2019A BRIEF HISTORY

In the fall of 1979, Virginia Haywood, an enthusiastic stamp collector, published the first issue of Cat Mews, continuing the newsletter through 1981.

Robert F. Yost revived the publication in 1985 through 1989. His efforts led to the American Topical Association Charter of the Cats on Stamps Study Unit (COSSU) on May 22, 1985 and in 1988, COSSU was also approved by the American Philatelic Society (APS) as an affiliate.

The group was reactivated in 1994 thanks to Donna Wilson, Virginia Gifford, Susan Minniear, and others. Cat Mews resumed publication with Virginia Gifford as editor.

Virginia's untimely death in the summer of 1994 brought Frank and Nancy Ladd to the helm. Cat Mews earned the first of many APS literary competition awards. Frank remained the editor until the close of 1999.

Beginning with the first issue of 2000, Marci Jarvis assumed the editorial duties for Cat Mews. The journal garnered more APS literary awards. Two full color pages were introduced in 2004, a yearly index in 2007, and four additional pages were added in 2009. In 2011, Cat Mews changed to a magazine-style format with a glossy cover. By 2015 Cat Mews had a total of 40 pages, with at least 12 pages in full color.

In 2019 we celebrated 40 years of Cats on Stamps with Anniversary Bash I at WESTPEX in San Francisco and Bash II at StampShow 2019 in Omaha.

By 2021, Cat Mews was published in full color on glossy paper. It increased from 40 to 44 pages beginning with the last issue of the year.

COSSU is an international organization with members from

about a dozen countries.

We are a registered not-for-profit organization (ID 0891-8635).

Mary Ann Brown was the original secretary-treasurer followed by Robert D. Jarvis (2015-2023). Robert R. Reynolds took over in 2024.

WHO WE ARE

The Cats on Stamps Study Unit (COSSU) is a nonprofit organization (ISN 0891-8635) of the American Topical Association (ATA), affiliated with the American Philatelic Society (APS).

CATS ON STAMPS STUDY UNIT