American Postal Markings Catalog (Previously The Ascc) - Beta Testers Sought

Hi all.

As you probably know, we've been working on the next version of the American Stampless Cover Catalog, which we're now calling the American Postal Markings Catalog. It will cover the what was in volume one of the ASCC, but also include covers with stamps. Basically, postmarks (at first) and other rate and auxiliary markings (eventually) up to the start of the Civil War (May 31, 1861). Basically, stampless and covers stamped with up through the 1857 issue.

Where we are:

We have a database with a web front end that has a search (and advanced search) that is working well.

You can search one or more states simultaneously, sort by whatever criteria you want, print (or save as .pdf). If you save as .pdf, you have a link for each marking to the online record, if you're connected.

You can submit images for any marking, as well as updates to any listing or new listings for unrecorded markings.

You can view multiple (when available) images for the same listing. We started with the tracings that were in the ASSC and added to that from scans and other files submitted over the years plus some more that I had. Dick Winter gave us access to all of the images for North Carolina and they are in the system.

Now, a request for help so we can finish this up and make it public -

Still to be completed:
= Testing. I need some testers to help check our work. After 3 years, I don't have an objective eye anymore. Need fresh eyes on the system. No system is foolproof, as the fools get more and more ingenious every day, but we can try.

= We need to write and code the home screen that you get when you go to the site (external site). We've concentrated on the functionality. Pretty will come later, but what we have is usable for testing.

= Search interface - We need to lay out the page, perhaps with the existing USPCS census databases as a model. To make sure it's usable, I need to get a small group together to help design something accessible and usable. I have a developer to code it, but we need to do that design. Anyone what to help?

= Admins - Everything submitted needs to be approved (or rejected by an admin. We have an admin interface (ugly, but functional). We need to design this interface also. Additionally, we hope to have a team of people knowledgeable in different areas that can assume some of those admin roles. Anyone want to get on the list?

If you're willing to help - a little, a lot, submitting images (we only have about 15% of the listings illustrated), design, whatever - Please drop me a note through the board or to my email which is in the masthead of the USPCS Chronicle.

Thanks for helping to get this phase over the finish line. I'll pick up the bar tab at GASS, if you're part of the team.

Chip Gliedman

Hello, First day new forum member here with no email ability yet, so posting my great interest here. Very excited to read this news (great news to me, even if this is from April). A near daily user of older ASCCs and would be pleased to assist in any way, offer images, feedback, ideas for improvement or whatever else might be helpful. Thank you!

I missed this thread when it was first started. This is great news. Its only recently that I've started getting into covers and I've only had to access the old ASCC once, but I'm sure the updated/expanded version will come in handy. Ironically, what I was using the ASCC was for some NC covers which you said someone already supplied images for.

Good to see that someone has noticed this. Was a bit dispirited after the first posting.

We're darn close.

right now, the site for the catalog is www.worldcovers.org (it may move once we are officially "out")

Feel free to wander around, search, add images, or whatever.

I'll be in Hartford for GASS. Look me up. You can probably reach me by leaving a message for me at the USPCS booth.

Chip