About the Author

Chris Lazaroff is a lifelong stamp collector whose enthusiasm for First Day ceremonies grew into a thirty-year journey across the United States. What began with a single trip sparked by a free airline ticket evolved into a quest to attend a First Day ceremony in every state. In 2016, he completed that goal at his 300th ceremony in Wyoming, becoming the first collector known to achieve the milestone.

Along the way, Lazaroff became well known among collectors for his cachetmaking, earning more than twenty-five Earl Planty Awards from the American First Day Cover Society, where he previously served as president.

Since 2022, Chris has represented the United States as an appointed commissioner at international stamp exhibitions, including shows in Germany, Thailand, Romania, the Czech Republic, Uruguay, and the United Arab Emirates. For Boston 2026 World Expo, the U.S. FIP international exhibition, he was appointed Commissioner General.

A graduate of Western Michigan University with a B.S. in Paper Science, Chris spent forty-five years in the paper industry before retiring in 2025. He is recognized as an expert in aqueous pigment coatings for publication papers and paperboard and holds a patent in this field.

Chris and his wife, Denise, live in South Carolina. Today, he shares stories from his travels at stamp shows and club meetings, and he continues to attend First Day ceremonies—both in the United States and internationally. Carrying on the tradition, he now occasionally brings his grandchildren along for the journey.

First to Fifty is his first book—and the journey that inspired it continues.

Chris Lazaroff is available for speaking engagements at stamp shows, clubs, and collector events. 

For scheduling or more information, see the "Contact" tab.