Gordon H. Torrey
Encyclopedia
Dr. Gordon H. Torrey of Maryland
, was a stamp collector active within the Washington, D.C.
, area, and at the national level.
, and was considered an expert on the postage stamps and postal history
that he specialized in: stamps of the Middle East
, the Imperial era of Russia
, and stamps of the Ottoman Empire
. His collections were often exhibited at philatelic exhibitions and won prize-winning medals.
area, serving as an officer in a number of them. At the national level, served philately in a number of ways. At the American Philatelic Society
(APS) and at the Society of Philatelic Americans, he served on the expert committee. At the Rossica Society of Russian Philately
, he was elected to the posts of president pro tem (1972), president (from 1974 to 1992), and membership in the Board of Governors, where he served until he died in 1995.
Dr. Torrey took an active interest, and participated, in philatelic exhibitions. He was a member of the board of the annual NAPEX (National Philatelic Exhibition) during the 1960s and 1970’s, and also on the board of directors of CIPEX (Sixth International Philatelic Exhibition), held in Washington, D.C. in 1966.
in 1996.
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, was a stamp collector active within the 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....
, area, and at the national level.
Collecting interests
Dr. Torrey had a wide understanding of philatelyPhilately
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...
, and was considered an expert on the postage 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...
that he specialized in: stamps of the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, the Imperial era of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, and stamps of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. His collections were often exhibited at philatelic exhibitions and won prize-winning medals.
Philatelic activity
Torrey was active in the local philatelic community, and belonged to a number of stamp clubs in the Washington, D.C./Maryland/Northern VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
area, serving as an officer in a number of them. At the national level, served philately in a number of ways. 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...
(APS) and at the Society of Philatelic Americans, he served on the expert committee. At the Rossica Society of Russian Philately
Rossica Society of Russian Philately
The Rossica Society of Russian Philately is a society founded for the study and appreciation of the postage stamps and postal history of Russia.-History:...
, he was elected to the posts of president pro tem (1972), president (from 1974 to 1992), and membership in the Board of Governors, where he served until he died in 1995.
Dr. Torrey took an active interest, and participated, in philatelic exhibitions. He was a member of the board of the annual NAPEX (National Philatelic Exhibition) during the 1960s and 1970’s, and also on the board of directors of CIPEX (Sixth International Philatelic Exhibition), held in Washington, D.C. in 1966.
Philatelic literature
Dr. Gordon H. Torrey wrote numerous articles on his love of the postage stamps and history of Imperial Russia, and published them in Rossica, the journal of the Rossica Society of Russian Philately.Honors and awards
Dr. Torrey 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 1996.