The Luff Award is awarded by the

American Philatelic Society The American Philatelic Society (APS) is the largest nonprofit stamp collecting foundation of philately in the world. Both the membership and interests of the society are worldwide. History The organization, originally named the ''American Phil ...

(commonly known as the APS) for meritorious contributions to

philately Philately (; ) is the study of postage stamps and postal history. It also refers to the collection and appreciation of stamps and other philatelic products. Philately involves more than just stamp collecting or the study of postage; it is pos ...

by living philatelists.

Established

The award was established in 1940 in memory of

John N. Luff John Nicholas Luff (November 16, 1860 – August 23, 1938) of New York City was one of the important philatelists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, notable as an early user of scientific methods in the study of postage stamps. The ...

, distinguished philatelist and president of the APS from 1907 to 1909.

Basis of the award

The recipient of the award must be a living philatelist. Three Luff Awards are usually presented each year – one each for: * distinguished philatelic research * exceptional contributions to philately * outstanding service to the American Philatelic Society

Honorees

Luff Awards were presented by the society, starting in 1940 and continuing to this day. During some years, awards were not presented for various reasons. {, class="wikitable" ! Year ! Distinguished Philatelic Research ! Exceptional Contributions to Philately ! Outstanding Service to the Society , - , 2015 , Leo J. Harris , MaryAnn Bowman , James E. McDevitt , - , 2014 , Edward J.J. Grabowski , Richard E. Drews , Janet Klug , - , 2013 , James W. Graue , George Jay Kramer , Richard S. Nakles , - , 2012 , James W. Graue , Michael D. Dixon , Steven J. Rod , - , 2011 , Len Piszkiewicz ,

Patricia Stilwell Walker Patricia Stilwell Walker is an American philatelist who signed the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists in 2022. She won the 2006 Lichtenstein Medal for her contributions to philately. In 2011, she received the Luff Award for Exceptional Con ...

, Roger Schnell , - , 2010 , A.D. (Don) Jones , James P. Mazepa , Donald J. Sundman , - , 2009 , Kees Adema , David A. Kent , Not Given , - , 2008 ,

Stanley J. Luft Stanley J. Luft of Golden, Colorado, is a philatelist who is an expert on the postal history of France. Collecting interests Luft specialized in the collecting of rare postage stamps and postal history of France. His collections of French post ...

Nancy B. Clark Nancy B. Clark of Marstons Mills, Massachusetts, and oods Hole, Massachusettsis a philatelist who has served the philatelic community by her pioneering work with the Boy Scouts of America and her dedication to work at the American Philatelic ...

Peter P. McCann Peter P. McCann, of University Park, Florida, is a philatelist who has supported the hobby of philately on a national scale. For his varied services to the American Philatelic Society (APS) over several decades, he was awarded in 2008 the Luff A ...

, - , 2007 , Roger S. Brody , Stephen D. Schumann , E. Eugene Fricks , - , 2006 , Harlan F. Stone II , Joseph E. Foley , Charles J. Peterson , - , 2005 , Alfred F. Kugel , Cheryl Edgcomb , Ann Triggle , - , 2004 , Kurt Kimmel , Diane Boehret , John M. Hotchner , - , 2003 , Reuben Ramkissoon , George B. Griffenhagen , W. Danforth Walker , - , 2002 , Anthony S. Wawrukiewicz , Alan Warren , William L. Welch, Jr. , - , 2001 , George B. Arfken , Elizabeth G. Towle , David A. Flood , - , 2000 , Calvet M. Hahn , James H. Bruns , Randy Laning Neil , - , 1999 , Richard F. Winter , John E. Lievsay , Frank L. Sente , - , 1998 ,

Varro Eugene Tyler Varro Eugene Tyler (December 19, 1926 – August 22, 2001), of Auburn, Nebraska, was an American professor of pharmacognosy and philatelist who specialized in the study of forged postage stamps and the forgers who created them. Academic career T ...

Raymond Henry Weill Raymond Henry Weill (September 29, 1913 – April 21, 2003), of New Orleans, Louisiana, and his brother Roger G. Weill, were famous dealers of rare postage stamps, commonly referred to as the Weill brothers. Selling rare stamps The Weill broth ...

, F. Burton Sellers , - , 1997 , Philip T. Wall , Lester E. Winick , Robert de Violini , - , 1996 ,

Victor E. Engstrom Victor E. Engstrom (20 October 1913 – July 1, 2000) was an American philatelist known for his knowledge and collections of stamps of Nordic countries. Background Engstrom came from Montclair, New Jersey He was an Army veteran of World War II ...

Robert P. Odenweller Robert P. Odenweller (born c. 1940) is an American philatelist who is a member of the National Postal Museum's ''Council of Philatelists'' and a signatory to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists.Ernst Max Cohn Ernst Max Cohn (March 31, 1920 – December 30, 2004), was a multi-lingual philatelic researcher and expert from Alabama, who advocated re-researching original philatelic sources rather than relying on subsequent published philatelic literature. ...

, Charles Jenkins , Gordon P. Wrenn , - , 1994 , Hubert C. Skinner , Jerome D. Husak , Keith A. Wagner , - , 1993 , C.W. 'Bert' Christian ,

Jacques Minkus Jacques Minkus (December 15, 1901 – September 17, 1996), of New York City, emigrated to the United States in 1929 and established stamp counters for postage stamp collectors at numerous department stores in the United States. Philatelic ac ...

, Not Given , - , 1992 , Richard B. Graham , C. Belmont Faries , Herbert A. Trenchard , - , 1991 , L. Norman Williams ,

Mary Ann Owens Mary Ann Aspinwall Owens (June 24, 1928 – November 21, 2005), of New York City, was an advocate of thematic collecting of postage stamps, such as collecting stamps showing birds, butterflies, ships, famous art, and so on. She was successful in ...

, Lois Evans de Violini , - , 1990 , Austin Haller ,

Leo August Leo August (March 2, 1914 – December 4, 1997), of New Jersey, was an American philatelist who, as a stamp dealer and publisher, created interest and awareness in the collecting of first day covers through the introduction in 1939 of "ArtCraft" e ...

, Dmytro Bykovetz, Jr. , - , 1989 , Werner M. Bohne ,

Clyde Jennings Clyde Jennings (March 28, 1916 – May 17, 2006), of Florida, was a prominent figure in philately with his colorful speeches, writings, and personality, as well as his leadership. Collecting interests Jennings specialized in the collecting of Un ...

, Not Given , - , 1988 , Karl H. Schimmer , Charles J. Peterson , Wilbur F. Cannon , - , 1987 , Henry M. Gobie , Kenneth A. Wood , William H. Bauer , - , 1986 ,

Charles J. Starnes Charles J. Starnes (April 26, 1912 – November 25, 1993) was a postal historian and writer of philatelic articles. Theft and recovery of philatelic collection Starnes compiled a significant collection, comprising six volumes of covers, Official ...

Susan Marshall McDonald Susan Marshall McDonald (October 7, 1918 – March 17, 1992), of Ohio, was a philatelist who authored articles on philatelic subjects, and helped other philatelists edit their work. Collecting interests She had a wide range of collecting i ...

, Walton Eugene Tinsley , - , 1985 , Thomas J. Alexander , James H. Beal ,

Robert Laurenson Dashiell Davidson Dr. Robert Laurenson Dashiell Davidson (January 11, 1909 – June 20, 1998), of Missouri, was an active philatelist in the Missouri area, and also at the national level. Philatelic activity Davidson was active in encouraging and promoting phila ...

, - , 1984 , Dr. Soichi Ichida , Gordon C. Morison , Not Given , - , 1983 , Robert Granville Stone , F. Burton Sellers ,

John E. Foxworth, Jr. John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

, - , 1982 , Carl H. Werenskiold , Richard H. Thompson , Bernard A. Hennig , - , 1981 , Charles A. Fricke ,

Enzo Diena Enzo Diena (March 23, 1927 – January 20, 2000), of Italy, was an Italian philatelist who continued the tradition of his father Alberto Diena and grandfather Emilio Diena in dedicating himself to the study of stamps of Italy. Collecting i ...

, Cyrus R. Thompson , - , 1980 , George E. Hargest ,

Robson Lowe John Harry Robson Lowe (7 January 1905, London – 19 August 1997, Bournemouth) was an English professional philatelist, stamp dealer and stamp auctioneer. Life and career Lowe is regarded by philatelists as the father of postal history, ...

, Emerson A. Clark , - , 1979 ,

Philip Silver Philip Silver (1909–1999), of New York City, was a philatelist who specialized in the field of air mail stamps, known as aerophilately. He studied air mail stamps and postal history, and wrote extensively on the subject. Philatelic literature ...

, William W. Wylie , Not Given , - , 1978 ,

George Wendell Brett George Wendell Brett (May 30, 1912 – January 14, 2005), of Iowa, was a philatelist who wrote extensively on postage stamps and other material produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and was called ”Mr. BIA” by his colleagues. ...

John Robert Boker, Jr. John Robert Boker Jr. (January 29, 1913 – April 12, 2003) was an American Philately, philatelist who amassed some of the most prestigious collections of 19th century stamps ever seen by stamp collectors. Before his death in 2003, the Collectors ...

, Daniel W. Vooys , - , 1976 , Denwood N. Kelly , Ernest Anthony Kehr , George Townsend Turner , - , 1974 , Horace W. Harrison ,

Eugene N. Costales Eugene N. Costales (August 19, 1894 – November 2, 1984), of New York City, was a noted stamp dealer, auctioneer, and expert on authenticity of rare stamps and antiquities. Philatelic activity Costales started out in the stamp business in 1909. ...

, George M. Martin , - , 1972 , Alex L. ter Braake , Edward N. Sampson , Frederick B. Thomas , - , 1970 ,

Creighton C. Hart Creighton C. Hart (February 22, 1906 – March 1, 1993), of Missouri, was a stamp collector and a writer of philatelic articles on specific niches of United States postage stamp collecting. Collecting interests Unlike some stamp collectors who ...

, Ezra Danolds Cole , Mrs. Arthur G. Lane , - , 1968 , Arnold H. Warren ,

Herbert J. Bloch Herbert J. Bloch (November 21, 1907 – September 7, 1987), who emigrated from Europe to New York City in 1936, was a philatelist and stamp dealer who became recognized as a leading expert on authentication of rare European postage stamps. ...

, Anna D. and Paul J. Plant , - , 1966 , Richard McPherren Cabeen , Henry E. Harris , H. Clay Musser , - , 1964 , Judge Edward I.P. Tatelman , James M. Chemi ,

Joseph M. Clary Joseph M. Clary (January 18, 1905 – August 8, 1996), of San Francisco, California, was a Philately, philatelist who dedicated himself to the advancement of the hobby of stamp collecting in California and on a national scale. California philate ...

, - , 1962 ,

Mortimer L. Neinken Mortimer L. Neinken (May 16, 1896 – November 14, 1984) of New York City, was a collector and student of classic United States postage stamps. He studied with Stanley Bryan Ashbrook, and extended some of the philatelic literature work of Ashbro ...

, Earl P. L. Apfelbaum , George A. Blizil , - , 1961 , Frank J. Kovarik ,

Herman Herst, Jr. Herman "Pat" Herst Jr. (March 15, 1909 – January 31, 1999) was a writer of philatelic literature, in many cases on the history of the hobby, as well as a stamp dealer and stamp auctioneer. He began his career on Nassau Street in New York City ...

, Charles C. Cratsenberg , - , 1958 , Col. James T. DeVoss , Henry Abt , Bernard Davis , - , 1956 ,

Barbara R. Mueller Barbara Ruth Mueller (September 10, 1925 – November 17, 2016) was an American philatelist who remained, all her life, dedicated to the study of American philately. Her studies led her to a career of writing significant philatelic literature. ...

, Daniel W. Vooys , Not Given , - , 1954 , Solomon Glass , Dr. Holland A. Davis , Not Given , - , 1952 ,

Winthrop Smillie Boggs Winthrop Smillie Boggs (December 20, 1902 – May 30, 1974) was a philatelist renowned for his expertise and philatelic writing. Philatelic accomplishments Boggs wrote a number of the definitive books in philately: * The Foundations of Philately ...

, Van Dyk Mac Bride , Major James T. DeVoss , - , 1950 ,

Max G. Johl Col. Max G. Johl (October 26, 1900 – March 31, 1957) of Connecticut, was an American philatelist who specialized in the collecting of, and writing philatelic literature on, United States postage stamps. Collecting interests Johl’s stamp coll ...

, Donald F. Lybarger , Laurence D. Shoemaker , - , 1948 , Lester George Brookman , Chester Smeltzer , Harry L. Lindquist , - , 1946 , Clarence W. Brazer , Lester George Brookman ,

David Louis Lidman David Louis Lidman (July 11, 1905 – September 18, 1982) was an American writer of philatelic literature in journals, books and newspapers. Philatelic literature Lidman wrote a number of books on stamp collecting, among them ''The New York T ...

, - , 1944 , Dr.

Carroll Chase Carroll Chase (17 September 1878 – 11 May 1960)Background notes on The Roll of Distinguished Philatelists September 2011', Roll of Distinguished Philatelists Trust, London, 2011Archived here./ref> was an internationally recognized philatelic exp ...

, Elliott Perry , Col. Ralph A. Kimble , - , 1940 , Stanley Bryan Ashbrook ,

August Dietz August Dietz (October 19, 1869 – September 26, 1963) was a philatelist, editor and publisher, who specialized in the study of mail and postal history of the Confederate States of America. Early life Dietz was born in Prussia on October 19, 186 ...

, Not Given , -

External links

Luff Award

Luff Award Winners
Philatelic awards Awards established in 1940