William Hubert Miller Jr. (September 1932 – November 4, 1988), of

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

, was an aerophilatelist who published

philatelic literature Philatelic literature is written material relating to philately, primarily information about postage stamps and postal history. Background to philatelic literature Philatelic literature is held by stamp collectors and dealers, philatelic soc ...

on the subject.

Philatelic literature

Miller specialized in the collection and study of air mail stamps, but especially postage stamps and

postal history Postal history is the study of postal systems and how they operate and, or, the study of the use of postage stamps and Cover (philately), covers and associated postal artifacts illustrating historical episodes in the development of postal system ...

related to Zeppelin flights and

Pigeon Post Pigeon post is the use of homing pigeons to carry messages. Pigeons are effective as messengers due to their natural homing abilities. The pigeons are transported to a destination in cages, where they are attached with messages, then the pigeo ...

s. As a result of his studies, Miller wrote articles in the philatelic press on various aspects of aerophilately.

Philatelic activity

Miller was vice president of the American Air Mail Society in 1973 and continued on with the society as general counsel and a director until 1985. He served as chairman of the

Philatelic Foundation The Philatelic Foundation is a philatelic organization granted a charter in 1945 by the University of the State of New York as a Nonprofit Educational Institution. Location The Philatelic Foundation is located at 353 Lexington Ave Suite 804, New ...

and as president of the Council of Philatelic Organizations for a number of years. In addition he served in a number of positions at the

Collectors Club of New York The Collectors Club, often referred to as the Collectors Club of New York, is a private club and philatelic society in New York City. Founded in 1896, it is one of the oldest existing philatelic societies in the United States. Its stated purp ...

Honors and awards

Miller was awarded the Neinken Medal in 1985 and the

Lichtenstein Medal The Lichtenstein Medal, also known as the ''Alfred F. Lichtenstein Memorial Award for Distinguished Service to Philately'' is given annually to a living individual for outstanding service to philately. Origin The Lichtenstein Medal was establishe ...

in 1985. He was elected to the

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 The APS ''Hall of Fame'' award was founded at the 1940 American Phil ...

in 1989.

Legacy

According to the Scott Postage Stamp Catalog, air mail postage stamps were issued by postal authorities during the first half of the 20th century and discontinued during the decades after

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. Miller’s philatelic literature helps illustrate this period of aerophilately within the field of philately.

References

William Hubert Miller Jr.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Miller, William Hubert 1932 births 1988 deaths Philatelic literature American philatelists Collectors from New York City American Philatelic Society

Philatelic literature

Philatelic activity

Honors and awards

Legacy

See also

References