Arizona Philatelic Rangers
A little history
Origins of twin organizations
The Postal History Foundation was founded in 1960 by William Alexander, first as the Postal History department at the Arizona Historical Society, then as the Western Postal History Museum, associated and housed in the Arizona Historical Society.
The museum was required to staff and finance their work. That’s how the Arizona Philatelic Rangers were born. Bill Alexander, Albert Evans, Arthur Springer, and Omega Williamson, all volunteers at the museum, discussed creating a second organization to support the work of the museum.
Rangers?
Museum co-founder and Arizona Philatelic Ranger #1 Ray Brandes recounted the story about the founding of the Arizona Philatelic Rangers:
A major rifle manufacturer was running an advertisement in the national magazines in 1960 showing a partial version of a picture of Arizona Rangers. The caption read, “Why doesn’t one of these Texas Rangers have our rifle?” Ray, as assistant director of the Arizona Historical Society, recognized the picture as that of the Arizona Rangers and telephoned the company to point out their mistake. The company, red faced, turned their blunder into a major publicity event. They ran a new advertisement apologizing for misidentifying the Arizona Rangers as the Texas Rangers. They also had an “Arizona Apology Day” complete with festivities, hanging the corporate president in effigy on the grounds of the state capitol building, and a spectacular party in Scottsdale. Both Ray and Bill Alexander attended the party.
While all this was going on, Bill was sitting there drawing a picture of a little star – the badge of the Arizona Rangers. He said, ‘You know, I think what I’d like to do is create an organization called the Arizona Philatelic Rangers.’ That’s how the Rangers began.
Growing and Growing
Interest in becoming a Ranger grew. By the end of the year, there were 26 Rangers supporting the work of the museum. Members began joining from all over the country, and all over the world.
As the museum’s work grew in scope and size, the support of the Rangers grew, too. From 1961 to 1969, the Rangers raised over $120,000 at auction from contributions and stamps donated by Rangers and philatelists all over the country.
Still going strong
The Arizona Philatelic Rangers are still active and supporting the work of the Foundation through monetary gifts, philatelic donations, and legacy bequests. They also established the Children’s Philatelic Education Endowment Fund. Additionally, the Foundation’s Slusser Library was made possible through the efforts of Ranger John Birkinbine. He facilitated the generous donation of his friends Blaine and Bessie Slusser, who were looking for a way to memorialize their daughter, Peggy.
Rangers still meet regularly, gathering at stamp shows around the country, where they attend their famous “Ranger Dinners.”
If you would like to know more about the Arizona Philatelic Rangers, contact the Postal History Foundation.
