Stamp Collecting Guide

Throughout the history of stamp collecting there have been numerous famous stamp dealers, many of which who have helped to contribute to the love of stamp collecting that is now shared around the world. Taking the time to learn more about some of these world famous stamp dealers can help to foster a deep appreciation of stamp collecting as well as pick up some useful information about your own collection.

Edward Stanley Gibbons, is without a doubt one of the most world famous stamp dealers. Born in 1840, Gibbons was the son of a chemist in Plymouth. During his boyhood, the collection of postage stamps was actually beginning to boom as a hobby. Even as a boy, Gibbons apparently kept a small postage stamp collection. He was encouraged by his father to pursue his hobby and was even allowed to set up a desk in the back of his father’s pharmacy shop from which he could pursue his love of stamp collecting. After his father died, the pharmacy was left in the hands of Edward. Before long; however, his stamp business expanded and eventually he was bringing in more money dealing stamps than selling pharmaceuticals. The pharmacy was eventually sold and the rest as they say is history. Edward Gibbons became one of the most famous stamp dealers in the world.

Another of many famous stamp dealers is Raymond Henry Weill. Weill was born in 1913 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Together with his brother, he managed to build one of the greatest stamp collections while at the same time becoming an extremely prolific dealer. Weil and his brother contributed significantly to bringing the idea of stamp collecting to many throughout the world. The brothers’ shop was first opened in 1932 in the historic French Quarter and quickly earned a reputation for dealing in classic stamps; however, they also frequently worked with novice collectors. It is widely believed that through the transactions of the Weill brothers a number of world famous collections were built. These world famous stamp dealers handled a series of famous transactions and sales including the purchase of a cover in 1968 which garnered $380,000. At the time this was the highest amount of money ever paid for a stamp or cover. The brothers were also highly regarded as stamp dealers because of their well known generosity, integrity and honesty. The donation of the world famous Inverted Jenny airmail to the Smithsonian Institution was made by the Weill stamp dealers simply because they felt as though the museum should have a copy of this incredibly famous, and valuable, stamp.

Leo August also falls into the category of famous stamp dealers. August, who was born in 1914 in New Jersey, was well known for his first day cover collecting. He and his older brother became stamp dealers in 1933 and from that time on during the next fifty years sold more first day covers than any other company at that time. Leo also contributed significantly to the recognition of first day cover collections as a valuable hobby and furthered interest in the hobby to a great extent. Although he and his brother were obviously very profitable stamp dealers, they were also very much dedicated to the love of stamp collection. Upon the death of Lou August, a large bequest was made to the American Philatelic Research Library.

Taking the time to find out more about world famous stamp dealers can help you understand more about the love of stamp collecting. Whether you are just starting out, or you are an experienced stamp collector there is much to learn from these stamp dealers who contributed so much to the beloved hobby.