Universal Ship Cancellation Society

Universal Ship Cancellation Society

Abbreviation	USCS
Formation	1932;93 years ago (1932)
Type	501(c)(3) non-profit
Location	United States
Field	Philately
President	Laurie Bernstein
Vice president	Nancy Clark
Publication	USCS Log
Website	uscs.org
[1] [2]

The Universal Ship Cancellation Society (USCS) is an international philatelic non-profit organization with an interest in postmarks and covers from all maritime services. ^[3]

Overview

Paquebot example—mail carried by ships outside of regular postal service

Founded in 1932, the USCS is one of the oldest specialized postal history societies in the world and the only organization in the United States devoted to navy and maritime covers. The USCS held its first national convention in August 1940, in Los Angeles. ^[4]

As of 2008, the USCS consisted of about 1,300 members worldwide. Members' interests includes topics such as: navy ships of all countries, merchant ships with seapost and paquebot markings, the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard, navy bases, related cachets, postcards, patches, photographs and other navy memorabilia.

The USCS holds annual conventions in various cities throughout the United States and has local chapters in many cities in the United States and Europe. The USCS also uses study units formed by members to research specialized interests and maintains a photograph library with over 3,000 negatives of ships.

Publications

The USCS publishes the following:

• USCS Log (ISSN 0279-6139). Monthly 32-page journal with articles of lasting interest on Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and other maritime covers; and historical articles of various U.S. and foreign ships. ^[5]
• USCS Handbook. Contains basic information for collectors, including a postmark primer, naval terms dictionary, hull classifications, and the society history.
• Catalog of United States Naval Postmarks. A reference of nearly a century of postal history. ^[6]
• Naval Cover Cachet Makers’ Catalog. A reference volume of sponsors and cachet artists with illustrations and summary information on the people involved.
• Data Sheets. Compilations of historical interest, events and operations.

References

1. "A History of the USCS". uscs.org. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
2. "Current Officers, Directors, and Managers". uscs.org. April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
3. United States Postal Service. "Organizations". usps.com. Retrieved 2007-08-30.
4. Livingston, D. D. (August 18, 1940). "Stamp Notes". Pasadena Post. Pasadena, California. p. 6. Retrieved April 17, 2025– via newspapers.com.
5. Department of the Navy - Naval Historical Center, "Newsletters in the Navy Department Library" Archived September 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine , Navy Historical Center website, April 04, 2007. Retrieved on August 30, 2007.
6. Naval Cover Museum, "Glossary of Terms", Navy Cover Museum website, October 31, 2000. Retrieved on August 30, 2007.

External links

• Official website
• Naval Cover Museum