For those who have worked in the library over the years from Gini Horn, Ellen Peachey, Roseann Staie, Tara Murray, Betsy Gamble, myself and many others the name of Robert “Bob” A. Mason is a familiar one and one that always brings with it a smile and a cherished story. Bob was a frequent annual visitor to the library, usually in the summer, from his home in Utica, New York. Over the years he became a familiar face and a welcomed friend to all at the American Philatelic Center (APC).

Bob with the APRL staff: (l to r) Roseann Staie, Martha Micuda, and Ellen Peachey

An avid collector of worldwide revenue stamps, Bob was a very organized and focused researcher often sending an extensive list of resources he wished to consult during his visits ahead of him or presenting the list to the library staff upon his arrival. After retiring as an accountant from the New York Department of Taxation and Finance, his trips to the APC were usually a day or two and during these visits he would photocopy all the research materials provided to him and then return to Utica with these research papers.

Bob Mason busy with research during one of his frequent visits to the APRL 

During his visits he struck up many friendships with staff at the American Philatelic Society (APS), especially with members of the library staff. His love and appreciation for the American Philatelic Research Library (APRL) and the library staff was always apparent during his visits. Bob also frequently gave financial donations to the library earmarking his donations for the library staff specifically.

Bob joined the APS in 1958 and remained so until his passing in 2017. Upon his passing his entire estate was designated to the APRL in appreciation for the library and its staff during his visits. Given this extraordinary contribution to the APRL and the APS during his lifetime and upon his passing it was decided by a unanimous vote of the APRL Board of Trustees that the library’s digital collections database, APRL Digital, will be hereafter renamed the Robert A. Mason Digital Library. As we continue to grow the library’s digital collections going forward it is with our deepest gratitude and appreciation that we proudly rename this digital database in Bob’s honor. 

Please feel to contact the Scott Tiffney at [email protected] with your comments and questions. The APRL maintains a growing library of online materials that are directly available to APS members. Access to these journals and publications is a benefit of membership in the APS. Click here to sign up today.