Donald J. Sundman, president of Mystic Stamp Company, has demonstrated his commitment to the philatelic community by donating $25,000 to Boston 2026, with further support pledged by his company.
Hailing from a family deeply rooted in the world of collectors, Sundman’s passion for stamps traces back to his father, Maynard Sundman, who established the Littleton Stamp Company in 1945, initially operating from their home before expanding into a prominent enterprise, notably through its approval service.
In 1974, the Sundman family acquired Mystic Stamp Company, with Don assuming the role of general manager at the young age of 19, while his brother David managed coin operations. Today, Mystic boasts a workforce of more than 110 employees at its headquarters in Camden, N.Y., proudly maintaining its status as a 100 per cent employee-owned entity.
Donald Sundman’s contributions to philately are widely recognized and revered. Notably, he and David uncovered the infamous CIA invert in 1987, leveraging details obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. Mystic Stamp Company’s successful lawsuit in 1994 prevented the USPS from destroying the Legends of the West recalled error sheets. In a historic transaction, Sundham traded the unique U.S. one-cent Z grill for the 1918 inverted Jenny plate block in 2005. Furthermore, Mystic’s $50,000 reward for the recovery of two inverted Jenny stamps stolen in 1955 led to the retrieval of position 76 of the iconic sheet of 100, announced during World Stamp Show-New York 2016.
Sundman’s influence extends beyond his business ventures. He served as Chairman of the Council of Philatelists of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum from 2004 to 2021 and continues to serve on its board. Additionally, he was appointed a Trustee of the Philatelic Foundation in 2006 and was honored with the Luff Award for Outstanding Service by the American Philatelic Society in 2010, a testament to his remarkable dedication to the philatelic community. Notably, he has sponsored over 8,000 APS members, setting a society record.
The Boston 2026 World Expo, scheduled for May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, promises to be a milestone event for stamp enthusiasts. For event information, visit Boston2026.org and stay updated via Twitter and Facebook. Sign up for the Boston 2026 email list to receive timely updates and announcements.