American Topical Association
P. O. Box 57
Arlington, TX 76004-0057
817-274-1181 * Fax: 817-274-1184 * E-Mail: americantopical@msn.com

 
Main Links

Home Page

About the ATA

Benefits

Chapters

Member Links

Membership

News

Officers

Stamp Shows

Study Units

Topical Time
Related Links

Articles

Audio/Visual

Checklists

Exhibits

Handbooks

Radio Shows

Specials

T.T. Indexes
Other Links

Code of Ethics

Collecting for Seniors

Links

This site uses forms saved in PDF format. If you do not have Adobe® Reader® software version 4 or later, you  need to download the FREE Adobe® Reader® software to read these files by clicking  the link below and following the instructions there.

ATA Study Units and Affiliates

ATA Director of Units

Dalene Thomas
8612 W Warren Lane
Lakewood, CO 80227
 dalene1@lighthousestampsociety.org

DISTINGUISHED TOPICAL PHILATELIST NOMINATIONS SOUGHT

The Distinguished Topical Philatelist (DTP) designation is awarded for service to topical philately in general and to the American Topical Association (ATA) in particular. It was established in 1952 and has been presented to 110 individuals since its inception. This is the most prestigious award given by the ATA.

ATA Study Unit members are encouraged to submit the names of those Study Unit members who have helped promote topical collectiing, especially within their own Units.

For more information, see the press release.

[Skip to general Study Unit Program information (below).]

ATA INDIVIDUAL STUDY UNIT INFORMATION

Information given for each group includes: Name, year chartered by ATA, scope, title and frequency of periodical, membership dues, person to contact, and E-Mail and/or website (if available). Information may have changed since these were posted. If you find any corrections, please notify the Central Office.

African American (see Ebony Society)

Aircraft Unit (2004): A study of aircraft of the world on stamps and covers.

  • Bi-monthly Publication: Aircraft Stamp News; $25 hardcopy, $20 electronic

  • Contact: Ray Cartier, 2509 Buffalo Drive, Arlington, TX 76013

  • E-Mail: atadir@sbcglobal.net

Americana Unit (1951): History, culture, and industry of the USA World-wide 

Animals (see Biology)

Antarctica and Arctic (see Polar)

Archaeological (Old World) Study Unit (1977): Archaeology of the eastern hemisphere.

  • Quarterly Publication: Old World Archaeologist: US $15, elsewhere $23

  • Contact: Caroline Scannell, 14 Dawn Drive, Smithtown, NY 11787

  • E-Mail: philate@ix.netcom.com

  • Website: www.owasu.org

Art and Artists (see Fine & Performing Arts)

Astronauts (see Space)

Astronomy Study Unit (1972): Astronomy, astrology, zodiac

  • Quarterly Publication: Astrofax; US $10, Elsewhere $12

  • Contact: John W.G. Budd, 29203 Coharie Loop, San Antonio, FL 33576-4643

  • E-Mail: jwgbudd@earthlink.net

Authors (see Journalists, Authors and Poets)

Bicycle Stamp Club (1987): Bicycles

  • Quarterly Publication: Bicycle Stamps;
    $19 US: to Bill Eubanks, 21304 2nd Ave. SE, Bothell, WA 98021;
    12.50 British Pounds International: to Brian Sole, 3 Stockfield road, Claygate, Esher, Surrey, KT10 0QG United Kingdom;
    $A30 for Australia: contact Tony Tiederman, email: tonimaur@bigpond.com.

  • Contact US: Norman Batho, 358 Iverson Place, East Windsor, NJ 08520

  • E-Mail: normbatho@worldnet.att.net,   brian.sole@btinternet.com,   tonimaur@bigpond.com

  • Contact International: Brian Sole, 3 Stockfield Road, Claygate, Esher, Surrey, KT10 QG

  • Contact Australia: Tony Tedeman, P.O. Box 90, Baulkham Hill, NSW 1755, Australia

  • Website: www.memberstripod.com/~bicylcestamps

Biology Unit (1951): Animal and plant life, present and prehistoric

Birds (see Biology)

Black History (see Ebony Society)

Botany (see Biology)

Butterflies (See Lepidopterists)

Canadiana Study Unit (1988): History, culture, and industry of Canada worldwide

  • Quarterly Publication: The Canadian Connection; US $18, and Canada $15, Elsewhere $25

  • Contact:  John G. Peebles, P.O. Box 3262, Station A, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 4K3

  • E-Mail: john-peebles@sympatico.ca

Captain Cook Society (1975): Life and voyages of Captain James Cook

  • Quarterly Publication: Cook’s Log; $19 US; $A35 for Australia; Canada $CA21.00; New Zealand $NZ40.00; 10 British Pounds for International.

  • Contact US: Brian Sandford, 172 Minuteman Drive, Concord, MA 01742

  • Contact Australia: Riemer Brouwer, 5 Arthur Street, Unit 2, Briar Hill, Victoria 3088, Australia.

  • Contact Canada: John W. Richardson, 19 Oakhurst Dr., North York, ON, Canada, M2K 2N2.

  • Contact New Zealand: Allan Berry, 238 Waikiekie Rd, Thames, New Zealand.

  • Contact International: Alwyn Peel, 13 Cowdry Close, Thornhill, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, WF12 OLW, United Kingdom.

  • E-Mail: US@captaincooksociety.com (US members), or Secretary@captaincooksociety.com (non-US members).
  • Website: www.CaptainCookSociety.com

Carto-Philatelic Society (1955): Globes and maps

Cats on Stamps Study Unit (1985): Domestic and wild felines.

Chemistry & Physics Study Unit (1979): Chemistry and physics

  • Quarterly Publication: Philatelia Chimica et Physica; US $20; Canada $26; Elsewhere $30

  • Contact:  Roland Hirsch, 20458 Waters Point Lane, Germantown, MD 20874

  • E-Mail: rfhirsch@earthlink.net

    •

  • Website: www.cpossu.org

Chess on Stamps Study Unit (1979): Chess, other board games

  • Quarterly Publication:  Chesstamp Review; US $17, elsewhere $24

  • Contact:  Ray Aleksis, 603 Emery Street, Longmont, CO 80501.

  • E-Mail: chessstuff911459@aol.com

Christmas Philatelic Club (1986): Sacred and secular aspects of Christmas

Christopher Columbus Philatelic Society (1982): Life and voyages of Christopher Columbus

  • Quarterly Publication: Discovery!; US $20, elsewhere $24

  • Contact: Donald Ager, PO Box 71, Hillsboro, NJ 03244;

  • Contact: Leslie Seff, Secy., 3750 Hudson Manor Terr. East, Bronx NY 10463-1126

    •

  • E-Mail: meganddon@tds.net

  • Website: www.ccps.maphist.nl

Computers (see Mathematics)

Dentistry (see Medical Subjects)

Dogs (See Biology)

Earthquakes (See Earth’s Physical Features)

Earth’s Physical Features Study Unit (1977): Earthquakes, environment, meteorology, mountains, oceanography, rivers, volcanoes

Ebony Society of Philatelic Events & Reflecting (ESPER) (2000): African American heritage worldwide

Embroidery (see Textiles)

Europa Study Unit (1959): All aspects of a United Europe

  • Bi-Monthly Publication: Europa News; US $10, Canada $11, Elsewhere $16

  • Contact: Donald W. Smith, P.O. Box 576, Johnstown, PA 15907-0576

  • Alt. Contact: Steve Luster, 19365 Cypress Ridge Terr. #507, Landsdowne, VA 20176;

  • E-Mail: eunity@aol.com

  • Alt. E-Mail: donsmith65@msn.com

  • Website: www.europastudyunit.org

Fairytales and Folklore (see Journalists)

For Study Units: Delete contacts for the Fine Arts & Performing Arts. Leave them listed but add, DORMANT in place of the contact info.

Fine & Performing Arts Philatelists (1986): Art, artists, cinema, circus, music, theater

  • Quarterly Publication: FAP Journal; US $22, Elsewhere $30

  • Contact: DORMANT

  • E-Mail: brasslady@comcast.com

Fire Service in Philately (1976): Fire fighting

  • Quarterly Publication: Fire Stamp News; $15

  • Contact: Edward Flory, 149 Sopher Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301

  • E-Mail:etflory@ptd.net

Fish (see Biology)

Freemasonry (see Masonic)

Gay & Lesbian History on Stamps Club (1985): Life-styles

  • Quarterly Publication: Lambda Philatelic Journal; US/Canada/Mexico $10, Elsewhere $15

  • Contact: Joe Petronie, P.O. Box 190842, Dallas, TX 75219-0842

  • E-Mail: GLHSC@aol.com

  • Website: www.glhsc.org

Gems-Minerals-Jewelry Study Unit (1976): Gems, jewelry, minerals

  • Quarterly Publication: Philagems Internationale; US $15, Elsewhere $20

  • Contact: Alan Dean (Pres.), 108 Newton Square, Pointe-Claire, Dorval, QC, H9R 1H8, Canada.

  • Alt-Contact: Gilberte Proteau (Sec/Treas), 138 rue Lafontaine, Beloeil, QC, J3G 2G7, Canada.

  • E-Mail: norma.al@sympatico.ca

  • Alt-E-Mail: gilberte.ferland@sympatico.ca

Globes (see Carto-Philatelists)

Golf Society, International Philatelic (1988): Golf and golfing

  • Quarterly Publication: Tee Time; $12 US

  • Contact:Cora Collins, I.P.G.S., PO Box 2183, Norfolk, VA 23501.

  • E-mail: poststat@juno.com

Graphics Philately Association: (1975): Books and printing on postage stamps (from Papyrus Books, Medieval Manuscripts and Gutenberg to eBooks of the 21st century.)

Insects (see Biology and Lepidopterists)

Journalists, Authors and Poets on Stamps (JAPOS) (1974): Authors, journalists, poets

  • Quarterly Publication: JAPOS Bulletin; US $7.50, Elsewhere $10

  • Contact: Ms. Lee Straayer, P.O. Box 6808, Champaign, IL 61826

  • Mbrshp. Contact: Mark Winnegrad, 1450 Parchester Rd., Bronx, NY 10462.

  • Alt-Mbrshp. Contact: Mark Mikolon, 1417 No. Butler Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46219.

  • E-Mail: alstraayer@dcbnet.com

  • Alt-Mbrshp. E-Mail: mmikolon1@indy.rr.com

Judaica Study Unit (2007): Judaica on stamps

Lepidopterists Association (Philatelic) (1999): Butterflies

  • 3 editions per year: The Philatelic Aurelian; US $10, Elsewhere $15

  • Contact: Fran Hammond, 1511 East Coronado Avenue, Cortez, CO 81321

    •

  • E-Mail: fhammond@beyondbb.com

Lighthouse Stamp Society (1994): Lighthouses worldwide

Malaria Philatelists International (2007): Malaria worldwide

Maps (see Carto-Philatelists)

Masonic Study Unit (1979): Freemasonry

  • Bi-Monthly Publication: Philatelic Freemason; US $10, Canada/Mexico $12, Elsewhere $16

  • Contact: Bob Dominique, 59 Greenwood Road, Andover, MA 01801

  • Alt-Contact: Gene Fricks

  • E-Mail: radpm@comcast.com

  • Alt-E-Mail: gene.fricks@comcast.net

Mathematical Study Unit (1979): Computers, mathematics

  • Quarterly Publication: Philamath; North America $12, Elsewhere $15

  • Contact: Monty Strauss, 4309 88th Street, Lubbock, TX 79423

  • E-Mail: (for president) m.strauss@ttu.edu
  • Website: www.math.ttu.edu/msu

Medical Study Unit (1952): Dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, physicians, Red Cross, veterinary medicine; also, see Malaria

  • Quarterly Publication (full color) Scalpel & Tongs; US $15, Elsewhere $18

  • Contact: Frederick Skvara, P.O. Box 6228, Bridgewater, NJ 08807

    •

  • E-Mail: fcskvara@optonline.net

Meteorology (see Earth’s Physical Features)

Minerals (see Gems)

Molinology (see Windmills)

Moths (see Lepidopterists)

Mountains (see Earth’s Physical Features)

Music (see also Fine Arts)

Napoleonic Age Philatelists (1983): Life and times of Napoleon Bonaparte

  • Quarterly Publication: Campaign; US/Canada/Mexico $13, Elsewhere $16

  • Contact: Ken Berry, 7513 Clayton Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 75132

  • Alt-Contact: Donald W. Smith, PO Box 576, Johnstown, PA 15907

  • E-Mail: krb2@earthlink.net

  • Alt-E-Mail: donsmith65@msn.com

  • Website: www.nap-stamps.org

Natural Gas (see Petroleum)

Nursing (see Medical Subjects)

Oceanography (see Earth’s Physical Features)

Penguins on Stamps Study Unit (2008): To promote the study of philatelic material pertaining to, featuring, depicting, as well as distributing information, regarding flightless birds of the family Spheniscidae, commonly known as penguins

  • Quarterly Publication: The Rookery Report ; US (electronic/$10, postal/$15); elsewhere (electronic/$10, postal/$20)

  • Contact: Jean C. Stout, 656 April Sound, Pearl, MS 39208-6603

  • Alt-Contact: Sue Rosenberg, 5428 Arabian drive NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120

  • E-Mail: jcstout61@aol.com

  • Alt-E-Mail: suerose7@comcast.net

Petroleum Philatelic Society International (1988): Oil, natural gas, petro-chemical industry

  • Quarterly Publication: Petro-Philatelist; US/Canada $12, Elsewhere $15

  • Contact: Feitze Papa, 922 Meander Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598-4239

Pharmacy (see Medical Subjects)

Physics (see Chemistry)

Pitcairn Islands Study Group (2000): Pitcairn settlers past and present

  • Quarterly Publication: Pitcairn Log; $15
  • Contact: Wendy Niem, 6325 B Avenue, Otter Rock, OR 97369-9742
  • E-Mail:  wniem@charter.net

Poets (see Journalists)

Polar Philatelists, American Society of (1956): Antarctica and Arctic

Prehistory (fossils and dinosaurs) (see Biology)

Printing (see Graphics)

Railroad Unit, Casey Jones (1950): Trains, railroads, streetcars

  • Bi-Monthly Publication: Dispatcher; US $10, Canada/Mexico $12, Elsewhere $15

  • Contact: Roy W. Menninger, MD, CJRRU-ATA, PO Box 5511, Topeka, KS 66605

  • E-Mail: roymenn@sbcglobal.net

  • Website: www.uqp.de/cjr

Red Cross (see Medical)

Religion on Stamps, Collectors of (1997): All forms of religion

Reptiles (see Biology)

Rivers (see Earth’s Physical Features)

Rotary on Stamps Fellowship (1952): Rotary International

  • Bi-Monthly Publication: The ROS Bulletin: $10

  • Contact: Gerald FitzSimmons, 105 Calle Ricardo, Victoria, TX 77904

  • E-Mail: gdfitz@suddenlink.net
  • Last Updated: 04 Jan 2009

Scouts on Stamps Society International (1990): Scouting

  • Bi-Monthly Publication: SOSSI Journal; US/Canada/Mexico $15, Elsewhere surface mail $18, airmail $28

  • Contact: Lawrence E. Clay, P.O. Box 6228, Kennewick, WA 99336

  • E-Mail: lclay3731@charter.net   (Updated 3/2/04)

  • Website: www.sossi.org

Ships on Stamps Unit (1952): All types of watercraft

  • Bi-Monthly Publication: Watercraft Philately; US/Canada/Mexico $15, Elsewhere $22. Adobe pdf version - $8.50 anywhere.

  • Contact: Les Smith - Secretary, 302 Conklin Ave, Penticton, BC V2A 2T4, Canada

  • E-Mail: hobbies@turbonet.com

  • Website: www.shipsonstamps.org

Space Unit (1957): Astronauts/astronautics

Sports Philatelists International (1982): Olympics, recreation, sports

Stamps on Stamps Collectors Club (1959): Stamp-on-stamps, stamp centenaries

  • Quarterly Publication: SOS Journal; US $11, Elsewhere $14

  • Contact: Alf Jordan, 156 West Elm Street, Yarmouth, ME 04096

  • E-Mail: (for president) ajordan1@maine.rr.com

Textiles Study Unit (1977): Textiles from fiber to finished fabric, including production processes

Theater (see Fine & Performing Arts)

Trains (see Railroads)

United Nations Philatelists (1977): Worldwide UN related philately

  • Bi-Monthly Publication: Journal of United Nations Philatelists; US $22, Canada $24, Elsewhere $38

  • Blanton Clement, Jr., P.O. Box 146, Morrisville, PA 19067

  • E-Mail: bclemjr@yahoo.com

  • Website: www.unpi.com

Veterinary Medicine (see Medical Subjects)

Volcanoes (see Earth’s Physical Features)

Watercraft (see Ships)

Windmill Study Unit (1974): Molinology

Wine on Stamps Study Unit (1995): Grapes and wine

  • Quarterly Publication: Enophilatelica; included in dues.

  • Dues (includes subscription to Enophilatelica): $12 worldwide, for electronic delivery of the journal; $15 in North America, and $20 elsewhere.

  • Contact: David E. Worfersberger, 768 Chain Ridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63122

  • E-Mail: dewolf2@swbell.net

  • Website: http://www.wine-on-stamps.org

    •

Zodiac (see Astronomy)

Zoology (see Biology)

If anyone is interested in helping these groups qualify for ATA affiliation please contact them:

  • MAHATMA GANDHI ON STAMPS STUDY CIRCLE
    • Dr. Pramod Shivagunde, Pratik Clinic, Skluj, 413101, India


AMERICAN TOPICAL ASSOCIATION STUDY UNIT PROGRAM

             The American Topical Association is composed of members who specialize in topical or thematic philatelic collecting.  Those who share a specific topic band together to form “study units”.  These units promote their specific topic and encourage research on that topic.  These groups then affiliate with the ATA to receive various benefits including a free review of their journal in Topical Time, the bi-monthly publication of the ATA.  The units are then eligible for a free meeting room during the National Topical Stamp Show (NTSS) held annually, usually in June, in a different city each year.  The study unit gets free publicity in ATA listings, literature and press releases.  Free web space is made available to interested units and that now includes chat rooms.

             In return each study unit agrees to file an annual report with the American Topical Association, listing their officers and including a list of the unit’s membership.  The unit is encouraged to promote membership in the ATA by individual members.

            To qualify to become a study unit, and affiliate with the ATA, the group must have at least 10 ATA members, an official set of by-laws and be willing to file an annual report with the ATA.

            To apply, the Request for Unit Affiliation form must be filled out and sent to the ATA Director of Study Units, along with a copy of the by-laws and a list of membership indicating which unit members are ATA members.  One of these members should be designated the study unit’s official representative to the ATA to receive all ATA correspondence.

             All applications, questions or comments should be addressed to the Director of Study Units, Dalene Thomas, 8612 Warren Lane, Lakewood, CO 80227.   They can also be emailed to her at dalene1@lighthousestampsociety.org.


Home | About the ATA | Benefits | Chapters | Member Links | Membership | News |  Officers | Stamp Shows
Study Units | Topical Time | Articles | Audio/Visual | Checklists | Handbooks | Specials | T.T. Indexes
Code of Ethics | Collecting for Seniors | Links

© 2004, American Topical Association. All rights reserved. Last updated: January 04, 2009