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Collection description
The Philatelic Collection has been appreciated not only by stamp collectors but by cultural historians. Its material, in three discrete collections, could contribute to studies of advertising and illustration, and includes beautiful examples of both from the 1870s to the 1970s.
The University set up a philatelic unit in 1970 to coincide with the
donation by National Postal Museum founder Reginald Phillips of 46
albums of colour photographs of his collection. In 1972, the Unit purchased
a significant collection of attractive and unusual designs of telegrams.
Partly mounted and written up, they include examples of the work of
various well-known artists and designers, including Rex Whistler.
1983 saw a significant new donation relating to the advertisements
which appeared in books of stamps between 1891 and 1975. Stanley Hills
of Brighton worked in advertising for many years and donated several
volumes of material he had accumulated in the course of his work. The
practice of carrying advertisements in stamp books was discontinued
in 1976.