Arising out of the gatherings at Mr. Stainforth's rectory there grew up in 1869 the Philatelic Society of London, which started its auspicious career under the presidency of Sir Daniel Cooper, Bart., and has a roll of Presidents and Vice-Presidents more distinguished than almost any other learned society can claim. It may fittingly close my third chapter if I give an outline of this notable succession, adding only that in November, 1906, His Majesty King Edward VII. graciously allowed the Society the style and dignity of the prefix "Royal," and that throughout its long career of usefulness the work of the Society has been strengthened by numerous other bodies of enthusiasts who have formed societies in the metropolis, in the provinces and abroad, extending the popularity of the stamp collector's hobby in every country which has seen the dawn of civilisation, and moreover creating a bond of universal brotherhood which makes Philately a world-wide Freemasonry, and an "open sesame" to the fellowship and hospitality of collectors everywhere.
ROLL OF PRESIDENTS AND VICE-PRESIDENTS OF THE ROYAL PHILATELIC SOCIETY, LONDON.
Sir Daniel Cooper, Bart., F.R.G.S., April 10, 1869.
His Honour Judge F. A. Philbrick, K.C. (elected when Mr. Philbrick), July 20, 1878.
H.R.H. the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, K.G. (Hon. President), (elected when Duke of Edinburgh), December 19, 1890.
His Majesty King George V. (elected when Duke of York), May 29, 1896.
The Earl of Crawford, K.T., June 16, 1910.
His Honour Judge F. A. Philbrick, K.C. (elected when Mr. Philbrick), April 10, 1869.
T. K. Tapling, Esq., M.P., November 5, 1881.
His Majesty King George V. (Hon. Vice-President), (elected when Duke of York), March 10, 1893.
The Earl of Crawford, K.T., June 13, 1902.
M. P. Castle, Esq., J.P. (Hon. Vice-President, June 13, 1902), June 16, 1910.
The cost of packet collections--The beginner's album--Accessories--Preparation of stamps for mounting--The requirements of "condition"--The use of the stamp-hinge--A suggestion for the ideal mount--A handy gauge for use in arranging stamps--"Writing-up."
It may be reasonable to judge a philatelist by the stamps he has, rather than by the way in which he puts them together in his collection. Yet none can have justice in the process unless he has given due attention to order and method. Postage-stamps, more perhaps than any other _objets de collectionner_, are well suited to neat, orderly arrangement and effective display, with a minimum of house-room. This very suitability and convenience make some collectors careless of the arrangement of their specimens, especially the commoner issues, but I would have everyone treat stamps rare or common with the same tenderness, and with a keen eye to the beauty of their arrangement. A rare stamp in itself has little significance; it requires to be allocated to its fitting place in the mosaic of stamp-issues comprising a collection, and there can be no beauty in a few rare stamps if there has been no proper care exercised in the selection and arrangement of the accompanying issues which go to complete the picture.