John Walter Scott
John Walter Scott | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date England |
| Died | January 4, 1919 (aged 73) New York City, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Stamp dealer, auctioneer, philatelist |
| Known for | Founder of Scott catalog, first postage stamp auction, president of American Philatelic Society |
John Walter Scott (November 2, 1845 – January 4, 1919), originally from England and later based in New York City, emigrated to the United States during the period of the California Gold Rush. After an unsuccessful venture in gold prospecting, he transitioned into selling postage stamps to collectors, rapidly establishing himself as the foremost stamp dealer in the country. Among enthusiasts, he earned the title "The Father of American Philately."
Philatelic literature
In 1868, Scott launched American Journal of Philately, recognized as America's inaugural major stamp publication. That same year, he released his first comprehensive postage stamp catalog titled A Descriptive Catalogue of America and Foreign Postage Stamps, Issued from 1840 to Date. This publication soon became the preeminent U.S. stamp catalog known as the Scott catalog. In 1885, he transferred business rights to the Calman brothers, who rebranded it as the Scott Stamp and Coin Company.
After prevailing in a legal dispute concerning his name, Scott continued his philatelic enterprise and produced additional literature such as The Metropolitan Philatelist, J. W. Scott & Co., Ltd. Weekly News Letter, and John W. Scott's Weekly Bulletin. In 1869, he introduced his first stamp album, which included specially printed labels depicting world leaders and himself.
Philatelic auctions
Scott was an innovator in philatelic commerce, conducting the first-ever postage stamp auction on May 28, 1870, in New York City. The event’s success prompted him to organize similar auctions throughout both the United States and Europe. By 1882, he had pioneered auction catalogs featuring full-color plates of stamps for sale and was the first to auction a single postage stamp for more than one thousand dollars.
Philatelic activity
He significantly contributed to advancing philately by organizing exhibitions and promoting stamp collecting as a hobby. Scott was among the founding members of the Collectors Club of New York in 1896 and held the presidency of the American Philatelic Society from 1917 until his death in 1919.
Vegetarianism
For over three decades, Scott adhered to a strict vegetarian lifestyle and championed a regimen that excluded a midday meal. Additionally, he served as President of the New York Vegetarian Society.
Legacy
In recognition of his contributions, Scott was posthumously inducted into the American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame in 1941. His lasting influence endures through the continued publication and expansion of the Scott catalog, which remains an essential reference for American stamp collectors.
External links
- 1845 births
- 1919 deaths
- 19th-century American businesspeople
- American auctioneers
- American Philatelic Society
- American philatelists
- American stamp dealers
- American vegetarianism activists
- British emigrants to the United States
- Businesspeople from New York City
- Philatelic auctioneers
- Philately of the United States
- Stamp catalogs