HIGH PHILATELIC HONOUR

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21808, 13 June 1936, Page 11

HIGH PHILATELIC HONOUR

♦ MR R. J. G. COLLINS’S WORK CONGRESS GRANTS GREATEST AWARD The highest honour in the stamp world has been awarded to Mr R. J. G. Collins, Christchurch, as cabled advice has recently been received that his name has been added to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists. This honour is awarded to three persons throughout the world each year, and although there was a representative of New Zealand on the original roll, Mr Collins is the first New Zealander to have his name added to the list. He is also by far the youngest member to have his name inscribed on the roll. Nominations are made through societies affiliated to the congress in the first place, and are then considered by a special board of election. Mr Collins's nomination was sent forward by the Christchurch Philatelic Society. Among the original names on the roll was that of Mr A. T. Bale, of Wellington, who for many years was a fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society, and until his death was its representative in New Zealand. Each year a philatelic congress is held in Great Britain, and is attended by delegates of the leading philatelic societies in Great Britain, and of all other philatelic societies affiliated with the congress. At the eighth such congress. held in 1921, the highest honour which could be granted in the philatelic world was instituted, and received the approval of King George, who received the honour, and whose name was the first to be inscribed on the roll. When it was originally instituted there were 40 names on the roln and these included representatives of the following countries: —Great Britain, United States. Norway, Italy. Belgium, Japan, Switzerland, Victoria, New South Wales, India, South Africa, and New Zealand. At subsequent congresses further names were added, including representatives of Canada, France. Germany. Argentina, Sweden, and Austria, so that the roll now has international standing. The honour has been kept exclusive, as only three names are added yearly to the list. The roll itself consists of a specially designed parchment upon which the recipients of the honour sign their names. The ceremony of signing the roll is one of the most, if not the most, important functions at each congress. The sponsors appointed by the congress recite the qualifications of the latest recipients, who in turn are called upon to sign their names, and each is presented with a letter of thanks, with a border similar to that of the original roll.

Qualification for enrolment requires that a member of an affiliated society must be distinguished by having done service to philately in research work which has been available to others, and by service to philately in some public or other capacity. With such qualifications the roll has become the highest honour to which philatelic students can aspire. It is interesting to note that one of the members whose name is on the roll is Sir Edward Bacon. K.C.V.0., who was philatelic secretary to King George, and whose appointment to a similar place with King Edward VIII. has been notified.

Mr Collins’s Qualifications Some of the qualifications which were mentioned by the Christchurch Philatelic Society, when Mr Collins’s nomination was forwarded, concerned his work for research and organisation. It was mentioned that from he had done research work into the stamps of New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and the results of this work had been published from time to time and lectures delivered on the various discoveries. It 'is now generally admitted that Mr Collins is the world authority on the postal system of New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Mr Collins has also made some notable collections, and has won various awards at exhibitions, including gold and silver medals in Australia. One of the main features of his worlc has beep his organisation of philatelic societies throughout New ZealandWhen he was only 17 years old he was elected president of the Wellington society, having assisted at the founding of the society in 1911. He became honorary secretary of the Christchurch society in 1916, and in 1921 was appointed the first honorary life member of the he organised the first New Zealand exhibition and congress, at which the New Zealand Philatelic Council was formed, of which he has beep secretary ever since. In 1922 also he was appointed New Zealand representative of the Royal Philatelic Society, and has also held that post ever since, although, as he is a professional, he cannot be a member of the society.