Expertizing First Day Covers

The American First Day Cover Society (AFDCS) reports that the American Philatelic Society (APS) is offering a course June 17-18 in Bellefonte, PA on authenticating first day and earliest-use U.S. covers and how to identify faked and forged covers with confidence.

According to the APS, "Those who develop these skills may qualify to serve the hobby as expertizers for the American Philatelic Society’s APEX Service and the American First Day Cover Society (AFDCS). Use of published and archival references and online databases are essential skills for FDC/EDU experts, so the AFDCS Archives and American Philatelic Resource Library resources will be employed. Forensic analysis using the Crimescope CS-16 will be included. Students should be familiar with first day covers and/or postal history."

Instructors include Ken Lawrence and Allison Cusick.

The cost for is $149 for APS members; $249 for nonmembers. There is $15 Registration Discount until May 27, 2010.

For information, contact Gretchen Moody, gretchen@stamps.org; 814-933-3810 and/or , click here.

Shown above, a Crimescope CS-16.