James Negus
Encyclopedia
James Negus was a British philatelist
and book editor.
to manage its philatelic and numismatic
publications. In 1977, he was promoted to editor of the Stanley Gibbons stamp catalogue. He decided its thematic and geographic division into 21 volumes but in 1981 he was made redundant as part of an economy plan.
An author himself, Negus came back to this activity for Stamp World magazine and new books. he participated to the Connoisseur Catalogue, specialised in the Machin series
.
. He was interested in the first half of the 20th century philately of many countries. In the 1980s, he studied souvenirs created and distributed during British philatelic exhibition
s.
In 2000, Negus stopped all philatelic activity and sold his bibliophile
and stamp collections. He lived at Milford on Sea, Hampshire until his death in February 2008.
Ron Butler, President of the Royal Philatelic Society London in the 1970s, described him as "the best of bibliographers and [...] the most competent of researchers".
His brother, Ron Negus, was a philatelic author too and honorary archivist of the Royal Philatelic Society London.
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...
and book editor.
Early life
Negus was a student of chemistry and then a civil servant. Later he worked in book editing for British publishing houses.Stanley Gibbons
He had already published some philatelic books at Heinemann when he was hired in 1975 by Stanley Gibbons LtdStanley Gibbons Ltd
The Stanley Gibbons Group plc is a company quoted on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange and which specialises in the retailing of collectable postage stamps and similar products. The group is incorporated in Jersey but with offices in London, Ringwood in Hampshire and...
to manage its philatelic and numismatic
Numismatics
Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, and related objects. While numismatists are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, the discipline also includes the broader study of money and other payment media used to resolve debts and the...
publications. In 1977, he was promoted to editor of the Stanley Gibbons stamp catalogue. He decided its thematic and geographic division into 21 volumes but in 1981 he was made redundant as part of an economy plan.
An author himself, Negus came back to this activity for Stamp World magazine and new books. he participated to the Connoisseur Catalogue, specialised in the Machin series
Machin series
The Machin series of postage stamps is the main definitive stamp series in the United Kingdom, used since 5 June 1967. It is the second series to figure the image of Elizabeth II, replacing the Wilding series....
.
Collecting
As a collector, he was a member of many philatelic associations in the English speaking world, and an editor or a writer to many of their publications. In 1957 he was the first Editor of the Journal of Chinese Philately of the China Philatelic Society of LondonChina Philatelic Society of London
The China Philatelic Society of London is a philatelic organisation devoted to the study of all aspects of Chinese philately from the Municipal Posts of the Treaty Ports to the People's Republic and Taiwan.-Origins:...
. He was interested in the first half of the 20th century philately of many countries. In the 1980s, he studied souvenirs created and distributed during British philatelic exhibition
Philatelic exhibition
A Philatelic Exhibition is an exhibition of stamps and postal history where stamp collectors compete for medals. The displays are shown in glass frames, and the exhibition is normally accompanied by stamp dealer and post office stands where stamps may be purchased.Many philatelic exhibitions are...
s.
In 2000, Negus stopped all philatelic activity and sold his bibliophile
Bibliophilia
Bibliophilia or bibliophilism is the love of books. Accordingly a bibliophile is an individual who loves books. A bookworm is someone who loves books for their content, or who otherwise loves reading. The -ia-suffixed form "bibliophilia" is sometimes considered to be an incorrect usage; the older...
and stamp collections. He lived at Milford on Sea, Hampshire until his death in February 2008.
Ron Butler, President of the Royal Philatelic Society London in the 1970s, described him as "the best of bibliographers and [...] the most competent of researchers".
His brother, Ron Negus, was a philatelic author too and honorary archivist of the Royal Philatelic Society London.
Publications
- Philately's Ugly Ducklings: Rehabilitating the 1934-36 Issues of Tannu Tuva, The Philatelic Journal, July-September 1960
- Good Bibliographic Practice, American Philatelic Research LibraryAmerican Philatelic Research LibraryThe American Philatelic Research Library , based in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, is the largest public philatelic library in the United States....
, 1971. A compilation of four articles published in The Philatelic Literature Review. - Philatelic Literature, Compilation Techniques and Reference Sources, Limassol, James Bendon, 1991.
- Introduction to Glenn Morgan (1995). British Stamp Exhibitions: A Priced Catalogue of Sheets, Cards, and Labels. The book is a catalogue pricing souvenirs Negus studied in the 1980s.