Yamil Kouri Jr., Kenneth Grant and James Peter Gough are the winners of this year’s Luff Awards, the most prestigious honour the American Philatelic Society (APS) bestows on living philatelists.
Kouri, of Massachusetts, is recognized as “a nationally and internationally acclaimed philatelic judge, also known for his leadership in countless organizations and institutions, his award-winning exhibits, books, monographs and articles, and his commitment to original philatelic research.” One of five philatelists invited to sign the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists (RDP) this year, Kouri is also the vice-president of the Boston 2026 World Stamp Expo and organizes the annual Spellman Museum Postal History Symposium.
Grant, of Wisconsin, is the president of the American Philatelic Research Library’s board of trustees and has served on the library board for the greater part of 20 years.
Lastly, Gough, of Maryland, was recognized for his distinguished philatelic research. An active researcher, author, exhibitor and philatelic judge, Gough twice was named the APS Champion of Champions in its annual World Series of Philately (in 1992 for “The Evolution and Use of Adhesives for Postage Due, 1790-1954,” and in 2013 for “Universal Postal Union and its Impact on Global Postal Service”). Also a prolific writer, he signed the RDP in 2012.
Since 1940, the APS has presented the annual award named after John Luff, APS president from 1907-09, to recognize meritorious contributions to philately by living philatelists. The recipients sign the Luff Award Scroll and are presented with engraved rings.