USA Philatelic, the “official source of current stamps and stamp products from the U.S. Postal Service,” delivers more than a colorful showcase of new issues in its summer 2018 issue. “The Thrill of the Chase” on page 40 examines the world of collecting stamps by topic ‒ one of the highlights of this year’s StampShow/National Topical Stamp Show in Columbus, Ohio.

This year’s show will be co-hosted jointly by the APS and the American Topical Association (ATA), and will host the first-day-of-issue ceremony for the release of a quartet of new Forever-rate Dragons stamps.

Dawn Hamman has a unique perspective on topical philately. Although she only recently began collecting in 2012, she has become an ardent advocate for that popular branch of the hobby, rapidly becoming a vice president of its American Topical Association and a frequent contributor to the ATA’s highly regarded journal, Topical Time.

Although many collectors specialize in stamp topics related to their professions and passions, Hamman notes that topical collecting is “very creative and flexible,” with no limitation on what you can collect or how you can collect it. Topicalists can create stamp, cover and cancel collections tailored to their interests, tastes and budgets.

Hamman looks forward to meeting, exchanging ideas and learning from other collectors at the Aug. 9-12 StampShow/NTSS, beginning with the release of the Dragons stamps Aug. 9 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The APS hopes to see you there, too.

Also of interest to U.S. collectors in this issue of USA Philatelic is a cover story on stamps celebrating the centennial of U.S. airmail service and the dauntless daredevils who flew those early American mails equipped with little more than a compass and a canvas map.

For free copies of the quarterly USA Philatelic, call 1-800-782-6724, or visit usps.com/philatelic.