American Topical Association celebrates 75th anniversary

Philatelic Foreword by Jay Bigalke

This November marks the 75th anniversary of the American Topical Association, one of the pillars of the organized philatelic community.

The ATA celebrated its milestone with events at the Great American Stamp Show, but has also been celebrating all year long.

Seventeen-year-old Jerome (Jerry) Husak founded the specialized collecting organization in November 1949 in Milwaukee, Wis.

“His idea, to recruit a group of people who would like to share topical collecting ideas, got a lukewarm reception from his parents, who were more concerned with his schoolwork,” according to the ATA website. “However, they supported his plan, and Jerry’s bedroom became the ATA office.”

What a great origin story for a stamp organization. Today, beyond its award-winning journal, Topical Time, the ATA offers so much more to its members.

The organization has topical checklists for more than 1,500 topics available for a fee. With membership in the organization, you can even receive free annual updates to the lists that you have previously purchased.

The group also has handbooks and publications available, meets at stamp shows of all sizes around the nation, and much more.

It’s a very friendly group and can definitely help you find more information if there is a topic in your collection you are researching.

For more information about the ATA, visit the association’s website.

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