John Apfelbaum

Over the course of his career in philately, John Apfelbaum has gained widespread recognition for his work and is considered among the top figures in his field. Born into a well-known family of philatelists with more than 100 years in the industry, Mr. Apfelbaum began working for his grandfather at Earl P.L. Apfelbaum, Inc. in 1971, while a student at the University of Pennsylvania. Graduating magna cum laude in 1975 with a B.A. in History, John Apfelbaum joined the staff at Earl P.L. Apfelbaum on a full-time basis and continued to learn the finer points of the profession. The following year, he earned licensure from the Pennsylvania State Board of Auctioneers and further developed his acumen as a philatelist.

For the next decade, John Apfelbaum maintained an equal devotion to his duties at Earl P.L. Apfelbaum and his academic interest in philately, ultimately collaborating with noted New York Times columnist and stamp collector David Louis Lidman on The World of Stamps and Stamp Collecting, published in 1981 by Charles Scribner’s Sons. After his grandfather’s death in 1985, John Apfelbaum assumed responsibilities as President and Chief Executive Officer of Earl P.L. Apfelbaum, roles in which he continues to serve today.

At Earl P.L. Apfelbaum, John Apfelbaum maintains a robust collection of stamps for enthusiasts of all interest levels, purchasing from and selling to collectors across the globe. In addition, Mr. Apfelbaum holds regular public auctions—on average, 25 each year—offering items from a variety of different time periods and countries of origin. Committed to the promotion of industry best practices and the preservation of philately as a hobby for future generations, Mr. Apfelbaum has contributed his time and energy to various industry organizations, notably serving as Treasurer of the American Philatelic Society.

More information on John Apfelbaum and his company can be found at ApfelbaumInc.com.