By Colin Sallee

1. APS Stampshow about to get started

The American Philatelic Society's Stampshow, the APS' largest annual event, starts Thursday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m.

The event is being held at the DeVos Place Convention Center (303 Monroe Ave. NW) in Grand Rapids, Mich.

• There's a full schedule of events over the course of the three-day event. Take a look.
• There are plenty of interesting exhibits for all types of collectors.
• The show will also feature several live auctions.

2. IRS, FBI most frequent users of postal survelliance

The Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are the two top users of the United States Postal Service’s mail surveillance program, The New York Times has disclosed.

Read more about the survelliance program.

3. Cherrystone Auction to offer significant rarities 

Cherrystone Philatelic Auctioneers is slated to offer some of the rarest Chinese error stamps during their Sept. 9-10 sales in New York City. 

Learn more about the auctions.

4. Hot Topics 

Check out a few more interesting Linns.com stories:

• Mediterranean diet, other healthy foods illustrated on new stamps
• Queen Elizabeth II honored as Britain’s longest-reigning monarch
• Born Aug. 18: Roberto Clemente