Herman Herst, Jr.

Herman “Pat” Herst, Jr. (1909–1999) was a renowned writer of philatelic literature, in many cases writing on the history of the hobby. He began his philatelic career on Nassau Street in New York City in 1933, moving to Shrub Oak, New York in 1946, remaining there until he finally retired to Florida in 1973.^[1]

In Florida he continued to remain involved in philately, giving speeches and talks at the Hollywood Stamp Club (Hollywood, Florida) and other institutions. When he died, his extensive library was donated to Florida Atlantic University, at Boca Raton, Florida.

Philatelic accomplishments

Herst was primarily known for his writing, which included numerous books and articles:

• Nassau Street: a Quarter Century of Stamp Dealing (1960)
• Fun and Profit in Stamp Collecting (1962)
• Stories to Collect Stamps by (1968)
• The Complete Philatelist (1979)
• Forensic Philately: an Account of the Famous English Stamp Fraud Trials... (1986)
• newsletter, Herst's Outbursts, issued from the 1940s to 1973
• wrote articles in most U.S. philatelic publications

Philatelic leadership

Herst’s literary work in the field of philately helped introduce newcomers to the hobby; at the same time, his literature delved into the history of philately, which proved interesting to both the newcomer and the advanced collector of stamps.

Herst participated in various philatelic events, such as auctions, issued his own stamps showing his German Shepherd Alfie (based on an obscure 1862 law), and gave speeches on philatelic subjects.

Family

He is survived by his second wife Ida, and two children: Kenneth of Springfield, Virginia, and Patricia Held of Centreville, Virginia. He had two stepchildren: Gary K. Busch of London and Gail C. Busch of Manhattan. He left behind six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Honors

Herst received numerous awards; the two major recognition awards were:

• Luff Award in 1961
• Elected to the American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame in 2000

Selected publications

• Fancy Cancellations on Nineteenth Century United States Postage Stamps. Self-published. 1963. p. 288. 

• Forensic Philately (An Account of the Famous English Stamp Fraud Trials involving Messrs. Bluett, Benjamin, Sarpy, Jeffryes and Dr. Assmus Originally Published in "The Stamp News", 1890-1892). Lake Oswego, Oregon: Herman Herst Jr., 1986. (ed.)

• Nassau Street. Linns Stamp News. 1988. p. 310. ISBN 0940403064. 

• Fun and Profit in Stamp Collecting. Linns Stamp News. 1988. p. 180. ISBN 0940403056. 

See also

• Philately
• Philatelic literature
• Nassau Street (Manhattan)

References

• Herman Herst Is Dead at 89; An Esteemed Stamp Collector
• Herman “Pat” Herst Jr.