The Pen & Quill - Another Century and A New Generation

Another Century and A New Generation

Editor Bob Erickson - 1990-98 took over the reins of the publication during the final decade of the century. Now 64 pages in length, the publication was enhanced by bold single-color covers featuring a vivid black & white photograph relating to an inside feature. Popular covers included: Neil Armstrong, The Beatles, Bill Clinton, John F. Kennedy, Martin L. King and Malcolm X, Annie Oakley, and Ronald Reagan. Editor Rich Urmston - 1998 -2008, who had been responsible for publishing the journal for years, took over the reins with the July–August, 1998 issue. He would be a guiding force to take the journal into the next century.

Editor Mark Allen Baker - 2008 - 2009, would take charge following a decade of service by Urmston. Baker, a noted author and writer, would immediately take the publication to 72 pages, feature a full-color outside and inside cover, and double the $5.00 cover price. During a twelve month process the publication would undergo a metamorphosis toward improved literary content, in-depth feature articles, and the increased frequency of exemplars and photographs. Numerous talented young artists and writers have also been added in an attempt to bolster content and enhance new ideas. For example, the May–June, 2008 issue would be the first to feature a custom rendered digital illustration.

Editor Al Wittnebert 2010- Has now redone the magazine and turned it into a compliment to the UACC website at www.uacc.org . The now full color glossy magazine has at least one signature study in every issue. Wittnebert believes the articles should be content heavy and get to the point. More and more illustrations are being shown to engage the visual nature of the autograph collector.

Breaking historical news and rewriting history books has always been a hallmark of the journal. In the July–August, 2008 issue, a monumental letter was unearthed. Penned by Henry A. Wallace, the thirty third vice President of the United States, Wallace states, "Rosevelt had no understanding of science. His specialty was human nature and politics. His great objective - to eclipse the memory of Theodore Roosevelt and to leave the UN as a lasting monument to World Welfare." The document, packed with information in contradiction of many historical accounts, has a fascinating provenance and exemplifies the best trait of manuscript collectors --- preserving history. In 1960 veteran autograph dealer Paul C. Richards visited Wallace at his farm in South Salem, New York. Richards discussed Wallace's amazing career with him and his insights into Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The Pen & Quill, supported by a growing club membership, continues to evolve. The January–February 2009 issue features a new masthead, improved internal design and celebrates vividly the anniversaries of both NASA and Project Mercury on the journal cover.

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Famous quotes containing the words century and/or generation:

    Appearances often are deceiving.
    Aesop (6th century B.C.)

    History is the present. That’s why every generation writes it anew. But what most people think of as history is its end product, myth.
    —E.L. (Edgar Lawrence)