Stamp collecting is a hobby that has been around for over a century. It involves collecting stamps, both old and new, from different countries and adding them to a collection. While many people collect stamps for fun, others have built some of the most impressive stamp collections in the world. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most famous stamp collections and collectors throughout history.
The Royal Philatelic Collection
The Royal Philatelic Collection is one of the most famous stamp collections in the world. It was started by King George V in 1893 and has since grown to over two million stamps. The collection includes rare and unique stamps, such as the 1856 British Guiana One-Cent Magenta, which is considered to be the most valuable stamp in the world. Today, the collection is managed by the Royal Philatelic Society and is not open to the public.
Benjamin K. Miller Collection
Benjamin K. Miller was an American businessman who started collecting stamps in the late 1800s. He quickly amassed a large collection of rare and valuable stamps, including the unique 24-cent 1869 Pictorial Inverted Center. Miller’s collection was eventually sold to the New York Public Library in 1924, where it remains on display today.
Thomas J. Watson Collection
Thomas J. Watson was the CEO of IBM and an avid stamp collector. His collection contained some of the rarest stamps in the world, including the 1855 Swedish Treskilling Yellow and the 1856 British Guiana One-Cent Magenta. Watson’s stamp collection was sold at auction in 1993 for a record-breaking $9.8 million.
John E. du Pont Collection
John E. du Pont was an American philanthropist and convicted murderer who had a passion for stamp collecting. His collection included many rare and valuable stamps, such as the 1851 Hawaiian Missionaries and the 1856 British Guiana One-Cent Magenta. After du Pont’s death, his collection was sold at auction for over $9 million.
Ferrary Collection
The Ferrary Collection was started by French aristocrat Count Ferrary in the late 1800s. Ferrary was known for his extensive collection of stamps from around the world, including rare stamps from British Guiana and Mauritius. After Ferrary’s death, his collection was sold at auction, with many of the stamps ending up in the collections of other famous stamp collectors.
The Tapling Collection
The Tapling Collection is a collection of over 6,000 stamps that was donated to the British Museum in the late 1800s. The collection includes stamps from all over the world and features many rare and unique stamps. Today, the Tapling Collection is considered to be one of the most important stamp collections in the world.
The Smithsonian National Postal Museum Collection
The Smithsonian National Postal Museum Collection is one of the largest and most comprehensive stamp collections in the world. It includes over six million stamps and covers the history of postage stamps in the United States and around the world. The collection includes rare stamps, such as the 1869 Pictorial Inverted Center and the 1918 Inverted Jenny.
These are just a few of the most famous stamp collections and collectors throughout history. While stamp collecting may not be as popular as it once was, these collections serve as a reminder of the beauty and value of stamps from around the world.