Varro Eugene Tyler
Encyclopedia
Varro Eugene Tyler of Auburn, Nebraska
, was a professor of pharmacognosy
and philatelist
who specialized in the study of forged postage stamp
s and the forgers who created them.
Dr. Tyler was appointed associate professor and chairman of the Department of Pharmacognosy at the University of Nebraska and held similar positions at the University of Washington. Dr. Tyler accepted the appointment as dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences at Purdue University in 1966 and was closely associated with the Purdue University for the rest of his career.
His research interests included medicinal and toxic constituents of higher fungi, phytochemical analysis, alkaloid biosynthesis, drug plant cultivation, and herbal medicine.
According to his opinion "true herbalism encompasses scientific testing, honest reporting of the results, and safe use of effective herbs by informed practitioners and the public". He was opposed to what he called "paraherbalism".
, and studied forged copies of classic Japanese stamps.
.
Tyler co-authored a number of monograph
s on forged Japanese stamps: Forgeries and Imitations of the Dragon Stamps of Japan, in 1971, The Wada Cherry Blossom Forgeries, in 1974, and The Koban Forgeries of Japan in 1979.
’s Committee on Fakes and Forgeries since its inception in 1992 until 1998. Tyler also conducted classes at the American Philatelic Society on "Detecting Fakes and Forgeries."
for Distinguished Philatelic Research in 1998. He was named to the American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame
in 2003.
Auburn, Nebraska
Auburn is a city in Nemaha County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 3,350 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Nemaha County. The City of Auburn is actually an incorporation of two towns. Calvert and Sheridan combined to form Auburn in 1882, in part to have the voting power to...
, was a professor of pharmacognosy
Pharmacognosy
Pharmacognosy is the study of medicines derived from natural sources. The American Society of Pharmacognosy defines pharmacognosy as "the study of the physical, chemical, biochemical and biological properties of drugs, drug substances or potential drugs or drug substances of natural origin as well...
and 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 specialized in the study of forged postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
s and the forgers who created them.
Academic career
Tyler graduated in pharmacy from the University of Nebraska in 1949, attended Yale University as an Eli Lilly Research Fellow and received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Connecticut in 1951 and 1953.Dr. Tyler was appointed associate professor and chairman of the Department of Pharmacognosy at the University of Nebraska and held similar positions at the University of Washington. Dr. Tyler accepted the appointment as dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences at Purdue University in 1966 and was closely associated with the Purdue University for the rest of his career.
His research interests included medicinal and toxic constituents of higher fungi, phytochemical analysis, alkaloid biosynthesis, drug plant cultivation, and herbal medicine.
According to his opinion "true herbalism encompasses scientific testing, honest reporting of the results, and safe use of effective herbs by informed practitioners and the public". He was opposed to what he called "paraherbalism".
Collecting interests
Tyler initially specialized in the postage stamps of JapanEmpire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
, and studied forged copies of classic Japanese stamps.
Philatelic literature
Because of his interest in the study of forgeries, Tyler became an expert on the subject and wrote substantial literature on the subject, including: Philatelic Forgers: Their Lives and Works, in 1976 and revised and expanded in 1991, and Focus on Forgeries: A Guide to Forgeries of Common Stamps, which was issued in 2000 and consisted of a compilation of his “Focus on Forgeries" in Linn's 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...
.
Tyler co-authored a number of monograph
Monograph
A monograph is a work of writing upon a single subject, usually by a single author.It is often a scholarly essay or learned treatise, and may be released in the manner of a book or journal article. It is by definition a single document that forms a complete text in itself...
s on forged Japanese stamps: Forgeries and Imitations of the Dragon Stamps of Japan, in 1971, The Wada Cherry Blossom Forgeries, in 1974, and The Koban Forgeries of Japan in 1979.
Philatelic activity
“Tip” Tyler chaired the American Philatelic SocietyAmerican 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...
’s Committee on Fakes and Forgeries since its inception in 1992 until 1998. Tyler also conducted classes at the American Philatelic Society on "Detecting Fakes and Forgeries."
Honors and awards
Tyler received recognition for his efforts by the philatelic community. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Award of the Korea Stamp Society and the Luff AwardLuff Award
The Luff Award is awarded by the American Philatelic Society for meritorious contributions to philately by living philatelists.-Established:...
for Distinguished Philatelic Research in 1998. 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 2003.