In this seminar, Chris King RDP Hon FRPSL, a Past President of the Royal Philatelic Society London and the Chairman of the Society’s Philatelic Committee, introduced the presentation with an overview of the kinds of exhibition ephemera that the Society collects to preserve the history of philatelic exhibitions at all levels.
Philatelic exhibitions and congresses have been part of philately since its early days, and the first exhibition was in Vienna in November 1881. These events continue throughout our history, sometimes interrupted by war, presently by a pandemic, but always resuming. They have left behind not only catalogues and medals, which are very collectable, but a plethora of ephemera. Such things as menus for dinners, advertisements for events, including trips to the countryside, talks and lectures, business cards, trade advertisements, and commemorative collectables, including stamps, miniature sheets, first day covers, and all of the commercial material that helped to pay for the event.
The primary focus of the presentation is on the ephemera supporting the stories of the 1897 and 1906 London exhibitions – exhibitions that have been overshadowed by the Golden Jubilee exhibition of 1890. Without ephemera, the story is incomplete, and many of the items are attractive, some are rare, but as times goes by, all are at risk, and it is hoped that those watching this video will find the material interesting, and perhaps be able to help build the Society’s collection.