ISSN 1364-887X PHILATELIC COLLECTIONS No. 8 Autumn 2001 NEWSLETTER New Collections

he Philatelic T Collections is delighted that in the past year it has received by loan and donation an unprecedented number of new collections and research materials. These strengthen our National Philatelic collections at the British Library and much aid research.

The Chand Collection Mr Vikram Chand FRPSL of Singapore has kindly lent his outstanding Collection of Classic Mauritius Postage Stamps and Postal History to the Library for a period of five years. It will be on exhibition until the end of 2002 after which it will be available to researchers by appointment. Mr Chand commented “I feel it my duty not only to share (the collection) with other philatelists in the world, but also to have them in the best possible conditions that will preserve them for posterity. In my estimation, no place better fulfils these criteria than the British Library”.A leaflet describing the Collection is available on request. See page 4 for further information about The Chand A and Z Research Fund for Classic .

The Ryan Collection sponsored by Mr Gary Ryan RDP, FRPSL has donated his seven volume collection of Hungarian Municipal Revenue stamps of Budapest.The Ryan Collection consists of proofs, issued stamps both used and unused, some multiples and stamps used for official purposes on documents, entertainment tax and Municipal sales tax. The Bailey Collection This splendid twelve volume collection of 1936-39 Spanish Civil War postal history material was put together by The Harrison Eric Bailey. Eric died in 1995 and left his collection to the Spanish Study Circle who, believing it important to make the collection available to students of the subject, have lent it Collection to the British Library. This Collection consists of die proofs for postage stamps The Imperial War Museum’s taken from master dies engraved by J.A. C. Harrison Stamp Collection between 1911 and 1939. It was presented by his son, Postage stamps are included among the various types of material collected on H.W.P. Harrison in 1963 the formation of the Museum from Recognised as being one of the great designs when the Royal Mint 1917.The stamps issued at the time of or in connection with the First World line-engravers of the 20th Century, commissioned him to engrave the War number some 5,300.The museum John Augustus Charles Harrison was British dies for the new Monarch. is unable to provide secure conditions born in Manchester on 5th August His Archive contains many examples for access with associated curatorial 1872 into a family of engravers, his of trial engravings produced as he support and in order to improve public father being Samuel Harrison, the mastered the technique of relief availability is transferring its collection famous line-engraver. John, at the engraving. Although technically to the British Library on loan. age of thirteen was apprenticed excellent his work was lost when to his father, and also attended art heavy inking caused the design to be Argentine Periodical classes in Birmingham. At seventeen obliterated. Harrison was obliged to The long run of rare Argentine philatelic he joined Waterlow Brothers & re-cut his master dies, which gave periodical Revista de la Sociedad Filatelica Layton, (later Waterlow & Sons Ltd), some improvement, but generally the has been presented to the Library by as an ornamental engraver. In the design was not to the Public’s Rev Jeremy Howat. It had been given to him by the distinguished philatelist 1890s he left to become a freelance approval. Harrison also engraved the Charles Jewell who died in 1975. Rev engraver and produced many line- British “Seahorse” high values, in his Howat said “The time has come to pass engravings for heraldic bookplates. preferred technique of intaglio. the wealth of information contained in Printed initially by Waterlow & Sons, these volumes on for wider use, and it The accession of King George V in this work is generally regarded as gives me great pleasure that the British 1910 gave Harrison the opportunity the best design of British stamps Library has agreed to receive them. to demonstrate his skill on stamp since the Penny Black of 1840. I could not wish for them to go to a better home”.

Tristan da Cunha Allan B Crawford BEM has kindly presented the Philatelic Collections with fourteen volumes of his research papers relating to the philately of Tristan da Cunha and in connection with his book Penguins, Potatoes & Postage Stamps 1999.

The Heys Collection A small Collection of the stamps and cards used by amateur radio operators across Europe has been presented by John Heys of Sussex.These fascinating issues (known as “QSL” cards because this is the radio telegraphists’ abbreviation for “Message received”) little known in philately, were made by radio operators to communicate their results. The scheme chiefly organised by national radio societies was a less expensive communication than by using the postal system. Researcher’s Note By Jeremy Martin, FRPSL

My main collecting interest is in the stamps and postal history of the former British colonies in West Africa, i.e. Gambia, Gold Coast, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. I am also a great believer in publishing research material and, as an aside, I find it sad that many fine collections are built up and then sold without the collector writing down After the First World War, still the research that has gone into the working mainly as a freelance making of the collection. heraldic engraver he undertook the production of dies for Perkins, Bacon The Crown Agents Philatelic and & Company, including his famous Security Printing Archive held by vignette of Captain James Cook used Philatelic Collections in the British for the Rarotonga Issue of 1920. Library is a wonderful source of primary research material. Held on His skill became more sought after "appendix sheets" are proofs and essays 1860-1953, normally without a by the security printers, and he of various colonies. I have listed the SPECIMEN OVERPRINT, stuck Gold Coast material in Cameo, the down, perforated but occasionally agreed to be retained by Waterlow journal of the West African [philatelic] imperforate, and in the issued colours. & Sons, and eventually joined the Study Circle. Material for this colony company on a full-time basis until starts with imperforate colour trials of To take one interesting example from 1939. After this date he continued the 3d value of the 1928 Christiansborg Nigeria. A set of ten values, 1d to to do portrait work for them until Castle set. Against each block of four £5, of Revenue stamps was issued in his death in 1954, aged 82. As was marked the suggested value 1916 under Requisition 25. These Waterlow’s chief portrait engraver i.e. orange-yellow 21/2d. For the had watermarked Multiple Crown CA. he produced many of the heads of King George VI period there are Until now it had always been assumed King George V and VI for use on their imperforate singles in the issued that there had been just one printing. colonial issues, as well as some for colours, approved on 25 July 1952, However, in 1920 there was another King Edward VIII, which in the event of the 1952-54 Definitive set. Requisition number 143 marked ‘new were never used. There are also various essays for 1d watermark’ for 6d, 1/-, 2/6d and £1 and 6d value War Savings labels by values which would have been on paper De la Rue dated 1943 and 1944. with watermark Multiple Script CA. His work was not confined to stamps of the British Empire however, he Then there are several "Specimen" I have made other discoveries in also produced many dies for issues albums originally held by the Crown West Africa philately which space does from other countries. These include Agents’ Chief Inspector of stamps. not permit one to write about here. the Spanish Red Cross series of 1926, These were used to keep a check on Why not investigate your own the portraits of Garzon and Artigas shades among other things. particular interest.You will be for the Uruguayan sets of 1928-30, The albums contain stamps from made very welcome. as well as the double profile heads of the Kings for the Siamese Chakri Dynasty set of 1932. He also produced many portraits for currency notes and other security documents for many countries. During this time he also continued to engrave many heraldic bookplates.

The contains several hundred examples of his work and is currently on display in the Philatelic Collections Exhibition at the British Library. CONTACT Overseas Exhibitions

POINT The Library was pleased to have lent Belgica 2001 was held in Brussels from material to two overseas exhibitions 9 to 15 June. The Library joined with Our address is: in the past year. Monaco 2000 was held members of The Royal Philatelic Society in December at the Musée des Timbres London in a major joint exhibit in the The British Library et des Monnaies. This outstanding Court of Honour. This was entitled Philatelic Collections exhibition showed major single pieces The Prepayment of Postage by Adhesive 96 Euston Road and was visited by SAS Prince Rainier Stamps and Postal Stationery Before 1st London NW1 2DB III who was the patron of the exhibition. July, 1849 and showed the development The Library exhibited the Mauritius of stamps and stationery in terms of Telephone:020 7412 7635/6 1847 1d orange-red on cover, of the Post concept, design and production before Fax:020 7412 7780 Office issue from the . the first issue of Belgium. Email:[email protected]

Our information leaflet,describing the collections and services,may be The Chand A and Z Research obtained on request as above or viewed on the British Library website Fund for Classic Philately www.bl.uk/collections/philatelic This Fund has been established through the generosity of Mr Vikram Chand in order to make grants of money to aid research and scholarship, leading Seeing the Philatelic Collections: to publication (in any form) in classic philately (defined as to about 1900). The fund will cover research in all countries and in the disciplines of The Philatelic Exhibition is situated at: traditional philately, revenue philately and postal history. 96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB Grants from The Chand A and Z Research Fund for Classic Philately will and is open free of charge, be awarded for the expenses of research (including travel and accommodation), during the following times: photography or other copying, printing or publication of a book or monograph or a contribution towards such expenses.Awards are made at the absolute Monday,Wednesday,Thursday, Friday discretion of a Grants Panel whose decision in all matters shall be final. 09.30 to18.00 Those who may be interested should apply to the Philatelic Collections Tuesday 09.30 to 20.00 at the address given on page 4. Saturday 09.30 to 17.00 Sunday & Bank Holidays 11.00 to 17.00

The Library’s public facilities will be The and closed on the following during the remainder of the year 2001and 2002: the Adopt a Book Appeal 2001 In 1913 the 26th Earl of Crawford years before some of this unique 24-26, 30 December (Christmas Eve, bequeathed his outstanding philatelic heritage will be secured.The British Christmas Day, Bank Holiday) library to the Nation. It contains some Library’s Adopt a Book Appeal offers 31 December (New Year’s Eve) 4,500 volumes and is the most complete a unique and personal way for every- collection of early philatelic literature one to make a lasting and essential 2002 with about 95% of that published. contribution to this remarkable philatelic 1 January (New Year’s Day) It remains as important as ever to library. From as little as £15, the donor’s 29-31 March (Good Friday, philatelic researchers. name or chosen message will be Easter Saturday and Sunday) recorded on a permanent bookplate Unfortunately, a large number of the inside one of the volumes.All donors Researchers may view material not volumes are printed on acidic paper receive a certificate and are invited to on display, by appointment. which causes it to turn brown and an annual Meet Your Book event at the A British Library Reader’s Pass eventually disintegrate or have bindings British Library. is required. which are now in a poor state. In 1985 The Researcher’s Room is we started a major project of rebinding For information, please telephone the available from: and deacidification and so far about Adopt a Book Appeal on 020 7412 7047 1,000 volumes have been thus treated. or email [email protected] Monday 10.00 to 16.00 While this work continues, a limited or visit the website at Tuesday to Friday 09.30 to 16.00 budget means that it will be very many www.bl.uk/adoptabook