At the age of almost 81, the Chemnitz-based publisher and cataloguer Eberhard Richter passed away on 29 September 2023. Richter had been publishing his special catalogue “Zusammendrucke und Markenheftchen der DDR” for more than 20 years, which appeared in one volume in the first editions, but then grew to three individual volumes. The 23rd edition of the 600-page catalogue was last shown at the IBRA 2023 in Essen. Similarly comprehensive, but “only” in its 15th edition, Richter also published his handbook catalogue “Zusammendrucke der DDR: Plattenfehler und Druckzufälligkeiten” (GDR se-tenants: plate errors and printing errors) in three partial volumes, which also ran to 630 pages.
If you consider that these two catalogue series each contained thousands of colour illustrations and even more price quotations, you can appreciate the enormous amount of work behind these publications, for which the Chemnitz native lived. He exhibited them almost every year – sometimes several times. Not only in Germany, but also at FEPA exhibitions in Europe and at almost every FIP exhibition overseas. Up to the 9th edition at the WIPA 2008 in Vienna, his catalogue works mostly achieved Grand Silver Medals, followed by Vermeil Medals from the Portugal 2010 in Lisbon onwards. However, he was never primarily interested in medals or public recognition, he was far too modest for that. He tended to hide his light under a bushel. No, he wanted to publicise and promote his favourite speciality as a philatelic author. And he succeeded in doing this remarkably well over the years.
Eberhard Richter was a member of the AIJP, the International Association of Philatelic Journalists and Authors. The AIJP was proud to have him in its ranks and will honour his memory.
Translated with DeepL (www.deepl.com)
