Welcome to issue #4 - For those checking at the web site, remember it is easy and free to subscribe via email, details are at http://www.stampnewstoday.com

After an initial few weeks of fury after the purchase, there has not been much discussed about the Match Factory in the past several weeks. For those that don't know what this is, the American Philatelic Society (APS) has been going through a process over the past several years to expand into new headquarters. For at least the past two years, a vacant match factory has been on their radar. It is close to their current headquarters, and is spacious enough to handle any growth the Society might experience. The Society recently rejected an offer by Greg Manning to swap buildings in New Jersey, so the Match Factory project is going ahead.

There are a couple of issues that led to the discontent by some. The first is that there were certain criteria that were supposedly set in order for this purchase to go through, which were later disregarded by the board of directors. This has led to some criticism for going forward with the project. This vote passed 6-4, which is pretty narrow considering what a big purchase it is.

For now, the property is actually making money for the APS. They are renting space to a commercial company. A lot of funding needs to be in place to actually renovate the property and make it habitable for the APS. I believe that next year's elections might ultimately determine if the project goes forward. There are already two candidates running for president with opposing views on this. Unless funding is in place in the near future, look for this issue to be a major one for the upcoming elections.

A collector has set up a used stamp exchange so others can complete this difficult set of 50. For further information on the exchange and interesting viewpoints on the stamps, visit:

http://users.exis.net/~rblanks/Greet50.htm

The Australian Post announced last weekend that it is issuing, on behalf of East Timor, that countries first issue of new stamps. The new stamps will become available from Monday 20th. May 2002 which coincides with East Timor's first day of independence.

The new issue comprises 4 stamps.

1. Depicts a Crocodile (US%025c), representing E.Timor's foundation story.
2. Depicts a Palm Frond (US$0.50c), a traditional symbol of welcome in E. Timor.
3. Depicts Coffee (US$1.00), symbolises the 90% 0f the population which live in rural areas.
4. Depicts the new National Flag (US$2.00). The flag is black, yellow, red and white, representing the difficulties that need to be overcome, the wealth of the country and then struggle for national liberation and peace.

Australia Posts is producing and marketing the stamps. Post is meeting the costs of design, production and distribution.

Mint stamps only, no CTO will be supplied. No other configurations are available. Stocks are limited.

Purchase from: Australia Philatelic Bureau

P O Box 4000, Ferntree Gully, VICTORIA 3156. AUSTRALIA.

Fax: +613 9887 0236

Email: mailorder@auspost.com.au

I recently began collecting stamps from Mexico just for fun - I figured I went through a lot of mixtures, and I could pull the Mexican stamps aside and try to collect as many as possible. I didn't want to purchase a stamp album for this collection, because it would probably cost many times more than the stamps themselves. I didn't want to use a stock book because I felt this type of collection would actually look better in a traditional album. The answer to this problem is a web site called Stamp Albums Web, which is located at http://www.stampalbums.com/ - For only $20 per year, I had access to a large number of country pages. They are in pdf format and work with Adobe Acrobat, which is a free program. Although my laser printer is unbelievably slow with printing graphics, I eventually printed out the pages I needed. A three hole punch, an inexpensive three ring binder, and a bag of hinges and I was in business. For those looking to try something fun and new, I recommend this site. You can view samples of the pages online.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 17, 2002

Stamp Release #02-032

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Postal Service will issue a 23-cent stamped card honoring Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The park is located in the southeastern corner of New Mexico.

The new stamped postal card will be dedicated at the Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitors Center in Carlsbad, N.M., on Friday, June 7, at 10 a.m. at a first day of issue ceremony. The ceremony is free and open to the public. The 23-cent stamped postal card will officially go on sale nationwide at all post offices on June 7.

Created to preserve Carlsbad Cavern and numerous other caves within the Guadalupe Mountains, Carlsbad Cave National Monument was established on Oct. 25, 1923, and became a National Park on May 14, 1930. On Dec. 6, 1995, the cavern was designated a World Heritage Site. Nearly 500,000 visitors enjoy the park each year.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park has more than 100 known caves and covers 46,766 acres, with 33,125 acres designated as wilderness. The park's most prominent feature is Carlsbad Cavern, which contains one of the world's largest underground chambers and countless magnificent geological formations, some of which are easily accessible along a three-mile paved underground trail. Lechuguilla Cave, which is not only the deepest limestone cave in the United States but also the third longest, is also located within the park.

Another major attraction at Carlsbad Caverns National Park is the colony of migratory Mexican free-tailed bats that make their summer home in a passageway near the natural entrance to Carlsbad Cavern. From spring until autumn, hundreds of thousands of bats swarm out of the cave at nightfall to feed on insects. Visitors gather to marvel at the dramatic exodus which can last from 20 minutes to two hours.

The computer-generated illustration of Carlsbad Caverns featured on the stamped card was by Tom Engeman of Brunswick, Md. Carl Herrman, of Carlsbad, Calif., was the designer and art director.

To see the stamped card, go to www.usps.com/shop. Under Collector's Corner, click on Release Schedule, or click on Stamp Issues to see images of many past and future stamps and stationery.

All current stamps and other philatelic products, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available by calling toll free 1 800 STAMP-24. In addition, a selection of current stamps and gift items are available online at the Postal Store.

Thanks for reading, see you next week.

Alan Cohen

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