John Walter Scott
Encyclopedia
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 stamp
s for collectors and in a short period of time became the nation’s leading stamp dealer
. During his lifetime, he was known as “The Father of American Philately” by his fellow stamp collectors.
Scott continued his stamp business after a legal battle over the use of his name (which he won) and continued publishing philatelic literature
, such as The Metropolitan Philatelist, the J.W. Scott & Co., Ltd. Weekly News Letter, and the John W. Scott's Junior Weekly Letter, later renamed the John W. Scott's Weekly Bulletin.
. He also was the first, in 1882, to issue an auction catalog with full color plates of the stamps on sale. He was also the first to sell a postage stamp to collectors for over one thousand dollars.
(1896) and active in the American Philatelic Society
where he was president from 1917 to 1919.
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 originally from 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...
, but he emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to take part in the California Gold Rush
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
. Unsuccessful at the prospecting trade, Scott began to sell postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
s for collectors and in a short period of time became the nation’s leading stamp dealer
Stamp dealer
A stamp dealer is a company or an individual who deals in postage stamps and philatelic products. It also includes individuals who sell postage stamps for day to day use or official stamps for use on court documents.-Stamps on Approval Basis:...
. During his lifetime, he was known as “The Father of American Philately” by his fellow stamp collectors.
Philatelic literature
Scott published the first significant stamp journal in America in 1868, entitled American Journal of Philately. Also, in 1868, he issued his first multi-paged postage stamp catalog, “A Descriptive Catalogue of America and Foreign Postage Stamps, Issued from 1840 to Date.” In a short period of time, his “Scott catalog” became the leading stamp catalog in the United States. In 1885, he sold the rights to his business to the Calman brothers who renamed it the Scott Stamp and Coin Company.Scott continued his stamp business after a legal battle over the use of his name (which he won) and continued publishing philatelic literature
Philatelic literature
Philatelic literature is written material relating to philately, primarily information about postage stamps and postal history- Background to philatelic literature :...
, such as The Metropolitan Philatelist, the J.W. Scott & Co., Ltd. Weekly News Letter, and the John W. Scott's Junior Weekly Letter, later renamed the John W. Scott's Weekly Bulletin.
Philatelic auctions
Scott was innovative in business methods, and conducted the first postage stamp auction ever held (May 28, 1870, in New York City). This was a success and he continued to organize and conduct auctions in the United States and in EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. He also was the first, in 1882, to issue an auction catalog with full color plates of the stamps on sale. He was also the first to sell a postage stamp to collectors for over one thousand dollars.
Philatelic activity
Scott was active in organizing philatelic exhibitions and, in general, “selling” the stamp collecting hobby. He was one of the founding members of the Collectors Club of New YorkCollectors 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...
(1896) and active in the American Philatelic Society
American 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...
where he was president from 1917 to 1919.