Ernest A. Kehr distributed tons of philatelic materials to Veterans' hospitals as head of Stamps for the Wounded and, as a newspaperman, probably produced more lineage to support philately than any other person in history. His book, Romance of Stamp Collecting [1947] was also the hobby's standard for new collectors for decades.

Established in 1991, the APS Kehr Award recognizes one living philatelist each year who, for a period of at least five years, has demonstrated one or more of the following:

• making philately attractive as a hobby to newcomers
  
  
• working directly with newcomers, especially young people
  
  
• developing and administering programs aimed at recruiting newcomers

The winner is announced at the Society's winter meeting or some other suitable site the following year. Nominations consisting of the name of the nominee and the accomplishments for which nominated, supported by appropriate documentary materials, may be sent to E. A. Kehr Award Committee, care of APS, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823 and are generally accepted until June 15 of each year.  The winner is announced at the Society's winter meeting or some other suitable site the following year.

Individuals whose efforts have been recognized since creation of the award: