There is a permanent exhibition area for the Philatelic Collections on the upper ground floor of the British Library st St Pancras, where members of the public can see some of the world's rarest and most significant stamps.
Approximately 80,000 items may be seen, contained in 1000 display frames. This is probably the best permanent display of diverse classic stamps and philatelic material in the world.
The Philatelic Exhibition on the Upper Ground Floor.
Currently on exhibition are:
- The British Library Philatelic Rarities: as part of the British Library Philatelic Collections at London 2010 Festival of Stamps fifty of the library's great rarities are on exhibition until 31st December 2010
- The Tapling Collection World to 1890: on show are countries Afghanistan to Mexico on 2000 pages (countries M to Z are available to researchers by appointment)
- The Mosely Collection of British Africa to 1935
- The Bojanowicz Collection of Poland 1939-46 stamps and postal history
- The Model Collection of Germany 1945-46 local provisional stamps
- The Harrison Collection of die proofs 1911-37, engraved by J.A.C. Harrison
- The Davies Collection of Libyan revenue stamps 1955-69
- The Fitz Gerald Collection of World Airmails to the 1930s (selected pages)
- The Bailey Collection of Spanish Civil War stamps and postal history 1936-39 (selected pages)
- The Turner Collection of Great Britain and Ireland Railway Letter Stamps 1891-1940 (selected pages)
- The Langmead Collection of Great Britain and Ireland Telegraph stamps, 1851-81
See also Philatelic images in the Online Gallery
Opening hours
The exhibition galleries are free and open to everyone:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 09.30 - 18.00
Tuesday 09.30 - 20.00 (late opening)
Saturday 09.30 - 17.00
Sunday and English public holidays 11.00 - 17.00
Contact
Philatelic Collections
The British Library
96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7412 7635
Fax: +44 (0)20 7412 7780
E-mail: philatelic@bl.uk
