George Ward Linn
Encyclopedia
George Ward Linn of Ohio
, was a philatelist
who published philatelic literature
extensively and was the founder of Linn's Weekly Stamp News
in 1928, the philatelic journal for which he is most famous.
. These included: The Columbian in 1901, The Columbian Philatelist , from 1901 to 1907, Stamp News in 1909, and The Stamp Collector from 1909 to 1911.
and conducted stamp auctions. However, he was most interested in promoting stamp collecting and in the creation of stamp clubs, and he attended most of the American Philatelic Society
stamp shows and conventions held during his lifetime and created philatelic souvenirs for them.
Linn will be remembered by first day cover
collectors for his creating the first pre-printed cacheted first day cover. This cover commemorated the passing of President Warren G. Harding
, and featured the use of the black 2-cent “mourning stamp” (Scott No. 610) issued September 1, 1923.
in 1967.
continues to be printed to this day (2010), and subscribers can read it online.
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, 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 published philatelic literature
Philatelic literature
Philatelic literature is written material relating to philately, primarily information about postage stamps and postal history- Background to philatelic literature :...
extensively and was the founder of Linn's Weekly Stamp News
Linn's Stamp News
Linn's Stamp News an American publication, is the largest weekly newspaper for stamp collectors, with a paid circulation of just over 46,000 Circulation peaked at almost 92,000 in 1978 and has declined ever since because fewer new collectors are subscribing to replace those who subscribed in the...
in 1928, the philatelic journal for which he is most famous.
Philatelic publishing
Son of a printer and publisher, and with a strong interest in philately, George Linn published numerous journals devoted to the hobby of stamp collectingStamp 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 :...
. These included: The Columbian in 1901, The Columbian Philatelist , from 1901 to 1907, Stamp News in 1909, and The Stamp Collector from 1909 to 1911.
Philatelic activity
Linn was, at times, a stamp dealerStamp 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 conducted stamp auctions. However, he was most interested in promoting stamp collecting and in the creation of stamp clubs, and he attended most of 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...
stamp shows and conventions held during his lifetime and created philatelic souvenirs for them.
Linn will be remembered by first day cover
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...
collectors for his creating the first pre-printed cacheted first day cover. This cover commemorated the passing of President Warren G. Harding
Warren G. Harding
Warren Gamaliel Harding was the 29th President of the United States . A Republican from Ohio, Harding was an influential self-made newspaper publisher. He served in the Ohio Senate , as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and as a U.S. Senator...
, and featured the use of the black 2-cent “mourning stamp” (Scott No. 610) issued September 1, 1923.
Honors and awards
Because of his dedication to advancing the hobby of stamp collecting, he 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 1967.
Legacy
Linn's Weekly Stamp NewsLinn's Stamp News
Linn's Stamp News an American publication, is the largest weekly newspaper for stamp collectors, with a paid circulation of just over 46,000 Circulation peaked at almost 92,000 in 1978 and has declined ever since because fewer new collectors are subscribing to replace those who subscribed in the...
continues to be printed to this day (2010), and subscribers can read it online.