Historic First For Travelling Golden Jubilee Stamp Show

A special stamp exhibition to celebrate The Queen's Golden Jubilee next year is to be presented by the Royal Philatelic Collection in conjunction with the Crown Agents Stamp Bureau.

Among the gems on show from Great Britain will be: the recently bought and rarely seen cover bearing ten Penny Blacks, the world's first postage stamps, posted on the day of issue 6th May 1840; the largest known existing block of Twopenny Blue; and Treasury Essays from the stamp competition held during 1839.

The exhibition will also feature the Post Office Mauritius of 1847, one of the most famous and valuable stamps in the Royal Philatelic Collection.

The Crown Agents will feature a selection of United Kingdom Overseas Territories and Commonwealth stamps.

This exhibition, comprising 27 frames of material, will be on public display at the following Royal venues in 2002:

• The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, from Saturday 27th April to Sunday 5th May;
• Sandringham House Museum, King's Lynn, Norfolk, from Saturday 11th May to Sunday 19th May;
• Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, from Saturday 25th May to Tuesday 4th June.

Charles Goodwyn, Keeper of the Royal Philatelic Collection, said:

"This exhibition will be an opportunity for the public to see a unique selection of historic stamps, dating from the reign of Queen Victoria, the last monarch to celebrate a Golden Jubilee. I hope that as many people as possible will be able to see these gems from The Queen's stamp collection, as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations next year."

"I am delighted that the Crown Agents are also taking part in this presentation. These stamps are a symbol of the long-standing links, going back to 1848, with the British Crown. The stamps and covers will vividly remind visitors that United Kingdom Overseas Territories and Commonwealth countries across the world will also be celebrating The Queen's Golden Jubilee."

Nigel Fordham, Head of the Crown Agents Stamp Bureau said:

"This is a tremendous opportunity for members of the public to see this wonderful selection from The Queen's personal stamp collection, and little known items from our archives. The Crown Agents are honoured to be part of this unique event."

Background

Housed in St James's Palace, the Royal Philatelic Collection is the most comprehensive collection in the world of postage stamps devoted to Great Britain and the Commonwealth.

Although younger members of the Royal family started stamp collecting by 1864, it was the Duke of York (later George V) who laid the foundations of the Collection by purchasing intact collections and individual stamps to build up a comprehensive collection of stamps of Great Britain and the Empire. These purchases include the Post Office Mauritius and the 1839 Treasury Essays on display in this exhibition.

Selections from the Royal Philatelic Collection are regularly exhibited at many of the major stamps exhibitions in the UK and overseas.

For further information please visit the CASB website.