Career
He used the pseudonym of Doctor Magnus. He participated actively in the journal Le Timbrophile and invented the perforation gauge, or odontometer, which has become a basic tool in determining the perforation of stamps. He also fought an unsuccessful battle to reject the title of the subject advocated by Georges Herpin and Arthur Maury as "philately" and sought it to be renamed "Timbrology".
Jacques Legrand was one of the founders on 14 June 1875 of the Société Française de Timbrologie, one of the most important philatelic institutions in France, and served as its first secretary.
Arthur de Rothschild became its president Early members included Arthur Maury, despite his disagreement with Legrand over the word philately, and the painter Gustave Caillebotte.