The history of stamp collecting 28, Pierre Mahé

 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 28, Pierre Mahé. Among the leading magazines of the early years is, alongside 'The Stamp Collector’s Magazine", "The Postage Stamp' and 'The magazine for stamp collectorscertainly also the French magazineThe TimbrophileThe publisher was Pierre Mahé, a Parisian stamp dealer. Pierre Mahé was born in 1833 and developed into an active individual with strong business and leadership skills. He was a manager at a large bookstore in Paris. In 1862, with the knowledge of his directors, he began trading in stamps in the shop as well, on the condition that he would never again ask for a raise! Apparently, that constraint proved a bit too tight for him, because in 1863 he started his own business with a shop on the Rue de Varenne, which he managed together with his wife and later also his son. At that time, he published a 'Guide Manuel de Timbres-Poste', a catalogue that was updated and reprinted several times. Along with Laplante and Maury, he soon became one of the most important dealers in Paris. From 1864 onwards, he published the magazine 'Le Timbrophile', which further strengthened his position as a dealer, particularly because the magazine was larger in scope and better edited than the competing 'The Stamp Collector' by Arthur Maury. Mahé managed to attract good collaborators, including the famous Dr. Jacques Legrand. Mahé can be described somewhat flatteringly as a 'feisty fellow'. He was quite often at odds with colleagues, particularly with Moens, with whom neither held back when describing the other's dealings. In addition to 'Le Timbrophile', Mahé was involved with 'La Gazette des Timbres' and 'Le Questionneur Timbrophilique'. He wrote many articles himself, usually under the pseudonyms Argus and Pharès. For his contributions to philatelic literature, he was awarded the Lindenberg Medal in 1905. Pierre Mahé died on February 2, 1913. He served for many years as philatelic secretary to Count Ferrary and, in that capacity, traded some of the greatest rarities in the world.

Philippe Ferrary

 

To be continued on May 26.

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. 27. Arthur Maury, a name that lives on to this day.