There
was a Geneva Stamp Club in existence prior to World War II, of which
little historic information now remains. It apparently disbanded because
of the war.
The
Finger Lakes Stamp Club, which came into existence in 1950 in Geneva,
was formed by Wolfgang Fritzsche and nine other dedicated philatelists.
It is not known if any of these 10 were members of the previous club.
Certainly
the prime mover at that time, Fritzsche was never a member of the
previous club. He relocated to this area following the war and was
instrumental not only in founding our club, but also helped form the
Germany Philatelic Society (then located in Syracuse). He was active
in the Czechoslovakian Philatelic Society and the Postal Stationery
Society, as well as numerous other philatelic organizations. He wrote
numerous articles for the journals of these organizations, as well
as for the American Philatelic Society. Several of his world-class
exhibits and collections became some of the first APS slide programs.
He was one of the first APS accredited judges.
Other
notable charter members were dentist William S. Young, specializing
in Canadian stamps; assemblyman Fred Warder, and newsman and photographer
P. B. Oakley (many early photos and articles about FLSC came from
the pen and camera of Oakley). One of the first members to join in
1950 was Charles Bocker, a prominent stamp dealer in Waterloo for
many years, having purchased an old bank building and making excellent
use of its vault.
The
FLSC was founded on January 26, 1950, an auspicious date, as this
was also the date that India became a republic. Another charter member,
Alex Roche, was the first Secretary and sent out a Holiday Greetingscard
that featured two of the stamps from the first India Republic set
(Scott 227–230). (Roche was a bugler in the Marine Corps, served
with the British Army during World War I andreceived the Victoria
Cross, served in the Royal Northwest Mounted Police, and later was
in the New York State Police.)
The
first FLSC meeting was, of course, on Jan. 26, and held at the Geneva
Civic Center. Fritzsche was first president and Bocker was in charge
of programs. Dues were $2 and meetings were once a month. At the end
of 1951 FLSC was meeting in the Chamber of Commerce Building and meetings
were held twice a month.
In
1953 FLSC held its first banquet, at the Oaks Corners Grange, attended
by 72 collectors and family. 40 frames of exhibits, a 100-lot auction,
and a color sound film were highlights of the evening. A printed cachet
was prepared for all members. Cost was $1.50 per person.
In
December 1954 a Topical Stamp Exhibitionwas held at the Chamber
of Commerce building with judges from the Auburn Stamp Club. FLSC
member Harold Legg won first prize with his Waterfalls on Stamps.Wolfgang
Fritzsche won third place with U.S. Naval Postmarks.
In
late 1956 the club began meeting in the YMCA Building. Older members
talk of the long climb up narrow stairways to the drafty third floor
meeting room. FLSC became Chapter 428 of the APS in 1958. In
late 1960 FLSC began meeting in Jordan Hall of the New York State
Agricultural Experiment Station. Rent was free and the stairs were
manageable.
A
10th Anniversary Exhibition was held on December 3 and
4, 1960 at the Jordan Hall site. No dealers were allowed due to this
being a state building. Twenty-five exhibits filled 60 frames. An
auction was held, and a banquet took place in Oaks Corners. The year
1962 saw the next exhibition take place at the Canandaigua Inn, with
Canandaigua’s mayor opening the show. Nineteen exhibits filled
70 frames.
A
15th Anniversary Exhibition was held in 1965 at the Farm and
Home Center in Canandaigua, held jointly with the Rochester Philatelic
Association (RPA). There were five dealers and 85 frames with 22 exhibits.
Judges were from Verona, Ithaca, and Rochester.
