Stamp collecting began to emerge from obscurity in America after the Civil War, and by the 1880s philatelic societies were being formed to connect collectors, and to legitimize and publicize the hobby. The American Philatelic Association was formed in 1886. [1] Other national, regional, and local clubs followed during the late nineteenth and into the twentieth centuries. Most of these societies were dominated by white men of financial means, and some actively excluded women and persons of color, though newer and more local clubs formed in the early twentieth century were often more welcoming. [1]
By the middle of the twentieth century, hundreds of stamp clubs had formed throughout the United States, often affiliated with large organizations, such as the American Philatelic Society or the American Topical Association. Many published their own scholarly articles or journals, while others advertised in the journals of larger philatelic associations. Although participation in the hobby had declined by the early twenty-first century, many state and local stamp clubs continue to exist and meet on a regular basis.
Philately is the study of postage stamps and postal history. It also refers to the collection and appreciation of stamps and other philatelic products. While closely associated with stamp collecting and the study of postage, it is possible to be a philatelist without owning any stamps. For instance, the stamps being studied may be very rare or reside only in museums.
A cancellation is a postal marking applied on a postage stamp or postal stationery to deface the stamp and to prevent its reuse. Cancellations come in a huge variety of designs, shapes, sizes, and colors. Modern cancellations commonly include the date and post office location where the stamps were mailed, in addition to lines or bars designed to cover the stamp itself. The term "postmark" refers specifically to the part that contains the date and posting location, but the term is often used interchangeably with "cancellation" as it may serve that purpose. The portion of a cancellation that is designed to deface the stamp and does not contain writing is also called the "obliteration" or killer. Some stamps are issued pre-cancelled with a printed or stamped cancellation and do not need to have a cancellation added. Cancellations can affect the value of stamps to collectors, positively or negatively. Cancellations of some countries have been extensively studied by philatelists, and many stamp collectors and postal history collectors collect cancellations in addition to the stamps themselves.
Philatelic literature is written material relating to philately, primarily information about postage stamps and postal history.
The American Philatelic Society (APS) is the largest nonprofit stamp collecting foundation of philately in the world. Both the membership and interests of the society are worldwide.
Linn's Stamp News is an American weekly magazine for stamp collectors. It is published by Amos Media Co., which also publishes the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, the Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers, and the Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue of Stamps and Covers 1840–1940. Linn's was founded in 1928 by George W. Linn as Linn's Weekly Stamp News.
John Nicholas Luff of New York City was one of the important philatelists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, notable as an early user of scientific methods in the study of postage stamps. The Luff Award of the American Philatelic Society is named after him.
A precanceled stamp, or precancel for short, is a postage stamp that has been legitimately cancelled before being affixed to mail. A number of nations of the world use precancels, typically in the form of an overprint on definitive series stamps.
The Collectors Club, often referred to as the Collectors Club of New York, is a private club and philatelic society in New York City. Founded in 1896, it is one of the oldest existing philatelic societies in the United States. Its stated purpose is "to further the study of philately, promote the hobby and provide a social, educational, and non-commercial setting for the enthusiastic enjoyment of our common passion".
Harry Lemuel Lindquist was an editor and publisher specializing in the publication of philatelic literature during the early 20th century. He operated his publishing business from New York City at 1 West 46 Street.
Frederick John Melville was a British philatelist, prolific philatelic author and founder of The Junior Philatelic Society. He was also a founder in 1907 of the Philatelic Literature Society. Melville is a member of the American Philatelic Society's Hall of Fame and was a signatory to The Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in 1921.
Herman "Pat" Herst Jr. was a writer of philatelic literature, in many cases on the history of the hobby, as well as a stamp dealer and stamp auctioneer. He began his career on Nassau Street in New York City in 1933, moving to Shrub Oak, New York in 1946, remaining there until he finally retired to Florida in 1973.
John Robert Boker Jr. was an American philatelist who amassed some of the most prestigious collections of 19th century stamps ever seen by stamp collectors. Before his death in 2003, the Collectors Club of New York declared him, in 1996, to be the "outstanding philatelist of the last half of the twentieth century."
The Roll of Distinguished Philatelists (RDP) is a philatelic award of international scale, created by the Philatelic Congress of Great Britain in 1921. The Roll consists of five pieces of parchment to which the signatories add their names.
George Ward Linn, of Ohio, was a philatelist who published philatelic literature extensively and was the founder of Linn's Weekly Stamp News in 1928, the philatelic journal for which he is most famous.
Peter P. McCann, of Sarasota, Florida, is a philatelist who has supported the hobby of philately on a national scale. For his varied services to the American Philatelic Society (APS) over several decades, he was awarded in 2008 the Luff Award for outstanding service to the society.
Cheryl R. Ganz FRPSL is an American philatelist who was appointed to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in 2018.
Patricia Stilwell Walker is an American philatelist who signed the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in 2022.