Is There A Best Source For Info On Old Stamp Clubs In The Us?

Finding information about defunct stamp clubs from the 1930's to the 1960's is extremely difficult. Sadly many of the stamp clubs and organizations of our youth are no longer active. Some groups consolidated while many closed down completely. The web is some help but often a dead end. I have access to APS and USSS.

Is anyone aware of a book, resource or articles that might have done the research in this area? Is there a list somewhere of all the past clubs and their status?

I would be interested to see such a list. There were no stamp clubs in the area when I was younger, but there is value in finding out where they were and how many.

I think such a thing exists. I remember seeing a very old directory of collectors across the US and perhaps some clubs were mentioned too. There were many books on philately in the first 40 years of the 1900s. I'll see if I can find more info.

What you ask for the 1930s and 1940s does not exist, other than any club's own paper records, if those paper records exist today and are maintained.

The minutes of the meetings of a few clubs / societies in the 19th century are in the national journals of that era. I have seen the minutes.

Locating the information to tell the many club stories of the 20th century would likely take decades. Digesting it all and writing it up would take a few more years.

I believe that a few clubs have published their own histories, but I know no specifics.

The American Philatelic Society should have records of what groups ever were formally affiliates of the APS. Most are likely to be specialty groups, not general stamp clubs.

Phone calls or texts to the APS might reveal if a trip to Bellefonte would be worthwhile.

None of this information is available on a silver platter.

The APS used to publish a directory which included clubs. Older versions are available in various philatelic libraries. Here is a partial list of publications which may have the information you are looking for.

michaelschreiber thanks for the info. I had done a cursory look, and was hoping that someone else had compiled the information. Now the hunt begins.

This Wiki page has a LOT of footnoted references to go along with the list compiled. Linn's and the AP magazine seem to be the two most referenced sources. I doubt that their will ultimately be much granularity for these clubs. Not sure the extent of what you wish to find.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_...nited_States

Perhaps one source could be tracking down each state's Federation of Stamp Clubs. I know Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa had these. I have the roster from the early 1990s for Minnesota and Wisconsin. Some of these clubs were pretty old at the time. Also, one could do quite a hunt for club covers...

Publication stopped once its nickname became too real: The Burglar's Bible.

It actually listed the mailing addresses of each member.


Edit: If to of.