THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 21, 1995 TAG: 9510210269
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALEXIS SMITH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
While the late anthropologist Ruth Benedict was leaving her mark Friday on the world of stamp collecting, local philatelic followers were earning some distinction themselves.
The U.S. Postal Service on Friday released a 46-cent air mail stamp bearing Benedict's picture during a short ceremony at the Virginia Philatelic Federation Stamp Exhibition at the Pavilion.
As first-day issues go, the Pavilion was the only place Friday to purchase the stamp, which goes on sale nationwide today.
Among stamp collectors, such an occasion is big news.
Friday marked the fourth time since 1986 that the annual Virginia Beach exhibition was chosen for a first-day issue.
How big a deal was it?
Consider that stamp collectors from around the country, including Alaska, are in town this weekend to attend the 19th annual Stamp Show, called VAPEX '95.
For the past 19 years Virginia Beach has hosted the VAPEX show and has been the site of three official first day of issue ceremonies:
1986 - Bread Wagon stamp.
1989 - the Eagle and Shield self-adhesive stamp.
1991 - the Country Geese envelope.
On Friday, collectors were plunking down as much as $46 each to purchase the Benedict stamp in sheets of 100. And they were having them hand-canceled by postal workers to verify that they were purchased in Virginia Beach on the first day they were issued. Such a mark greatly enhances the value of the stamps to collectors.
``It's a honor for that community,'' Deborah A. Yackley, communications programs specialist for the U.S. Post Office, said Friday about the first-day issue in Virginia Beach. ``There aren't many cities that have had multiple first-day issues.''
Yackley said about two dozen first-day issues are held each year, and usually they have some connection to the community. For example, this year's ``LOVE'' stamp was first issued Feb. 1 in Valentines, Va.
But other times, the community is recognized for other things. In Virginia Beach, it's the local philatelic club and its reputation, she said.
Yackley wasn't sure how many Benedict stamps were sold Friday, ``but they were selling very fast.'' Yackley said about 10,000 stamps were on hand at the Pavilion.
The Benedict stamp is classified as a ``definitive stamp'' because it is postage other than first-class mail. The 46-cent denomination meets the half-ounce letter rate to Canada and the 1-ounce rate to Mexico, which will be its primary use.
Although the first-day issue fever has subsided at the Pavilion, the exhibition continues there from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The stamp exhibition has more than 48 exhibitors who will compete for awards and prizes for their stamp displays on subjects such as soccer, the Confederacy, military postal history and the two World Wars.
One can find an 1860, 90-cent, George Washington stamp in unused condition for $1,200 or an 1875 10-cent re-issue for $2,500.
Bill Wickert, a member of the Virginia Beach/Norfolk chapter, has been collecting stamps since he was 8.
``I've collected about 10,000 stamps over the years, give or take 100,'' Wickert said. ``They fill every room of my home.''
More than 20 million people worldwide collect stamps, according to the Postal Service.
Yackley said 50 billion stamps are issued each year and $200 million in revenue is collected from definitive stamps alone. MEMO: ABOUT RUTH BENEDICT
Ruth Benedict, who was posthumously honored Friday by the U.S. Postal
Service, influenced anthropology in the areas of culture and
personality. Her studies included ``Zuni Mythology,'' ``Race: Science
and Politics,'' ``The Chrysanthemum and the Sword,'' ``Patterns of
Japanese Culture'' and her most famous work, ``Patterns of Culture.''
The stamp issued in her honor Friday was designed by Roy Anderson of
Cave Creek, Ariz.
A Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee receives thousands of nominations
annually and recommends its choices to the postmaster general for his
approval.
The committee has consisted of stamp collectors, artists, designers
and other personalities.
Nominees must be dead for 10 years or more.
On Nov. 7, the Postal Service will announce the names of those who
will be honored with stamps in 1996, although they won't be issued until
next year.
- Alexis Smith ILLUSTRATION: Photo of stamp
by CNB