In Memoriam – James R. Blaine WCS #549

Western Cover Society member James R. Blaine

An icon of western postal history left this earth on July 3, 2025 when Jim Blaine passed on to the “Golden Hills.” He was one of the very last of the “old guard” of the Western Cover Society, one of its directors, a long-time member, an articulate and precise author for its journal, a dedicated researcher, the consummate collector, and most importantly, a great friend. He will be missed beyond my knowledge to currently comprehend.

Jim was born December 10, 1947 in Long Beach, CA. At the age of seven, he and his mother moved to Wisconsin where he lived during the remainder of his educational years. California pulled Jim back in 1972, where he lived the remainder of his life. He and his future wife’s brother served in the National Guard in 1973, when he met Kathleen Plante. They were united in marriage January 17, 1980, making their home in Vacaville, CA.

Vacation to Jim Blaine consisted of making a trip (many times “back East”) to some courthouse to research records on the origins of some little-known, obscure, expressman and his family. Research of the senders, recipients, and carriers of his precious postal history artifacts was a life-long pursuit of Jim’s. Until the very end, he was researching and writing. Only a few days before his passing, he completed his portion of the updates to Oscar Thomas’ book, The Western Express Companies, which will be published in its sixth (and final) edition in late 2025. That book would not have been possible were it not for the decades of research by Jim and his willingness to openly share all his knowledge.

As a collecting community, we are forever indebted to Jim. As a friend, I am sorrowful for his passing, but at the same time forever joyous that we became so close. Until we meet again old friend,