The History of Stamp Collecting 27, Arthur Maury

 Inspired by a series of articles by K. Kouwenberg that appeared in the monthly magazine Philatelie in the late 1970s, Rob Smit describes the history of stamp collecting anew in biweekly installments. This is part 27, Arthur Maury.

Volume 6 of this series already contains a beautiful story about a young Arthur Maury ( click here ). That was the very beginning. Arthur Maury's name has since become much bigger, and we encounter this name in philately to this day. Perhaps even more so in recent years, thanks to beautiful catalogue editions.

Maury was born in Paris on July 31, 1844. At a young age, he moved with his parents to Boulogne-sur-Mer, where his father opened a glove shop. Arthur collected and traded stamps from an early age. He was allowed to use a portion of his father's shop window for this purpose. That was not a bad thing, as many English tourists visited Boulogne-sur-Mer, with whom he could do good business.

Arthur Maury

Later, Maury moved to Paris and managed to build a thriving business there. Initially, he started on the rue de Richelieu, eventually opening a large shop at 6 Boulevard Montmartre (where Café Oz is now located). The company still exists, now primarily online and largely dealing in coins. In 2009, it even became the first French listed company in the philatelic sector.

Maury was a good businessman and had a broad general interest. He wrote many books, including on heraldry. He was president of the 'Chambre Syndicate des Négociants en Timbres Poste.' Among the many publications, catalogues and albums can also be found. In June 1864, the first issue of the magazine 'Le Collectionneur de Timbres Poste,' which he published, appeared.

Georges Herpin

In the November 1864 issue of this journal, Georges Herpin proposes using the word 'philately' instead of 'timbromanie' as a general term for stamp collecting.

Above is an image of an advertising stamp by Maury with inverted text. At the top 'Timbres' and below his own portrait 'Maury a Paris'.

Maury died on December 1, 1907, but his name lives on in philately to this day, as mentioned. In 2010, a stamp block was issued in France to commemorate 150 years of the stamp market, containing a stamp with the portrait of Arthur Maury.

To be continued on May 12.

Published so far:

1. Introduction and start 2. The first collectors 3. The first catalogueOscar Berger Levrault is the first to provide an overview. 4. Alfred Potiquet, The first commercially published catalogue. 5. Booming 1862, The most turbulent year in philatelic history. 6. Edard de Laplante, the first to live exclusively from the stamp trade. 7. Natalis RondotThe first true philatelic literature appeared in a family magazine. 8. Henri Justin Lallier, Publisher of the first stamp album. 9. Frederick W. Booty, The first catalogue in English. 10. Mount Brown, A successful English catalogue. 11. Dr John Edward Gray, Inventor of the postage stamp, the very first collector, or merely a good cataloguer? 12. The first stamp magazineFirst a failed attempt, but then a sheet of stamps after all. 13. Edward Pemberton, Active philatelist with descendants in philately. 14. Dr. C.W. Viner, Father of English philately. 15. Jean Baptiste Moens, The greatest trader of all time. 16. Moens' publishing house, of great importance in the early days of philately. 17. Germany in 1862, The slow start of an important philatelic country. 18. The Netherlands in 1862, The first Dutch catalogue and album. 19. The Netherlands in 1864, PH Witkamp 20. The origins of Schaubek 21. The competition breaks out, free stamps with magazines. 22. Crafting with stamps. 23. The Polka Stamp., postage stamps as a source of inspiration for music 24. Alexander Baillieu., stamps as a gold mine? 25. Cunning, deceit, and abundance., postal administrations discover collectors. 26. The Fat Elbe from Dresden, mistaken identity with a prominent figure.