Born in Springfield, Massachusetts. Moved to Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1874. Married Florence MacLaughlin May 12, 1880. She died in 1940. They had a son and daughter. He established the Sole Leather Tanning Company. He retired in 1928. For 40 years he served as secretary and treasurer of the National Association of Leather Belting Manufacturers.

At the 1914 ANA convention he exhibited paper money including a dollar bill Series 1, plate 1, number 1, letter A. At later conventions he exhibited other unusual serial numbers. In 1924 he improved his collection by buying the paper money collection of the late H. O. Mann of Jersey City, New Jersey.

He was life member number 150 of the ANA. He served as treasurer for 26 years 1922 to 1949. He was an original member of the Chicago Coin Club and the New York Numismatic Club. Member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Blake became involved with the Secret Service. They were attempting to identify which dealers were honest and reputable paper money dealers and which were dishonest and disreputable. Presumably the Secret Service would allow honest dealers to keep their stocks of paper money but stock could be confiscated from dishonest dealers. Blake worked to help identify honest dealers.

Author of United States Paper Money. A Reference List of Paper Money, Including Fractional Currency, Issued Since 1861 in 1908. Author with Frank Limpert of United States Paper Money: Old Series, third edition in 1950. His collection of fractional currency was purchased by the Tatham Stamp & Coin Co. In 2014 he was inducted into the SPMC Hall of Fame.

Blake served as president of the New York Numismatic Club in 1926 and 1927. He was honored with one of their presidential medals. Dies were by J. M. Swanson. There were 23 struck in silver and 49 struck in bronze. He received the ANA Medal of Merit in 1950.

In 1970 he was elected to the ANA Numismatic Hall of Fame.

A George H. Blake conducted an auction in 1864. If the date is correct, this was a different Blake.

portrait: NUM 24 Jan 1911 page 3

bio: Limpert; NUM 64 Mar 1951 pages 271-272

obit: NUM 69 Feb 1956 page 166 (photo)