American Air Mail Society
Founded 1923
These first three awards are for lifetime service or achievement of major importance, and thus merit over the long term; the immediate past year or even few years are considered in the record but are not decisive.
Aerophilatelic Hall of Fame
To honor men and women who have contributed significantly to the accumulation of aerophilatelic knowledge, to interest and participation in aerophilately, or rendered outstanding service to national or international headquarters of the American Philatelic Society in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.
Awarded for major achievements in aerophilatelic research.
A major award for outstanding aerophilatelic research. This award recognizes outstanding achievements in aerophilatelic research that serving as definitive or foundation works in aerophilately. Recognized research may be either original research bringing significant new facts or conclusions to light or secondary research bringing multiple resources together into comprehensive works of significant importance to aerophilatelists, as evidenced by articles, monographs, books, catalogues or other publications and exhibits.
The award is international in scope and is not restricted to members of AAMS.
Presented in honor of the late Walter J. Conrath, who contributed unselfishly to the growth and welfare of the American Air Mail Society, to a member who has rendered outstanding service to the Society.l
AAMS LTERATURE AWARD WINNERS – 2020 – 2024
202o
Lee Downer Award – Vincent Centonze, “A Favorite First Flight Cover” – October, 420-424
Frank Blumenthal Award – Mark Tyx, “Twice-Flown Lindbergh Covers to Cuba” – August, 339-341
B. Gatchell Award – Steve Turechek, “It Floats, It Flies, It’s the S-38 ‘Amphibion’” – August, 314-320
George Kingdom Award – Roger Harris – “Pioneer Aviation in the Channel Islands – Dawn to 1947”
2021
2022
2023
C. Other AAMS Awards
Presented by the President of AAMS, at his/her sole discretion, in recognition of services to the American Air Mail Society.
At the sole discretion and option of the AAMS President, a President’s Award may be given to any member deemed to merit special recognition.
Presented in recognition of special services to the American Air Mail Society or to aerophilately as recommended by the Awards Committee with concurrence by the Board of Directors.
Research Award
2021 Brian R. Peace. UK
Lee Downer Award
Presented in honor of the late Lee Downer to recognize the literary efforts of members whose articles appear in the Airpost Journal. It is awarded to the best article published in the Airpost Journal in the prior year. for the best article about Contract Air Mail (CAM) covers.
Presented in honor of the late Earl and Fred Wellman, founder and successor sustaining force of the Jack Knight Collectors Club and Aerophilatelic Federation of the Americas (AFA), to recognize the literary effort of members whose articles appear in The Jack Knight Air Log. The award is for the article, series, or regular feature promoting or encouraging aerophilately in the prior year. Publication of the Jack Knight Air Log was discontinued in 2012 along with this award.
In memory of this AAMS co-founder who, for almost four decades, rendered outstanding and unselfish service to the hobby of aerophilately and to the American Air Mail Society, this award is presented to a person who has rendered outstanding service to aerophilately. The award is not restricted to members of the American Air Mail Society.
This award was discontinued in 2012 as its criteria essentially duplicate those of the Aerophilatelic Hall of Fame.
