The photo is from the top of the Empire State Building. It reflects the top of the world feeling when I was elected as President of The Collectors Club. It is an honor and obligation to continue the great legacy of this organization.

Most of you do not know me, so please permit a brief introduction.

My philatelic biography began while working in Europe in 1999. It took me sometime to focus on India during the World War I era. Returning to the US, I joined The Collectors Club because I wanted a social and philatelic experience. There I had the chance to volunteer as advertising manager and for our amazing library. I joined the board and was later elected to Vice President and then President this January.

My philatelic interests include publishing articles, occasionally exhibiting and membership in the Civil Censorship Study Group, as Americas Secretary, the German Colonies Collectors Group, Military Postal History Society, Forces Postal History Society, and the India Study Circle.

The Collectors’ Club was founded 130 years ago as a social club bringing some of the most important collectors and philatelic businesses together in the greater New York area. Its purpose is to further the study of philately, promote the hobby within a social, educational, and non-commercial setting.

Over the years, the club occupied ten Manhattan locations including today’s club near Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan. Unlike bygone years, today most of our members live well beyond the greater New York City area. To fulfill its mission our club provides programs at our Manhattan headquarters, Zoom Webinars, PDF and print copies of our journal and the publication of monographs and books.

These activities along with the effort and the support of members who reach out to other philatelists, have made it possible for our club membership to remain steady at around 600 despite the general decline observed in many other philatelic clubs. Here is what to expect in 2026 beyond the daily work required to keep the club running and the already planned programs. I recognize that most members cannot experience the conviviality of a club-based program. Therefore, we need to find ways of bringing that social experience to the membership. At the Club itself, I would like to see some informal programs perhaps sharing a favorite cover or a library volunteer day. Key to long term success is a solid strategy and an appropriate multi-year plan will be developed this year. This will start with a survey of our members and to maintain data on participation at the club’s activities.

This year our club is sponsor at Westpex, Boston 2026 and NOJEX. At Westpex Collectors Club members have entered 79 frames. There are club dinners at each of these shows and a club table and chairs in the exhibition area.

At Boston 2026 we have a large booth shared with other organizations. Please stop by, sit awhile and chat with your fellow Collectors Club members and others.

Details are at    www.collectorsclub.org.

Looking forward to meeting many of you this year IRL.

–Bob Gray