Clyde Jennings of Florida

Florida

Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...

, was a prominent figure in philately

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...

 with his colorful speeches, writings, and personality, as well as his leadership.

Collecting interests

Jennings specialized in the collecting of United States stamps and postal history

Postal 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...

, especially cancellations of stamps on cover. His collection was so significant that it won numerous gold awards at national and international philatelic shows.

Philatelic activity

Jennings helped to provided leadership for the hobby. He served as president of the Society of Philatelic Americans, a director of the American Academy of Philately, president of the Florida Federation of Stamp Clubs, and was a founding member of the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors. He encouraged stamp collecting by juniors, and served as mentor to collectors both young and old. His knowledge of philately was extensive, and he was assigned by 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...

 to serve on juries of their stamp shows.

Because of his enthusiasm and strong ties to Florida, Jennings was a major force on the Florida Philatelic Exhibition (FLOREX) show committee of the Florida Federation of Stamp Clubs.

Honors and awards

Clyde Jennings received the Southeast Pennsylvania and Delaware (SEPAD) National Merit Award in 1989 and the John N. Luff Award

Luff Award

The Luff Award is awarded by the American Philatelic Society for meritorious contributions to philately by living philatelists.-Established:...

 for Exceptional Contributions to Philately in 1988. 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:...

in 2007.