The Dawson Award is a special category that honors Tom and Judy Dawson, the co-authors of the Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards. It’s a once-only award given to the
person or persons who, much like Tom and Judy Dawson, has/have made an exceptional contribution to the world of playing card collecting. The winner of the Dawson Award is hand-selected by Judy Dawson and facilitated by the board’s officers.

• 2025 Dawson Award Winner – TBA on October 4th, 2025
• 2024 Dawson Award Winner – Barbara Lunabeg
• 2023 Dawson Award Winner – Alex Clays
• 2022 Dawson Award Winner – Lee Asher
• 2021 Dawson Award Winner – Rhonda Hawes
• 2020 Dawson Award Winner – Steve Bowling
• 2019 Dawson Award Winner – Clarence Peterson
• 2018 Dawson Award Winner – Phil Bollhagen
• 2017 Dawson Award Winner – Gene Hochman, accepted by Mike Hochman