Tips Guides Resources

The world is full of the most unsuspected collectors, but from research I have found that the colorful history of the art of stamp collecting has a renowned collector that has made a major impact on the collection of stamps in his country. Surely stamp collecting is the hobby for kings.

The grandson of Queen Victoria, who would later become King George V, began collecting stamps with the aid of servants who handled the mail at Buckingham Palace. George was born on the third of June in 1865 at the House of Marlborough in London. His father was the Prince Of Wales and later was King Edward VII, who was also the oldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. His mother was the Princess of Wales and later Queen Alexandra and was the oldest daughter of King Christian IX Of Denmark.

King George V held such distinguished titles as Royal Highness The Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert. He also held the titles of Duke, Knight, Earl, Baron, and Prince of Wales. He was Lord of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of Thistle, Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Imperial Service Order, Royal Victorian Chain, Royal Fellow of the Royal Society Of London, member of His Majesty’s Most Honorable Privy Council, and an Admiral Of The Royal Navy.

Collecting stamps soon became the love of his life and by the time he became an adult he was known as one of the leading philatelists in the world. Prior to becoming king he was asked to become a member of the Philatelic Society in London, where he soon became a very active member then was later elected as the president of the Society. Upon becoming the King of England he gave the club a new name, which was the Royal Philatelic Society of London. He would present parts of his collection to the club as their annual program and this tradition still continues today for members to view his massive collection.

His collection soon turned into the most assembled collections and the greatest stamp collections in the world. During his reign, he had his collection protected and maintained by Sir Edward Denny Bacon, who become an essential part of the Buckingham Palace household. However, King George V often bid on his very own at auction while he was king. At one particular auction he was bidding on the famous two cent Hawaiian Missionary stamps, but was out bid by a San Francisco philatelist by the name of Henry J. Crocker.

Like various other renown collectors he pursued the purchase of stamps for his collection through normal channels. He actively attended auctions and it was even said that he tried to acquire the rarest stamp in the world from the Count Ferray estate, which was sold during the 1920s. His collection contained several one of kind items, which included essays and proofs of the British Commonwealth that only the King himself would have access to.

Today his collection is housed is their very own special rooms at Buckingham Palace and is protected and maintained by Sir John Wilson, who began after the death of his predecessor. His collection is now considered as the Queens’ collection and is always on display at the first annual season meeting of the Royal Philatelic Society of London. At major international exhibitions part of this massive collection may be placed on display for any of those who are lucky enough to attend these exhibitions and catch a glimpse of this famous collection.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about rare coins, stamp collections, and rare collectibles. Follow these links to find the best marketplace for: collections, stamp collectors, and collectibles.