American Topical Association
| Formation | 1949 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Jerome "Jerry" Husak |
| Type | Philatelic society; nonprofit |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) |
| Headquarters | Greer, South Carolina, U.S. |
Region | Worldwide |
| Website | americantopical |
The American Topical Association (ATA) is a United States–based philatelic society founded in 1949 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, devoted to topical and thematic stamp collecting. It publishes the bi-monthly journal Topical Time and supports affiliated study units and local chapters. Since 2021 the ATA has partnered with the American Philatelic Society and the American First Day Cover Society to co-organize the Great American Stamp Show.[1][2][3]
History
The American Topical Association (ATA) was established in 1949 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Jerome (Jerry) Husak.
In 1988, the ATA became an affiliate of the American Philatelic Society.
The ATA celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2024.[4]
Publications and activities
The American Topical Association publishes the bi-monthly journal Topical Time, which features articles on thematic and topical stamp collecting, research notes, and society news. Regular columns include “Topics on Postmarks,” “Chapter Chatter,” and “Units in Action.” The journal is available to members in print and digital formats.[5]
ATA members participate in regional and international chapters that meet throughout the United States and abroad. As of the early 2020s, the association recognized about forty affiliated chapters, including groups in Canada, Australia, Great Britain, and South Africa.[6]
Members with shared collecting interests organize into topical study units that promote research on specific themes such as Americana or wine on stamps.[7] These study units often compile and publish specialized reference materials.
The association also produces handbooks on particular topics in thematic collecting and maintains a checklist service covering hundreds of subjects. These resources provide catalog-style data, such as country, issue date, denomination, and catalogue number, to assist collectors in identifying and organizing topical material.
Members
ATA has members in nearly 100 countries.[8] ATA also supports 50+ affiliated study units and 40+ affiliated local chapters.[9]
Awards
The Distinguished Topical Philatelist (DTP) is the highest service award offered by the ATA, given for service to topical philately in general and to the ATA in particular. It was established in 1952 by ATA's founder Jerry Husak and has been presented to over 120 individuals, including residents of Canada, Great Britain, Italy, and the United States, since its inception.[10] The first Distinguished Topical Philatelist award was presented to Allyn H Wright in 1952. The annual award ceremony is held during the ATA's National Topical Stamp Show.
Events
ATA's annual National Topical Stamp Show was an all-thematic philatelic exhibition and dealer bourse with meetings, seminars, and youth activities for collectors.
In June 2017, ATA and American Philatelic Society (APS) announced that they will combine their annual national shows starting in 2018.[11] The combined show was held in August 2018 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.[12]
Starting in 2021, ATA, APS and the American First Day Cover Society (AFDCS) joined forces to organize a combined annual show called the Great American Stamp Show. The first combined show was held in August 2021 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.[13]
References
- ^ Bigalke, Jay (September 25, 2024). "American Topical Association celebrates 75th anniversary". Linn's Stamp News.
- ^ "Postal History and Philately Research Guide". Smithsonian Libraries. 2016.
- ^ "Great American Stamp Show". American Topical Association.
- ^ Bigalke, Jay (September 25, 2024). "American Topical Association celebrates 75th anniversary". Linn's Stamp News. Amos Media Company. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
- ^ "Topical Time". American Topical Association. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
- ^ "American Topical Association Chapters". American Topical Association. Archived from the original on October 18, 2011.
- ^ "ATA Study Units and Affiliates". American Topical Association. Archived from the original on November 5, 2011.
- ^ "History of the ATA". American Topical Association. Archived from the original on May 18, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "ATA Study Units". American Topical Association. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ "American Topical Association Info on DTP". americantopicalassn.org. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
- ^ "APS, ATA plan combined summer show in 2018". Linn's Stamp News. Amos Media Company. June 23, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ "APS plans Stampshow 2018 gatherings". Linn's Stamp News. Amos Media Company. February 16, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ "Great American Stamp Show confirmed as in-person event". Linn's Stamp News. Amos Media Company. May 17, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2025.