The Royal Philatelic Society Londonbreadcrumb separatorThe Societybreadcrumb separatorTomorrow's Royal

Tomorrow's Royal - let the celebrations start!

In June 2019, The Royal Philatelic Society London moved from 41 Devonshire Place in Marylebone, which it had occupied since 1925, into temporary accommodation, and then in early September 2019, into 15 Abchurch Lane, in the City of London.

We needed to refurbish the building at 15 Abchurch Lane to high modern standards within its historic setting. Much of this work will remain unseen, with services like electricity, water, air conditioning, access, IT, and conveniences all renewed and modernised. Below ground level a former kitchen and restaurant have been converted and now provide a climate-controlled library, as well as a secure store for books, archives, and collections.

When the Tomorrow's Royal fundraising appeal was launched at the auction of Dr Paul Ramsay’s hand painted envelopes on 8th-9th May 2018 the target was set at two and a half million pounds. We asked everyone, including our members all over the world, to consider what they can afford to do to recognise what The Royal Philatelic Society London means to them. Many very generous donations followed and many members took out standing orders for monthly and quarterly payments.

By 1st June 2019 we were able to announce that £1 million had been raised. In the 1st December 2019 issue of The London Philatelist, it was announced that with the generous donation of £300,000 over three years, by the Jeremy and John Sacher Charitable Trust, the Society's Library was to be named the John Sacher Library. Thus we reached nearly 70% of the target before the official opening in November 2019.

The pandemic that closed the building for nigh on a year might have stopped most giving for a time, but the profit from the Stockholmia 2019 event came in at £56,000 and the fund was then £750,000 short of its target. The Spear Charitable Trust offered to finish the job, and donated this vast amount before the end of 2020. This is the largest cash amount ever gifted to the Royal and with this immense largesse the target is reached. In recognition of this gift the Society's museum has been named The Spear Museum of Philatelic History.

A matched fund generously seeded by Vince King FRPSL of Texas will assure the total without the necessity to count in proceeds from the Life Membership scheme, which are now being amortised at 10% per year for ten years.

Fundraising progress so far                                                                   £2,500,000

Fundraising progress bar

How can you help to assure the financial future of the Royal?

In due time, we will need to re-establish an endowment to assure the financial future of the Royal and maintain modest subscription increases. You can help with this by donating now.
However, thank you a thousand times for the generosity of all contributors to Tomorrow's Royal, which will be formally closed at the Annual General Meeting on 29th July 2021.