The Rise of 19th-Century Stamp Collecting
The hobby of collecting postage stamps and related postal items began with a small group of dedicated enthusiasts in the 1850s. Over the next three decades, this quiet pursuit experienced steady and remarkable growth across the United States. By the 1880s, the collecting community had expanded to an estimated 25,000 philatelists. As the number of collectors grew, so did the desire for structured interaction.
According to historical accounts from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, organized philately traced its roots to these early collectors gathering informally to compare, discuss, and exchange their stamps. These local interactions laid the groundwork for more formal, structured societies that could publish research, create reference material, and help collectors share specialist knowledge.
The Committee on National Organization of 1886
As the collecting population surged in the 1880s, prominent philatelists recognized the need for a unified national body to coordinate activities and establish standards. In April of 1886, several leading collectors began discussing the potential for a national organization. This led to the formation of The Committee on National Organization, which included S.B. Bradt, O.S. Hellwig, and R.R. Shuman.
The committee printed and distributed an announcement to gauge interest among the wider collecting community. The response was highly encouraging, with approximately 400 collectors expressing their willingness to support the initiative. To formalize the process, 219 collectors submitted their proxies and paid a nominal fee for the privilege of voting to establish the new association.
Founding the American Philatelic Association
On September 13, 1886, a dedicated committee convened in New York City to officially establish the organization, adopting the name American Philatelic Association. The following day, the members elected John K. Tiffany, a prominent attorney from St. Louis and an ardent philatelist, as the association's first president. Tiffany would go on to lead the organization until 1896.
The founders drafted a constitution with a clear preamble outlining their core objectives: to assist members in acquiring philatelic knowledge, to cultivate friendship among collectors, and to enable members to affiliate with similar societies in other countries. Members were issued official membership cards and could purchase a distinctive button badge, a design that remains in use today.
Early Services and Departments
To deliver on its constitutional promises, the American Philatelic Association established several specialized departments. A Purchasing Department was created to help members acquire new or obsolete issues at or near face value by leveraging collective buying power. The Exchange Department facilitated the trade of duplicate stamps, entire envelopes, and postal cards using exchange books and boxes.
Additionally, a Library Department was formed to build a literature collection, relying heavily on member donations during its initial phase. To protect members from the regular appearance of fraudulent material, the association appointed E.A. Holton, a Boston dealer, as a counterfeit detector who served the organization without a fee.
Establishing Official Philatelic Journals
A national organization required a reliable method of communication to keep its widespread membership informed. On January 10, 1887, the association published the first issue of its official journal, The American Philatelist, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, under the editorship of W. R. Fraser.
After the publication of the first five issues, a mail vote was conducted in June of 1887. This vote resulted in the selection of The Western Philatelist as the society's official organ. These early publications played a critical role in sharing research, documenting organizational decisions, and connecting isolated collectors across the country.
Safe Handling and Modern Identification of Classic Issues
When modern collectors acquire early issues from the 19th century, preserving their physical integrity is paramount. Early stamps are highly susceptible to damage from improper handling and storage. Collectors must avoid using household adhesives, tape, or glue, and should never attempt to remove stamps from historical covers without professional guidance.
Utilizing proper tools, such as specialized stamp tongs, is essential to prevent the transfer of skin oils. To document and organize these delicate historical items safely, collectors can use digital tools like StampSnap to create a likely identification or build a digital collection record. This approach allows philatelists to study and share their historical material without subjecting fragile paper to unnecessary physical handling.
Frequently asked questions
How many stamp collectors were estimated to be in the United States by the 1880s?
By the 1880s, the hobby had grown steadily from a few enthusiasts in the 1850s to an estimated 25,000 stamp collectors in the United States.
Who served as the first president of the American Philatelic Association?
John K. Tiffany, a prominent attorney from St. Louis and an ardent philatelist, was elected as the first president of the American Philatelic Association on September 14, 1886, and held the position until 1896.
What was the purpose of the early Exchange Department established by the American Philatelic Association?
The Exchange Department was established to facilitate the exchange of duplicate stamps, entire envelopes, and postal cards among the association's members using specialized exchange books and boxes.
How did the early American Philatelic Association protect its members from fraudulent stamps?
The association appointed E.A. Holton, a stamp dealer from Boston, to serve as a counterfeit detector. He examined suspected items and served the organization's members without a fee to combat the regular appearance of fraudulent stamps.