2007 Member Survey
Members would like to see more articles about:
- Stamps -- errors, varieties, and proofs, the early 1950s Haitian Renaissance period, covers, the Haitian postal
system and small
post offices, early material and modern issues, revenues,
- Technical issues -- how to tell real overprints from fakes/forgeries, a “Beginner’s Corner” with articles on basics
(overprint and surcharge differences, postmarks, etc.), and detecting forged stamps.
- History
-- the social history of
to articles.
Several members said that all articles were interesting but the most interesting were those specifically about stamps:
19th century and other early issues, current issues, revenues, forgery identification, cinderellas and locals, and specialized
studies. Other areas noted were postal and post office history, US Navy ship arrivals, anything by F. Burton Sellers or
Carroll Lloyd, biographies of persons appearing on stamps, and general information about what is going on in the Society
and
Articles mentioned as least interesting were those about postal rates, US Naval activities, post-1945 issues, “pure” philately,
plating, covers, revenues, and those with a thematic focus or excessive detail.
Other comments and suggestions were to send the auction separately from the HP journal, not to devote an entire issue to a
single article, to begin work on a
specialized
HPS Auction
Eighty-eight percent of respondents consider the auction to be a worthwhile service, and seventy-one percent participate
in it. Seventy-nine percent were satisfied with the quality of the material offered, and seventy-one percent said that the
material related directly to their collecting areas of interest. Sixty-three percent thought that the current frequency was
appropriate, but seventeen percent would like to see more frequent auctions, providing that good quality material is
available and that the increased administrative workload can be handled. Twenty-five percent say that they that have
material for sale in the auction while forty-six percent do not.
Seventy-nine percent think that the costs associated with the auction are reasonable. Forty-six percent believe that raising
buyer and seller commissions is a good idea, though twenty-nine percent oppose any price changes. Those who support
an increase suggested amounts from 10% up to 15-20%. Fifty percent consider the minimum bids realistic and reasonable.
Forty-two percent use the published prices realized while twenty percent do not. Thirty-eight percent would like to see
material from countries in addition
to
Suggested changes include providing more modern material, postcards, and more scans and better quality color images/
photos and illustrations of auction material.
HPS Website
Forty-two percent of respondents visit the website regularly. Twenty-five percent of regular visitors spend 15 minutes or
less on the site while eight percent spend longer. Another eight percent spend as much time as necessary. Twenty-nine
percent find what they are looking for, but thirteen percent do not. Forty-six percent believe that the site provides information
not available elsewhere on the web. Fifty percent find the site easy to navigate, and eighty-eight percent are satisfied with
its overall format and design. Forty-six percent say that the site compares favorably with other sites with which they are
familiar. Forty-two percent consider the content current, and twenty-nine percent say that it is relevant to their specific
collecting needs.
Forty-six percent of respondents would like to see additional material and information on the website. This includes a
members’ area for posting messages, questions, want lists, and for interacting with other members. Respondents also
suggested that specific areas of interest such as forgeries, overprints, first, early, and modern issues have their own pages.
Abstracts of HP articles and general information on
such as bylaws, election results, recruiting materials, and other Society business should also be available on-line. One
member suggested providing advertising and dealer price lists for a fee.
There were appreciative comments on the efforts of the webmaster to create and maintain the website both in the past
and in the future.
