STAMP CLUB ORGANIZED IN 1940

Albion once had several hobby clubs during the post World War II "boom" years when our town’s population was at its peak. This week we are featuring one of them, the Albion Stamp Club. The scientific name for a stamp collector is a philatelist. No, I don’t collect stamps nor have I ever, but there are others in town who still do.

The Albion Stamp Club was organized in 1940 under the direction of its first president, Albion dentist Dr. Arthur G. Davis. Secretary-treasurer was Marcelene Edger, office worker at Union Steel Products. The membership chairman was Mark H. Fall, editor of the Albion Evening Recorder.

The club held its first stamp show on Saturday, April 17, 1940 at the Parker Inn Hotel on E. Michigan Avenue. There were numerous displays of postage stamps totaling around 70 large display panels. Featured exhibitor was Harold C. Brooks of Marshall who displayed items from his award-winning philatelic collection with several noted rarities. There were also a dozen stamp "bourse" dealers at the event where items could be purchased.

The event attracted stamp collectors from across the state, including officials from the Peninsular State Philatelic Society. Around 400 persons attended the event, which included an evening dinner. Speakers at the dinner included Mr. Brooks, and Albion postmaster Daniel McAuliffe.

From our Historical Notebook this week we present a picture of the first souvenir exhibition card issued by the club dated April 27, 1940. The card contains actual 1¢ stamps on them, bearing Albion cancellations. These souvenir cards were issued at subsequent stamp shows for many years, each bearing a different theme and original stamps mounted on them. In the 1960s the club switched to commemorative envelope covers which for the most part bore local themes.

The Albion Stamp Show was a regular occurrence here for many years. Unfortunately, the club members grew older and passed away; the younger members grew up and moved away, and local interest in stamp collecting waned. As a result, the club membership dwindled with no younger persons left to take over the responsibilities, and the Albion Stamp Club folded in the 1980s. How many of our readers remember the Albion Stamp Club?

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