SCOTT, JOHN WALTER

Fig. 1. The Original photograph that was published in Philatelic West, Vol. 75, No. 3 (May, 1919)  Cover, Photo. Courtesy Theo van der Caaij.

Copyright © 2011-2025 John N. Lupia III

PREFACE TO THE READER

In America John Walter Scott owned three companies selling stamps and coins; the second one was renamed Scott Stamp & Coin Company Limited by the new owners on the 10th of December 1885. The confusion about the two names is emphasized since it is a common error to conflate the two together. Hopefully this differentiation and distinction given here will contribute to clarifying the matter. Consequently a discussion of the Scott Stamp & Coin Company Limited is not included in this biographical sketch since it is a separate entity apart from J. W. Scott. The only mention of it regards John W. Scott who had remained with that firm for a brief period of less than two years.  If you are searching for the Scott Stamp & Coin Company Limited go to the ENCYCLOPEDIC DICTIONARY OF NUMISMATIC AND PHILATELIC BIOGRAPHIES then click on the three horizontal bars at the top left to get the menu with all the names in alphabetic order and then select  Scott Stamp & Coin Company Limited. 

This article will be republished in expanded, corrected and revised form in a book on J. W. Scott and The Scott Stamp & Coin Company Limited, which has been in the planning stage for many years. In 2025 a few other philatelists have agreed to work on this project including Theo van der Caaij and Chris King.

John Walter Scott (1845-1919), He is given the appellation “Father of American Philately,” he was also a prominent coin dealer.

Scott was born in Walworth, London, England on November 2, 1845. He began to collect stamps in 1860 around the time of the death of his father. He left his mother Martha, and elder sister Emily and their home in Stepney, Middlesex, England and immigrated to America in August 1863, shortly before his eighteenth birthday. 

U.S. Army Registry - Fourteenth Regiment, Missouri,  shows  a J. W. Scott enlisted in June 27, 1865 and was commissed as a 1st Lieutenant on August 24, 1865, during the Civil War. If this was John Walter Scott then we know why his California sojourn from New York took so long to return from a failed gold prospecting effort. It appears that he returned to New York sometime around October 1866 reconnecting with his two stamp dealering associates : James Brennan and William Penn Brown.

J. W. Scott Company, Limited, his second company by the same name opened in New York City in 1867.  

His return to New York in 1867 brought him to reorganize a new firm of J. W. Scott Company, Limited at 34 Liberty Street, also called Scott & Company until December 1885.

First New York Shop : 34 Liberty Street, New York, (January 1,1867 to January 1, 1871).

In 1868, he married an English woman born of Irish parents, Minnie P., and they had five children : Walter Stone (1869-1948), Daisy (1877-), Emily (1880-), Florence (1881-) Dorothy (1883-). His son Walter Stone Scott formed one of the Scott philatelic companies and served as an auctioneer and printer for the Scott Stamp & Coin Company. 

From June 1867 to August 1868, Scott issued fifteen monthly one-page price lists. Only four of these fifteen issues are known in any collection and no complete set is known anywhere. Of these four only August (3 copies) and September (4 copies) 1867, and February (9 copies) and April (11 copies) 1868 are known. In September 1868, he issued his first catalog, which, logically, he entitled in the Preface ”To Our Customers” as the sixteenth greatly enlarged edition: Descriptive Catalogue of American and Foreign Postage Stamps, Issued from 1840 to Date, Splendidly Illustrated with Colored Engravings And Containing the Current Value of Each Variety. This was the first "Scott Catalogue", although Scott counted his first fifteen one-page lists and called the September 1868 issue as his "Sixteenth Edition", when his address was at 75 & 77 Nassau Street, New York. 

In March of 1868, he began publishing the American Journal of Philately (AJP), and helped found the New York Philatelic Society, Tiffany No. 14. He continued publishing the AJP until December 1878. He resumed this publication in 1888. Scott's coin and stamp catalogs became the most important ones in the country. 

In December 1868 Ebenezer Locke Mason, Jr. made arrangements with Scott for cuts of stamps to illustrate Mason’s Coin & Stamp Collectors’ Magazine for 1869.  The graphic illustrated covers of Mason & Co., had illustrations of a Scott #64, 3¢  postage stamp and 1793 Flowing Hair Large Cent, suggesting that they too were created by Scott for Mason or that he designed and printed them as well as his invoices.

 In December 1869 Mason refers to Scott & Company as printers who printed a large order of cards and catalogs for him. On May 28, 1870, in New York City, Scott organized the first stamp auction ever held. Two years later he opened a branch in London and organized his fifth auction there. The sale, held March 18, 1872, was the first stamp auction held in Europe.

Mason & Co., Invoice with woodcuts of Scott #64 and 1793 Flowing Hair Large Cent may have been designed and printed for Mason by Scott. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, Special Collection, Ebenezer Locke Mason, Jr. File. Ex- Herbert A. Trenchard.  FOR SALE $750. Write john@numismaticmall.com

John W. Scott’s Monthly Price List, a one-page circular, was printed and distributed from June 1867 to August 1868. The penultimate circular, dated July 1868, was also published as a full-page advertisement in the American Journal of Philately on July 1, 1868. These fifteen circular sheets collectively constitute the first editions of John Walter Scott & Co.’s Priced Catalogue. Photo courtesy of Theo Van der Caaij.

1868 American Journal of Philately 1868-78. 156 Nos. in 12 Volumes (First Series, Ed., J . W. Scott) .

1868, Vol. 1 Nos. ( 1-12) (First Society Paper in U. S.)

1869, Vol. 2 Nos. (13-2a)

1870, Vol. 3 Nos. (25-36)

1871, N'01. 4 No. (37-48)

1872, Vol. 5 Nos. (49-60)

1870, Vol. 1 (called later Vol . VI) (Sept. 13-Nov. 19, 1876. Issued Weekly)

1873, Vol. 7 (fortnightly) Nos. ( 73- 96)

1874, Vo1. 8 Nos. ( 97-108) (109-120)

1875, Vol. 9 Nos. (121-132)

1876, Vol. 10 Nos.

1877, Vol . 1I Nos. (133- 144)

1878, Vol. 12 Nos. (145-156)

Second Series Vol. 1, 1888

In September 1868,  J. W. Scott & Co., 34 Liberty Street, New York, New York,   publishes his Descriptive Catalogue of American and Foreign Postage Stamps Issued for 1840 to Date. Splendidly Illustrated with Colored Engravings and Containing the Current Value of Each Variety. Scott designated this his 16th edition in light of his first 15 circular price lists.

This is the 1971 Scott Publishing Co., Omaha, Nebraska. Original edition courtesy of the Collectors Club, New York, New York.

A review of Scott's first Stamp Album was published in the November 1868 issue of the American Journal of Philately, praising it as the best on the market.

In June 1869, J. W. Scott & Co., published the 17th edition Descriptive Catalogue of American and Foreign Postage Stamps Issued for 1840 to Date, with 26 pages.

John Walter Scott circular printed on both sides, with the front containing a letter to 15-year-old Charles S. Ordway (1854-1940), dated October 30, 1869, the same year as Scott’s first Stamp Album was being sold. This circular was published in an article by Chris King titled “John Walter Scott: The Father of American Philately,” published in the London Philatelist magazine in February 2025. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic & Philatelic Library and Museum’s Special Collection: John Walter Scott file. This circular is reportedly a unique example, as it is the only surviving specimen seen by this author. The item has been sold for $600. 

In March 1870, J. W. Scott & Co., published the 18th edition Descriptive Catalogue of American and Foreign Postage Stamps Issued for 1840 to Date, with 29 pages, and two months later in May he published the 19th edition with 32 pages, and in July the 20th edition with 32 pages; and November the 21th edition with 32 pages.

Advertisment in the American Journal of Philately, Vol. 3, No. 29, May 20, 1870, of the first John W. Scott & Co., postage stamp auction at Leavitt, Strebeigh & Company, New York to be held on Saturday Evening, May 28, 1870. Courtesy of Theo van der Caaij

In November 1870, John W. Scott & Co.'s third address was at 75 & 77 Nassau Street, New York. 

1871 Circular  Card of John Walter Scott seeking plates both lithographic, steel engraved or electrotypes for Locals and Carriers. Ex-Herbert A. Trenchard. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library. $400. SOLD Write john @numismaticmall.com

Scott Postage Stamp Album at the 40th Exhibition of the American Institute in 1871. Top : wrapper for mailing. Center the American Institute of the City of New York award of Scott's American Posatage Stamp Album, popularly called the American Lallier's.  Courtesy. The standard circular with the List of Albums shows the other side printed with the American Institute Excellence Award. This same standard circular with the List of Albums on one side is printed with other flip side printings including acknowledgements and one for orders. Courtesy of Theo van der Caaij

1872 Scott & Co. This same standard circular with the List of Albums on one side is printed with other flip side printings including acknowledgements, as seen above and one for placing orders. Courtesy of Theo van der Caaij

In the days before television novelty items were a major source of entertainment. Scott advertised in the Journal of American Philately, February 1871 selling novelty items including "Serpent Eggs" more of a gag or prank items a type of firework, historically known as the "Pharaoh's Serpent" or "Sugar Snake". They are typically made from a mixture of sugar and baking soda. When heated, the sugar and baking soda react, producing carbon (which is black, hence the "snake" appearance) and carbon dioxide gas, which pushes the carbon outward, creating the snake-like effect.

John Walter Scott, an early philatelist, embarked on a quest to collect all extant dies utilized for printing local carrier stamps. His objective was to reproduce these stamps in sheets and sell them to other dealers, which marked one of the earliest documented instances of a philatelic blunder. Dishonest dealers would deceive customers by selling these reprints as genuine stamps, inadvertently establishing the first sanctioned counterfeit market. This issue was eventually resolved a century later when the Hobby Protection Act was enacted in 1973. The law mandated that reprints be clearly labeled as “copies.” Stamp dealers are legally obligated to comply with this regulation and refrain from using the term “copy” in their advertisements unless they intend to refer to a counterfeit, forgery, or reprint. Conversely, buyers should exercise caution when stamp dealers employ the term “copy” and request written clarification on its intended meaning.

Locals and carriers were not Scott's only pursuit but also that of the various postmaster provisionals especially of the Confederate States of America (CSA). His interest brought him to write to various Confederate States postmasters in the hope of accumulating sufficient information to publish a history of the CSA postal department.

On May 20, 1871, John Walter Scott addressed a letter to the postmaster at Danville, Virginia, inquiring about the provisional stamps he had created during the Civil War. The letter was received by the current postmaster, who possessed the knowledge to forward J. W. Scott’s correspondence using the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope. Consequently, the envelope bears postmarks from Danville, Virginia, en route to Coleman in Richmond, Virginia. Whether or not Coleman paid the three cents postage out of pocket after the Danville postmaster used the one Scott had sent him for the reply remains uncertain. If such a reply letter was ever sent it would be very enlightening.

Dear Sir

I have lately heard that during the time you were Postmaster under the Southern Confederacy you issued a postage stamp for use in your city and being greatly interested in the postal affairs of the Confederacy (in fact am now writing the history of its postal department) would deem it a great favor if you would oblige me with all the particulars in your possession and a specimen of the stamp or stamps if possible. Would be quite willing to pay any necessary expenses for the papers or purchase any of the stamps. If you know of any other postmasters who issued stamps during the same period would be greatly indebted to you for their names, &c. The only apology I can make for this troubling a stranger is the wish to enlighten individuals who are deeply interested in everything connected with the "lost cause".

Hoping you will find time to reply to this I am your obedient servant, J. W. Scott

P.S. Will take pleasure in sending you a copy of the work as soon as published.

William D. Coleman (1837-1901), was the postmaster at Danville, Virginia during the Civil War and designed a provisional stamp printed at his newspaper offices of the Democratic Appeal. Cover dated May 27, 1871, and Scott letter Courtesy of Theo van der Caaij.

In June 1871, The American Journal of Philately, edited by  J. W. Scott & Co., published color engravings of postage stamps and he also issued the 22nd edition of Descriptive Catalogue of American and Foreign Postage Stamps Issued for 1840 to Date, with 32 pages, the 23rd edition in November also with 32 pages. Courtesy of Theo van der Caaij

From 1870-1871, Oliver H. Crosby owned a company Crosby's City Post, which was a local New York carrier at 19 William Street, that delivered newspapers and circulars and issued a stamp Scott #54L1. When the company ceased Scott had these stamps engraved making reprints creating a compromising situation since corrupt dealers will sell them as originals at a premium. Larry Lyons, The Identifier For Carriers, Locals, Fakes, Forgeries and Bogus Posts of the United States. (1998) : Vol. 1, pages 396-397, the reprints are found from pale to deep red as above. Courtesy of Theo van der Caaij

J. W. Scott  & Co., published the 3rd edition of the Postage Stamp Album in 1872. These were distributed internationally. Late summer they arrived in Birmingham, England, and a  critic, stamp dealer and publisher who also released an album,  James R. Grant of Birmingham, England, write a critique to Scott. (see below).

Scott's first stamp auction held March 18, 1872, Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge, London

Priced Catalogue edition of the sale held March 18, 1872, Sotheby, Wilkinson, & Hodge, London.

We've seen the American Institute's excellence award to John W. Scott for producing his postage stamp album. But a critic in Birmingham, England had a different perspective that rebukes several points about its quality. James R. Grant letter dated August 30, 1872 to John Walter Scott criticizing his stamp albums and the quality of the paper. An extraordinary rare gem of historical value and the only known letter of its sort. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library and Museum : Special Collection : John Walter Scott. A Museum-piece - $1,200 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

May 27, 1873,  John W. Scott & Co., circular printed both sides with preprinted acknowledgement of enclosed stamps for order received.

The 1874 Edition of the J. W. Scott & Co. Catalogue of American & Foreign Copper Coin. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. RARE $300 Write john@numismaticmall.com 

In 1875 Scott hired Edouard Frossard to edit The Coin Collectors’ Journal, published as a monthly in blue paper wrappers. This periodical was published from December 1875 to December 1888 with the final three years under new ownership. However, Frossard only edited Volume 1 of the first year from December 1875 until December 1876. The bulk of the remaining Volumes 2-12 were edited by David Proskey, except for the final five issues of Volume 12. Lyman Haynes Low merged with J. W. Scott & Coin, in August 1885 four months prior to the December 1885 sale. 

The Coin Collectors Journal, Vol. 1, No. 1 1875., published by J. W. Scott & Co., 75 & 77 Nassau Street, New York. Copy originally owned by R. E. Weighley. Courtesy of the Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library. $60

In the December, 1875 issue of the Coin Collectors Journal, Scott published an advertisement with his address at 75-77 Nassau Street and 46 Leadenhall Street, London. American Journal of Philately Vol. 9, January 20, 1875-December 20, 1875, bound in with the first issue of the Coin Collectors Journal, December 1875. Original antique binding with marbled end papers. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library. $400

March 14, 1876, postal card from John D. Mercer, New London, Connecticut to J. W. Scott & Co., New York. The postal card preprinted Memorandum gives the old address at Nassau Street. Mercer seems to have sent his stamp album to Scott that contained stamps of low value which he declined to purchase. Courtesy of Theo van der Caaij.

Scott & Company Coin Auction Catalogue October 23-24, 1877. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library. $250 Write john@numismaticmall.com 

Scott has all his coin publications addressed at 146 Fulton Street, New York, (1876-1880). The building was torn down and demolished in May 1941 reported by George B. Sloane in Sloane's Column, Stamps, May 31, 1941 issue.

Scott & Company Coin Auction Catalogue, December 5-7, 1877. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file.  $250 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

In 1877 he moved to the store-front ground floor at 146 Fulton Street, New York, a five-story building, calling the company business Scott & Company, Coin & Stamp Emporium, and began publishing coin auction sales catalogues. 

The actual number of coin auction catalogs issued under J. W. Scott from October 23-24, 1877 until December 10-12, 1883 is uncertain. Various authors have attempted to assess this area but the results show evidence that they have mixed up the J. W. Scott & Co., and the Scott Stamp and Coin Co., Ltd., as though they were all one property of John W. Scott.

In 1877, John Walter Scott sold one sheet of the #74 TC6 Scarlet 3¢ to Carl Frederick Rothfuchs.

1878 - We find J. W. Scott & Co. at three addresses. In The  Standard Coin Catalogue,  Silver, Illustrated, J.W. Scott & Co., 145 Fulton Street, New York. The advertisement for A Descriptive Price Catalogue of the Revenue Statmps of All Nations has two stamp shop addresses of 75 & 77 Nassau Street, and 46 Leadenhall Street, London.

John Walter Scott to the Chapman Brothers, Samuel Hudson Chapman and his younger brother Henry Chapman, Jr., Philadelphia, duplex cancel, station 3, postmarked October 8, 1878, on billboard commercial cover. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, Special Collection, Chapman Family Archive. Crease right side and top conforming to the dimensions of  Scott's Fixed Price List (FPL) booklet. Apparently, John Walter Scott's introducing himself to the Chapman Brothers mailing them one of his fixed price lists for them to purchase items from him. He had a fire on March 12, 1878 that burned his shop catching fire from Pierce and Company Paint and oil warehouse. Seven months after the disaster Scott has to restablish himself and so sends out his mailings that he is in business. Throughout the 1870's - 1890's hundreds of overnight start-up businesses selling coins and stamps and curios sprund up finding small ads in magazines, newspapers and through the mails most of which folded up after a few months. Seeing the Chapman brothers not only endure but grow over nine months Scott realized they could acquire inventory buying from him. The Chapman Brothers opened shop in January of that year and were nine months in business when the Scott catalogue was mailed to them. Historically Significant & Rare. SOLD  $750 Write john@numismaticmall.com

Wells Fargo correspondence to John Walter Scott & Company, postmarked Leutzinger Type 11-9, Oakland, California,  April 14, 1879 on rare postal Stationery. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library. FOR SALE $275 SOLD Write john@numismaticmall.com  

1879 Edition of the Scott & Company, Standard Coin Catalogue : Copper.  Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library. RARE $250 A second copy of this catalogue in VG condition with previous owners inscribed name is also available.  Write john@numismaticmall.com  

George A. Leavitt Auction House, New York held the coin auction of John W. Scott & Co, on March 27, 1879. Leavitt also held Scott & Co's first postage stamp auction on May 28, 1879. A few days earlier from May 26- 27th Leavitt held the coin auction catalogued by T. R. Strobridge. Winning bidders were notified by mail the following day. Above is the notice sent to the Chapman Brothers postmarked May 28th 1879. Courtesy Theo Van der Caaij

In July 1879 The Coin Collectors’ Journal, published an article on the Confederate half-dollar of 1861. Scott purchased one of the four known specimens including the die pair from Ebenezer Locke Mason, Jr., who bought it from Ed Cogan in the coin auction sale of Michael Moore collection sold at Bangs on May 2nd. 

Scott also published A Revised List of the postage Stamps and Stamped Envelopes of all Nations (New York, 1879) whichh was profusely illustrated.

He developed a new design called “Form 9” on his business collateral, beginning on November 12, 1881, printing 5,000 envelopes. He printed a series of Stamp Trade Cards each depicting a miniaturized young girl holding a disproportionately actual size stamp. 

Scott & Company white metal token. Photo in The Numismatist, September (2012) : 52

Trade Card of Belgium depicting a miniaturized young girl in folkloric costume holding a disproportionately actual size and real postage stamp. Note the card is encased in a sealed protective plastic sleeve. A group of thirteen different trade cards for sale. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $390  SOLD Write john@numismaticmall.com  

Scott & Company, 146 Fulton St., NY, Dealers in Foreign Stamps and Coins was printed on the blank back. No. 1 Stamp of  Switzerland; No. 2 Stamp of  Denmark; No. 3 Stamp of  Netherlands; No. 4 Stamp of  Belgium; No. 5 Stamp of  Greece; No. 6 Stamp of  Portugal; No. 7 Stamp of  Austria; No. 8 Stamp of  Roumania; No. 9 Stamp of  Russia, and so on.

1882 Scott & Co., The Standard Coin Catalogue of Copper, Illustrated. Scott & Co., 721 Broadway, New York. 47 pages, front cover lower right corner torn off and restored by professional conservation document repair tape, lacking back cover.  $150

Scott & Company - 721 Broadway, New York (May 1, 1882-December 10, 1885)

Fig. 6. Scott & Company, 721 Broadway, New York. Note the sign atop the building reads Postage Stamps and Coins. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library,  J. W. Scott file. $150  SOLD Write john@numismaticmall.com  

He moved again on March 1 or March 15, 1882 to 721 Broadway, New York. His business address after 1884 was 36-40 John Street, New York. An illustration of the interior of his Fulton Street was published in The American Journal of Philately and Coin Advertiser, Vol. XII, January (1879).

In the 1880’s he was a member of the Brooklyn Philatelic Club. 

In June 1881 Ebenezer Locke Mason, Jr., mentioned that the Confederate half-dollar of 1861 as possibly resided in Pittsburg, evidently rumor had it that someone having bought it from Scott. However, Scott put it to auction March 8, 1882 at New York selling it to a Mr. South for $870. Scott re-struck several hundred silver pieces of the coin using the original dies selling them.

Fig. 9. In 1881 he printed collector cards of coins of the world. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file.FOR SALE $80 SOLD Write john@numismaticmall.com  

John Walter Scott to the Chapman Brothers, Samuel Hudson Chapman and his younger brother Henry Chapman, Jr., Philadelphia, duplex cancel, station 3, postmarked March 17, 1882, on billboard commercial cover with rubber stamped in purple ink on a diagonal the change of address to 721 Broadway, New York City. He remained here at 721 Broadway, New York, (March 1882-December 10, 1885). 

Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, Special Collection, Chapman Family Archive. Rare. FOR SALE  SOLD $750 Write john@numismaticmall.com

John Walter Scott to the Chapman Brothers, Samuel Hudson Chapman and his younger brother Henry Chapman, Jr., Philadelphia, duplex cancel, station 3, postmarked June 8, 1882, on billboard commercial cover. Postman obliterated address writing in pencil on the fron of the cover "No such No." Scott ordered at least one copy of the plated Bushnell Coin Catalogue. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, Special Collection, Chapman Family Archive. Rare. FOR SALE  $650 Write john@numismaticmall.com

John Walter Scott to the Chapman Brothers, Samuel Hudson Chapman and his younger brother Henry Chapman, Jr., Philadelphia, duplex cancel, station 3, railroad postmarked October 9, 1882, Station D,  on billboard commercial cover. Annotated on the back "In regards to the Mobile 2¢ black" referring to a Civil War Era cover franked with Scott #73 Andrew Jackson, black, popularly called "Black Jack", and dating it to post July 1, 1863. Apparently either Henry Chapman or J.W. Scott had the cover and Scott was making inquiry about it. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, Special Collection, Chapman Family Archive. Rare. FOR SALE  $650 Write john@numismaticmall.com

In January he had 50,000 business envelopes printed with his 721 Broadway, New York City printed.

In 1882, for his 42nd sale, he sold a photographic plate of some of the most valuable stamps in the sale. It was the first time a stamp auction catalog contained photographic illustrations; coins were much earlier with Cogan on June 23-24, 1869; and art auctions, even earlier at Christies, London, on March 12, 1860.

On December 10, 1885, in order to pursue other investments, he sold the business to the Calman brothers and Henry Collin, which they renamed Scott Stamp & Coin Company. Scott retained a small interest in the company stock and continued to work as editor of the catalogs and The American Journal of Philately until 1889, when he sold off his remaining interest in order to start a new business.

J. W. Scott Company, Limited, was his third and final company. Walter S. Scott, the eldest child of J. W. Scott worked for his father in the family business and is listed in records as a clerk. 721 Broadway is the first address continuing from Scott & Company.

John Walter Scott to the Chapman Brothers, Samuel Hudson Chapman and his younger brother Henry Chapman, Jr., Philadelphia, duplex cancel, station 3, railroad postmarked February 23, 1884, Station D,  on billboard commercial cover. Annotated on the back "Coins $10.25 check sent". Apparently Henry Chapman purchased coins from  J.W. Scott sending him a check for $10.25. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, Special Collection, Chapman Family Archive. Rare. FOR SALE SOLD  $650 Write john@numismaticmall.com

J.W. Scott photo circa 1885

1885, February 19, John Walter Scott to John Vickers Painter, Cleveland, Ohio. #210, Corner card Duplex cancel, RPO station D, and receiving cancel on back. $600

March 10, 1885, John Walter Scott to John Vickers Painter, Cleveland, Ohio. #210, Corner card Duplex cancel, RPO station D, and receiving cancel on back. $600

1885, May 12, John Walter Scott, Scott & Co., New York, New York. #210 Duplex cancel, RPO station D. Corner card, receiving cancel. Regarding the Dexter 1804 Silver Dollar. “Yes”. Discussions with both Scott & Lyman H. Low. Answered by telegraph. $700 

1885, May 15, Scott & Company, New York, New York #210 Duplex cancel, RPO station D. Corner card, receiving cancel. Regarding the Dexter 1804 Silver Dollar. $700

1885, May 18, Scott & Company, New York, New York. #210 Duplex cancel, RPO station D. Corner card, receiving cancel. Regarding the Dexter 1804 Silver Dollar. 3rd day post sale Dexter complaint about $1,000 price.  $700

1885, October 12, Scott & Co., New York, New York Vertical pair #206-A44b (+$160) RPO station D. Duplex cable. Receiving cancel. $700.

1885, December 8, John Walter Scott, New York, New York #211b 3rd day of use [EDU].(earliest documented use). Receiving cancel. Chapman sold an item to Scott for $44. $600

Note the change of company name hand-stamped diagonally from Scott & Company to The Scott Stamp & Coin Co. (beneath) SUCCESSORS, by the new owners, postdated May 6, 1886. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library. This is the earliest cover known for the change of ownership. For sale. A key piece for historical criteria for any collection. SOLD $1,030. Write john@numismaticmall.com

163 Fulton Street, New York, 1889-1917

Scott Stamp & Coin Company Limited, his original company which he sold in December 1885 sued him after 1888 for reopening using his own name claiming breach of contract stipulating one of the terms of sale. However, the suit was frivolous and the court dismissed the case.

In 1889, after nearly five years of financial struggling Scott reorganized the new J. W. Scott Company, Limited and incorporated the company and established his corporate logo. His new company published List of Prices at Which We Sell U. S. & Fractional Currency, Colonial, and Continental Bills, Coins, Stamps, Albums, etc.

In The American Journal of Philately, Vol. 1, No. 3 (1888) : 88, his address is given as 240 Jefferson Avenue, Brooklyn, Long Island, New York. At the May 4th, 1888 meeting of the American Numismatic and Archaeological Society, Scott read his paper entitled : “The Paper Money of the Revolution,” The American Journal of Philately, Vol. 1, No. 5 June (1888) : 154-164, and No. 6, June 15 (1888) : 199-214, illustrated.

Fig. 10. Scott promoted coins and stamps for young collectors publishing his Junior Weekly Letter, postmarked June 20, 1897. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $90 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

Fig. 11. A Manual of Valuable Coins published 1890. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $100 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

Fig. 12. Front & Back of J. W. Scott Company 1890-1891 Circular pamphlet. The back advertises the A Manual of Valuable Coins published 1890. This was Scott's Circulars having gone independent leaving his three year stay with Henry Collin and Henry Calman. He opened shop as well as a printing house at 163 Fulton Street selling stamps and coins and printing all Scott philatelic literature, and albums. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $125 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

This same year he began to publish The Metropolitan Philatelist, which ran until 1915. 

He published a 16-page circular in 1890, with the cover title : J. W. Scott Company, Ltd., 163 Fulton Street, New York, New York. 

In June, 1891, stamp dealer, Rudolf F. Albrecht sold John W. Scott his patent for a secure approval sheet design that prevented clients from switching stamps and stealing them.

Fig. 13. Front cover of The Metropolitan Philatelist. The Chapman Brothers and other notable coin dealers advertised selling stamps and coins in this magazine. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. Write john@numismaticmall.com

On September 25, 1895, he initiated J.W. Scott & Co., Ltd. Weekly News Letter, a single-sheet folio with the positional statement : "a private and confidential communication to the 100 leading amateurs of America," which ran until May 1, 1897. He served as one of the judges for the public numismatic exhibits at the Collector’s Club on Saturday, January 25th, 1902.

In 1895 Augustus Goodyear Heaton published “A Tour Among the Coin Dealers,” in The Numismatist which read : "In the middle of downtown business life on John Street will be found the J. W. Scott Company. It occupies a spacious lower floor with two show windows on the street, and its manager, Mr. Scott, and a number of clerks are busy behind the counters and at desks over a large stamp trade. Coins, though subordinate, received considerable attention, and very choice pieces of all kinds are frequently to be found. Numismatic publications are also on hand.”

A Manual Of Valuable Coins Frequently Found in Circulation Giving the Highest Price Attainable For All American Gold, Silver, Copper, Worth More Than Their Face Value. (NY : Scott Pubs, 1893) Last page before inside back page has an add selling flags of all nations with an illustration of the July 3, 1890 USA flag of 43 stars. Above : Left is the fron cover, Center : back cover. Right End: Inside front cover with notice "This company has not sold out and has no successors, all satements to the contrary being the inventions of dishonest parties who are vainly endeavoring  to secure part of the company's enormous trade, which they are unable to get or obtain by honorable means. - - - This is the only company that enjoys the benefit of Mr. J. W. Scott's experience and he has no connection with any other company." This statement ensued the infringement lawsuit by Henry Collin and Henry Calman to stop John Walter Scott from using his own name since they bought his company. The court ruled any man can use his own name in business and ruled in favor of the defendant, John W. Scott. Scott was aware that business as usual was going on inside the company he sold and in his statement in A Manual Of Valuable Coins he refers to his enormous trade bemoaning that fact and in an effort to redirect the trade to himself at his new office is notifying the public with this statement. Courtesy Lupia NUmismatic and Philatelic Library. Rare. For Sale $150. Write john@numismaticmall.com

John W. Scott Company business envelope design of January 7, 1893 based on the original 1889 logo of incorporation. This one franked with Scott #252a Type III with guide line, Barry machine cancel, postmarked March 16, 1896, sent to Charles Wetter Bowen (1851-1916), a druggist in Providence, Rhode Island.  Note that the envelope printing was for 10,000 and this one here is at the end of them. March 16, 1896 is the very day he has a new batch of the envelopes printed but this time in a quantity of 25,000. He must have been down to his last few writing this one shown above. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic  & Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $200 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

1893, June 21, John W. Scott  to famous collector, Austin F. Wooster (1849-1923), Norfolk, Connecticut LETTERHEAD Wooster is a very famous stamp and coin collector who was ordering envelopes and a 1793 Chain Cent to be told both out of stock. $700

J. W. Scott, postmarked New York, registered, September 7, 1893 #258 to Philatelic Hall of Fame, Hiram Edmund Deats, Flemington, New Jersey. $600 

December 15, 1893 to Philatelic Hall of Fame, Hiram Edmund Deats, Flemington, New Jersey. $600 

J. W. Scott to Geoege R. Lumsden (1865-1932), Norwich, Connecticut, a well known naturalist and collector of natural history, postmarked March 17, 1896. Perhaps the last envelope from the 1893 printing of 10,000 - yielding an average of 8.58 envelopes used per diem. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic  & Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $200 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

J. W. Scott to John T. Mason, Constable of Downieville, Downieville, California franked with Scott #252a Type III with Barry machine cancel, postmarked December 21, 1896. Constable John T. Mason is well-known for keeping his ledger with photographs of Chinese Americans with detailed descriptions for their identification. 

Downieville was a mining camp town from the Gold Rush Era and hostilities toward Chinese was an ongoing problem in the West. This prejudice led in 1882 to the Chinese Exclusion Act that "banned the immigration of Chinese laborers, and dozens of communities across the western United States expelled their Chinese residents.  . .  In 1892, Congress passed the Geary Act––named after its sponsor, Representative Thomas J. Geary, a California Democrat––re-authorizing the Chinese Exclusion Act. The bill, which extended the ban on the immigration of Chinese laborers for another ten years, imposed additional punitive measures on the Chinese, including requiring them to obtain certificates of residence that established their right to be in the country. Anyone found without such a certificate was subject to immediate arrest" - Michael Luo, The New Yorker, "The Dark Purpose Behind A Town Constable's Journal," January 28, 2022

A sad part of American history and Constable John T. Mason's ledger is a relic memorial to this episode of the Wild West past. This is especially its value since Mason's ledger records the sad fact that the cruel abusive treatment caused eleven Chinese to return to China never to return. Sadly still this etnic bias persists today not only against Asians but Hispanics, Muslims, and anyone who does not fit the traditional WASP profile. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library. $300 Write john@numismaticmall.com

On January 8, 1897 Scott mailed a letter to Hiram Edmund Deats, Flemington, New Jersey

March, 1897 to Merrill James Haldeman (1881-1946), Thompsontown, Juniata County, Pennsylvania. Haldeman was a graduate of Mifflin Academy, graduate and trustee of Dickinson College, fraternity jeweler for the Colleges. He founded the Detroit firm of Edwards, Haldeman & Co., banker and real estate property manager, and in 1926 returning to his hometown of Thompsontown, Pennsylvania, where he died at the age of sixty-four. He bequeath his family real estate as a public park "Haldeman Park" for children. He was a vestryman for his local parish of the Methodist Church, Thompsontown, Pennsylvania. Opened rough at top and oxidation on bottom. FOR SALE $200 Write john@numismaticmall.com

J.W. Scott, postmarked 1897 [MUTE],  to Philatelic Hall of Fame, Hiram Edmund Deats, Flemington, New Jersey $500 write john@numsimaticmall.com

TOP: J. W. Scott to Charles F. Bridge, Albany, New York. Postmarked 1897 [MUTE] billboard advertising cover on postal stationery #U356. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic  & Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $100 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

Tier 2 : April 1897,  J. W. Scott to H. Smith, Medford, Massachusetts, billboard advertising cover on postal stationery #U356. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic  & Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $100 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

Tier 3 : April 1897, J. W. Scott to George L. Gilmore, Lexington, Massachusetts, billboard advertising cover on postal stationery #U356. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic  & Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $100 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

Tier 4 :  J. W. Scott to Jacques Stegelman, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, postmarked June 20, 1897, billboard advertising cover on postal stationery #U356. Barry machine cancel,  Courtesy Lupia Numismatic  & Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $100 Write john@numismaticmall.com 

Bottom :  J. W. Scott to renown stamp dealer, Ezekiel Thomas Parker (1867-1940),  Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, billboard advertising cover, postmarked 1898 [MUTE],  franked with #285. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic  & Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. Parker was the Chief Clerk of the Second Vice President of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, but was a very successful stamp dealer for fifty years. FOR SALE $200 Write john@numismaticmall.com

John W. Scott Company, A Complete Price List of All Adhesive United States Stamps, Postage & Revenue, 1899. This booklet is handstamped by a dater APR 6 1899 in purple ink, beneath (now faded) the rubber stamp in fancy typography  J. N. T. Levick.  Ex-Levick Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. $200 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

J. W. Scott to very famous collector,  John Vickers Painter, Cleveland, Ohio, postmarked November 9, 1899. Exceptional cover with torn stamp prior to being postmarked. We've all received stamps toirn in the mail by the Post Office and occasionally one they tore and then postmarked. This is an exceptional example having value both in postal history and for the fame of both sender and recipient. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $400 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

December 4, 1899, J. W. Scott to very famous stamp and coin dealer and collector,  Joseph Burleigh, Govanstown, Maryland, soliciting advertising in the Metropolitan Philatelist. Very scarce card. $400

J. W. Scott to Mrs. J. C. Rich, Rochester, New York, postmarked December 7, 1899, registered mail, franked with Scott #282c Webster 10¢ brown. Rochester was one of the larger centers for stamp and coin collecting since the 1860's. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $300 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

J. W. Scott to John V Yegge, a poultry breeder and dealer and stamp dealer, Dewitt, Iowa, postmarked January 15, 1900, Barry Machine #18, Dial 4s, Killer 6, Machine 11, franked with Scott #220.  Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library,  J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $300 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

J. W. Scott to Charles Connor Wells (1884-1957), Los Angeles, California, postmarked April 15, 1900, Barry Machine #11, Dial 2s, Killer 2, no machine number slot left blank, billboard advertising cover on postal stationery #U356. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic  & Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $100 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

Christmas Eve, December 24, 1900, J. W. Scott to deltiologist, Frank Wagner, Collegeville, Minnesota  #283 Registered $150

John W. Scott Company, full page ad in the June issue of The Numismatist, 1906. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library.

In 1908 Scott ran a series of full page ads in The Numismatist from August to November.

            In 1910 he published his Cents Silver and Gold Coin Catalogue of the World, comprising 180 large pages fully illustrated. 

May 14, 1912,  J. W. Scott to James Carmichael Smith, Postmaster, Nassau, Bahamas $250

In 1913 he published his Cents Copper Coin Catalogue of the World; including Roman Imperial coins comprising 200 pages fully illustrated. 

Fig. 17. John W. Scott Company Limited An Abridged List, 1914. Note address 36 John Street. CCourtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $90 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

Hiram Edmund Deats (1870-1963), was a financial investor with John Water Scott Company, Limited, and purchased stock in his company. Here is a postal card sent by Scott to Deats about the stockholders meeting scheduled for 4 P.M. on the following day, March 23rd. This postal card postmarked March 22, 1914 tells us Scott didn't give stockholders a margin wide enough to allow and assure all members to attend. One wonders if late notices were a strategy to leave certain stockholders out of  meeting so that they would not be interfering by dissenting votes.

An adjourned stockholders’ meeting is a meeting that was temporarily suspended and will be reconvened at a later time or place to complete unfinished business or address items that could not be discussed during the initial session. It is a continuation of the original meeting, not a completely new one, and can be caused by a lack of quorum, the need to solicit more votes, or other special circumstances. Perhaps the late notice the previous week was to continue those affair that needed Deats to help finance and so holding his stockholders meeting at the Collectors Club, New York would certainly induce Deats to attend. This postal card is postmarked March 28, 1914, for a meeting taking place three days afterwards rather than a mere few hours.

The 1915 New York City Directory lists John W. Scott, a salesman, living at 528 West 124th Street, New York City, Harlem, New York. Harlem was an upper class neighbor at the time and if this is our John W. Scott then he appears to be renting different apartments from year to year within Harlem probably as early as 1910. He probably moved out into Brooklyn, Kings, New York after the sale of his business in 1917.

Fig. 18. An original (not a Numismatic Book Shop reproduction) of John W. Scott Company Limited, Standard Catalogues, No. 1, 1916. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library, J. W. Scott file. FOR SALE $90 Write john@numismaticmall.com  

In 1917 he sold his business to J. E. Handshaw. About two years later, on January 4, 1919, Scott died at his home in New York at age seventy-four. His son Walter L. Scott supplied the biographical information for his obituary. His wife and five children survived him. A donor, in 1878, to the ANS library.

            In 1935-1936, R. Green of the Numismatic Book Shop, 1544 Arthur Avenue, Chicago, Illinois sold reprints of the J. W. Scott 1913 Copper, Nickel and Brass Coins of the World Catalogue, and the 1916 Gold and Silver Coins of the World Catalogue. Bibliophiles beware of purchasing reproductions sold as originals.

J. W. Scott was inducted into the American Philatelic Society (APS) Hall of Fame in 1941.