One of the highlights of my philatelic research has been visiting the British Library to examine the Crown Agents Records and study the Printing Proofs held there.
The Library, situated on Euston Road moved from Great Russell Street in late 1997 and early 1998. Having never visited the old Library, with its famous circular reading room, I can't compare the merits of both, although the new library is very impressive.
Arriving at Kings Cross Station, which is about five minutes walk along a very busy Euston Road, it's very easy to miss the Library hidden behind wall. But on finding an entrance you are met with an impressive courtyard which seems to be a meeting and discussion spot for many students.
On entering the building first impressions are of a spacious lobby. To the left is the Library shop, well worth a visit, to the right the registration room and steps which lead down to the cloakroom. Facing the visitor is the reception and to the left of that the staircases and elevators which lead to the various study rooms. But what really strikes the student is a huge glass encased inner sanctum or Library extending from floor to ceiling containing a huge collection of rare books.
To access the Library the visitor must obtain a membership pass that is valid for five years. A visit to the cloakroom is also required where all coats and excessive baggage is left behind. Needed items are placed in a transparent carrier.
Climbing two floors the Humanities 2 Room is entered, where through double doors you are met by a security guard inspecting your pass. The same guard ensures that you leave with nothing untoward
To view the Crown Agents records, or other items held in the Philatelic Collections, prior arrangements must be made with the Philatelic Collections staff.
Crown Agents Requisition Books, Plate Issue Registers and Paper Issue Books have been microfilmed to reduce wear on the original volumes. The original Books each cover 2-3 years and run from 1921 to 1968.
On making an appointment the Library issues a confirmation sheet (Fig.1) which shows the Microfilms required and where to collect them. Each Microfilm contains two Requisition Folios.
Preparation is the key word otherwise many hours can be lost in futile search, but even then the books hold surprises and begin to tell stories of long lost printings for Colonies whose names have long since vanished.
Each Requisition Folio starts with a description of the printers within. The main security printers included are:
Following this is a year by year index of the requisitions. It is here that the surprises begin. Pre-work in preparing data sheets involves inevitably using Potter and Shelton, but, as with British Solomon Islands and Gilbert and Ellice Islands, the number of printings they recorded are vastly outnumbered by the actual requisitions. Using the requisition numbers the student can then access the details of that printing.
A standard double page layout in the Folio has the Country Name, a brief description, (for banknotes, postcards etc. are also recorded), the requisition number, the duty value, number of sheets ordered, number of stamps printed, actual number of sheets printed, sheet configuration, a due by date and an actual despatch date. However it is the Comments column at the end of each entry that often begins to tell a story. Phrases, which occur, are:
By following a particular country through its life a story begins to emerge of urgent printings, wartime conditions, the switching of stock from one source to another, and the storage conditions required for various sheets of stamps. It is at this point that interpretation is required and contact can be made to the Philatelic Collections Staff, either David Beech or Rod Vousden, to interpret the findings and add information unspoken in the records.
Original proofs of the dies and colours are also held in the collections. Unfortunately these are limited but Waterlow is well represented. Cards of trial colours, viewed in the company of a member of the staff, show approved or rejected proofs. This can prove fascinating, particularly when the colour for a duty started life as something totally different. The 8d olive from St Helena, as an example, was originally red. Usually it is the shade that had been rejected such as the 5/- Turks and Caicos Island duty started life as a much deeper green.
In conclusion I would describe a visit the British Library as an enriching and absorbing expedition into a time long ago never be repeated.
Contacts:
The British Library, Philatelic Collections, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB
Philatelic@bl.uk