John Walter Scott (November 2, 1845 – January 4, 1919) of New York City, was originally from England, but he emigrated to the United States to take part in the California Gold Rush.

In 1885, he sold the rights to his business to the Calman brothers who renamed it the Scott Stamp and Coin Company.

[1] Scott was innovative in business methods, and conducted the first postage stamp auction ever held (May 28, 1870, in New York City).

[citation needed] Scott was active in organizing philatelic exhibitions and, in general, "selling" the stamp collecting hobby.

He was one of the founding members of the Collectors Club of New York (1896) and active in the American Philatelic Society where he was president from 1917 to 1919.