Theodore E Steinway

Contribution to the club

Steinway supported the Collectors Club with funds for various projects, such as purchasing the philatelic library of Austrian Justice Viktor Suppantschitsch for the club. The development of this library resulted in the club having one of the most extensive philatelic libraries in the world.

Philatelic Foundation

Steinway, along with other prominent American philatelists, helped found the Philatelic Foundation, which originally was located on the fourth floor of the Collectors Club of New York. He was named Chairman of the Expert Committee (1950–1952)..

Association for Stamp Exhibitions

He was also the founder of the Association for Stamp Exhibitions and was responsible for organizing the first five philatelic international exhibits in the United States which were held in 1913, 1926, 1936, 1947 and 1956.

Stamp collections

Steinway had various collections of stamps. The most significant ones were:

Thematic collecting

Because of his interest in collecting stamps related to his business, and because he applied no rigid rules as to collecting stamps, Steinway is often regarded as one of the founders of thematic collecting, which today is a common method of collecting. Such collectors today collect stamps showing butterflies, elephants, Disney characters, famous art, and so on.

Honors

Because of his extensive interests and leadership within the field of philately, Theodore E. Steinway was awarded the first Lichtenstein Medal by the Collectors Club of New York in 1952.

Successor

His son, John H. Steinway (1917–1989), carried on his father's work in the field of philately, and served on the Board of Trustees of The Philatelic Foundation.