Although there was only minimal historical contact between the Knights Templar and Bulgaria, they are very popular in that country, with secret societies claiming to be their spiritual heirs. In 2008, Bulgaria issued a 1-lev 700th Anniversary of the Destruction of the Knights Templar stamp (Scott 4486), and in 2012, issued a 65-stotinki 700th Anniversary of the Disbanding of the Knights Templar stamp (4589).

If there’s a secret to Christoph Gaertner’s success, it’s a simple one: He might be one of the hardest working people in the stamp business. In just a few years, Gaertner has built his firm from scratch to the point where, three or four times a year, he conducts what is probably the world’s largest philatelic auction by volume.

Gilbert Stuart's painting of George Washington known as "The Atheneum" has been reproduced on numerous United States postage stamps and is featured on the U.S. $1 bill.

Linn’s readers have reacted to my expertizing columns, and I appreciate receiving questions and observations from you because this really is your column. In that spirit, let’s look at some of the mail.

A 'Star Wars' stamp collecting kit from 1977 is now available from a seller in Chicago who might be trying to capitalize on the hysteria surrounding the latest release in the movie series, 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens,' which has already caused a stir in the stamp-collecting world.

Charles Ringling and his brothers created an entertainment empire, buying the famous Barnum & Bailey Circus. Charles was also a key figure in the development of Sarasota, Fla.

I see examples of reused stamps on a regular basis while sorting through subscription-reply mail sent to the circulation department of Linn’s parent company, Amos Media. For the most part, the reused stamp has been carefully and closely cut from its original envelope and either glued or taped in place.

On Dec. 1, 1955 — 60 years ago today — 42-year-old seamstress Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her public bus seat to a white passenger, taking a historic stand in defiance of unjust segregation laws.

A new offset-printed variety of the Purple Heart stamp with white background first issued in 2012 is showing up in post offices nationwide. The new stamp has "USPS" microprinted along the upper left edge of the purple ribbon.

Christmas is just around the corner, and the Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History in Weston, Massachusets is making sure families of stamp collectors are prepared. The museum will be hosting a Holiday Family Day on on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., according to Weston Patch.

The postal history of the Falkland Islands from 1827 to 1945 was the title of the presentation and display given by Michael Roberts on 26 November to the members of The Royal Philatelic Society London.

American author Mark Twain has been honored on two different U.S. stamps, and some of his novels have also been featured on commemorative stamps.

American author Louisa May Alcott was the author of Little Women, one of the most enduring novels of the 19th century. She was honored on a stamp in 1940; the book was featured on a 1993 commemorative.

One of the best-loved structures in Washington, D.C., the Lincoln Memorial, was designed by architect Henry Bacon, who was born Nov. 28, 1866.

It’s time to catch up on the week that was in stamp-collecting insights and news. Linn's Stamp News is looking back at its five most-read stories of the week. Click the links to read the stories. Here they are, in reverse order.

Musician Jimi Hendrix is considered one of the premier guitarists of the rock era, and a legendary music innovator. He was honored on a United States stamp in 2014.

Cherrystone Auctions of New York City will present three sales Dec. 1-3, offering United States and worldwide stamps and covers, the John Pedneault collection of Ireland, and specialized Brazil from 1843 to 1893.

Scott English addressed the areas of finances and APS membership during his presentation to the board. The society is currently experiencing a budget surplus of more than $200,000 over the planned 2015 budget, in large part because of vacancies that occurred on the APS staff early in the year, and the longer-than-anticipated effort to hire a new executive director (the position English filled in August of this year).

Mary Edwards Walker studied medicine at Syracuse Medical College and served as a Union Army doctor during the Civil War. She was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1865.

November 1, 2015, marks the 250th anniversary of the effective date of the Stamp Act of 1765. The Duties in American Colonies Act 1765, commonly known as the Stamp Act of 1765, was enacted by Parliament on March 22, 1765, effective Nov. 1, 1765.