Navy Cover Collectors' Hall of Fame
The Navy Cover Collectors' Hall of Fame recognizes the most influential people in the hobby of Navy cover collecting. In 1992 five people were selected; since then only one person may be elevated to the Hall of Fame each year. These individuals were inducted into the Hall of Fame in the year indicated:
Deane C. Bartley, USCS H-44 (1992). Second president of the USCS. Organized the Registered Cachet Directors Council, edited Naval Cavers and co-edited Ships and Postmarks of the U.S. Navy with Donald Yontz. An active cover sponsor, Bartley reportedly serviced over a million Naval covers.
Edwin H. Brennecke, USCS H-122 (1992). National president from 1937 to 1938. In 1935 and 1936 published the Historical Cover Catalogs, which remain valued references to this day. Operated a sales service, selling the collections of deceased members for their families.
YorkBriddell, USCS H-l (1994). Co-founder of the USCS, its first president and the first editor of its newsletter. Briddell was influential in organizing the Society, establishing guidelines for its operation and in building a strong base for its continuing operation.
Walter G. Crosby, USCS 69 (1996). Crosby made significant contributions as an early maker of attractive cachets for naval, first day and patriotic covers. Crosby was imaginative and prolific, a pioneer in thermographed cachets. There can be no question that his handsome, well designed cachets brought hundreds of members into our hobby. Today, despite the number of Crosby cacheted covers on the market, they command a premium which attests to their lasting popularity in all segments of cover collecting.
Alfred H. Dowie, USCS H-1609 (1995). National president from 1959 to 1961. Provided significant support for the Society in the midwest. Editor of the USCS LOG for several years, and part of the committee that assumed responsibility for the Catalog of United States Naval Postmarks when the USCS took over the task of its publication. For many years he wrote a regular column in the LOG providing historical information. Helpful to younger collectors and encouraged many a beginner.
Joseph M. Hale, USCS H-40 (1993). A leader in the initial cataloging of naval cancels. Co-authored two editions of the Handbook of Naval Postmarks (1934 with Everett Wallster, and 1939 with Charles Emerson), the basis of our present Catalog. In 1941, when war disrupted the Society, he assumed the presidency and editorship of the LOG and literally held the organization together.
Alex Hesse, USCS H-l63 (1997). One of the most influential figures in the history of the Navy cacheted covers, he was a "producer" who brought together respected artists, cooperative mail clerks, and his own professional printing skills to create some of the most beautiful and sought-after covers in the hobby. He also served as president of the American Naval Cancellation Society.
Paul J. ("PeeJay") Ickeringill, USCS H-4 (1998). "PeeJay" was a prolific cachet designer and cover sponsor during the glory days of the 1930s. He rejoined the hobby after many years absence, and was the last surving Charter member of the Society.
Dr. Francis E. Locy (1992). Dr. Locy provided significant research in designing a system of classifying naval ship postmarks which we have used for more than 60 years. Dr. Locy died in 1931 before the USCS was founded.
Tazewell G. Nicholson, USCS H-839 (1992). Probably the most prolific cachet sponsor in Navy cover collecting. For 60 years he provided postmark and cachet service from Norfolk, an important Navy base, servicing over a million covers. Without his efforts, much of the history of shipboard post offices would have been lost. USCS president, 1953-1955.
C. Wright Richell, USCS-251 (2002). Imaginative and talented artist who produced cachet designs for ship events, anniversaries, holidays, and historical events for himself and others from 1934 to 1940. Richell produced designs for no less than 56 individuals and organizations who sponsored naval covers. He also served as president of the ANCS.
James Russell, USCS H-692 (1992). Perhaps the most important person in the history of the Catalog of United States Naval Postmarks. In the 1950's he joined other experts in a committee to revive the publication of the Catalog, and managed the publication for 25 years. Jim presided over the greatest expansion of the Catalog since its founding by Joe Hale in the 1930's.