Magical Philatelic Proposal Suggestion

BELLEFONTE, PA — An award-winning stamp exhibitor hopes fellow collectors can spread a little philatelic magic this fall in conjunction with the opening of an anticipated blockbuster movie.
Van Siegling, of Ohio, a member of the American Philatelic Society, is urging local stamp clubs to take advantage of the next wave of Harry Potter madness with the help of his philatelic exhibit on the boy wizard.

Siegling, with support from the APS and American Topical Association, is offering copies of his award-winning exhibit that can be displayed at theaters in conjunction with the release November 18 of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them a prequel to the Potter series.

Siegling said his effort at a movie theater in Kalamazoo, Michigan paid off.

“I borrowed some of the club exhibit frames and displayed my exhibit in one of the local theaters,” Siegling writes. “That … effort (helped) build local acceptance and knowledge that a stamp club that put on shows existed in the area. Show attendance increased. Both the patrons and the theater management loved it. I received many favorable comments while sitting by the exhibit.”

Here are the basics of how Siegling hopes to enchant movie-goers in conjunction with the opening of the new film:
Siegling’s eight-frame (128 pages) exhibit is called The Magical World of Harry Potter, which will next be exhibited October 7 to 9 at Indypex. Siegling will make scans of all the pages in PDF format, which he can send by e-mail to clubs.

Clubs can contact theaters to see if it can arrange lobby space to present the exhibit. If it’s agreed, clubs will need to print copies of the exhibit and set it up.

Clubs should also consider staffing the exhibit area during peak movie times to explain the exhibit and hobby to anyone interested. Also, members should have on hand application forms and contact information for the local club, local stamp shows, the APS, and ATA.

For more information, and plenty of tips about the process, contact Van, at [email protected].

British author J.K. Rowling first presented the young wizard Potter and a cast of magical characters almost 20 years ago with a series of books accompanied soon thereafter by movies, all of which were worldwide hits. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them takes place in 1926, about 70 years before the first Harry Potter book. Like the Potter series, the movie is filled with magical deeds, creatures, and plot twists.

The APS has conjured up a great 2-for-1 bargain in conjunction with this promotion. Any adult who joins the APS and nominates a child or teenager to join the Young Stamp Collectors of America can receive both memberships through the end of 2017 for a MAGICAL LOW PRICE of $40, a savings of more than $25. That’s a deal better than any wizard could zap with a wand.

For an APS and YSCA membership application or more information, contact [email protected]. More information on  APS-sponsored Young Stamp Collectors of America is available at stamps.org/YSCA or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Chapters interested in participating in the Harry Potter exhibit promotion, should contact Judy Johnson at [email protected].

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