ESPER AT SESE 2025

Left to right: Clarence McKnight, Jean Lewis,

Don Neal, Tony Thaxton Jr. and Rosina Major

The Southeast Federation of Stamp Clubs kicked off the 2025 Philatelic Season with their 27th Southeastern Stamp Expo in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. As in many years before the program was held at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast. The show theme was the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Postal System.

The program started out Friday the 24th January with the US Postal Service First Day of Issue ceremony for the 1794 Compass Rose Global Forever stamp. A grand display of ESPER talent was presented on stage. Foster Miller graced the audience serving as ‘Master of Ceremonies’ for the program and gave pleasant ‘Closing Remarks’ to end the program. ESPER member Lloyd De Vries provided enlightenment with his presentation ‘First –Day Cover Collecting Remarks’. The stamp is intended to be used to mail a one-ounce letter to any country to which First-Class Mail International service is available. The current value of this Forever Stamp is $1.65. Special thanks go out to Foster Miller for purchasing sample of the stamp from the Post Office for ESPER members to receive first day cancellations.

The Georgia Chapter continued the tradition of providing the Non-Competitive Exhibit “The United States Black Heritage Series”. This three frame exhibit was located on the first roll of frames in the Exhibit Hall which received a lot of foot traffic. Originally organized and donated by long time ESPER member Roger P. Quinby the display is up to date from Harriet Tubman (1978) through Constance Baker Motley (2024).

The ESPER Society Table, located in the main hall next to registration, was covered corner to corner with philatelic information, giveaways, and merchandise featuring the African diaspora. The table was serviced by multiple ESPER members; Rosina Major, Jean Lewis, Clarence McKnight, Don Neal, and Tony Thaxton Jr.

On the Saturday of the SESE ESPER held a Town Hall Meeting. The meeting featured two presentations by long time member and Webmaster of our award winning web site Clarence McKnight. The first presentation was titled “To Form A More Perfect Union”. This presentation covers the Civil Rights Movement through postage stamp and photos from the movement. Throughout the presentation music played representing the music of the era including Sam Cook, A Changed is Going to Come. McKnight’s second presentation, “From Slavery to the Civil Rights Movement”, started with the Atlantic Slave Trade and concluded with the Civil Rights Movement. However, it should be noted that the Civil Rights Movement is not over.

Georgia Chapter ESPER Member Barbara Asher was awarded the APS Nicholas G. Carter Volunteer Recognition Award for National Service. The award recognizes outstanding efforts of American Philatelic Society volunteers. Since 2012 Mrs. Asher has assisted the American Topical Association am many stamp shows. Congratulations Barbar.

ESPER’s attendance and participation at the SESE was great. We are already talking about next year. See you there.

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