Charles Esterly Severn (July 5, 1872 – December 14, 1929), of

Chicago, Illinois (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

, was a

philatelist 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 possi ...

who dedicated his entire career as editor of philatelic publications.

Philatelic literature

At ''Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News'', founded by

Charles Haviland Mekeel Charles Haviland Mekeel (December 1, 1861 – October 13, 1921), of St. Louis, Missouri, was a well-known stamp dealer and editor. He figured prominently in the 1895 “find” of the St. Louis Postmaster Provisionals, which solved problems relat ...

, Severn was initially assigned as the Chicago correspondent in 1894. In 1898 Severn became editor and part-owner for the remainder of his life. During his tenure at ''Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News'', the periodical published a number of significant philatelic monographs and articles, and purchased the competing philatelic journal ''Weekly Philatelic Era'' which now became part of the ''Mekeel'' company. In 1915 Charles Severn, W. W. Jewett, and

Willard Otis Wylie Willard Otis Wylie (December 25, 1862 – November 30, 1944), of Boston, Massachusetts, was a noted philatelic editor and writer. Philatelic literature In 1898 Wylie joined the ''Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News'' company and, in 1903, was named edito ...

formed the Severn-Wylie-Jewett Company, with Severn as president. The venture was successful and, when Severn died, his wife

Eveleen Mary Weldon Severn Eveleen Mary Weldon Severn (1882–1942), of Chicago, Illinois, was a philatelist who pioneered in breaking of the "glass ceiling" encountered by women in the ranks of philately, and founded the first women’s stamp club. She was the husband of ...

took over as president of the company.

Philatelic activity

At the

Chicago Philatelic Society The Chicago Philatelic Society is one of the oldest philatelic organizations in the United States, serving stamp collectors and postal history enthusiasts in the Chicago, Illinois, area. History The society was founded October 8, 1886. Its pre ...

Severn was a member since 1887, and served a number of posts within the society. He was named a Life Director in 1912.

Honors and awards

Severn signed the

Roll of Distinguished Philatelists The Roll of Distinguished Philatelists (RDP) is a Philately, philatelic award of international scale, created by the Philatelic Congress of Great Britain in 1921. The Roll consists of five pieces of parchment to which the signatories add their n ...

in 1921. He was named 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 P ...

in 1941.

References

Charles Esterly Severn
{{DEFAULTSORT:Severn, Charles Esterly 1872 births 1929 deaths Philatelic literature American philatelists People from Chicago Signatories to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists American Philatelic Society

Philatelic literature

Philatelic activity

Honors and awards

See also

References