Sidney A. Hessel, (1907-1974) was a resident of Washington Connecticut. A rubber importer, Mr. Hessel was also an amateur lepidopterist who discovered a butterfly variety that was named Hessel's Hairstreak. He was also instrumental in founding the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington Conn.

The Hessel stamp collection was sold over a series of three auctions by H.R. Harmer's in New York starting in 1975.