New! Members are invited to join the Yahoo Mathematics and Computers Group by clicking here. Members can download the MSU checklist of stamps and postal stationery (described below) from this Yahoo site.
The Mathematical Study Unit (MSU) is a philatelic study unit whose purpose is to acquire and disseminate knowledge of philatelic materials related to mathematics, mathematicians, and computers. Since its creation in 1979, the unit has registered more than 365 members from 25 countries.
The unit, largely through the efforts of its president Monty Strauss, has compiled a checklist of over 5000 mathematical stamps and items of postal stationery. These stamps depict a wide variety of material, including mathematicians, mathematical symbols, equations, math journals, Mobius strips and other geometric shapes, statistics, measuring devices, the metric system, graphs, and mathematically significant globes and projections. There is also a list of the stamps that are related to computers. In addition to the stamps, there is listed a multitude of meters, special cancels, and cacheted covers of mathematical relevance.
The MSU publishes a newsletter, PHILAMATH, four times per year. Click on the Philamath link above to see the contents of recent issues. The newsletter contains a broad spectrum of articles, including short biographies of some of the more obscure mathematicians (e.g. Napoleon, President Garfield, Kant, etc.). Mail auctions of philatelic items related to mathematics are periodically conducted via PHILAMATH. These have always been highly anticipated and actively supported by our members.
The annual dues are $12.00 per year for residents of North America and $15.00 per year for overseas residents. The year runs from July 1 to June 30. Please remit in U.S. dollars or by International Money Order.
Send to:
Estelle A. Buccino; Secretary-Treasurer
5615 Glenwood Road
Bethesda, MD 20817-6727 U.S.A.
The Checklist of Mathematics, Mathematicians and Measurement on Postage Stamps has been prepared by the Unit's president, Monty Strauss, and is available for $15.00 ($20.00 for overseas Air Mail). This can be ordered by mail from the Secretary-Treasurer (see address above). Unit members can receive a free version of the checklist electronically as described at the top of this page. Samples and back issues of PHILAMATH are available for $3.00 each ($3.75 overseas). These issues can both be obtained from the Secretary-Treasurer.
This page was updated on August 14, 2007 .
