Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
In the latter part of the 19th century, then George the Prince of Wales (all first born to the reigning monarch carry the title “Prince of Wales, Prince William does not carry that title as he is not the heir apparent to the throne, his father is), started what has since become the most valuable collection of British and Commonwealth stamps in the world.
The future King was helped at first by his uncle, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, a philatelist the future king soon became a serious philatelist himself. He once wrote to his philatelic adviser, J. A. Tilleard, “I wish to have the best collection & not one of the best collections in England.” King George VI later added significantly to the Collection, as has the present Queen.
A story that has been told in several variations concerns the unused Two Pence Post Office Mauritius, considered by many the best stamp in the Royal Collection. The stamp was acquired at auction in 1904 for a then-record price of £1450 pounds (approx. £146,500 today). The Prince of Wales instructed his philatelic advisor, J. A. Tilleard, that if Tilleard succeeded in purchasing it, he should send a telegram stating "Stamp is yours," rather than openly specifying the price. A little later a courtier asked The Prince if he had seen "that some damned fool had paid as much as £1400 pounds for one stamp." And to the embarrassment of the courier, the prince replied "Yes, I was that damned fool!"
In 1906, the Prince of Wales decided to confine his collection almost exclusively to the unused stamps of Great Britain and the British Empire. Between 1907 and 1918, first as Prince of Wales and after May 10, 1910, as King George V he bought 18 collections as well as individual items. After 1918, he filled gaps in the collection with extensive purchases, mainly of small lots or, on occasion, individual stamps.
The album and magnifying glass that once belonged to King George V
Some of the stamps and covers from his collection.
1) Two Pence 1847 Mauritius, unused (only 4 in this condition known to exist)
2) 4d Cape of Good Hope die proof on India paper
3) 4d Cape of Good Hope (black)
2) 1d Cape of Good Hope. Colour error printed in the 4d colour, used
3) 1d Cape of Good Hope. Colour error printed in the 4d colour, used
1) 1d and 4d joined pairs (2 pairs, 4 stamps), on cover dated Bedford Jun 12, 1861
2) 2d Great Britain series of 1910, on cover to HRH Price of Wales received by him the day he became King George V, upon the death of his father King Edward VII. The only known used example of the 1910 Two Pence Tyrian Plum. The stamp bears the portrait of King Edward VII, and was discarded following his death. This letter, the only known mail piece sent using the stamp, was received by The Prince of Wales on May 6, 1910, the date that he became King.
1) 2d Great Britain series of 1910, prepared and printed but not issued, die proof on white wove card, before hardening.
2) 2d Great Britain series of 1910, prepared and printed but not issued, die proof on white wove card.
1) 2d Great Britain series of 1910, prepared and printed but not issued, colour trial, perforated 14
2) 2d Great Britain series of 1910, prepared and printed but not issued, colour trial, perforated 14
3) 2d Great Britain series of 1910, prepared and printed but not issued, colour trial, perforated 14
4) 500 dollar Straits Settlements "SPECIMEN"
1) 1000 rupees Ceylon "SPECIMEN"
2) 100 pounds Kenya and Uganda "SPECIMEN"
3) 2d Great Britain series of 1910, prepared and printed in Tyrian plum shade but not issued, perforated 14
1) 500 dollar Straits Settlements, unused pair
2) 1000 rupees Ceylon, Die Proof
1) 1000 rupees Ceylon, block of 4 with plate number 1, unused
2) 100 pounds Kenya and Uganda, unused block of 4 with plate number 1 at lower right, unused. Block of four of a Colonial high-value stamp, Kenya and Uganda, 1925. For many years, British and Colonial authorities considered postage just another tax. The high values of many stamp series were used for revenue purposes rather than postage, and were often printed in very small quantities. This is believed to be the only surviving block of four of the Kenya and Uganda 100 pounds value, which was mainly used for liquor and game hunting licenses.
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1) 1d Bermuda Postmaster Provisional, 1848. A Bermuda Perot stamp from 1848, one of the eleven known surviving Perots, and one of only three from that year, when they were first issued.
2) 1d Bermuda Postmaster Provisional, 1853
3) 1d Bermuda Postmaster Provisional, 1854
4) 5c New Brunswick, SPECIMEN pair
1) 5c New Brunswick "Connells", Die Proof on thin, wove paper
2) 5c New Brunswick, Die Proof on card
3) 5c New Brunswick, Die Proof on thin, wove paper
4) 5c New Brunswick, Plate Proof on thin, wove paper
5) 5c New Brunswick, Plate Proof on thin, wove paper
1) 5c New Brunswick, plate proof on thin, wove paper
2) 5c New Brunswick, used
3) 2c British Guiana pair, on cover dated Demerara, October 24, 1851
1) 12c British Guiana, on cover dated Beribice Dec 1850
2) 12c British Guiana, on cover dated Demerara, Jan 28, 1851
1) 12c British Guiana, pair showing two types
2) 12p Canada, single on cover, addressed to New York City
1) Penny 1847 Mauritius on cover. This penny value was used to send an invitation to a ball given by Lady Gomm, the wife of the Governor. Rumour had it the stamps were issued to be used for her ball, though this later was proven false.
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Thanks for sharing these images and the identification of each stamp.
Several questions come to mind:
1. Are the stamps actually mounted in the albums? Are they hinged?
2. Are the collections on display? Can anyone view them?
3. How did you get these images from their collections?
4. Will you be posting any more 
?
Cheers!
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Hi Sally
Considering the age of the book it would be safe to say that all the stamps were hinged (pity). They were last displayed at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, the museum also houses part of the collection from US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and other famous notables.
When the Royal Collection was temporarily exhibited at the Smithsonian, the museum put online some of the King’s rarest stamps. I do not think the museum is still displaying the collection.
I was thinking about posting stamps from the present Queen’s collection.
Rob
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I had known that George V was a serious philatelist..i have a photo of myself next to his statue in London. I did not know George VI dabbled in stamps..usually see pictures of him with a cigarette and cocktail glass.
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Queen Elizabeth II inspecting the Crown Agents artwork for her 2002 “Golden Jubilee” issue.
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How many albums did King George V have? Here is a mere fraction of the 100s of albums shelved in his stamp room.
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Gibraltar 42p stamp showing KGV with his stamp collection.
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Hi Phil
I'm glad my thread about KGV is liked. KGVI did collect stamps but he wasn't an avid collector like his father or daughter.
Here is a little more about his philately.
King George V was one of the most notable philatelists of his day. In 1893, as the Duke of York, he was elected Honorary Vice President of the Royal Philatelic Society. They presented him with an album, containing about 1,500 stamps, as a wedding present.
The collection of King George V was housed in 328 "Red Albums", each containing 60 pages. A set of "Blue Albums" was added for the reign of King George VI, and a set of "Green Albums" was added for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
The collection is kept at St. James Palace in London, and parts of it are occasionally exhibited by the Royal Philatelic Society at international exhibitions.
Rob
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328 red albums?...
I wonder how many blue and green ones exist?
Thanks for this thread - very interesting. 
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Thanks, I'm glad you liked the thread. I was wondering the same thing, the amount of albums accumulated whilst she was heir apparent and the inclusion of albums in her 64 years as Queen. And I was also thinking, is the Queen still using hinges on her stamps?
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On the 4th December I turn 61, I might go on a Harbour cruise with my partner, and then add a few more stamps to my collection.
Rob
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For anyone seeking further information, Amazon lists "George V's Obsession - a king and his stamps" I have not read it, and reviews are mixed.
Unfortunately it seems as if it was only ever published as a Kindle edition.
Clive
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Hi to all
There was recently, (in the last five years) a book written about King George V and his stamp collections. Can not remember what it is called, but apparently it is not a very flattering publication at all.
According to what I have heard the book implies that George V was a bit of thug when it came to collecting.
I would rather say probably a dedicated collector.
Horamakhet
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Rob, Thanks so much for the postings of the Kings collection, very interesting!
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Found George V's Obsession - A King and His Stamps by Jack Shamash online and you can apparently read it online. Used a Google search with "King George V and his stamp collection" to find the link. Warning, you have to create an account with the web site owner to access the resource so hopefully we can locate an alternative as I really don't like doing that for this kind of resource.
Looks like it is available on Kindle through Amazon as a likely better alternative for access.
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Thanks AntoniusRa, I found reading about KGV's obsession with philately quite interesting and thought I would share the story.
Rob
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Hi jbaxter5256
Finally information about the Royal collection and its inception from the Prince of Wales to his ascension to the throne as KGV and until his death in 1936 is remarkable reading. I will be looking very thoroughly to see if any books were written about the Royal collection and the type of stamps collected, not just by KGV but also KGVI and the present Queen.
These books will be a very welcome addition to my small library.
Rob
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"According to what I have heard the book implies that George V was a bit of thug when it came to collecting."
I believe that was true, I read that through some very pressing times when he should have made himself available, he didn't want to be disturbed when he was in his stamp room, and he made that quite obvious.
Not to mention the horrid way he treated his son (later KGVI) about his stuttering.
Rob
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Do you know if his collection comprises the whole world or just the British empire?
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He also ordered the ships sent to Russia, to rescue the Czar and family, to turn back to England, and when the Czar and his family were murdered he made this statement to his personal secretary:
They are all going to blame me for Nickys' death, aren't.
Horamakhet
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Hi AntoniusRa
Very good question, by the look of the images I posted I would assume the British Empire, but it is worth checking up, I'll see if I can find some further information about his collection.
Rob
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Hi Horamakhet
I do not think he would have sent any ships to Russia as WWI was still raging, I do have information about the incident between the cousins, I'll post the information soon.
Rob
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It might also be worth asking how much of that collection was donated by the many grateful (or obsequious) nations under our benign custodianship, and how many were solicited from high-end dealers who may have found it patriotic (or much in their interest) to provide their services free of charge?
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Hi Guthrum
Very thought provoking, another query to investigate.
Rob
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The Royal Stamp Albums started by King George V and continued by his son and now grand-daughter Elizabeth II consists of 3 colours. The red album collection holds the stamps collected by George V, blue for George VI and green for Elizabeth II.
In the latter part of the 19th century, then George the Prince of Wales (all first born to the reigning monarch carry the title “Prince of Wales, Prince William does not carry that title as he is not the heir apparent to the throne, his father is), started what has since become the most valuable collection of British and Commonwealth stamps in the world.
The future King was helped at first by his uncle, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, a philatelist the future king soon became a serious philatelist himself. He once wrote to his philatelic adviser, J. A. Tilleard, “I wish to have the best collection & not one of the best collections in England.” King George VI later added significantly to the Collection, as has the present Queen.
A story that has been told in several variations concerns the unused Two Pence Post Office Mauritius, considered by many the best stamp in the Royal Collection. The stamp was acquired at auction in 1904 for a then-record price of £1450 pounds (approx. £146,500 today). The Prince of Wales instructed his philatelic advisor, J. A. Tilleard, that if Tilleard succeeded in purchasing it, he should send a telegram stating "Stamp is yours," rather than openly specifying the price. A little later a courtier asked The Prince if he had seen "that some damned fool had paid as much as £1400 pounds for one stamp." And to the embarrassment of the courier, the prince replied "Yes, I was that damned fool!"
In 1906, the Prince of Wales decided to confine his collection almost exclusively to the unused stamps of Great Britain and the British Empire. Between 1907 and 1918, first as Prince of Wales and after May 10, 1910, as King George V he bought 18 collections as well as individual items. After 1918, he filled gaps in the collection with extensive purchases, mainly of small lots or, on occasion, individual stamps.
The album and magnifying glass that once belonged to King George V
Some of the stamps and covers from his collection.
1) Two Pence 1847 Mauritius, unused (only 4 in this condition known to exist)
2) 4d Cape of Good Hope die proof on India paper
3) 4d Cape of Good Hope (black)
2) 1d Cape of Good Hope. Colour error printed in the 4d colour, used
3) 1d Cape of Good Hope. Colour error printed in the 4d colour, used
1) 1d and 4d joined pairs (2 pairs, 4 stamps), on cover dated Bedford Jun 12, 1861
2) 2d Great Britain series of 1910, on cover to HRH Price of Wales received by him the day he became King George V, upon the death of his father King Edward VII. The only known used example of the 1910 Two Pence Tyrian Plum. The stamp bears the portrait of King Edward VII, and was discarded following his death. This letter, the only known mail piece sent using the stamp, was received by The Prince of Wales on May 6, 1910, the date that he became King.
1) 2d Great Britain series of 1910, prepared and printed but not issued, die proof on white wove card, before hardening.
2) 2d Great Britain series of 1910, prepared and printed but not issued, die proof on white wove card.
1) 2d Great Britain series of 1910, prepared and printed but not issued, colour trial, perforated 14
2) 2d Great Britain series of 1910, prepared and printed but not issued, colour trial, perforated 14
3) 2d Great Britain series of 1910, prepared and printed but not issued, colour trial, perforated 14
4) 500 dollar Straits Settlements "SPECIMEN"
1) 1000 rupees Ceylon "SPECIMEN"
2) 100 pounds Kenya and Uganda "SPECIMEN"
3) 2d Great Britain series of 1910, prepared and printed in Tyrian plum shade but not issued, perforated 14
1) 500 dollar Straits Settlements, unused pair
2) 1000 rupees Ceylon, Die Proof
1) 1000 rupees Ceylon, block of 4 with plate number 1, unused
2) 100 pounds Kenya and Uganda, unused block of 4 with plate number 1 at lower right, unused. Block of four of a Colonial high-value stamp, Kenya and Uganda, 1925. For many years, British and Colonial authorities considered postage just another tax. The high values of many stamp series were used for revenue purposes rather than postage, and were often printed in very small quantities. This is believed to be the only surviving block of four of the Kenya and Uganda 100 pounds value, which was mainly used for liquor and game hunting licenses.
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
1) 1d Bermuda Postmaster Provisional, 1848. A Bermuda Perot stamp from 1848, one of the eleven known surviving Perots, and one of only three from that year, when they were first issued.
2) 1d Bermuda Postmaster Provisional, 1853
3) 1d Bermuda Postmaster Provisional, 1854
4) 5c New Brunswick, SPECIMEN pair
1) 5c New Brunswick "Connells", Die Proof on thin, wove paper
2) 5c New Brunswick, Die Proof on card
3) 5c New Brunswick, Die Proof on thin, wove paper
4) 5c New Brunswick, Plate Proof on thin, wove paper
5) 5c New Brunswick, Plate Proof on thin, wove paper
1) 5c New Brunswick, plate proof on thin, wove paper
2) 5c New Brunswick, used
3) 2c British Guiana pair, on cover dated Demerara, October 24, 1851
1) 12c British Guiana, on cover dated Beribice Dec 1850
2) 12c British Guiana, on cover dated Demerara, Jan 28, 1851
1) 12c British Guiana, pair showing two types
2) 12p Canada, single on cover, addressed to New York City
1) Penny 1847 Mauritius on cover. This penny value was used to send an invitation to a ball given by Lady Gomm, the wife of the Governor. Rumour had it the stamps were issued to be used for her ball, though this later was proven false.
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
Thanks for sharing these images and the identification of each stamp.
Several questions come to mind:
1. Are the stamps actually mounted in the albums? Are they hinged?
2. Are the collections on display? Can anyone view them?
3. How did you get these images from their collections?
4. Will you be posting any more ?
Cheers!
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
Hi Sally
Considering the age of the book it would be safe to say that all the stamps were hinged (pity). They were last displayed at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, the museum also houses part of the collection from US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and other famous notables.
When the Royal Collection was temporarily exhibited at the Smithsonian, the museum put online some of the King’s rarest stamps. I do not think the museum is still displaying the collection.
I was thinking about posting stamps from the present Queen’s collection.
Rob
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
I had known that George V was a serious philatelist..i have a photo of myself next to his statue in London. I did not know George VI dabbled in stamps..usually see pictures of him with a cigarette and cocktail glass.
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
Queen Elizabeth II inspecting the Crown Agents artwork for her 2002 “Golden Jubilee” issue.
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
How many albums did King George V have? Here is a mere fraction of the 100s of albums shelved in his stamp room.
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
Gibraltar 42p stamp showing KGV with his stamp collection.
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
Hi Phil
I'm glad my thread about KGV is liked. KGVI did collect stamps but he wasn't an avid collector like his father or daughter.
Here is a little more about his philately.
King George V was one of the most notable philatelists of his day. In 1893, as the Duke of York, he was elected Honorary Vice President of the Royal Philatelic Society. They presented him with an album, containing about 1,500 stamps, as a wedding present.
The collection of King George V was housed in 328 "Red Albums", each containing 60 pages. A set of "Blue Albums" was added for the reign of King George VI, and a set of "Green Albums" was added for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
The collection is kept at St. James Palace in London, and parts of it are occasionally exhibited by the Royal Philatelic Society at international exhibitions.
Rob
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
328 red albums?...
I wonder how many blue and green ones exist?
Thanks for this thread - very interesting.
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
Thanks, I'm glad you liked the thread. I was wondering the same thing, the amount of albums accumulated whilst she was heir apparent and the inclusion of albums in her 64 years as Queen. And I was also thinking, is the Queen still using hinges on her stamps?
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
On the 4th December I turn 61, I might go on a Harbour cruise with my partner, and then add a few more stamps to my collection.
Rob
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
For anyone seeking further information, Amazon lists "George V's Obsession - a king and his stamps" I have not read it, and reviews are mixed.
Unfortunately it seems as if it was only ever published as a Kindle edition.
Clive
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
Hi to all
There was recently, (in the last five years) a book written about King George V and his stamp collections. Can not remember what it is called, but apparently it is not a very flattering publication at all.
According to what I have heard the book implies that George V was a bit of thug when it came to collecting.
I would rather say probably a dedicated collector.
Horamakhet
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
Rob, Thanks so much for the postings of the Kings collection, very interesting!
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
Found George V's Obsession - A King and His Stamps by Jack Shamash online and you can apparently read it online. Used a Google search with "King George V and his stamp collection" to find the link. Warning, you have to create an account with the web site owner to access the resource so hopefully we can locate an alternative as I really don't like doing that for this kind of resource.
Looks like it is available on Kindle through Amazon as a likely better alternative for access.
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
Thanks AntoniusRa, I found reading about KGV's obsession with philately quite interesting and thought I would share the story.
Rob
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
Hi jbaxter5256
Finally information about the Royal collection and its inception from the Prince of Wales to his ascension to the throne as KGV and until his death in 1936 is remarkable reading. I will be looking very thoroughly to see if any books were written about the Royal collection and the type of stamps collected, not just by KGV but also KGVI and the present Queen.
These books will be a very welcome addition to my small library.
Rob
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
"According to what I have heard the book implies that George V was a bit of thug when it came to collecting."
I believe that was true, I read that through some very pressing times when he should have made himself available, he didn't want to be disturbed when he was in his stamp room, and he made that quite obvious.
Not to mention the horrid way he treated his son (later KGVI) about his stuttering.
Rob
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
Do you know if his collection comprises the whole world or just the British empire?
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
He also ordered the ships sent to Russia, to rescue the Czar and family, to turn back to England, and when the Czar and his family were murdered he made this statement to his personal secretary:
They are all going to blame me for Nickys' death, aren't.
Horamakhet
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
Hi AntoniusRa
Very good question, by the look of the images I posted I would assume the British Empire, but it is worth checking up, I'll see if I can find some further information about his collection.
Rob
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
Hi Horamakhet
I do not think he would have sent any ships to Russia as WWI was still raging, I do have information about the incident between the cousins, I'll post the information soon.
Rob
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
It might also be worth asking how much of that collection was donated by the many grateful (or obsequious) nations under our benign custodianship, and how many were solicited from high-end dealers who may have found it patriotic (or much in their interest) to provide their services free of charge?
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re: The Personal Collection of King George V (Parts 1 & 2)
Hi Guthrum
Very thought provoking, another query to investigate.
Rob
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