George Townsend Turner
Encyclopedia
George Townsend Turner of Washington, D.C.
, was considered a leading philatelic
bibliophile of his era, amassing a very large body of philatelic literature
over his lifetime.
s and became an expert on the subject, publishing in 1974 “Essays and Proofs of United States Internal Revenue Stamps: A Compilation with Relative Prices.”
Turner collected books and other periodicals and catalogs of philatelic literature and purchased large libraries of philatelic books, including the library of revenue collector William Carlos Stone
, as well as the immense library of William Reynolds Ricketts
.
he was appointed to the board of directors; at the Smithsonian Institution
he was the curator of philatelic collections; and, at the Bureau Issues Association (now the United States Stamp Society
), he was the research philatelist. He was also very active in philatelic conventions, and, in 1966, when U.S. philatelic authorities declined to organize an international philatelic exhibition, Turner decided on his own to organize the Sixth International Philatelic Exhibition (SIPEX) in Washington, D.C.
in 1976 for Outstanding Service to the Society, the Lichtenstein Medal
in 1976, and in 1978 he signed the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists
. In 1980 he was named to the American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame
.
where it now resides at the National Postal Museum
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, was considered a leading philatelic
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...
bibliophile of his era, amassing a very large body of philatelic literature
Philatelic literature
Philatelic literature is written material relating to philately, primarily information about postage stamps and postal history- Background to philatelic literature :...
over his lifetime.
Collecting interests
Turner was particularly interested in United States revenue stampRevenue stamp
A revenue stamp, tax stamp or fiscal stamp is a adhesive label used to collect taxes or fees on documents, tobacco, alcoholic drinks, drugs and medicines, playing cards, hunting licenses, firearm registration, and many other things...
s and became an expert on the subject, publishing in 1974 “Essays and Proofs of United States Internal Revenue Stamps: A Compilation with Relative Prices.”
Turner collected books and other periodicals and catalogs of philatelic literature and purchased large libraries of philatelic books, including the library of revenue collector William Carlos Stone
William Carlos Stone
William Carlos Stone , called “Uncle Billy” by his friends, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was a philatelist who specialized in the collection of philatelic literature related to revenue stamps and postal stationery....
, as well as the immense library of William Reynolds Ricketts
William Reynolds Ricketts
William Reynolds Ricketts , of Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, was a philatelist who created the largest index of philatelic literature available during his lifetime. He was considered as the “greatest philatelic indexer of all time.” Ricketts was the son of R...
.
Philatelic activity
Turner served philately in a number of ways. At the American Philatelic SocietyAmerican Philatelic Society
The American Philatelic Society is the largest nonprofit stamp collecting and organization of philately in the world, with almost 44,000 members from 110 countries...
he was appointed to the board of directors; at the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
he was the curator of philatelic collections; and, at the Bureau Issues Association (now the United States Stamp Society
United States Stamp Society
The United States Stamp Society is the largest philatelic organization dedicated to the research and study of United States postage and revenue stamps. The Society is a non-profit collector-based organization with a world-wide membership of over 1700. The USSS is Affiliate #150 of the American...
), he was the research philatelist. He was also very active in philatelic conventions, and, in 1966, when U.S. philatelic authorities declined to organize an international philatelic exhibition, Turner decided on his own to organize the Sixth International Philatelic Exhibition (SIPEX) in Washington, D.C.
Honors and awards
Numerous awards were given to Turner, including the Luff AwardLuff Award
The Luff Award is awarded by the American Philatelic Society for meritorious contributions to philately by living philatelists.-Established:...
in 1976 for Outstanding Service to the Society, the Lichtenstein Medal
Lichtenstein 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:...
in 1976, and in 1978 he signed the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists
Roll 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 1980 he was named to 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:...
.
Legacy
The majority of Turner’s massive library was bequeathed to the Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
where it now resides at the National Postal Museum
National Postal Museum
The National Postal Museum, located opposite Union Station in Washington, D.C., USA, was established through joint agreement between the United States Postal Service and the Smithsonian Institution and opened in 1993. The museum is located across the street from Union Station, in the building that...
in Washington, D.C.