Printed from the Fall 1990 Heliograph

When the Western Postal History Museum was established in 1960, one of
its founding objectives was to organize an independent sponsoring 
society to finance and staff the museum. After a series of meetings of 
Albert Evans, Arthur Springer, Bill Alexander, and Omega Williamson, 
it was decided to call the organization Arizona Philatelic Rangers. 
The name was derived from the famous 26 men who were the Arizona 
Rangers dedicated to restoration of law and order in territorial 
Arizona earlier in this century. A Constitution and by-laws were
adopted effective at the end of 1960. 

The four founders at that meeting became the executive board of the 
Arizona Philatelic Rangers with the addition of Walter A. Benz of 
New York who had been a special advisor and supporter in many matters 
relative to the museum.

With the consent of Pima County Sheriff Waldon V. Burr, it was agreed 
that members of the Rangers would be appointed either sheriff or 
deputy sheriff and would receive appropriate badges.

Dr. Ray Brandes was made Honorary Ranger Sheriff #1 for his untiring 
efforts as co-founder of the museum and supportive advisor. At the end
of that first year, the Arizona Philatelic Rangers grew to 26 members,
equalling the number of original Arizona Rangers. Soon Rangers were 
enlisting from all over the United States, Mexico, Canada, and overseas.

The museum prospered and, as Ranger membership and financial support 
grew, projects were added to the museum's activities. From 1961 to 1969,
the Rangers raised over $120,000 from contributions and stamps donated
by Rangers and philatelists all over the country. 

At the outset, the Rangers and the museum were one and the same. The 
accomplishments of the museum were also the successes of the Rangers. 
There's no doubt that the early efforts of the Rangers' support and fund
raising activities were the most significant element in the growth, 
stability and success of the Western Postal History Museum. 

Museum co-founder and Arizona Philatelic Ranger #1 Ray Brandes reminisces
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 thier 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."

The 26 Original Arizona Philatelic Rangers




1. Ray Brandes

2. William L. Alexander *

3.  Walter A. Benz *

4. George E. McElroy *

5. Henry E. Harris *

6. Norman N. Haas *

7. James Reynolds *

8. Raymond H. Weill *

9. Roger S. Weill *

10. Albert W. Evans *

11. Charles E. Weiss *

12. Arthur E. Springer *

13. Ernest Cabat *



14. John Birkinbine

15. Walter E. Tinsley *

16. Omega Williamson *

17. Harry Ackerman

18. Postmaster Harold Collins

19. Herman Berlow

20. Harry L. Lindquist *

21. Fritz R. Hazard *

22. William C. Patnick

23. French Anderson *

24. Harold Steinfeld *

25. David Bunn

26. Franklin R. Bruns *

* = Deceased

If you would like to become a Philatelic Ranger, please
contact John Birkinbine at jb2nd@earthlink.net

Postal History Foundation, 920 N. First Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719