From: stamps@optonline.net   
      
   LEWIN TAKES AFDCS' TOP HONORS FOR FDC WRITING   
      
   The American First Day Cover Society has named Robert Lewin of   
   Temecula, Calif., the winner of the 2007 Philip H. Ward Award for   
   outstanding writing and research in the field of first day covers.   
      
   Ralph H. Nafziger of Albany, Oregon, was the runner-up for the Ward   
   Award.   
      
   Lewin's article, "The Magnificent Covers of Ejgil J.S. Halvorsen,"   
   appeared in the December issue of First Days, the official journal of   
   the AFDCS. Halvorsen, a virtually unknown early cachetmaker, who   
   apparently began servicing FDCs, first flights and events no later   
   than 1922.   
      
   Nafziger wrote about "The Harris-Hoffman Connection" in the September   
   issue of the magazine, which itself has won philatelic writing awards.   
   Marvin Eugene Harris and Michael O. Hoffman each produced their own   
   line of cachets, then began working together in the late 1950s and   
   1960s to produce the Diamond and Lone Star cachets.   
      
   Lewin and Nafziger will receive their awards during Americover 2008,   
   the annual show and convention of the AFDCS, which this year is being   
   held at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, Va., Aug. 22-24.   
      
   The award, named in honor of Philip H. Ward (1890-1963), the   
   distinguished Philadelphia stamp collector, dealer and journalist who   
   was a pioneer in the field of first day covers, was instituted by the   
   AFDCS in 1964. All articles appearing in First Days are automatically   
   considered for the award. Articles in other publications may be   
   submitted for consideration.   
      
   Additional information can be obtained from the Ward Award chairman,   
   Barry Ellis, 5117 Arrowhead Pass, Fort Wayne, IN 46804. Additional   
   information on the American First Day Cover Society can be found at   
   www.afdcs.org   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)