Three philatelists inducted into APS Hall of Fame

On June 12, three prominent U.S. philatelists—Robert Markovits, Barbara Mueller, and Irwin Weinberg—were inducted into the American Philatelic Society (APS) Hall of Fame, which honours late philatelists who have made “outstanding contributions” to the hobby.

Markovits (1937-2015) was an esteemed collector, exhibitor and writer in several areas, including back-of-the-book material such as U.S. and worldwide special delivery stamps, U.S. official stamps and U.S. postal stationery. From 1963-69, he wrote more than 50 columns for The Bureau Specialist known as “Numbers Game.” In 1999, he also won the 1999 Champion of Champions award for his exhibit “U.S. Official Stamps, 1873-1884.”

Mueller (1925-2016), another esteemed philatelic writer and researcher, joined the APS in 1944 (and later became a life member). Her first book, Common Sense Philately, was published in 1956 and offered an interesting and understandable approach for beginner philatelists. In recognition of her work, she earned the Luff Award, which is the highest honour awarded to living APS members. More recently, in 2006, Mueller was inducted into the hall of fame of the United States Stamp Society.

Weinberg (1928-2016) was an international traveller and noted stamp collector and dealer. He’s perhaps best known for owning the world’s most valuable stamp—the 1856 one-cent magenta of British Guiana—for 10 years beginning in 1970, when he purchased the iconic rarity as part of a consortium of investors for $280,000 USD. In 1980, the stamp sold at auction for $935,000 USD. Following Weinberg’s death last year, his collection was sold in four auctions for more than $4 million USD.

According to the APS website, the Hall of Fame was established at the 1940 APS Convention by Rollin Flower, then APS president, following a suggestion to honour outstanding deceased philatelists similar to how the Luff Award, which was awarded for the first time at the 1940 convention, honours outstanding living philatelists.

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