FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 20, 2006 --- The U.S. Philatelic Classics Society today announced that Charles J. Peterson will be retiring as Editor-in-Chief of the society's journal, The Chronicle of U.S. Classic Postal Issues and that Michael M. Laurence will assume the position. The change becomes effective with the first issue of Volume 58, which will be the 209^th sequential issue of the journal since its inception in 1948.

Mr. Peterson took over the role of Editor-in-Chief of the Chronicle with issue number 158 in 1993 and oversaw the publication of 51 issues of the quarterly publication. During the period of his stewardship, the Chronicle was the winner of numerous national and international awards and accolades and solidified its position as the world's most highly respected journal on classic U.S. philately.

"The U.S. Philatelic Classics Society and all students of the U.S. classics owe a great deal to Charlie Peterson. The legacy that he leaves of integrity, scholarship, and the unrelenting desire to advance the collective body of knowledge about classic U.S. stamps and postal history is one that all who follow should emulate," said Wilson Hulme, President of the society. "The publication he led and molded is the external face of our society. Our growth in membership and the society's respected place in the philatelic pantheon are in large part a direct result of his tireless efforts steering the Chronicle through all of these years," Mr. Hulme continued.

Among his many awards and accolades, Mr. Peterson was recognized in 1992 with the society's the highest tribute, the Distinguished Philatelist award, for exceptionally meritorious service to U.S. philately. In 2003, Mr. Peterson was awarded the Lester Brookman Cup for outstanding service to the society. Additionally, Mr. Peterson is co-editor with Hubert Skinner of the upcoming book, "The 1851 Issue, A Sesquicentennial Retrospective, which gathers over 20 scholarly studies and essays on this issue and is scheduled to be released prior to the Washington 2006 show at the end of May.

Concurrently, the society announced that Michael M. Laurence, himself a 2003 recipient of the Distinguished Philatelist award, will replace Mr. Peterson in the role of Editor-in-Chief. Mr. Laurence recently retired from a 23-year career with Amos Press, publishers of Linn's Stamp News and other periodicals, where he was Editorial Director. Mr. Laurence is a member of the APS Writers Unit 30 Hall of Fame and is a nationally recognized expert on the U.S. 1869 issue.

"We're pleased to have Michael back. He was actively involved with the Chronicle 25 years ago, but his responsibility with Amos and Linn's precluded him from contributing to or participating in the publication of the journal for many years. His knowledge of classic U.S. issues, combined with his impeccable publishing credentials, approachable writing style, and warm personality makes him a natural choice to take the helm of the Chronicle," stated Mr. Hulme. "The 1000+ subscribers to our journal are fortunate that Michael has agreed to fill the large hole created by Charlie's departure," Mr. Hulme continued.

A subscription to The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues is one of the benefits of membership in the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society. Information and an application for membership to the society are available from the society's website at www.uspcs.org.

The U.S. Philatelic Classics Society is the only organization that studies in depth the stamps and postal history of the United States from the Colonial era to 1900. Our members include both collectors and students. Many have written articles that have been published in our award winning quarterly magazine, The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues, and in other publications. Information about the USPCS, membership, its publications, and articles of interest to collectors and students of the classic period of U.S. philately, can found at the society's website at www.uspcs.org. Copies of back issues of the Chronicle, previously published books, and the upcoming 1851 Issue, A Sesquicentennial Retrospective, are also available from the society's bookstore, accessible from the society's website, or directly at www.uspcs.org/store.html.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Chip Gliedman
Publicist, USPCS
publicist@uspcs.org

or

Wilson Hulme
President, USPCS
wilson.hulme@uspcs.org