Dear friends

The deadline for good wishes is back already and I do not want to sacrifice this
custom. Taking into account the geopolitical and economic context, my good
wishes could seem hypocritical, but there are so many factors that are beyond of
control that I would be content, with the members of the board of directors, to
send you, sincere wishes of joy, friendship and health.

Without appearing defeatist, it must be recognized that stamp collecting is no
longer fashionable ! A young person (and even) an adult can hardly invest
several hundred euros in new items from France (to name only those) knowing
that upon resale, their value will have lost several tens of percent, not to say
more ! For far -seeing collectors, it will be necessary to turn to other collections :
foreign stamps, postcards, old letters still affordable in postal history… these are
just a few suggestions.

And yet... our association has just won three new French champion titles in
Châlons-en-Champagne : in youth, Nathanaël Saintot won the individual title,
Antonin Saintot the team title and Xavier Vigneron the adult theme class title
with his collection on snakes. The next championship will take place in Colmar
and several of us will participate. There are still beautiful pages to write for the
A.P.S.

For my part, after fifty years spent in administration and twenty-five as
president, I have decided to pass the torch to someone who will be able to
breathe new life and new ideas into our association. I would like to remain an
administrator for a while to help my successor in his or her new role and to
fulfill my role as treasurer within the Champagne-Ardenne Philatelic Group.
2025 is therefore shaping up to be a year of transition and change. These can
only be achieved with your help and your trust. I am counting on you !
Happy New Year 2025 to you.