David Coogle is one of the most knowledgeable and well-respected philatelists in America. With a lifetime of experience in stamp collecting, stamp appraisal and evaluations and subsequently stamp sales, he has truly acquired a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise. As a young entrepreneur who started his first business at the age of 16-years-old, he has been passionate with the stamp market for as long as he can remember.
Joining Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions, LLC
After his previous place of employment, H.R. Harmers & Nutmeg Stamp Sales, was moved to the West Coast, David Coogle decided to remain in Connecticut and continue his passion for stamps. With the help of a few of his colleagues in the industry, he purchased Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions, LLC, America’s oldest continuously operated philatelic auction house, founded in Boston in 1885. This was acquired from philatelic legend Stanley J. Richmond, its 52 year previous owner. This world class auction company continues to provide prized stamps and postal service collectibles to countless eager collectors not only in Danbury, Connecticut, but around the globe. The caring associates at this company take their jobs seriously. They are dedicated to helping customers locate the perfect additions to their collections and receive fair prices for the sale of their treasured stamps.
David’s commitment to charity and community service
David Coogle is not only committed to helping buyers at his auction companies, he is also dedicated to making a positive impact on his community. For this reason, he serves as the Committee Chairman for the local Boy Scout troop in Brookfield, Connecticut. By volunteering his time for this group, he knows that he is helping many young boys grow up to be responsible and well-adjusted men.
David Coogle is currently one of the most informed and well-respected philatelists in the world. He is an expert at determining the value of stamps and other collectibles from the United States and the entire world. He also possesses an unsurpassed knowledge of American postal history and its usages. He is the co-chairman of Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions in Danbury, Connecticut, and a Director at Dynasty Auctions in Hong Kong.
David’s fascination with stamp collecting
David Coogle’s passion for stamps began when he was merely a young boy. As a child, he regularly attended coin shows with his father, who was a serious coin collector and dealer. His father also introduced his son to the world of stamp collecting. He first began his career by collecting United Nations stamps, which he quickly parlayed into a full-fledged business when he was in high school.
Attending the University of Pittsburgh
After high school, he enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh. While there he majored in business. Though he excelled in his studies, he left school to focus on his fast-growing stamp business. By that he was getting so many orders from customers that he was able to support himself solely on his earnings. It was clear then that he was on his way to becoming a successful businessman.
Nutmeg Stamp Sales
In 1996, David Coogle joined efforts with another world-renowned stamp dealer, Andrew Levitt, who created Nutmeg Stamp Sales. This innovative business focused on conducting stamp auctions by mail. After Nutmeg Stamp Sales was purchased by Greg Manning Auctions, he became president of Nutmeg Stamp Sales. As ownership of Greg Manning Auctions changed hands, Coogle purchased America’s oldest philatelic auction house from the then current owner, Stanley Richmond.
Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions, LLC
After leaving Nutmeg Stamp Sales, David Coogle became co-chairman of Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions, which is the oldest stamp auction company in the United States. For over 125 years, this business has provided serious collectors with some of the rarest and most prized stamps, postal history and related items in the world. The auction business is thoroughly unlike any other stamp company in several different ways. To begin, the professionals at this business have an unsurpassed knowledge of their subject matter. They are committed to offering customers fair and accurate estimations and providing several alternatives for achieving the best prices for their collector’s items. In addition, the professionals at Daniel F. Kelleher are accustomed to assisting family members of deceased master collectors. Many times, these individuals are not knowledgeable about stamps. The professionals at Daniel F. Kelleher are always happy to educate their clients on such things, as they believe everyone should be able to make informed and wise decisions regarding their loved one’s collections. It is difficult to find a stamp company that utilizes such a strict code of ethics.
Reviving an appreciation for stamp collecting on the East Coast
As co-chairman of the Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions, LLC in Danbury, Connecticut, David Coogle not only provided countless collectors with some of the rarest and most sought-after stamps on the market, he is also responsible for reinvigorating a nationwide passion for stamp collecting, especially on the East Coast. Unfortunately, many serious and armchair philatelists alike were slowly losing interest in the subject of stamps before he arrived on the scene. This was mostly due to a lack of knowledgeable and well-stocked dealers in the area. Luckily, he was able to reignite the stamp collecting fire across the state of Connecticut before it was too late. Today, Kelleher Auctions, LLC and Dynasty Auctions serve as beacons for philatelists around the globe.
Dynasty Auctions in Hong Kong
David Coogle is a current co-chairman at Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions, LLC, as well as a Director at Dynasty Auctions Company, Ltd., in Hong Kong. This dynamic business is one of the most successful in the country. It has even sold stamps and other historic items to several well-known collectors, and has brought to market other interesting collectibles including items belonging to martial arts expert and film star Bruce Lee. The associates at Dynasty Auctions hold to the same strict standards as the team members at David’s other auction house. This business is committed to transparency and unparalleled customer service. Buyers and traders who visit this location are instantly impressed by the extensive knowledge and the professional attitude of the staff. They leave Mr. Coogle’s business feeling as though they have chosen wisely knowing that their precious collectibles will be well-cared for and brought to market in the most advantageous fashion.
David's dedication to service organizations
Although he is incredibly busy with serving as a co-chairman and director for two world-renowned stamp auction companies, he always has time to invest in his community. In fact, he is currently the committee chairman for Boy Scout Troop 8 in Brookfield, Connecticut. David considers it a great privilege to have the opportunity to help so many young boys learn the skills and values that it takes to become morally upstanding and socially responsible men. Through the course of his volunteer work for the Boy Scouts of America, he has come to understand the importance of such organizations. He truly believes that investing in future generations is the key to building a better world for everyone.
David Coogle on the benefits of belonging to the Boy Scouts of America
Since its inception in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has helped countless young boys mature into socially upstanding and morally conscionable young men. This organization not only teaches young men how to survive in the wilderness, it also instills in them the values of brotherhood, honesty, hard work, and community involvement. The Boy Scouts of America helps its members to develop extraordinary leadership skills, which prove useful in the working world. Most young men who belong to this incredible organization during their youth carry with them valuable skills for the rest of their lives. As a member of the Boy Scouts of America organization, David Coogle understands this feeling firsthand.
As one of the country’s youngest and yet most experienced philatelists, with over three-decades of professional experience, he lives and breathes stamps. Ever since he was a young boy, his passion for collecting and selling them has served as a source of inspiration for himself and for those around him. Because of his extreme passion for stamp collecting, he wouldn’t dream of doing anything else for a living. He plans to continue furthering his extraordinary philatelic career.
The future of the stamp collecting industry
As an expert in stamp collecting and sales, David Coogle has witnessed firsthand resurgence in the hobby both at his Danbury, Connecticut auction house and at his Hong Kong location. Although it may be impossible to tell the exact cause of all of this new-found excitement concerning stamps, one might guess that the internet is, at least, partially responsible. Because citizens around the globe are now more connected than ever, it is much easier nowadays for them to locate items and to sell them to other enthusiasts. Since the emergence of the Internet, hobbies like stamp collecting, which has been sustaining a steady decline, have now come to the forefront of American culture.
The future of the Boy Scouts of America
Since its beginning in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has helped thousands of young boys to develop important life skills. Understanding the importance of this organization, David Coogle plans to continue serving as its Committee Chairman. He truly believes that the Boy Scouts of America has the power to help develop young minds and to create responsible citizens.