Remembering My Philatelic Friends Who Have Passed: William A. Litle

Remembering Bill Litle: A Brilliant Mind in Engineering and Philately

I first really got to know Bill while working at PSE (Professional Stamp Experts). Bill liked to eat lunch late, usually around 1 PM, so he often found himself eating alone. I took that opportunity to join him, and nearly every day, we would go to lunch together (usually at his favorite fast food restaurant, Arby’s), where I would listen to him talk about stamps. He was an interesting guy. I remember one time Michael Sherman, President of PSE, remarked that he must have had an IQ in the 160 range. By vocation, he was a civil engineer, and at one time, Bill mentioned to me that he was among the youngest faculty members at M.I.T. before moving to Southern California. Prior to working at PSE, he was always known for having U.S. classic stamps of the highest quality.

Bill held degrees from Duke University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his career in structural engineering was nothing short of impressive. However, his passion for philately eventually led him to a second career at PSE, where he became one of the most influential figures in the world of stamp grading. While he was not the sole developer of the grading system, he was an essential part of the team that refined and standardized it. More notably, he was responsible for developing and editing the Stamp Market Quarterly (SMQ), a pricing guide that helped establish the market for high-grade stamps.

Before working at PSE, Bill was known for always having U.S. classic stamps of the highest quality. His personal collection was nothing short of remarkable, featuring an incredible array of high-graded stamps. Beyond stamps, he had a fascinating collection of antique stamp boxes, which I had the privilege of assisting him in selling. His outstanding collection of Encased Postage Stamps was auctioned at Siegel Stamp Auction number 1029 in 2012. He also amassed an amazing collection of Winchester Illustrated Advertising covers, which were sold at Schuyler Rumsey in April of 2014.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Bill’s legacy in philately was the power of his signature. If a stamp carried a PSE certificate signed "W.A.L." or "William A. Litle," its value could increase tenfold—or even a hundredfold. Collectors and dealers alike recognized his unparalleled expertise, and his approval carried immense weight in the market.

Bill Litle’s impact on both engineering and philately is undeniable. His legacy lives on through the countless collectors who still look for his signature on a certificate and the many people he influenced with his passion and brilliance.