American Philatelic Society - 1917 dated Stamp Collecting Stock Certificate - New York

Stock. The study and collection of postage stamps. Rare!

The American Philatelic Society (APS) is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the hobby of stamp collecting, serving a global community spanning over 110 countries. Established on September 14, 1886, in New York City as the American Philatelic Association, the organization has dedicated over 135 years to promoting philately through education, member services, and the publication of its monthly journal, The American Philatelist. As of 2026, the APS continues to serve as the primary representative for the United States in the international philatelic community, managing an annual budget of approximately $5 million to support its mission of preserving postal history and empowering collectors of all experience levels.

The society is headquartered at the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, a restored 19th-century match factory complex that also houses the American Philatelic Research Library, one of the world’s largest collections of philatelic literature. This facility serves as a central hub for the hobby, providing specialized services such as the American Philatelic Expertizing Service (APEX) for stamp authentication and an online StampStore for buying and selling. In 2026, the APS remains an essential resource for the community, hosting significant national events like the Great American Stamp Show and providing a contract post office that utilizes the historic 19th-century Headsville, West Virginia, building on loan from the Smithsonian Institution.