The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum has announced Gordon Eubanks Jr. (United States), Christopher King (United Kingdom), and Patrick Maselis (Belgium) as the 2025 recipients of the Smithsonian Philatelic Achievement Award (SPAA).
The three honourees will be celebrated at a gala on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the museum in Washington, D.C.
Established in 2002, the SPAA honours lifetime achievement in philately through original research, exceptional service, or sustained efforts to promote the hobby.
“The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum is honoured to present this esteemed award to such accomplished and influential individuals from around the world,” said museum director Elliot Gruber. Charles Shreve, chair of the museum’s Council of Philatelists, added, “In addition to being outstanding philatelists, all three are spectacular ambassadors of our hobby.”
Eubanks is recognized as one of the foremost experts on classic U.S. issues, with award-winning exhibits of 1847–61 federal stamps. He has also built notable collections in Hawaiian postal history and international airmail. A longtime leader in philatelic circles, Eubanks previously served on the museum’s Council of Philatelists and held board positions with the Philatelic Foundation, Westpex, and the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society.
King is known for his scholarship on Schleswig, Denmark, and Napoleonic-era postal history. A past president of the Royal Philatelic Society London, he has held several international leadership roles and was invited to sign the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in 2014.
Maselis, a fourth-generation collector, is the only non-Briton to serve as president of both the Club de Monte-Carlo and the Royal Philatelic Society London. He is celebrated for his gold-medal exhibits and his work advancing youth engagement and international philatelic outreach.
Each honouree will receive a three-inch SPAA medallion featuring the Smithsonian sunburst seal in gold-plated bronze, symbolizing education and enlightenment.
Details about the Nov. 8 gala, including ticket information, are available at postalmuseum.si.edu.