Leo August
Encyclopedia
Leo August of New Jersey
, was a philatelist
who, as a stamp dealer
and publisher, created interest and awareness in the collecting of first day covers
through the introduction in 1939 of "ArtCraft" engraved illustrated (or "cacheted
") envelopes for use as first day covers. He also established the landmark line of "White Ace" stamp albums
. ArtCraft became one of the world's most popular cachets.
. In 1939 they established the Washington Press, which created and sold White Ace album pages for collectors. They also printed and sold high-quality envelopes bearing an Artcraft (later "ArtCraft") cachet of each anticipated United States stamp to be issued, so that stamp collectors could have the envelope franked and canceled by the post office with a “first day of issue” cancellation.
Leo was a benefactor of the Smithsonian Institution
’s National Postal Museum
in Washington, D.C.
and American Philatelic Society
in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
, and one of the founders of the Cardinal Spellman Philatelic Museum on the campus of Regis College
in Weston, Massachusetts
.
in 1990 by the American Philatelic Society for outstanding contributions to philately, and was named Man of the Year in 1997 by the American First Day Cover Society. In 1998 he was named to the American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame
.
. The
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...
, 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...
who, as a 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:...
and publisher, created interest and awareness in the collecting of first day covers
First day of issue
A First Day of Issue Cover or First Day Cover is a postage stamp on a cover, postal card or stamped envelope franked on the first day the issue is authorized for use within the country or territory of the stamp-issuing authority. Sometimes the issue is made from a temporary or permanent foreign or...
through the introduction in 1939 of "ArtCraft" engraved illustrated (or "cacheted
Cachet
In philately, a cachet is a printed or stamped design or inscription, other than a cancellation or pre-printed postage, on an envelope, postcard, or postal card to commemorate a postal or philatelic event. There are official and private cachets. They commemorate everything from the first flight...
") envelopes for use as first day covers. He also established the landmark line of "White Ace" stamp albums
Stamp album
A stamp album is a book, often loose-leafed , in which a collection of postage stamps may be stored and displayed.- Overview :...
. ArtCraft became one of the world's most popular cachets.
Albums and cachets
In 1933 Leo and his brother Samuel formed the Washington Stamp Exchange on Washington Street in Newark, New JerseyNewark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
. In 1939 they established the Washington Press, which created and sold White Ace album pages for collectors. They also printed and sold high-quality envelopes bearing an Artcraft (later "ArtCraft") cachet of each anticipated United States stamp to be issued, so that stamp collectors could have the envelope franked and canceled by the post office with a “first day of issue” cancellation.
Philatelic philanthropy
Leo and his brother were very interested in expanding the hobby of collecting first day covers and helped found the American First Day Cover Society in 1955 and supported it financially during its early years. He also helped create interest for the hobby of first day covers by instituting awards at various stamp shows and exhibitions.Leo was a benefactor of 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...
’s 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.
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....
and 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...
in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
Bellefonte is a borough in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It lies about twelve miles northeast of State College and is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, and one of the founders of the Cardinal Spellman Philatelic Museum on the campus of Regis College
Regis College
Regis College is a Roman Catholic liberal arts and sciences college located in Weston, Massachusetts. Founded as a women’s college in 1927, Regis became co-educational in 2007.-History:...
in Weston, Massachusetts
Weston, Massachusetts
Weston is a suburb of Boston located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States in the Boston metro area. The population of Weston, according to the 2010 U.S. Census, is 11,261....
.
Honors and awards
Leo received numerous honors for his work in the field of philately. He was awarded the Luff AwardLuff Award
The Luff Award is awarded by the American Philatelic Society for meritorious contributions to philately by living philatelists.-Established:...
in 1990 by the American Philatelic Society for outstanding contributions to philately, and was named Man of the Year in 1997 by the American First Day Cover Society. In 1998 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 Leo and Samuel August Memorial Award for best topical first day cover exhibit is given on an annual basis by the American First Day Cover Society. And, in his will, Leo provided a large bequest to The American Philatelic Research LibraryAmerican Philatelic Research Library
The American Philatelic Research Library , based in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, is the largest public philatelic library in the United States....
. The