Philatelic Society of Lancaster County

Philatelic Society of Lancaster County We began as the Lancaster Stamp Club in 1929 with fifteen charter members meeting in the Science Building at F&M College. at 6:30pm.
* Please, Come Join Us!
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We are an award-winning, non-profit community organization dedicated to promoting stamp collecting as a hobby for education & fun. Your Membership Benefits Include:
* Monthly Full-color award-winning "PSLC Newsletter": packed with a wide array of interesting topics and articles on stamps and postal history, Society and Stamp Show news, etc.
* Bi-Monthly Meetings (one in-person, the other Virtual): programs with speakers presenting interesting and fascinating stamp collecting and postal history topics. Great Question and Answer sessions always follow and Show & Tell.
* PSLC YouTube Channel with lectures and presentations on a broad array of stamp and postal history topics.
* Buy/Sell Bourse: you have sessions to buy or sell stamps, covers and accessories to fellow collectors before, during and after the Meeting.
* Auctions: three times a year you have the opportunity and participate in a Club Auction.
* The Lancaster Stamp Show six times a year hosted by K2 Stamps & Collectibles, at the Lancaster Farm and Home Center, Lancaster, PA on the even months throughout the year. Contact: Paul Petersen ([email protected]) and/or Charles J. DiComo ([email protected])
* Meeting Dates/Times: The second and fourth Wednesday of the month (except Aug & Dec.)

Sharing: My display page with five beautiful U.S. Private Die Proprietary Matches Revenues, the 3¢ strip Die Essays in d...
09/20/2026

Sharing: My display page with five beautiful U.S. Private Die Proprietary Matches Revenues, the 3¢ strip Die Essays in different shades (blue, green, beige, plum & grey) on card (each numbered in red on the reverse) from the D.M. Richardson & Co., Detroit, Michigan.

Denoted as to , these were never issued, only 50 copies of each shade were printed (as well as another 250 extra of blue), all by Butler & Carpenter, Philadelphia, PA.
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Enjoy! Collection of Dr. Charles J. DiComo, President of both the Philatelic Society of Lancaster County (PA) & Empire State Postal History Society (NY); U.S. Philatelic Classics Society (USPCS) Life Member; Editor of award-winning Chairman’s Chatter; Director, PA Postal History Society (PaPHS); Emeritus, Council of Philatelists, Smithsonian National Postal Museum

Affiliations: APS, APS WU30, ARA, BNAPS, EFOCC, ESPHS, PAPHS, PSLC, RSCC, USPCS, et al.

Philatelic Bio: https://www.lcps-stamps.org/member-spotlight/

For Immediate Release:2026-09-19… The Philatelic Gathering met at the Chester County History Center on September 19, 202...
09/20/2026

For Immediate Release:

2026-09-19… The Philatelic Gathering met at the Chester County History Center on September 19, 2026.

Kean Spencer opened the program with his presentation “Tobacco & Alcohol Tax Paid Revenues of Puerto Rico.” The early ones were printed by the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. He showed cigarette revenues overprinted locally and also cigar bands. Chewing to***co was also taxed. The wording Porto was changed to Puerto in 1934. The first liquor revenues were cigarette stamps cut in half and overprinted. He also showed revenues for wine and rectified spirits as well as “Tax Free” stamps.

The second speaker was Michael Wilson who presented a program on “The American Cheap Postage Movement.” He will present a version of the talk at the Blount Postal History Symposium in December at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Early in the postal rate system the cost of sending a letter was equivalent to buying a loaf of bread or shipping a barrel of wheat, i.e., beyond the reach of most citizens. The early U.S. postal system accrued a surplus of funds up to 1837, suggesting that cheaper rates might be more reasonable.

In the 1840s and the 1850s, Barnabas Bates, the original “Father of Cheap Postage” in the United States, pressed for lower mailing rates. The Postal Act of 1845 simplified rates based on weight and distance rather than number of sheets, and the Cheap Postage Association in 1848 continued to argue for lower rates. In 1883 the rate of 2¢ per half ounce was introduced. Another activist was James Hale, who was also dubbed the“Father of Cheap Postage in America” about 15 years after Bates was given the title. How soon we forget!

For more information on joining the Gathering, visit our webpage hosted by the Philatelic Society of Lancaster County at: https://lcps-stamps.org/study-groups/

Philatelically yours,
Dr. Charles J DiComo, PhD
Founding Member of the Philatelic Gathering and President of the PSLC & ESPHS

Proud Chapter of the American Philatelic Society (APS) and American Topical Association (ATA)

Sharing: From my Dr. Carroll Chase Archive on his birthday, born Sept. 18, 1878. Beautifully handcrafted sterling silver...
09/18/2026

Sharing: From my Dr. Carroll Chase Archive on his birthday, born Sept. 18, 1878.

Beautifully handcrafted sterling silver Presentation Box (160x80x30 mm) from the “France & Colonies Group” to Dr. Carroll Chase... ‘In Appreciation for Philatelic Service 1946.’

Showing a few pictures of Dr. Chase at his home in Milford, NH in the summer of 1959. One at his desk, where he did all his research, plating and writing; the other of Dr. C. coming out of his walk-in room safe, where he also stored his wine (look on floor by the door).

Then, one sample letter (and cover) I have from an extensive correspondence with another USPCS founding member, Richard K. Meyer, on the plating specifics of the 3¢ 1851-57 Issue.

Finally, an XF copy of his 1909 Handbook “On Plating the 3c 1851 United States Postage Stamp”.

I maintain a substantial archive of Dr. Chase-related items from his personal collection for those that are interested in seeing, beyond the stamps & covers we all love and study. An honor to have acquired and preserve these artifacts for philately.
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Enjoy! Collection of Dr. Charles J. DiComo, President of both the Philatelic Society of Lancaster County (PA) & Empire State Postal History Society (NY); U.S. Philatelic Classics Society (USPCS) Life Member; Editor of award-winning Chairman’s Chatter; Director, PA Postal History Society (PaPHS); Emeritus, Council of Philatelists, Smithsonian National Postal Museum

Affiliations: APS, APS WU30, ARA, BNAPS, EFOCC, ESPHS, PAPHS, PSLC, RSCC, USPCS, et al.

Philatelic Bio: https://www.lcps-stamps.org/member-spotlight/

For Immediate Release:2026-09-17... The Philatelic Society of Lancaster County (PSLC) invites all far and wide to join ...
09/17/2026

For Immediate Release:

2026-09-17... The Philatelic Society of Lancaster County (PSLC) invites all far and wide to join us for the Philatelic Gathering this Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM (doors open at 9:30 AM) at the Chester County History Center (CCHC) for our quarterly meeting.

Two well-known philatelists and postal historians will be lecturing:
1. Michael Wilson on “The Cheap Postage Movement of the Mid-1800’s;”
AND
2. Kean Spencer on "Puerto Rico Revenues, both Spanish Era & U.S. Administration." You do not want to miss these presentations.

The CCHC is located at 225 N. High Street, West Chester PA, 19380. Free on street parking and free coffee and donuts. After the meeting, whoever wants to join the group for a Dutch treat luncheon at a nearby restaurant in West Chester is welcome.

For more information on the Philatelic Gathering, how to join us, and/or to present at a future meeting, visit our webpage: https://lcps-stamps.org/study-groups/

Philatelically yours,
Dr. Charles J DiComo, PhD
Gathering Founding Member and President of the PSLC & ESPHS

Proud Chapter of the American Philatelic Society (APS) and the American Topical Association (ATA)

Sharing: Just posted on Substack my article titled “An Unlisted Major Double Transfer on the Trenton Match Co.'s U.S. Pr...
09/16/2026

Sharing: Just posted on Substack my article titled “An Unlisted Major Double Transfer on the Trenton Match Co.'s U.S. Private Die Proprietary 1¢ Revenue Stamp ” which appeared in “The American Revenuer,” Journal of the American Revenue Association (ARA), Fourth Quarter, 2023, Vol. 76, No. 4, pp. 18-22.

This article shares a brief history of the Trenton Match Co., run by matchmaker & foreman, George O. Seward, which operated in Trenton, New Jersey during the 1860’s-1880’s.

What follows is the description of an unlisted major double transfer (DT) of , the private die proprietary revenue stamp they issued. I use enlarged images to show the 2.0 mm shift to the right across entire design.

The most prominent features are: the left inner frame line; the lower left numeral “1”; the lower “TRENTON”; the left figure “Liberty” drapery; the Horse head; the right figure “Ceres” lower dress; and the three manual Hand Plows.

Finally, I was able to confirm this major DT occurs at position 44 on the scarce intact pane of 210, Plate No. 238, kindly provided by Eric Jackson. Next step - get this variety listed in “Scott Catalogue” as .

Enjoy & subscribe to my Substack. I will be posting more award-winning articles over the next weeks & months.

Link: https://charlesdicomo.substack.com/p/an-unlisted-major-double-transfer?r=ohmjc&utm_medium=ios
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Enjoy! Collection of Dr. Charles J. DiComo, President of both the Philatelic Society of Lancaster County (PA) & Empire State Postal History Society (NY); Life Member U.S. Philatelic Classics Society (USPCS); Editor of award-winning Chairman’s Chatter; Director, PA Postal History Society (PaPHS); Immediate Past Board President, North Museum of Nature & Science and the Millport Conservancy (PA); Emeritus, Council of Philatelists, Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

Affiliations: APS, APS WU30, ARA, BNAPS, EFOCC, ESPHS, PAPHS, PSLC, RSCC, USPCS, et al.

Philatelic Bio: https://www.lcps-stamps.org/member-spotlight/

Sharing: U.S. Private Die Proprietary Revenue Stamps - the Medicines.“D. Ransom & Company” & “D. Ransom, Son & Company”,...
09/16/2026

Sharing: U.S. Private Die Proprietary Revenue Stamps - the Medicines.

“D. Ransom & Company” & “D. Ransom, Son & Company”, Buffalo, New York.

History: In 1846, Dr. David Ransom began his practice in Buffalo, NY. He produced “Dr. D. Ransom’s King of the Blood”, claiming to cure cancers & cancerous tumors “without the surgeon’s knife,” as well as scrofula & consumption. There also was “Dr. A. Trask’s Magnetic Ointment” for croup, sore throat, diphtheria & rheumatism.

Ransom commissioned two private die stamps, first issued Jul. 1865 to Aug. 1875. , 1¢ Blue & , 2¢ Black: 2,227,350 on old paper; 1,804,030 on silk paper.

In 1872, the company name changed to D. Ransom, Son & Company, after Dr. Ransom’s death & his son & Sullivan Meredith took over. The new company used the stamps of their predecessor into 1875, when the National Bank Note Company (NBNC) took over the printing contract.

In 1876, stamps with the new corporate name were issued & produced until near the end of the tax period, last delivery Mar. 2, 1883. , 1¢ Blue, 2,356,760 on silk, pink & watermarked papers. , 2¢, Blue, 1,115,320 on silk, pink & watermarked papers.

Showing a typical Trask’s Magnetic Ointment bottle and Almanac.
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Enjoy! Collection of Dr. Charles J. DiComo, President of both the Philatelic Society of Lancaster County (PA) & Empire State Postal History Society (NY); U.S. Philatelic Classics Society (USPCS) Life Member; Editor of award-winning Chairman’s Chatter; Director, PA Postal History Society; Emeritus, Council of Philatelists, Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

Affiliations: APS, APS WU30, ARA, BNAPS, EFOCC, ESPHS, PAPHS, PSLC, RSCC, USPCS, et al.

Philatelic Bio: https://www.lcps-stamps.org/member-spotlight/

Sharing: One of my complete sets of Educard Proof Cards, No. 101-130, produced by Voncorp, Dunedin, FL., copyrighted 197...
09/14/2026

Sharing: One of my complete sets of Educard Proof Cards, No. 101-130, produced by Voncorp, Dunedin, FL., copyrighted 1972.

Thirty (30) Cards in all, each measuring 9 3/4 x 7 in., on thick bond, uncoated, no writing on the reverse, with associated Manila cover with detailed descriptions.

The cards cover a fantastic array of U.S. general issue postage stamps, definitives, commemoratives, airmails, officials, revenues, trial color proofs, etc.
Also showing an original ad ca. 1973 to purchase the cards individually, or as a complete set (which at the time only went up to #109).
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Enjoy! Collection of Dr. Charles J. DiComo, President of both the Philatelic Society of Lancaster County (PA) & Empire State Postal History Society (NY); U.S. Philatelic Classics Society (USPCS) Life Member; Editor of award-winning Chairman’s Chatter; Director, PA Postal History Society (PaPHS); Emeritus, Council of Philatelists, Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

Affiliations: APS, APS WU30, ARA, BNAPS, EFOCC, ESPHS, PAPHS, PSLC, RSCC, USPCS, et al.

Philatelic Bio: https://www.lcps-stamps.org/member-spotlight/

Sharing: U.S. Private Die Proprietary Revenue Stamps - the Medicines. Manhattan Medicine Company, New York City, N.Y.His...
09/13/2026

Sharing: U.S. Private Die Proprietary Revenue Stamps - the Medicines.

Manhattan Medicine Company, New York City, N.Y.

History: Atwood’s Quinine Tonic Bitters was originated in 1840 by Moses Atwood and sold to Alvah Littlefield ~15 years later. The product was distributed by Demas Barnes, among others, and later by John Henry.

In 1877, Henry bought the rights to the product and began to manufacture it in the new firm he set up, the Manhattan Medicine Company. He also moved the manufacture of Dr. Roger’s Compound Syrup of Liverwort, Tar & Canchalagua, which he had purchased from A.L. Scovill & Company, to Manhattan Medicine.

The , 2¢ black stamp, was issued first, from 1877 to Jun. 14, 1881, with 210,500 printed on silk, pink and watermarked papers. Showing all papers.

The , 1¢ violet stamp, was issued from 1878 to May 31, 1883, with 686,171 printed, all on watermarked paper. This can also be found in a distinctive purple shade.

Sharing a picture of Moses Atwood, a typical bottle of Jaundice Bitters from the era and two advertisements.
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Enjoy! Collection of Dr. Charles J. DiComo, President of both the Philatelic Society of Lancaster County (PA) & Empire State Postal History Society (NY); Life Member U.S. Philatelic Classics Society (USPCS); Editor of award-winning Chairman’s Chatter; Director, PA Postal History Society (PaPHS); Immediate Past Board President, North Museum of Nature & Science & the Millport Conservancy; Emeritus, Council of Philatelists, Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

Affiliations: APS, APS WU30, ARA, BNAPS, EFOCC, ESPHS, PAPHS, PSLC, RSCC, USPCS, et al.

Philatelic Bio: https://www.lcps-stamps.org/member-spotlight/

For Immediate Release:2026-09-12… The Philatelic Society of Lancaster County (PA) is pleased to release the award-winnin...
09/13/2026

For Immediate Release:

2026-09-12… The Philatelic Society of Lancaster County (PA) is pleased to release the award-winning September edition of the "PSLC Newsletter." Thank you Editor, Scott Ney and contributors.

In This Issue: The President's Veranda Chronicles; upcoming PSLC Presentations and Regional Stamp Shows; the Treasurer Reports; Member Research Requests; Highlights of the Last Meeting, and two articles. Details are in the newsletter and on our website.

Read the full issue:https://lcps-stamps.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/PSLC-Newsletter-2026-09.pdf

For more information on the PSLC, visit our website: https://www.lcps-stamps.org

Philatelically yours,
Dr. Charles J DiComo, PhD
PSLC & ESPHS President
Proud Chapter of the American Philatelic Society (APS) and American Topical Association (ATA). See less

Sharing: The U.S. Private Die Proprietary Revenue Stamps - the Matches.“American Match Company”, of Rock Island, ILL.Sho...
09/12/2026

Sharing: The U.S. Private Die Proprietary Revenue Stamps - the Matches.

“American Match Company”, of Rock Island, ILL.

Showing my unique 3¢ Buff, on Bond, Trial Color Proof, unlisted in this color, or on this paper, in “Scott Catalogue.” Nothing like this was offered in 1991 Joyce Sale. (This specimen is ex. Tolman, II, Siegel Sale 926, Lot 9A, 2006).

Montage shows obverse & reverse at top, with contrast-enhanced images below, showing the detailed engraving. One can see the top of another below, suggesting a full pane of 170 was printed for examination, and this color, shade was not approved.

Also showing side-by-side with another Trial Color Proof in black on India.

Finally, as reference from my Census, six images of the issued stamps in green on old paper, central Eagle with spread wings poised upon a shield, resting atop a globe. An estimated 12 still exist, another M&M rarity.

History: The American Match Co. of Rock Island, Illinois was short lived. Their stamp was issued on Oct. 31, 1866 through Nov. 10, 1866: only 44,000 were printed (sheets of 170) all on old paper. The remaining stock held by printer (119,200) were finally destroyed as ‘obsolete’ when silk paper introduced.
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Enjoy! Collection of Dr. Charles J. DiComo, President of both the Philatelic Society of Lancaster County (PA) & Empire State Postal History Society (NY); Life Member U.S. Philatelic Classics Society (USPCS); Editor of award-winning Chairman’s Chatter; Director, PA Postal History Society (PaPHS); Immediate Past Board President, North Museum of Nature & Science & the Millport Conservancy; Emeritus, Council of Philatelists, Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

Affiliations: APS, APS WU30, ARA, BNAPS, EFOCC, ESPHS, PAPHS, PSLC, RSCC, USPCS, et al.

Philatelic Bio: https://www.lcps-stamps.org/member-spotlight/

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