 Lietuviškai |
Filatelistų draugija "LIETUVA" (JAV, Čikaga) |
 English |
| Lietuviškai |
Filatelistų draugija "LIETUVA" (JAV, Čikaga) |
English |
 Ignatius SAKALAS Founder of the Society, Honorary Member (1892 - 1976) |
The Lithuania Philatelic Society (LPS) was founded in 1946 in Chicago. Throughout its history, the LPS has promoted the collection and research of Lithuanian stamps and philatelic history. The goal of the LPS is to promote Lithuanian philately through its informative publications, stamp exhibitions and cachets. The LPS also played a key role in bringing public attention to the Soviet Union's brutal occupation of Lithuania. The LPS is a bilingual ogranization (Lithuanian and English) with 170 members of various ethnic origins, but predominantly Lithuanian. |
 John VARIAKOJIS President of the Society |
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| Most of the members reside in the USA, while some also live in Lithuania, Germany, Canada, Japan, Australia. By-laws of the Society govern the activites of the LPS. The majority of LPS Officers, elected for two year term,currently reside in the Chicago area. Membership meeting are held at least twice a year. Any person interested in the philately of Lithuania may become a member of the LPS. The Society's journals are iliustrated and comprehensive. Over the past 20 years the LPS has issued journals an average of twice a year. Lately only one journal is being issued each year with an expanded scope. Each publication contains 40 to 100 pages with articles in Lithuanian and English. Shorter articles, such as the Society's activites, news items, Lithuania's new stamp and cover issues, appear in both languages side by side. Longer articles are either translated, or summaries provided. Every other year the Society organizes "LITHPEX" philatelic exhibitions. A least two cachets are issued for each exhibition, commemorating the anniversaries of important Lithuanian historical events and people. The Society designs special pictorial USPS cancels for LITHPEX shows to cancel the cachets. Other non-LITHPEX cachets are also occasionally issued for special occasions and anniversaries. In 1997 the LPS published a comprehensive book, titled "50 YEARS". This publication depicts all important events in the life of the Society. A commemorative medal in silver and bronze was minted for this anniversary. |
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 October 23-25, 1970, Chicago, IL. Active members of the Lithuania Philatelic Society and known philatelists abroad, LITHPEX XIV Exhibition Committee members; from left, seated: Ignas Sakalas, Juozas Zygas, Benediktas Jurenas; standing: Viktoras Lesniauskas, Eugenijus Petrauskas, Antanas Beleska, Vincas Urbonas.
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The first LPS bulletin, issued in December, 1946. |
Cover page of the LPS 35-year Retrospective Issue, covering LPS activities during the years 1946-1981. Another Issue, covering LPS activities from 1946 to 1996, has been issued in 1997. |
THE SOCIETY'S OFFICERS: The first President of the L.P.S. was John Green who served from 1946 to 1948. Subsequent Presidents were as follows: 1948-1950 Dr. Walter M.Eisin |
HONORARY MEMBERS Ignatius Sakalas (1892-1976) |
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The Representative Collection of Lithuanian and Klaipeda (Memel) Stamps
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Attendees at LITHPEX XXX, the Philatelic and Numismatic Exhibition at the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture in Chicago on April 25-27, 2008 |
The official opening of LITHPEX XXX on April 26, 2008. Left to right: John Variakojis, President of the LPS, Arvydas Daunoravičius, Consul General of the Republic of Lithuania in Chicago and Stanley Balzekas, Jr., Lithuanian Honorary Consul in Palm Beach, Florida and the Museum President |
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General LPS membership meeting was held in Chicago on March 29, 2009 President and LPS Journal Editor John Variakojis , 3715 W. 68th St., Chicago, IL 60629 (tel.773 585-8649) You may direct your inquiries regarding the Society to John VARIAKOJIS, 3715 West 68th Street, Chicago, IL 60629, USA. E-mail: variakojis@sbcglobal.net |
General L.P.S. Meeting of February 4, 2007. In the first row are seated LPS 2007-2008 Officers. Left to right: Jonas Krutulis, Auditor; Liudas Volodka, I Vice President; Jeronimas Gaižutis, Treasurer and Journal Administrator; John Variakojis, President and Journal Editor, Stanley Balzekas, Jr., Honorary Member and Balzekas Museum President; Violeta Rutkauskienė, II Vice President and Secretary; and Juozas Liubinskas, Chief Auditor. Standing are LPS members and guests. |
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| LITHPEX XXIX organizers, judges and award recipients (not all are present). Seated from left:Liudas Volodka, Chairman of the Exhibition Committee, John Variakojis, President of the Lithuania Philatelic Society, Paul Barbatavicius and Paul Larsen - judges of the exhibition. Standing from left are the award recipients: Vytautas Mikunas, Raimond Korzonas, dr. Arnold Grushnys, Peter K. Devenis, Ron Yankowski and Vito Lukoševičius (not in the picture are judges Violeta Rutkauskiene, Rūta Kunciene and Frank Passic). |
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Cover Page of the 1975 No.1 (163) Journal of the LPS |
Cover Page of the LPS 50-Year Retrospective Issue |
Cover Page of the LITHPEX XXX Program |
Several LPS and United States Postal Service Cancellations Commemorating the Society's Special Events
Show covers with personalized US stamps and special cancels designed to mark the LITHPEX XXX exhibition events
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Recent General Membership meeting was held in Chicago on March 29, 2009
