National Philatelic Museum, Philadelphia

This museum was the brainchild of Bernard Davis, a wealthy banker and avid stamp collector. The museum, which was located at Broad and Diamond Streets in Philadelphia, opened its doors on December 5, 1948.

The museum offered a variety of services, including presentation of exhibits in frames for public viewing and a philatelic library. The museum also hosted numerous philatelic exhibitions held by various philatelic societies. The National Philatelic Museum was unusual in that, in conjunction with nearby Temple University, it offered courses in philately through its Philatelic Institute.

The museum published a total of thirty-six bulletins that contained articles about various aspects of philately, including France, Airpost, Pan-American, Bavaria, Germany, New South Wales, Switzerland, Ben Franklin, and the American Philatelic Congress.

The museum remained in existence for roughly ten years. In 1960, most of its material and equipment were transferred to the new Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History.

• Publications of the National Philatelic Museum, Philadelphia