Benjamin Miller Collection

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Benjamin K Miller
Benjamin K Miller

The Benjamin K Miller Collection is a unique collection of stamps and other philatelic materials donated to The New York Public Library in 1925 by Milwaukee attorney Benjamin Kurtz Miller (1857–1928).[1][2][3] This collection was the first complete collection of U.S. stamps ever assembled.[1] His collection is known as the "crown jewels" of U.S. stamp collecting for its rare holdings, depth, and variety.[1]

Contents

[edit] One cent Z Grill

Of the great rarities and philatelic items in the collection is the One-Cent Z Grill, the rarest of all U.S. stamps. Only two copies of this stamp are known to exist, the other copy is in the collection of Bill Gross.

[edit] Background of Miller

Benjamin Kurtz Miller was born in 1857, the son of a Milwaukee lawyer and grandson of one of the first federal judges in Wisconsin. He joined his father’s firm in 1877 and later became a partner, retiring in 1906 to pursue personal interests. The firm continues today through its successor, the major U.S. law firm Foley & Lardner.[4]

[edit] The Collection

Miller built his collection a little late in life at the age of 61. He started stamp collecting seriously on a large scale only after 1918, when he bought one of the famous Inverted Jenny stamps at the age of 61.[3] Later he intensified his collecting, by writing articles in stamp journals and purchasing from up to 30 dealers.

[edit] A complete collection

By the early 1920s, Miller was on the way to his ultimate achievement: collecting one example of every U.S. postage stamp in the Scott catalogue of his day.[3] He also collected varieties like color shades, frauds and forgeries, fresh unused stamps, and varied cancellations. Miller also enjoyed plating stamps,[3] seeking one copy for each position on a printing plate.

[edit] The display

The collection was displayed at the library for more than 50 years. However it was locked away after a theft of some of the items in 1977. Even though a bulk of the collection was recovered it did not come back on display.

It is has now made a come back when the National Postal Museum put it on display in two parts in from 27 May 2006 till 1 October 2007, and in 2007 from 5 November till 12 January 2009.[5]

[edit] Recognition

In recognition of Miller's philatelic accomplishments and scholarship, the Royal Philatelic Society upgaded his status from "member" to "fellow".[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c "The "Holy Grail" of Stamp Collections", The New York Public Library. Retrieved on 2006-08-08. 
  2. ^ "Rare, Costly Stamp Suspected on Ballot", The Washington Post, 2006-11-11. Retrieved on 2008-02-15. 
  3. ^ a b c d e Benjamin K. Miller. Arago: National Postal Museum,. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
  4. ^ Foley & Lardner. Funding Universe. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
  5. ^ "The Benjamin K Miller Collection", National Postal Museum. Retrieved on 2006-08-08.