Hugh McLellan Southgate


Hugh McLellan Southgate, of Washington, D.C., was an avid stamp collector, active in the Washington area as well as on the national level.

Collecting interests

Southgate was a student and expert of the Bureau Issues of the United States.

Philatelic activity

In addition to participating in philatelic activities in the Washington, D.C. area, Southgate was a founder of the Philatelic Plate Number Association and was its president from 1926 to 1928. At the Bureau Issues Association he was its first president and chairman of the board. Southgate was also active in the American Philatelic Society and was one of the first to investigate and study the archives of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Hugh M. Southgate Memorial Trophy

The Hugh M. Southgate Memorial Trophy, also known as the Southgate Trophy, was established by the United States Stamp Society in November 1968 as its most important award for 19th century exhibiting. Winner of the trophy include Morton Dean Joyce, Henry M. Gobie, William M. Fitch, Cortlande Clarke and Eliot Landau.

Honors and awards

Hugh Southgate was named to the American Philatelic Society Hall of Fame in 1941.