Mortimer L. Neinken

Mortimer L. Neinken (May 16, 1896 – November 14, 1984) of New York City, was a collector and student of classic United States postage stamps. He studied with Stanley Bryan Ashbrook, and extended some of the philatelic literature work of Ashbrook.

Neinken was primarily interested in 19th century United States postage stamps. He supplemented Ashbrook’s work by publishing “The United States Ten Cent Stamps of 1855-1859” in 1960 and “The United States One Cent Stamp of 1851-1861” in 1972. Neinken also wrote “United States: The 1851-57 Twelve Cent Stamp (1964)” a work for which he received numerous honors and recognition.

Neinken was active within the American Philatelic Society as well as at the National Philatelic Museum in Philadelphia. At the Philatelic Foundation he served as chairman and as expert.

Neinken received the Luff Award in 1962 for Distinguished Philatelic Research, the Lichtenstein Medal in 1971, and was recognized for Meritorious Service to Philately by the Philatelic Foundation in 1984, and was entered into the American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame in 1985. He was also the first recipient of the American Philatelic Research Library’s Cryer Research Award.

The 1984 award he received from the Philatelic Foundation was renamed the Mortimer L. Neinken Medal in his honor.