Alfred H. Caspary Dies
Alfred H. Caspary, who, in my opinion, assembled
the finest collection ever put together of classic
stamps of the world, passed away peacefully
January 7th, (1955) his age about 77.
He consistently avoided publicity so his name will
be unfamiliar to most collectors, but to those who
saw the magnificent spread of rarities in Life last
May, he can now be identified as "Pacificus," and
without his cooperation, this feature could not have
been published, since the emphasis was on rarity.
He was the "prominent Eastern collector" often
referred to in the philatelic press.
"Cas," as he was affectionately known to those
of us who were close to him, owned pieces that
were almost unbelievable, things most collectors
just dream about: extraordinary early United
States, and all the rarest and best of Postmasters'
stamps, Locals, Pony Express, and Carriers'.
The greatest collection of Confederate Postmaster'
issues, the finest Hawaiian "Missionaries" on
covers, glorious early German States, and other
classical Europeans -- a collection that may run
to several million dollars in value.
He was a member of the New York Stock Exchange
for more than half a century, through retired many
years, an extremely wealthy yet modest gentleman
who early retreated to a background of anonymity
for obvious reasons. In consequence, entrée to
his home was limited, and I regard it as one of the
great privileges of my life that I enjoyed this entrée
whenever I wished to exercise it.
On these occasions, almost countless over the
years, he loved to show his stamps and discuss
them. A visit to Caspary was to sit before a master
whose philatelic experiences and knowledge were
profound, his memory remarkable.
Annually, for more than forty years, he spent
prodigious sums for the finest the market could
offer, and in this long period usually got first choice
from every big collection that came up for sale.
He knew the story of every great find that had
been made, and the history of all the world's rarities.
I never saw him consult a philatelic reference book;
he'd just rattle it off out of mind. He was an expert
in his own right, one whom the "committees" often
consulted, yet few ever knew it, but it was mighty
important if "Caspary O.K.'d it."
In late years his eyes troubled him, due to
advancing cataracts. The last two years were
lonely ones, after the loss of his wife in
January, 1953, ending a marriage of 52 years.
An accident at home soon after made him a
virtual shut-in; thereafter he failed perceptibly.
If I couldn't visit with him, I'd telephone him
frequently; he always wanted to know what
was going on in stamps. He was a loyal
friend and these notes cannot do justice
to his great character.
- George B. Sloane
Sloane's Column
Stamps
January 22, 1955
An example of "pacificus"' "Rebel Rarities" Grove Hill
Posted 07/01/2010 4:29 pm
