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March 16, 2004
 The
newest handbook released by the American Topical Association should
appeal to those who enjoy paintings as well as to those who enjoy
birding. The author, Lois Hermann, did as so many other topicalists
have done. She has taken a personal interest in one or two subjects,
melding them into a philatelic study of her choosing. She has formed a
collection of stamps portraying the famous American Artist of
wildlife, John James Audubon, and shares her research through the
issuance of this work. Alan J. Hanks, on behalf of the Biology Study
Unit of the American Topical Association, produced this book.
A listing
of stamps picturing Audubon’s avian art includes sixty-five postal
administrations. United States stamps portraying the artist and his
works include Scott 874 and 1863, which both portray images of the
famed naturalist. Audubon’s son, John Woodhouse Audubon, painted the
portrait on Scott 1863. The artist’s painting of the Black-throated
Magpie Jay appeared on both the 5c US issue #1241 and the 20c US
Airmail #C71. Additionally the US has issued #3236e reproducing his
artwork of the Long-billed Curlew.
A
systematic listing of all 251 of Audubon’s bird plates with full
descriptions is followed by a listing of Audubon’s plates that appear
on stamps of the world.
This
32-page, spiral bound handbook number 151, contains color images of 22
different postage stamps that reproduce Audubon’s paintings. It is
available for $16.00, however members of the ATA receive a $2.00
discount. Postage is an additional $2 for US addresses, $3 for
Canada/Mexico, and $4 to ship overseas.
The
American Topical Association has previously published a set of three
handbooks of Birds of the World in Philately all of which are
still available. A list of other available handbooks can be found on
the new ATA Website,
www.americantopicalassn.org or can be obtained by mail from the
American Topical Association – PO Box 57 – Arlington, TX 76004-0057.
The ATA
also has a 19-page Birds of Prey checklist, last updated in
1995, for sale to members of this organization.
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