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	Introduction
	Philatelic Exhibition
	Collections
	Research and Access
	Background Research Materials
	Philatelic Rarities online exhibition
	Services
	Valuations
	Collection Development Policy
	Contact Information & Articles
	Links

Philatelic Collections

Introduction

The British Library Philatelic Collections are the National Philatelic Collections of the United Kingdom. The Collections were established in 1891 with the bequest of the Tapling Collection, and now about 50 important collections or Archives are held, all of which have been acquired by donation, bequest, or transfer from Government departments.

Mauritius: An example of the famous 1847 "Post Office" 1d. orange used on Ball invitation envelope. The Tapling collection.
Enlarged image

The total holdings consist of over eight million items, representing almost all countries and periods, and include:

postage stamps
revenue stamps
metal dies and plates
essays and artwork
die proofs, plate proofs, and colour trials
specimens
postal history (some pre-adhesive mail and later materials including entires, envelopes, and other covers)
airmails
booklets
railway letter stamps
postal stationery
telegraph stamps
meter stamps
local and private posts
'cinderella' material including poster stamps
philatelic literature


	France: 1853-61 1 franc carmine tête-bêche pair unused. The Tapling Collection.


	Jamaica: 1956-58 £1 chocolate and violet, prepared for use but unissued. The Crown Agents Collection.

Such a diverse range of material, together with photographs, general reference material, maps, newspapers and official publications elsewhere in the Library, make the British Library one of the world's most important centres for philatelic research.

Please note: Because of the range and scope of the Philatelic Collections and the way that they are organised, they are not catalogued with conventional shelf-marks. Therefore one of the functions of this website is to act as an introduction and guide to the collections.

Philatelic Exhibition
Collections
Research and Access
Background Research Materials
Philatelic Rarities online exhibition
Services
Valuations
Collection Development Policy
Contact Information & Articles
Links

Contact information

The British Library
Philatelic Collections
96 Euston Road
London NW1 2DB

Tel: +44 (0)20 7412 7635
Fax: +44 (0)20 7412 7780
Email: philatelic@bl.uk

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