NEW CHAIRMAN FOR US ‘COUNCIL OF PHILATELISTS’

The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum, based in Washington DC, USA, has announced the appointment of Charles F. Shreve as chair of its Council of Philatelists.

The council provides the museum with philatelic advice, advises on engagement with the global philatelic community, promotes and advocates for the museum’s mission, purpose and programs to the nation and helps build the financial base of the museum. Members are appointed by the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents.

Elliot Gruber, director of the museum, said: ‘Charles Shreve’s leadership was pivotal in helping the National Postal Museum create the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery, the finest collection of philatelic exhibitions in the world. He assumes chairmanship of the museum’s Council of Philatelists at a crucial time as the museum re-imagines its atrium level galleries and public spaces, as well as our strategic commitment to develop and launch new digital engagement experiences.’

Shreve has served on the museum’s Council of Philatelists since 2001.

He is a life-long professional philatelist who has made a career of his hobby for more than four decades. In the early 1980’s he developed an innovative style of describing and presenting stamps in luxuriant auction catalogues, in 1993 he founded Shreves Philatelic Galleries, and in 2012 he joined Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries as director of their international auctions. In his career Charles has been involved in the sale of nearly one billion dollars’ worth of rare philatelic material.

Charles maintains numerous memberships in the hobby, including being a life member of the American Philatelic Society, the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society and the American Stamp Dealers Association. In addition, Charles is a Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society of London.

Shreve succeeds Donald Sundman as chair of the museum’s Council of Philatelists. Sundman served as chair since 2003 and will continue serving as a member of the council. ‘Don Sundman has been a central guiding force for the National Postal Museum,’ said Gruber. ‘His dedication and passion to the National Postal Museum has been instrumental in broadening the reach of the museum within the global philatelic community.’