Charles James Phillips
Encyclopedia
Charles James Phillips of London, England, and New York City
, was a philatelist
highly regarded in both England
where he started his philatelic career and in the United States
, where he emigrated to in 1922.
.
in 1933, he helped arrange for the sale the Arthur Hind collection of rare and classic United States and Confederate States of America
stamps and, despite fears by observers that the sale would go badly, the sale of the collection actually brought results far greater than expectations.
Phillips wrote numerous articles on stamp collecting, especially in Stamps and in Philatelic Classics, which was his own journal. Many of these articles dealt with famous members of the stamp collecting community and are of a historic nature. Phillips also wrote and published a number of books on philately, including: The Duveen Collection of Rare Old Postage Stamps: a Brief Description of Some of the Rarities of this Famous Collection, published in 1922, and Denmark 1851-1899: Detailed, Descriptive, Priced Catalogue of the Early Issues, Together with Lists and Prices of the Numeral Cancellations, published in 1925. He also wrote, in 1936, a book for the ordinary stamp collector entitled Stamp Collecting: The King of Hobbies and the Hobby of Kings, a book he is most probably remembered for.
in 1921. In New York City, he was presented with the Award of Merit by the Collectors Club of New York
in 1939 for his career of service to philately. And, in 1941 he was named to the initial list of the American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame
.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, was a philatelist
Philately
Philately is the study of stamps and postal history and other related items. Philately involves more than just stamp collecting, which does not necessarily involve the study of stamps. It is possible to be a philatelist without owning any stamps...
highly regarded in both England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
where he started his philatelic career and in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where he emigrated to in 1922.
Philatelic activity in England
In 1890 Phillips purchased Stanley Gibbons & Co. and, as its managing director, helped create and sell world famous collections of stamps. Phillips wrote numerous philatelic articles, including those published in The Gibbons Monthly Journal, The Stamp Advertiser and Auction Record and the Gibbons Stamp Weekly where he wrote articles on various collections he had helped build or sold. Eventually, after many changes, the Gibbons in-house journal became Gibbons Stamp MonthlyGibbons Stamp Monthly
Gibbons Stamp Monthly is a leading British philatelic magazine which can trace its roots back to 1890. GSM is published by the famous stamps and collectables firm of Stanley Gibbons and each issue includes updates to their various catalogues....
.
New York City activity
In 1922 Phillips sold the Stanley Gibbons business and emigrated to the United States, establishing his headquarters in New York City. There he continued his practice of selling stamps to help collectors build up their unique collections. During the Great DepressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
in 1933, he helped arrange for the sale the Arthur Hind collection of rare and classic United States and Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
stamps and, despite fears by observers that the sale would go badly, the sale of the collection actually brought results far greater than expectations.
Phillips wrote numerous articles on stamp collecting, especially in Stamps and in Philatelic Classics, which was his own journal. Many of these articles dealt with famous members of the stamp collecting community and are of a historic nature. Phillips also wrote and published a number of books on philately, including: The Duveen Collection of Rare Old Postage Stamps: a Brief Description of Some of the Rarities of this Famous Collection, published in 1922, and Denmark 1851-1899: Detailed, Descriptive, Priced Catalogue of the Early Issues, Together with Lists and Prices of the Numeral Cancellations, published in 1925. He also wrote, in 1936, a book for the ordinary stamp collector entitled Stamp Collecting: The King of Hobbies and the Hobby of Kings, a book he is most probably remembered for.
Honors and awards
Phillips was one of the initial signers of the Roll of Distinguished PhilatelistsRoll of Distinguished Philatelists
The Roll of Distinguished Philatelists is a philatelic award of international scale, created by the Philatelic Congress of Great Britain in 1921...
in 1921. In New York City, he was presented with the Award of Merit by the Collectors Club of New York
Collectors Club of New York
The Collectors Club of New York, often referred to as the Collectors Club, is a private club and philatelic society in New York City. Founded in 1896, it is one of the oldest existing philatelic societies in the United States...
in 1939 for his career of service to philately. And, in 1941 he was named to the initial list of the American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame
American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame
The American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame award honors deceased philatelists who have contributed significantly to the field of national and/or international philately.-History:...
.