Collectors Club of New York
Encyclopedia
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
. Its stated purpose is "to further the study of philately, promote the hobby and provide a social, educational, and non-commercial setting for the enthusiastic enjoyment of our common passion." The club maintains a philatelic library of approximately 150,000 volumes which are available for research or study by scholars, historians, and philatelists. The Collectors Club Philatelist, published by the club since 1922, is currently published bi-monthly and contains scholarly articles on philatelic subjects.
The Club is located in a landmarked building (see below) at 22 East 35th Street in Manhattan, New York City.
of New York
, New Jersey
, and Connecticut
, as well as members elsewhere in the United States and in other countries. Many prominent and world-famous philatelists have been members, including: Alfred F. Lichtenstein
, Harry Lindquist
, John Luff
, John Walter Scott
of Scott catalogue
fame, Lawrence L. Shenfield
, John J. Britt
and Theodore E. Steinway
.
Prominent stamp collectors named as honorary members include Franklin D. Roosevelt
and the 26th Earl of Crawford.
, established in 1952 in honor of Alfred F. Lichtenstein, is an award issued annually by the club to a living individual for outstanding service to philately.
and Park Avenues
in the Murray Hill
neighborhood of Manhattan
, New York City
. It was originally the house of Thomas and Fanny Clarke and was built in 1901-02, designed by the firm of McKim, Mead & White, with Stanford White
as the partner in charge. The archtecture is a combination of Colonial Revival style
with medieval-inspired windows which recall those of Richard Norman Shaw
, the avant-garde British architect of the late 19th-century.
The building was purchased by the Collectors Club in 1937, and was designated a New York City landmark on September 11, 1979.
Gentlemen's club
A gentlemen's club is a members-only private club of a type originally set up by and for British upper class men in the eighteenth century, and popularised by English upper-middle class men and women in the late nineteenth century. Today, some are more open about the gender and social status of...
and philatelic society
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...
in New York City
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...
. Founded in 1896, it is one of the oldest existing philatelic societies in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its stated purpose is "to further the study of philately, promote the hobby and provide a social, educational, and non-commercial setting for the enthusiastic enjoyment of our common passion." The club maintains a philatelic library of approximately 150,000 volumes which are available for research or study by scholars, historians, and philatelists. The Collectors Club Philatelist, published by the club since 1922, is currently published bi-monthly and contains scholarly articles on philatelic subjects.
The Club is located in a landmarked building (see below) at 22 East 35th Street in Manhattan, New York City.
Members
The Collectors Club membership of over 750 includes stamp collectors from the tri-state areaTri-state area
There are a number of areas in the 48 contiguous United States known as tri-state areas where three states either meet at one point or are in proximity to each other. The best known of the latter type is the New York metropolitan area...
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, and Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, as well as members elsewhere in the United States and in other countries. Many prominent and world-famous philatelists have been members, including: Alfred F. Lichtenstein
Alfred Lichtenstein (philatelist)
Alfred F. Lichtenstein was one of the most famous American philatelists.- Biography :Alfred Lichtenstein's classic stamp collections were one of the most complete, with a passion for stamps issued before 1870...
, Harry Lindquist
H. L. Lindquist
H. L. Lindquist was an editor and publisher specializing in the publication of philatelic literature during the early 20th century. He operated his publishing business from New York City at 1 West 46 Street.-The Stamp Specialist:...
, John Luff
John N. Luff
John Nicholas Luff of New York City was one of the important philatelists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, notable as an early user of scientific methods in the study of postage stamps...
, John Walter Scott
John Walter Scott
John Walter Scott , of New York City, was originally from England, but he emigrated to the United States to take part in the California Gold Rush. Unsuccessful at the prospecting trade, Scott began to sell postage stamps for collectors and in a short period of time became the nation’s leading stamp...
of Scott catalogue
Scott catalogue
The Scott catalogue of postage stamps, published by Scott Publishing Co, a subsidiary of Amos Press, is updated annually and lists all the stamps of the entire world which its editors recognize as issued for postal purposes. It is published in six large volumes and is also produced in...
fame, Lawrence L. Shenfield
Lawrence L. Shenfield
Lawrence Lewis "Larry" Shenfield was an advertising executive who was instrumental in promoting the development of radio broadcasting during its golden age of the 1920's and 1930's. Larry lined up sponsors to help further the popularity of such stars as Orson Welles and Dinah Shore...
, John J. Britt
John J. Britt
John J. Britt was a member of the Collectors Club of New York and was awarded the Lichtenstein Medal in 1961 for his contributions to philately.-Philatelic literature:John Britt authored various studies including:...
and Theodore E. Steinway
Theodore E. Steinway
Theodore E. Steinway , of the famous Steinway piano family, was a member of the Collectors Club of New York and Board of Trustees of the Philatelic Foundation...
.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
and the 26th Earl of Crawford.
Awards
The Alfred F. Lichtenstein Memorial Award for Distinguished Service to PhilatelyLichtenstein Medal
The Lichtenstein Medal, also known as the Alfred F. Lichtenstein Memorial Award for Distinguished Service to Philately is given annually to a living individual for outstanding service to philately.-Origin:...
, established in 1952 in honor of Alfred F. Lichtenstein, is an award issued annually by the club to a living individual for outstanding service to philately.
Landmarked building
The club is located in a five-story brownstone at 22 East 35th Street between MadisonMadison Avenue (Manhattan)
Madison Avenue is a north-south avenue in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, United States, that carries northbound one-way traffic. It runs from Madison Square to the Madison Avenue Bridge at 138th Street. In doing so, it passes through Midtown, the Upper East Side , Spanish Harlem, and...
and Park Avenues
Park Avenue (Manhattan)
Park Avenue is a wide boulevard that carries north and southbound traffic in New York City borough of Manhattan. Through most of its length, it runs parallel to Madison Avenue to the west and Lexington Avenue to the east....
in the Murray Hill
Murray Hill
Murray Hill may refer to one of the following places:* Murray Hill, Kentucky, a small city in Kentucky* Murray Hill, Manhattan, a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City...
neighborhood of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, New York City
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...
. It was originally the house of Thomas and Fanny Clarke and was built in 1901-02, designed by the firm of McKim, Mead & White, with Stanford White
Stanford White
Stanford White was an American architect and partner in the architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White, the frontrunner among Beaux-Arts firms. He designed a long series of houses for the rich and the very rich, and various public, institutional, and religious buildings, some of which can be found...
as the partner in charge. The archtecture is a combination of Colonial Revival style
Colonial Revival architecture
The Colonial Revival was a nationalistic architectural style, garden design, and interior design movement in the United States which sought to revive elements of Georgian architecture, part of a broader Colonial Revival Movement in the arts. In the early 1890s Americans began to value their own...
with medieval-inspired windows which recall those of Richard Norman Shaw
Richard Norman Shaw
Richard Norman Shaw RA , was an influential Scottish architect from the 1870s to the 1900s, known for his country houses and for commercial buildings.-Life:...
, the avant-garde British architect of the late 19th-century.
The building was purchased by the Collectors Club in 1937, and was designated a New York City landmark on September 11, 1979.