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Alexander Haimann
Alexander Haimann

Speaking

Talks that open history through the mail.

Alex speaks the way he curates, with objects, stories and context. A single cover can open a war, a reign or a family history. He has addressed philatelic congresses, museum symposia, universities, classrooms and private dinners in the United States, Europe and southern Africa, in person and online.
Invite Alex to speakTalk topics

No. 01Talk topics

Six talks, each shaped for the room.

Every talk can run as a keynote, a lecture or a conversation, and each can be tailored.

I

A Life in Philately: From a Geography Lesson to the Roll

How a few stamps in a grade-school geography lesson led to the Smithsonian, a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II and the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists. A personal talk about curiosity, mentors and the people a hobby brings together.

  • Why small objects can hold large stories
  • How mentors and clubs shape a lifelong interest
  • What it means to sign philately's highest roll of honor

For collector clubs, universities and schools, private client and corporate events, philatelic societies and exhibitions

  • Keynote
  • Lecture
  • Club visit
  • Dinner toast or emcee

II

Clash of Empires: The Anglo-Zulu War Through the Mail

The 1879 Anglo-Zulu War told through letters, covers and artifacts, from the rise of the Zulu Kingdom to iSandlwana, Rorke's Drift and the films that made them famous. Drawn from the 2023 London exhibition Alex co-curated.

  • How soldiers' letters reveal a war as it happened
  • Why context turns a cover into a primary source
  • What it takes to build a museum exhibition from a private collection

For museums and historical societies, philatelic societies and exhibitions, universities and schools, collector clubs

  • Lecture
  • Gallery talk
  • Keynote
  • Webinar

III

Stamps as Primary Sources: Postal History for Historians and Museums

Postmarks, rates and routes are evidence. This talk shows historians, curators and educators how to read a cover, and how context philately can bring new audiences into a gallery.

  • How to read the marks on a cover as historical evidence
  • Ways to pair postal history with objects, film and documents
  • Lessons from digital collections at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum

For museums and historical societies, universities and schools

  • Lecture
  • Panel or moderator
  • Webinar

IV

Cultivating the Next Generation of Collectors

What the Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship has taught Alex about finding young collectors, mentoring them and giving them real responsibility. Practical ideas for clubs, societies and museums that want to grow.

  • Where young and new collectors are, and how to reach them
  • How a year of mentorship builds future leaders
  • Simple steps any club can take this season

For collector clubs, philatelic societies and exhibitions, museums and historical societies

  • Keynote
  • Lecture
  • Panel or moderator
  • Club visit

V

The Rare Stamp Market Today

A clear view of how rare stamps and postal history change hands today and what drives value. Informed by Alex's work as Executive Vice President of Cherrystone Auctions.

  • What drives value: rarity, condition, provenance and demand
  • How auctions work for buyers and consignors
  • Questions to ask before buying or selling

For private client and corporate events, collector clubs, philatelic societies and exhibitions

  • Lecture
  • Panel or moderator
  • Webinar
  • Club visit

VI

The Crown and the Stamp: Royal Philately

From the Penny Black to Queen Elizabeth II, the most depicted person in the history of stamps, the British monarchy and the postage stamp grew up together. Includes Alex's account of meeting the Queen at the Royal Philatelic Society London in 2019.

  • Why British stamps carry the monarch's portrait instead of the country's name
  • How King George V built the Royal Philatelic Collection
  • What the image of the Crown reveals about Empire and Commonwealth

For museums and historical societies, private client and corporate events, collector clubs, philatelic societies and exhibitions

  • Keynote
  • Lecture
  • Gallery talk
  • Dinner toast or emcee

No. 02Formats

From the podium to the gallery floor.

Keynote
A signature address for a congress, convention or annual dinner, built around one strong story.
Lecture
An illustrated talk with stamps, covers and archival images, followed by questions.
Gallery talk
A walk through an exhibition, object by object, for members, patrons or press.
Panel or moderator
A knowledgeable voice on a panel, or a host who keeps the conversation moving.
Webinar
A live online presentation for societies and audiences anywhere, with time for questions.
Club visit
An evening with a local stamp club, part of Alex's challenge to visit a club in every state.
Dinner toast or emcee
A toast, a welcome or a full evening as master of ceremonies.

No. 03Audiences

Who listens.

  • Philatelic societies and exhibitions
  • Museums and historical societies
  • Universities and schools
  • Private client and corporate events
  • Collector clubs

No. 04Engagements

Past engagements.

  1. May 28, 2026

    Roll of Distinguished Philatelists Signing Ceremony

    Boston 2026 World Stamp Expo · Boston, Massachusetts

    Ceremony

  2. May 23, 2026

    From Empire to Commonwealth

    Boston 2026 World Stamp Expo · Boston, Massachusetts

    Gallery talk

  3. August 8, 2025

    APS 50-State Challenge Club Visit

    Omaha Philatelic Society · Omaha, Nebraska

    Club visit

  4. July 12, 2024

    Exploring the Contours of Context Philately

    Philatelic Federation of South Africa and Philatelic Congress of Great Britain · Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and Southampton, England

    Webinar

  5. July 27, 2023

    Clash of Empires: Live from London

    British Empire Study Group · London, England (online)

    Webinar

  6. July 12, 2023

    Clash of Empires Symposium

    Royal Philatelic Society London · London, England

    Symposium

  7. December 2015

    Toast to Philately and Prince Albert

    MonacoPhil 2015 · Monaco

    Dinner toast

  8. May 2012

    MBA Commencement Address

    Washington University in St. Louis, Olin Business School · St. Louis, Missouri

    Commencement

  9. August 23, 2011

    Guest Lecture

    Philatelic Society of Los Angeles · Los Angeles, California

    Lecture

  10. January 2008

    APS Tiffany Dinner Address

    American Philatelic Society · Charlotte, North Carolina

    Keynote

No. 06 For organizers

Planning notes.

Send an invitation
How far ahead should we book?

As early as you can. Exhibitions and congresses often plan a year or more ahead. Club visits and webinars can come together more quickly.

Does Alex speak online?

Yes. He presents regularly by Zoom, and in 2024 he joined a live presentation that linked audiences in South Africa and Great Britain at the same time.

Can a talk be tailored to our audience?

Yes. Each talk is shaped for the room, whether seasoned collectors, students, museum patrons or guests who have never looked closely at a stamp.

What should we include in an invitation?

The date, location, audience, expected attendance, preferred format and length. Note any audiovisual details and whether the talk will be recorded.

Is there a fee?

Fees and travel depend on the event. Share the details and Alex will reply with a proposal.