History of stamp collecting 32, Collectors' associations

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 32, Collectors' Societies. As we saw in the previous episode, setting up an association of stamp collectors proved difficult. Nevertheless, the need for a union, with the possibility of exchanging thoughts and experiences and, of course, trading stamps, persisted. In 1868, an attempt was made on the other side of the ocean in New York that proved successful. In March 1868, the 'New York Philatelic Society' was founded there. From the very beginning, this society published the monthly magazine 'The American Journal of Philately'. In 1869, the "Süddeutscher Philatelisten Verein" was founded in Heidelberg, Germany, also with its own magazine called 'Bazar für Briefmarken-Sammler'. This magazine existed for no longer than a year. In England, the 'Philatelic Society' was founded in London on April 10, 1869. This society still exists, now with the addition 'Royal', and can be considered an active and prominent association in the world of philately. Reports from this society are often interesting to read; at the meeting of the Philatelic Society on November 13, 1869, Pemberton had with him a letter sent from Paris to Birmingham, franked with a pair of 80c 1863 issue tête laurée unperforated. The so-called Rothschild issue. Philbrick showed a letter from Berger-Levrault with a 10ct S. Louis (bears) stamped December 18, 1845, while the secretary (W. Dudley Atlee) showed a letter sent from New York to London with a 3 cent United States City Despatch Post. Such rare pieces, of which there is now considerable value, were simply carried around at the time to show each other.    

To be continued on July 21.

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. 28. Pierre Mahé, idiosyncratic traders with extensive philatelic knowledge. 29. Swarming mania, Collecting stamps that aren't actually stamps. 30. William P. Brown, The first American stamp dealer 31. Philately instead of Timbology, The origin of the word Philately