AFDCS Announces First Day Cover Writing Awards

Howard, Kaplan, Rosenthal Win AFDCS Ward Writing Awards

E. Lee Howard and the team of Barry N. Kaplan and Michael R. Rosenthal
are the winners of the 2010 Philip H. Ward Award, presented by the
American First Day Cover Society for best writing on first day covers.

Howard, a past president of the AFDCS and of its Robert C. Graebner
Chapter in the Washington, D.C., area, took first place with his
article, “Jesse Graham Holland, Pioneer Cachetmaker,” which appeared in
the Dec. 1, 2009, issue of First Days, society’s official journal.

Kaplan and Rosenthal’s “The House of Farnam Story: The Artmaster Era:
1988-2005,” which appeared in the Jan. 15, 2009, issue of First Days,
was chosen as the runner-up for the Ward Award.

Back issues of First Days are available for $4.00 each postpaid within
the U.S. from Deb Bennett, 1601 River Farm Drive, Alexandria, Va. 22308.

The awards will be presented at the AFDCS membership meeting during
Americover 2010, the annual show and convention of the AFDCS, which this
year is being held August 6-8 at the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook in Oak
Brook, Ill.

The award, named in honor of Philip H. Ward (1890-1963), the
distinguished Philadelphia stamp collector, dealer and journalist who
was a pioneer in the field of first day covers, was instituted by the
AFDCS in 1964. All articles appearing in First Days are automatically
considered for the award; articles in other publications may be
submitted for consideration.

Additional information about the AFDCS can be found at www.afdcs.org