Georges Herpin (philatelist)

Georges Herpin was a French stamp collector who in 1864 coined the word "philatelie" which in English became "philately".[1][2]

Georges Herpin

Herpin stated that stamps had been collected and studied for the previous six or seven years and a better name was required for the new hobby than timbromanie, which was disliked.[3] He took the Greek root word φιλ(ο)- phil(o)-, meaning "an attraction or affinity for something", and ἀτέλεια ateleia, meaning "exempt from duties and taxes" to form "philatelie".[4] The introduction of postage stamps meant that the receipt of letters was now free of charge, whereas before stamps it was normal for postal charges to be paid by the recipient of a letter.

In 1866 he sold his stamp collection to Frederick Adolphus Philbrick.[5]