Catherine Lemmon Manning (1881–1957), of 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....

 served the philatelic

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...

 community by her work in several philatelic societies, and the American public by her service 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...

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Serving the Smithsonian

From 1922 to 1949, when she retired, Catherine Manning served as the Government Philatelist at the National Postal Museum, which is part 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...

 in Washington, D.C. She was subsequently named to the post of Curator Emeritus, a position she held from 1949 to 1957.

Philatelic activity

Manning, during her early years, gained experience in philately by working for stamp dealers, such as Julius (John) Murray Bartels

Julius (John) Murray Bartels

Julius Murray Bartels , of New York City, was a dealer and auctioneer of rare postage stamps. He was also well known for his knowledge of United States postal stationery.-Collecting interests:...

, in the Washington, D.C. area. At 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...

, she was the first woman to hold an elective office in the organization, serving on the Board of Vice-Presidents from 1935 to 1937. At the American Philatelic Congress she served as a council member, and at the Bureau Issues Association, later renamed the United States Stamp Society

United States Stamp Society

The United States Stamp Society is the largest philatelic organization dedicated to the research and study of United States postage and revenue stamps. The Society is a non-profit collector-based organization with a world-wide membership of over 1700. The USSS is Affiliate #150 of the American...

, she was declared an honorary member. Manning was also a Trustee of National Philatelic Museum, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...

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Honors and awards

Manning was honored by an award for her work from the Philadelphia's National Philatelic Museum in 1949. In 1990 she 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:...

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