The Museum of Philatelic History

The Museum of Philatelic History at the Royal Philatelic Society London holds a collection of internationally significant objects. The collection of the Museum of Philatelic History started shortly after the Society’s inception in 1869 and has grown and expanded into the vast collection it is today. The collection covers these main areas:

• The Royal Philatelic Society London
• Philatelic Exhibitions
• Philatelic and Security Printing
• Philatelic Collecting
• Philatelic Studies
• Philatelic Trade
• Philatelic Organisations
• Postal Service Accessories and Administrations

To create and maintain a world-leading philatelic Museum whose activities assist with the Royal Philatelic Society London’s charitable aim of promoting education.

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About the Museum

Click here to read the article, published by Stanley Gibbons Limited in the June 2018 edition of Gibbons Stamp Monthly, in which Richard West highlights some of the many treasures from The Museum of Philatelic History at The Royal Philatelic Society London.
The article is copyright and has been reproduced with the consent of the Editor of Gibbons Stamp Monthly, Dean Shepherd, and the author, Richard West.

The Museum of Philatelic History is at the Royal Philatelic Society London. Click here for a location map.

Research

The Museum holds an extensive collection of objects and archives relating to the history of philately. Appointments for the Research Room can be booked between the hours of 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, by emailing museumarchives@rpsl.org.uk. Further details on where to start, including details of our booking procedures and fees can be found here: Research Guidelines and Fees.

*Please note that as part of our major preparations for the move, we will not be able to take any research visit bookings from the end of November 2018 until the move in June 2019. There will also be a reduced service for enquiries as material is boxed ready for the move.

Visiting us

Visits are by appointment only. Appointments can be arranged with the Museum Curator between the hours of 9.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

Guided tours are available by appointment with the Museum Curator. There is a fee of £5 per person and for larger groups (10+) the charge is £7 each. Self-guided visits are free.

Appointments cannot be booked on the same day as a Society meeting. 

No. 41 Devonshire Place

Display

Our temporary exhibition 'Highlights of No.41 Devonshire Place' is located in the basement.

Our second temporary exhibition on the conservation procedures we have taken for the move is available to view in the foyer, large library and the landing adjacent to the President's Room.

  More information on the exhibitions

Jean de Sperati hand press on show in the permanent display,
Copyright J.D. Ray

Have your say about the new Museum

Please complete our survey if you would like to have your say about the new Museum. If you are a Member, please complete this User Survey. If you have never visited the Museum before, please complete this Non-User Survey.

Volunteer with us

The Museum relies on the work and support of volunteers to help us in achieving our charitable aims.

If you are interested in volunteering, please click here for information on specific projects or email the Curator at museumarchives@rpsl.org.uk.

Online Audio Tour App

Do you want to discover more of our objects online? Click on this logo for an audio-described tour of our collection:

Using this iZi Travel app for The Museum of Philatelic History, you can learn about Jean de Sperati, the famous forger, or Miss Adelaide Fenton, one of the first female members to join the Society, or find out about the complex process of lithographic printing.

The App was developed in partnership with U3A Volunteers over the course of three months.