Herman "Pat" Herst Jr. (March 17, 1909 – January 31, 1999) was a writer of philatelic literature, in many cases on the history of the hobby, as well as a stamp dealer and stamp auctioneer. He began his 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 remained 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.
He was active in the ACLU, The Baker Street Irregulars and other non-philatelic groups.[2]
Herst was born on March 17, 1909, the son of a New York lawyer. When his father died in 1913, he added the "Jr." His friends, noting his birthday fell on St Patrick's Day, called him "Pat" - ironic because Herst was Jewish.
His mother, Lillian Myers Herst, was a violinist who conducted music lessons for summer camps.[3] She also performed in John Philips Sousa's all-female orchestra. Herst was sent to his aunt's home in Portland, Oregon when he was 12.
At Reed College, he studied International law.
While working for a brokerage firm, he made a delivery to a stamp dealer on Nassau Street, the hub for New York stamp dealers. This meeting started Herst on his course to becoming a stamp dealer himself.
Herst was primarily known for his writing, which included numerous books and articles:
He received several notable awards, including the American Philatelic Society's Luff Award in 1961, and was elected as the only American on the board of the Philatelic Traders Society in the UK. In 2000, he was posthumously inducted in the American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame.
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.
He participated in philatelic events, such as auctions, issued his own local stamps showing his German Shepherd Alfie (based on an obscure 1862 law), and gave speeches on philatelic subjects.
He was married to Ingeborg Ursula Adam, who died in 1954, and later to Ida Busch. He was 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.