Lewis Kaufman

Lewis Kaufman, who has headed the team of experts at the Philatelic Foundation since the fall of 2004, first became interested in stamps at the age of seven when his father showed him a collection of 1938 Presidential sheets and plate blocks. His interest never waned and continued throughout high school and college. In 1971, after a short three year stint teaching high school history, economics and political science, he was asked to join the firm of Quality Investors, headed by Bob Markovits. There he continued to broaden his knowledge and skills and, in 1980, became a partner in Quality Auctions, which held ten auctions featuring a wide variety of important essays, proofs, stamps and postal history.

Mr. Kaufman left Quality Investors in 1984 and, for the next twenty years, managed his own stamp and collectibles business. In 1985, he was asked to become editor of the Brookman Retail Guide for US and Canadian Stamps and related collectibles. And further, during their eight year association, he also designed and produced Albums and catalogs for Disney, Baseball and Entertainment stamps.
In 1992, and again in 1997, Mr. Kaufman was asked to be a consultant to the Federal Trade Commission, where his expertise contributed to the successful prosecution of cases brought by its Consumer Fraud Division.

Mr. Kaufman is the author of several articles, most appearing in the “Opinions” series produced by the Philatelic Foundation, and is co-author of the chapter on Postage Due Essays and Proofs in the book Postage Due/The United States/ Large Numeral Postage Due Stamps/ 1879-1894 written by George B. Arfken.

Mr. Kaufman has been a member of most major Philatelic societies for over forty years and has served on the Board of Directors of the American Stamp Dealers Association from 1988-1994.
His collecting interests include Postage Dues, having won a gold medal for his exhibit; US Postal Counterfeits; Philatelic Literature and 1920’s-1970’s Jazz, R & B and R & R music.