figure 1 —
stamps feature a photograph 1952 Dorothy
taken by Wilding of Queen Wilding photo

Elizabeth II during the photo of Queen Eliza-

shoot in February 1952 (see beth !!

Figures 1 and 2).

The Wilding series was the first and only

series of stamps to include graphite lines on

the reverse. The graphite lines were to aid

Automatic Letter Facing (ALF) which orient-

ed envelopes for postmarking; this was later

replaced with phosphor bands. The stamps

were also the first British stamps to include

regional emblems.

All the definitive postage stamps of

this design, issued between 1952 and 1968,

Figure 3 —
Varieties of the
first 18 Wildings
from the 1/2d to

the 1/6p
denomination

July-August-September 2022 Across the Fence Post 6

are photogravure and perforated 14½ x 14. There are 18 Figure 4 — Three types of watermarks
denominations.
Wmk. 298 — Wmk. 322 — Wmk. 308 —
Figure 3 illustrates the varieties of the first 18 Wildings Tudor Crown and St. Edward’s St. Edward’s
from the 1/2d to the 1/6p denomination. Crown Multiple Crown and E 2 R
E 2 R Multiple
As well as the normal upright watermark – on values up to Multiple
and including 4d – the stamps from booklets and coils are also
found with inverted, sideways, and sideways inverted water-
marks. The original cream paper was changed to white in April
1962 resulting in two variants of the “crowns” watermarked
stamps (Figure 4).

Wildings were issued until 1968 when the Machin design
became the new definitive stamp. q

REGIONAL
ISSUES

Jersey —Arms Wales — Welsh
and Royal Mace Dragon

Scotland — St. Isle of Man —
Andrew’s Cross Manx Emblem

Northern Ireland — and Thistle
Flax and Red Hand

of Ulster

Guernsey — Lily and
Crown of William
the Conqueror

Cover illustrating usage
of the Queen Elizabeth

Wilding stamp along-
side its replacement, the

Machin

July-August-September 2022 Across the Fence Post 7

by Peter Hamon, Badger Stamp Club

Notes From A Magpie

My Favorite Thing

What is your very favorite item Figure 1 — Early 20th century German postal card sent from China to Ger-
in your collection? It could many, franked with stamps from five of eight nations allied against China
be a single stamp, a set, a
cover, or even a piece of postal realia. the next century, almost everyone from close the ports of Canton and Shanghai
Your favorite item might be ruinous- the West who traded with China became to the trade. In 1839 a high Qing official
ly expensive or worth only pennies. an opium producer, or at least a supplier. addressed a letter to Queen Victoria
Perhaps it is a perfect specimen or just a The Dutch grew opium poppies in Java, requesting her aid in shutting down the
bit ratty around the edges. In fact, your the United States and France obtained opium trade. The letter was intercepted
favorite item could be any of a thousand their supplies from the Middle East, and and according to various sources, the
different things, but whatever it may be, of course, the biggest producer of all queen never even saw it.
something about it makes it very special was British India.
both to you and perhaps also to the phil- Having failed to settle the opium
atelic community. Chinese goods were always in question through diplomatic means,
demand in Western countries, notably 1839 saw the start of the first Opium
Your favorite item has a story. Ev- silk, tea, and porcelain. Chinese mer- War. On one side, China was trying to
erything has one. It is in ferreting out the chants preferred to be paid in silver for shut down the opium trade, and Brit-
backstories of our favorite things that we these goods, but available stocks of ain was attempting to defend a very
become philatelists, but it is the sharing silver could never cover the demand. lucrative balance of trade. The Chinese
of these stories with others of our kind Alternatives had to be found. Opium were no match for the British fleet. The
that makes our hobby both boundless was an obvious choice. It was cheap, war ended in a British victory and with
and magical. easily transported, and in high demand. China paying a substantial indemnity as
No matter that it caused mass addiction well as ceding Hong Kong to the British.
My favorite thing from my own col- and all the other problems associated
lection is a postal card sent from China with widespread drug use. Business was, A second Opium War broke out a
to Germany in the opening years of the after all, just business. few years later. This time France allied
20th century (Figure 1). There is no with Britain against the Chinese. The
message on the card (the back is blank) The Chinese recognized the problem war ended with the capture of Peking
and it seems obviously philatelic in and tried to address it as best they could. and the looting and burning of the em-
nature in that the front includes canceled The Qing dynasty (the last imperial peror’s summer palace. These two wars
stamps from six different nations. dynasty in China) in 1836 prohibited resulted in the opening of most major
the importation of opium, and tried to Chinese ports to Western traders and
I almost passed this item up. It was
at the outer limit of my stamp budget
for the show at which I found it, and it
looked like something that might have
been put together for the tourist trade.
Then the dealer advised me of the real
significance of the piece. Budget out
the window, I had to have it, and here
it is today. Now bear with me if you
would, while I delve more deeply into
the backstory of how my favorite item
came to be.

First, a bit of history. In 1680 opium
was introduced to China by the Dutch.
Initially, opium was used for medicinal
purposes, but once someone figured
that it could be mixed with tobacco and
smoked, it became a recreational drug,
and a highly addictive one at that. Over

8 Across the Fence Post July-August-September 2022

allowed Christian missionaries to pros- course, the Imperial Palace was looted the cancels are not “Feldpost,” which was

elytize throughout China. Ultimately, once again to celebrate the end of the a service generally reserved for members

these wars also helped bring about the rebellion. As an aside, you might want of the German military. A sample of a

legalization of the opium trade itself. to check out a really exceptional movie Boxer Rebellion “Feldpost” cancel (Fig-

Following the Opium Wars, the titled 55 Days at Peking, starring David ure 2) has been included for comparison.

fortunes of the Qing dynasty went Niven and Charlton Heston. It provides To me, however, the single most

steadily downhill. For instance, from a view of the siege from the perspective interesting feature about the Figure 1

1850 through 1856, China postal card is that it is also franked with

was ravaged by the Taiping a Chinese stamp. Now just how this

Rebellion, which was led stamp made it onto a German postal

by a failed applicant for card, sent from a German base, just after

government service who the conclusion of a war against China,

claimed to be the younger I do not know. But then again, there is

brother of Jesus Christ. a lot I do not know, and I firmly expect

This revolt claimed the to meet someone sometime who will be

lives of an estimated 20 to kind enough to point out all my histori-

30 million people. cal and philatelic errors concerning this

By 1899 anti-Western card. I won’t mind. I’m just a magpie,

and anti-Christian senti- and I’ll continue to love this very special

ment had reached a fever card anyway.

pitch. Enter the Boxers When all is said and done, I could

(more formally known as hardly hope to stay in the good graces

the “Fists of Righteous of Ann (my spousal stamp collecting

Harmony”). This group, Figure 2 — Boxer Rebellion cover with “Feldpost” cancel partner) without mentioning at least one

initially and quietly spon- of her favorite things. In this case it is a

sored by the Qing dowager empress, set of the besieged, albeit from a strongly bit of stamp-based realia — a Chinese

out to cleanse the land of Western in- Western point of view. postcard picturing a man carrying a

fluences. To do so, the Boxers set about And now, to my favorite treasure bucket and a basket (Figure 3), probably

attacking and killing Western merchants, itself. It is a 5-pfennig preprinted

missionaries, and the occasional diplo- German postal card, additionally

mat. They believed that their cause was franked with stamps from five of

patriotic, divinely inspired, and also that the eight nations allied against

they could not be harmed by bullets. China. This postal card was sent

By 1900 the Boxers had largely to an address in Stuttgart, Ger-

shifted their focus from the north of many, to a family named Bopp. If

China to Peking, especially the Legation my wife and I can puzzle out the

Quarter. This was a walled section of rest of the name, there is a good

the city that housed diplomatic mis- chance we can track down infor-

sions from most of the major players in mation about the family, possibly

the China trade. The Boxers laid siege even identifying who created and

to this “city within a city” in June of sent this piece of postal history.

1900. In response to the siege, eight All of these stamps, including

countries formed an alliance, including the one printed on the postal card,

the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Britain, bear overprints for usage in China.

France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, The only alliance countries left

and the United States. Most sent military out were Austria-Hungary, Italy,

contingents to lift the siege, but due to and the United States. It appears

underestimation of Chinese military likely from the cancels that the

capabilities and will to resist, these were card was first created in late 1901

largely unsuccessful. Additional forces and mailed in 1902. The card was

finally won through and ended the siege mailed from Tientsin, which is not

after 55 days. surprising since this city served

To make a long story short, the dow- as a staging point for the various

ager empress turned against the Boxers international military contingents

and the rebellion was crushed. Despite on their way to and from Peking. Figure 3 — Spouse’s favorite Chinese postcard
this, the Qing dynasty was finished, and It seems likely that the sender (cont’d. on p. 10)
was replaced by a republic in 1912. Of
of this card was a civilian, because

July-August-September 2022 Across the Fence Post 9

Notes From A Magpie would prefer stayed swept under a
(cont’d. from p. 9) very Chinese rug.

a tea seller, ringing a bell to attract the Ann’s favorite still involves
attention of the public. The tea seller is China, but it invokes a calmer era,
a collage made up of bits and pieces of and expresses peace and beauty, with
Chinese stamps from the early years of war and suffering at least supposedly
the 20th century. The areas too delicate far away.
for expression by cut-up stamps are
finished in watercolor. So what is your favorite item in
your collection? What story does it
These cards were made for the tell? And most important of all, will
tourist trade, primarily in Hong Kong. you share that story? q
The art on the earliest ones is wonder-
ful and can be valuable. The later ones EDITOR’S
are everything one would expect from NOTE: The
an inexpensive tourist souvenir and Magpie is
less. Ann got hers as a freebee thrown so right! I’d
into a lot she bought, because the love to have
dealer simply didn’t know what else you share the story of the
to do with it. Treasures show up in the favorite item in your col-
strangest places. lection. Send your story to
[email protected].
So there you have it. Two more Include a scan of your
flights of the magpie. My own favor- item as a separate .jpg file.
ite philatelic item tells the story of a Scan at 300 to 400 dpi.
turbulent and a little-known (at least in
the West) era of world history, and per-
haps one that certain Western nations

10 Across the Fence Post July-August-September 2022

WFSC SHOW CALENDAR

Shows within and surrounding Wisconsin are quickly coming back.
Keep checking at www.wfscstamps.org for updates.
Send your show listing information to Karen Weigt, 4184 Rose Ct., Middleton, WI
53562 —­ 608-609-6173 or [email protected].

WFSC CLUB SHOWS October 1, 2022 November 132, 2022 OTHER
MAJOR SHOWS
August 13-14, 2022 Monroe Stamp and Postcard Show Oshkosh Stamp Bourse
Monroe Stamp and Postcard Club Oshkosh Philatelic Society September 24, 2022
TOSAPEX ‘22 Hilton Garden Inn, 1355 W. 20th
Wauwatosa Philatelic Society Monroe Moose Lodge (behind Ave., Oshkosh, WI — hours 9-3 SUPEX ‘22
St. Francis Lions Community Farm and Fleet), 639 3rd Ave., (Dave Carney, 920-750-3117, Suburban Collectors Club
Center, 3476 E. Howard Ave.,
Monroe, WI — hours 9-3 [email protected]) of Chicago
St. Francis, WI (Randy Riese, 608-558-6430, bourse only American Legion Hall, 900 S.
Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-3 (Contact: LaGrange Rd, LaGrange, IL
David Wilinski 414-943-2572 or [email protected]) May 6-7, 2023
Michael Mules 414-234-9867) bourse only hours 10-3
WISCOPEX 2023 bourse only
bourse only October 15, 2022 Wisconsin Federation of Stamp
November 18-20, 2022
August 20, 2022 CENWISPEX ‘22 Clubs 91st Convention and
Central Wisconsin Stamp Club Exhibition CHICAGOPEX 2022
STAMP AND COIN SHOW Plover Municipal Center, 2400 Chicago Philatelic Society
Bay de Noc Stamp and Coin Club Hotel Retlaw, One North Main St, Westin Chicago Northwest Ho-
Gladstone Bay College, Joseph Post Rd., Plover, WI Fond du Lac, WI tel, 400 Park Blvd, Itasca, IL
Heirman Bldg., 2001 N. Lincoln hours 10-4 (J.D. Manville Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4
Rd., Escanaba, MI — hours 9-3 715-341-5555, [email protected]) more information to follow bourse, judged exhibits, seminars
(Contact: Mark 906-786-2103)
bourse, exhibits
bourse only
CLASSIFIED AD OFFER
September 16-18, 2022
All WFSC members are entitled to two free
MILCOPEX 2022 25-word classified ads per year. Include
Milwaukee Philatelic Socity your club membership (not counted as
words). Send to Brian Liedtke, Advertising
NEW LOCATION Manager, ATFP, 4625 So. Scot Dr., New
Brookfield Convention Center, Berlin, WI 53131, 414-731-9794, or adman-
[email protected].
325 S. Moorland Rd.,
Brookfield, WI

Fri. and Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-3
www.Milwaukeephilatelic.org
bourse, judged exhibits, seminars

TOSAPEX August 13-14
MILCOPEX September 16-18
MONROE Stamp & Postcard

Show October 1

July-August-September 2022 Across the Fence Post 11

MILCOPEX 2022PUBLIC WELCOME
!September 16-18WiSPsPtcraoeomnmssptaiienSgr’ehsowB3Br2Eor5aoosyoSkk.aficfMecieelNodslFsdorEfCi,rr.oolWWaamnnnfdIIde-L95Sr4aROe3tMn0d.Cc1o.00eoA5r-lCTa5en,IdnSOtRuenNdr.. 1/0Ex-it3301B

FEATURES — sponsored by the
Milwaukee Philatelic Society
• 20-dealer bourse
• judged exhibits
• seminars
• youth and beginner collector area
• free admission and parking