Peter G. Keller - LISC Founder At 1951, during the 34th Lions International Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Lions International Stamp Club (LISC) was officially chartered. Peter Keller who founded the Lions International Stamp Club and served as its Secretary for more than twenty years, authored also a regular stamp collecting column in the LION Magazine calling stamp collecting “The King of Hobbies and the Hobby of Kings”. Within a year the LISC had members from five countries, collecting and trading rare or interesting stamps of all kinds. Since 1940 countries such as Cuba, Philippines and Nicaragua have issued commemorative stamps featuring the Lions Clubs International emblem and past International Presidents like Finis Davis of Louisville - Kentucky who served from 1960 - 1961 and Clarence Sturm from Manawa Wisconsin who served from 1959-60. As with anything that Lions are involved in, fun and fellowship leads to Service! The LISC founder Peter G. Keller who born in New York, October 13, 1894 was a stamp dealer and director of the (ASDA) American Stamp Dealers Association. Termed the “Modern Era” of stamp dealing in America the years after November 1947, saw the national Organization for stamp dealers move into a bright new period with the appointment that month of Peter G. Keller as its Executive Secretary. Keller was the American Stamp Dealers Association’s (ASDA) immediate past President and his efficiency and standards in that office, made him the logical candidate for this new position.
The incoming president of ASDA Edson J. Fifield, remarked, “It is a great good fortune that our society of stamp dealers can attract to itself men of the character of Peter G. Keller.” The position, as was only part-time and was operated out of Mr. Keller’s stamp business office, on Nassau Street in New York City. But Keller soon established a permanent headquarters of the Association, an operation that continues today and in August 1954, opened an official office at 116 Nassau Street. Meanwhile, Keller established 14 ASDA local chapters around the country including major ASDA clubs in Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Washington and Philadelphia, Kansas City and Miami. His wife Helen Van Zilen Keller (married 1950) took an active role. After Peter retired in 1966, he and Helen continued to support the Organization. Further, as Bill Smith founding President of the Pin club of Virginia said: “Stamps and pins is a hobby that’s entertaining and a celebration of Lions dedication to Service”. Lion Peter served two years as Club president, also as zone Chairman and deputy District Governor, also earned the Lions International Extention Award and by U.S.A and Canadian Philatelic Organizations. Peter died in his house Tappan, New York, September 15, 1972. The “Philatelist” magazine editor, Stamp dealers and LISC members expressed sympathy to mrs Helen Keller. An account of Lion Peter’s passing was also carried in Stamps. PCC/PMJF SPYROS SEREMIDIS LISC IPP
PHILATELIST [239] /7
