It was an evening of nostalgia on 15 January when Andrew Nixon paid ‘A Homage to Stamp Collecting’ – with no talk of philately – to the members of
the Royal Philatelic Society London. Like most collectors, Andrew at first attempted to collect the entire world in a printed album, his enthusiasm sparked by the gift of a 1949 catalogue and a perforation gauge from his father.
His presentation and display focused on the interest that resulted – the British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations from 1930 to 1960 brought together in a collection of postally used single stamps housed in a dozen albums. Shown was a collection that goes back to basics, mounted on black leaves with no write-ups and no varieties. It ends at 1960, a time for Andrew when photogravure came more to the fore, and standards of design and printing started slipping.
Giving the Vote of Thanks, Brian Livingstone FRPSL, himself an enthusiast for the reign of King George VI, agreed that the period covered was a time of beautiful stamps, as nothing could surpass the ‘appearance and appeal of intaglio’.
Simon Richards RDP, FRPSL, President of the Society, presented Andrew with the Society’s plaquette and Certificate of Appreciation.
