The American Philatelic Society (APS) is the largest nonprofit stamp collecting foundation of philately in the world.

[4] The organization, originally named the American Philatelic Association, was established on September 14, 1886 in New York City, and the following day elected John Kerr Tiffany as its first president.

At the 1942 APS convention, board member Donald Lybarger argued for the creation of a central office near the geographic center of the philatelic community, but not in a large city.

A study determined that because of high local real estate values, it was not cost effective to expand the existing building.

A search of alternatives identified a property ten miles (sixteen kilometers) from State College that was basically sound and could be acquired for a reasonable amount.

In 2002, after much discussion, debate and soul searching, the APS committed millions of dollars to purchasing and renovating what was known as the Match Factory in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.

[2] The organization has two national events each year: APS AmeriStamp Expo is held each Winter and Great American Stamp Show is scheduled in the Summer.

The society published a monthly magazine for members and began to include a list of new stamp issues that were judged to be overpriced or unnecessary.