The American Philatelic Society (APS) recently announced its first Dealer of the Year Award will go to James Lee, of Oak Brook, Ill.
Lee, who specializes in U.S. essays and proofs as well as U.S. 19th century and Civil War postal history, has spent more than 25 years as a full-time philatelic dealer. He’s also a past president of the American Stamp Dealers Association, among other leadership positions within U.S. Organized Philately.
The inaugural award will be presented to Lee on Aug. 5, during the APS StampShow in Richmond, Va.
Patricia Kaufmann, a philatelic dealer, writer, researcher and member of the APS Board of Vice Presidents, told the APS blog: “The American Philatelic Society has long recognized philatelists, writers, and volunteers through several awards presented annually at StampShow. This is the first year that recognition will be made specifically to the individual contributions of a stamp dealer.”
‘HELP DEVELOP THE NEXT GENERATION’
According to the APS blog, Kaufmann said Lee “served on the American Stamp Dealers Association board of directors for eight years, four of which were as president. He has been a major supporter of the APS Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship, sponsoring the Donald and Bonnie Lee Fellowship, named in honour of his parents. That $5,000 donation provides monetary resources for engaging and exposing a young philatelist to the extensive stamp collecting community to help develop the next generation of collectors and dealers.”