W. Wilson Hulme II
Encyclopedia
W. Wilson Hulme II was a philatelist
noted for his work in advancing the appreciation of stamp collecting
, especially by his work at the National Postal Museum
in Washington, D.C.
of the United States and was considered an expert on the subject.
in Washington, D.C., where he established a policy of displaying postal themes and fixtures that would not only attract stamp collectors, but also the curious public. Hulme is recognized as displaying a number of significant philatelic exhibits, such as the Benjamin K. Miller Collection of early U.S. stamps which was borrowed from the New York Public Library
, and also the U.S. Postmaster General’s Collection, and items from the Queen Elizabeth II’s stamp collection, officially known as the Royal Philatelic Collection
.
Hulme was active in the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, where he served as president from 2004 to 2007. He was also a fellow at the Royal Philatelic Society London, and served as an expert at both the American Philatelic Society
and the Philatelic Foundation
.
in 2008.
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...
noted for his work in advancing the appreciation of stamp collecting
Stamp collecting
Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects. It is one of the world's most popular hobbies, with the number of collectors in the United States alone estimated to be over 20 million.- Collecting :...
, especially by his work 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.
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....
Collecting interests
Hulme collected postage stamps and postal historyPostal history
Postal history is the study of postal systems and how they operate and, or, the study of postage stamps and covers and associated material illustrating historical episodes of postal systems...
of the United States and was considered an expert on the subject.
Curator
Hulme served as Curator of the National Postal Museum at 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...
in Washington, D.C., where he established a policy of displaying postal themes and fixtures that would not only attract stamp collectors, but also the curious public. Hulme is recognized as displaying a number of significant philatelic exhibits, such as the Benjamin K. Miller Collection of early U.S. stamps which was borrowed from the New York Public Library
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is the largest public library in North America and is one of the United States' most significant research libraries...
, and also the U.S. Postmaster General’s Collection, and items from the Queen Elizabeth II’s stamp collection, officially known as the Royal Philatelic Collection
Royal Philatelic Collection
The Royal Philatelic Collection is the postage stamp collection of the British Royal Family. It is the most comprehensive collection of items related to the philately of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth, with many unique pieces.- Early history :...
.
Philatelic activity
Because of his expertise of United States postal history, Hulme made significant discoveries during his research of early post office records and wrote numerous articles on the subject.Hulme was active in the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, where he served as president from 2004 to 2007. He was also a fellow at the Royal Philatelic Society London, and served as an expert at both 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...
and the Philatelic Foundation
Philatelic Foundation
The Philatelic Foundation is a philatelic organization granted a charter in 1945 by the University of the State of New York as a Nonprofit Educational Institution.-Location:...
.
Honors and awards
A number of honors were bestowed on Hulme, including the Distinguished Philatelist Award, Carroll Chase Cup, Mortimer Neinken Award, and the Lester G. Brookman Cup. Hulme was named to the American Philatelic Society Hall of FameAmerican 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:...
in 2008.