It really is a beautiful building. I was very lucky that Nicola was generous with her time and patience, such a treat to see so many amazing items. Thanks as always for watching 😊
Thanks Richard! Well now that you know Nicola, you are going to have to ask her for more details on some of the items I just blew past in the video, so many more cool things to talk about and explore. 😊 Thanks for watching
It really is! the coffee room had a plate pastries at the time of the filming. Very difficult conditions to film in 😂. But yes it’s a lovely social room to chat with your fellow collectors. Thanks for watching, Erica.
Thanks so much for this tour Graham! A very useful video for those of us who know about the RPSL, who have heard the legends, but have never had the opportunity to visit. You know the legends: Reading rooms filled with cigar smoke Mortal duels fought in the corridors over disagreements concerning colour variations invisible to the naked eye, or whether clear or black stamp mounts are superior Cries of "God Save the Queen/King" whenever the tea trolley comes through And the hazing rituals, oh my gosh! Novice collectors subjected to horrific, unspeakable acts, like being forced to catalogue kiloware bag after kiloware bag of CTO stamps into the wee hours of the morning... Fortunately, the only evidence that any of this might be real is the lovely "American Reading Room", which presumably is a room kept for collectors of non British Commonwealth material... who for obvious reasons are not permitted access to the rest of the building. Was also surprised to see a Scott catalogue as recent as 1935, albeit kept in the deepest bowels of the building! Presumably the Gibbons catalogues are freely available throughout the rest of the building. Thanks again for a thoroughly enjoyable video!
😂 I haven’t heard of all those legends. It certainly was a place of mystery for me prior to this proper visit. I actually stopped by their old location I think in 2017, but was too nervous to go in. I would have easily believed all those legends back then lol. Thanks so much for watching, glad you enjoyed it!
Graham, thank you so much for putting together this tour of the Royal Society, and please thank Nicola for her time and enthusiastic presentation!!! When I first began working through my late father’s collection, your UA-cam channel was the first philatelic video source I found for inspiration and information. I look forward to seeing each episode, and enjoy looking back at favorite episodes from previous series. I appreciate your time, energy, hard work, and of course the budget for producing such a varied and diverse and interesting video production series. Please keep up the hard work. Thank you for all you do for the philatelic community!! Cheers William
Thank you William, it means soo much to see comments such as this. I will tell Nicola to look through the comments and see for herself all the thanks and appreciation sent her way, she was a fantastic tour guide and host. Thank you for your support and viewership, knowing that viewers appreciate the content is what keeps me going 😊
@@ExploringStamps Your content is special; you've taken your love and enthusiasm for philately and molded into something very special. And I'm glad that a lot of people recognize this. 👏 👏 👏
Graham, Thanks for posting. I visit London on a regular basis. This is now on my places to go. Also, thank you for continuing to be such a consistant and passionate advocate of Philately.
Brilliant!! While editing videos and figuring out what cuts 'make it' into a scene, I always wonder if someone will recognize and connect with a little snippet such as that. It is such a good feeling to know that you recognized the stamp plate, very cool!!
I visited the RPS headquarters back in the 1970s when it was in Marylebone. I remember a very quirky and slightly musty building. Looks as though there's been an upgrade.
oh nice! I visited the outside of the building back in 2017... I was a bit too intimidated to walk inside and say hello at the time. I wish I did though.
Awesome introduction to the RPSL and an extremely well maintained property with a stunning inventory. Thanks for taking us along, Mrs. Davies ! Greets from GER, U.
Looks a fascinating place to visit. Typical British with a 'new' building built in 1915 and calling something 'the Royal' (When almost everything has 'Royal' in the name).
Thanks you so much for the tour, Graham, and please say thanks to Nicola as well. She is a lovely person! My mouth hang open while watching the video in wonder. What a magnificent and regal building and inside surroundings! Amazing. It must be an experience just to be there for a while!! One should take young people and children there to experience philately in glory. What an excellent way to smother a fire. First time I heard about that way to do it. Thanks again to you, and for the professional way you do these videos!!!
Thank you Charnie 😊. It really is a special experience to visit the building, it’s philately in all its glory. So glad you found it interesting, thanks for watching!!
I knew about the Royal, off course I do, but this made me curious. I have never visited them, however seeing that library, that has to change. The location is beautiful, worth a visit. So next Stampex, I bring a Jacket and plan a visit
It is an amazing building! I think the only challenge is the 2 stairs at the entrance, otherwise they have elevators and open hallways/rooms for ease of mobility. Before going I would send them a message just to confirm.
Maybe this is a weird question, but I really want to know what it smells like in the Stacks! Does it have old book smell because of all the old paper, or is it really sterile-smelling because of all the controls?
That’s actually a great question! 😆 you would think that a room with really old paper would have that musty smell, but the room was odorless. Perhaps it’s the good air ventilation that prevents it from having the old book smell. 🤔 thanks for asking, and for watching 😊
Very much enjoyed this tour - as a member based in the US, I haven't yet had a chance to visit in person. Curious, though, about how the fire suppression tech in the basement was tested - or was it?
Glad you enjoyed it 😊 thanks so much for watching. I’m sure they had a way to test it, Nicola was actually telling me about a fire alarm that went off at night 2 weeks prior to this filming, and the fire department had to get their SCBA gear on in order to enter the room as the gas suppression was activated… kinda cool and scary. Apparently it was a false alarm and there was no fire.
That’s a good question. I’m assuming that with the gas suppression system, the room is air tight and water would not be able to get into the room with standard flooding… but that’s just making guesses.
What a fascinating tour and a charming young lady! Becoming a member is something I have aspired to for a long time but I've never known anyone else who was a member. Thank you for the chance to see it from the inside! Cheers!
Thanks Nyle 😊. Glad you enjoyed it! If you are interested, send them an email and they will connect you with a member or two, I found them to be a super welcoming society. Thanks for watching Nyle!
The rare, old books shown on philately were treasures that took one's breath away! They may only be marvelled at and not possessed unless one is a very serious collector.
Absolutely! 😊The stacks are filled with incredible rarities and important books/documents and plates!... I was overwhelmed to see so many amazing items in one space. Thanks for watching!
Oh brilliant! I was told the expertising office is constantly busy… it’s good to know that they have a lovely tea room and building to enjoy during breaks. Thanks for watching 😊
Thanks for this video! I am glad to have written in to RSPL last year when I visited London and got the chance to visit their building. However, this video allows me to know more on the items I have seen in my visit and also see the exclusive areas that are not open to the public. :)
Oh excellent, it really is a cool (and impressive) building to visit. Glad you stopped by, and glad you found the video helpful. 😊 thanks so much for watching!
Thank you for sharing Graham. Nicola is very knowledgeable and a great presenter. Good to see some proof plates, especially the Cochin Anchal 3rd Maharaja plate. Great video again. 😊😊
You are very welcome, and yes Nicola is awesome and such a pleasure to spend a day at the Royal with. You are the second viewer to comment on the plate!!, VERY COOL. 😆 I always wonder which cuts in the edit room will connect with the viewers, the plate seems to be a winner!! Thanks for watching :)
@@ExploringStamps Yes Graham, apart from British Commonwealth, I collect Cochin State and have exhibited Cochin Anchal Cancellations and Postmarks. So I was happy seeing that plate. Thanks again!!😊
This is the first time i got the chance to view the RPSL, once i was a member of this society, my full name JHANG BAHADUR IQBAL SINGH BABRA from Brunei., thank you.
Very interesting 🤔as a Worldwide collector 🤠🇧🇸 one day wpuld like to sell my collection I live in the Bahamas a British colony and Commonwealth. my favourite is from Sierra Leone and the Bahamas
A brilliant introduction to the elite Society of the stamp world. And I mean elite in the most complimentary manner. Graham, your video production skills are well shown off in this UA-cam post, staring the lovely and talented Nicola. Well done and I can't wait until my next visit.
What a fantastic video realy enjoyed that . The whole place is magic imagine being able to get some stamps n have a good read and hunt in the library ❤
Thank you for posting this video. I am collecting bird stamps. This tour was so magnificent! Nicola is such a gracious host. And who can argue with a dog lover! Hopefully someday I will visit this museum!!!😊😊😊❤❤❤
You are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it. Nicola was indeed a gracious host, perhaps it is because she IS a dog lover 😁 ❤️ . Thanks so much for watching!
Great video and many thanks to you and RPS staff. Wish I had time to visit when I was in London in November '22! As a librarian, it would have been interesting to talk to the librarians (and others). Next time!! It may also trigger me to join the RPS.
Oh you would totally have loved it! Def check out their membership benefits and see if it’s a fit for you. I know several members that love being part of the society, and they are all very proud to be part of such a historic and important part of the hobby.
Thank you Graham for this wonderful tour of The Royal and thank you Nicola for giving Graham access to special areas of the library. Even though I've been to London I sadly have not visited; so, your video was a joy to watch!
Glad you enjoyed it, Gary! 😊 If you plan on visiting London again, def add this to your list, there is so much more to see than what I’ve included in the video, and Nicola gives a brilliant tour. Thanks for watching!!
Congratulations on an excellent introduction to the Royal Philatelic Society. Well worth a visit, particularly whilst the Clash of Empires exhibition is on until the end of July.
Thank you John 😊. It was absolutely worth the visit, and I also encourage everyone to check out the impressive Clash of Empires exhibition while it on. 👏
Sounds like a very friendly holmlea place with Pleasant people excellent presentation a smiling sense of humour young lady
It is indeed! Everyone was very friendly during my visit. Glad you enjoyed it! 😊
That's a beautiful Philatelic Society building. I wish we could have one. And you are so lucky for being able to see so many beautiful gems.
It really is a beautiful building. I was very lucky that Nicola was generous with her time and patience, such a treat to see so many amazing items. Thanks as always for watching 😊
Thank you for the tour of the Royal, Graham. Nicola was a great instructor.
I should have explored more about the building and society.
Thanks Richard! Well now that you know Nicola, you are going to have to ask her for more details on some of the items I just blew past in the video, so many more cool things to talk about and explore. 😊 Thanks for watching
Such an interesting tour. Thank you, Graham!
Glad you found it interesting, thanks Scott 😊
💛 Nicola is so knowledgable and lovely. And wow what a location and building, that coffee room alone is enticing.
It really is! the coffee room had a plate pastries at the time of the filming. Very difficult conditions to film in 😂. But yes it’s a lovely social room to chat with your fellow collectors. Thanks for watching, Erica.
Thanks so much for this tour Graham!
A very useful video for those of us who know about the RPSL, who have heard the legends, but have never had the opportunity to visit.
You know the legends:
Reading rooms filled with cigar smoke
Mortal duels fought in the corridors over disagreements concerning colour variations invisible to the naked eye, or whether clear or black stamp mounts are superior
Cries of "God Save the Queen/King" whenever the tea trolley comes through
And the hazing rituals, oh my gosh! Novice collectors subjected to horrific, unspeakable acts, like being forced to catalogue kiloware bag after kiloware bag of CTO stamps into the wee hours of the morning...
Fortunately, the only evidence that any of this might be real is the lovely "American Reading Room", which presumably is a room kept for collectors of non British Commonwealth material... who for obvious reasons are not permitted access to the rest of the building.
Was also surprised to see a Scott catalogue as recent as 1935, albeit kept in the deepest bowels of the building!
Presumably the Gibbons catalogues are freely available throughout the rest of the building.
Thanks again for a thoroughly enjoyable video!
😂 I haven’t heard of all those legends. It certainly was a place of mystery for me prior to this proper visit. I actually stopped by their old location I think in 2017, but was too nervous to go in. I would have easily believed all those legends back then lol.
Thanks so much for watching, glad you enjoyed it!
London collectors are lucky to have such a place. Thank you for the amazing tour Graham.
You are very welcome, Sara! 😊 if I had this in my city, I’d probably be in the library quite frequently. Thanks for watching!
Graham, thank you so much for putting together this tour of the Royal Society, and please thank Nicola for her time and enthusiastic presentation!!! When I first began working through my late father’s collection, your UA-cam channel was the first philatelic video source I found for inspiration and information. I look forward to seeing each episode, and enjoy looking back at favorite episodes from previous series. I appreciate your time, energy, hard work, and of course the budget for producing such a varied and diverse and interesting video production series. Please keep up the hard work. Thank you for all you do for the philatelic community!!
Cheers William
Thank you William, it means soo much to see comments such as this. I will tell Nicola to look through the comments and see for herself all the thanks and appreciation sent her way, she was a fantastic tour guide and host. Thank you for your support and viewership, knowing that viewers appreciate the content is what keeps me going 😊
Ace video! I havent been to London in 12 years, but this will be on my list for next time. 5 out of 5 stars for Nicola's tour!
Absolutely worth a visit! Thanks for watching, Markus 😊
8:38
Are you serious? You got invited to the basement........ the holy philatelic archive of all time! 😲
👍 👍 👍
🙌 Indeed. I am now part of the few that have glimpsed the 'holy philatelic archive' 😂....
Lol the Royal (and Nicola) were super nice to me.
@@ExploringStamps
Your content is special; you've taken your love and enthusiasm for philately and molded into something very special.
And I'm glad that a lot of people recognize this. 👏 👏 👏
Graham, Thanks for posting. I visit London on a regular basis. This is now on my places to go. Also, thank you for continuing to be such a consistant and passionate advocate of Philately.
You are very welcome. 😊 yes definitely make a visit next time you are there, you will enjoy it! Thanks so much for watching.
Thank You for the walk around at RPSL..
Great to see Cochin Stamp Plate. @ 10:51.
I am from Cochin, Kerala.
Brilliant!! While editing videos and figuring out what cuts 'make it' into a scene, I always wonder if someone will recognize and connect with a little snippet such as that. It is such a good feeling to know that you recognized the stamp plate, very cool!!
THAT library 😍
There is a little nook at 7:47 that I intend on claiming next time I’m there. 👀
I know!! Could live in there!!! I’d never leave.
I visited the RPS headquarters back in the 1970s when it was in Marylebone. I remember a very quirky and slightly musty building. Looks as though there's been an upgrade.
oh nice! I visited the outside of the building back in 2017... I was a bit too intimidated to walk inside and say hello at the time. I wish I did though.
I’d have kept up my membership if I had seen this video. Nice job Graham.
Thank you Mark, glad you enjoyed the video. 😊
Awesome introduction to the RPSL and an extremely well maintained property with a stunning inventory. Thanks for taking us along, Mrs. Davies ! Greets from GER, U.
Glad you enjoyed it! If you get a chance and visit London, its totally worth seeing in person 😊. Thanks so much for watching!
😂😂 10:10 I can only imagine Graham's expression of relief behind the camera.
It was a combo of these faces -> 😧😅
@@ExploringStamps😂😂
A building dedicated to stamp collectors and philately.....wow!!
Right?!? I really enjoyed my visit, such a cool building.
Looks a fascinating place to visit. Typical British with a 'new' building built in 1915 and calling something 'the Royal' (When almost everything has 'Royal' in the name).
👏 😆 108 years still feels new. Lol
We’re not just called the Royal … we were granted Royal patronage in 1906, and this has been renewed by every successive Monarch since …
Very cool! I didn't know they are older than the APS. Great vid!
Thanks Kyle, yeah they are the oldest out there. And they have quite an impressive history. Thanks for watching 😊
Thanks you so much for the tour, Graham, and please say thanks to Nicola as well. She is a lovely person! My mouth hang open while watching the video in wonder. What a magnificent and regal building and inside surroundings! Amazing. It must be an experience just to be there for a while!! One should take young people and children there to experience philately in glory. What an excellent way to smother a fire. First time I heard about that way to do it. Thanks again to you, and for the professional way you do these videos!!!
Thank you Charnie 😊. It really is a special experience to visit the building, it’s philately in all its glory. So glad you found it interesting, thanks for watching!!
I knew about the Royal, off course I do, but this made me curious.
I have never visited them, however seeing that library, that has to change.
The location is beautiful, worth a visit. So next Stampex, I bring a Jacket and plan a visit
Thanks Erik, it is totally worth a visit.😊You could spend a full day in that library, enjoy!
Amazing Victorian building reminder of a Victorian school hopefully there is access for wheelchair users of electrical mobility small scooters
It is an amazing building! I think the only challenge is the 2 stairs at the entrance, otherwise they have elevators and open hallways/rooms for ease of mobility. Before going I would send them a message just to confirm.
WOW...that is wow. if i have the opportunity, i would love to go there. it will really make my day... thanks Graham
you are very welcome 😊. Glad you enjoyed it, definitely add it to your plans if you are in London in the future. Thanks for watching!
Maybe this is a weird question, but I really want to know what it smells like in the Stacks! Does it have old book smell because of all the old paper, or is it really sterile-smelling because of all the controls?
That’s actually a great question! 😆 you would think that a room with really old paper would have that musty smell, but the room was odorless. Perhaps it’s the good air ventilation that prevents it from having the old book smell. 🤔 thanks for asking, and for watching 😊
Very much enjoyed this tour - as a member based in the US, I haven't yet had a chance to visit in person. Curious, though, about how the fire suppression tech in the basement was tested - or was it?
Glad you enjoyed it 😊 thanks so much for watching. I’m sure they had a way to test it, Nicola was actually telling me about a fire alarm that went off at night 2 weeks prior to this filming, and the fire department had to get their SCBA gear on in order to enter the room as the gas suppression was activated… kinda cool and scary. Apparently it was a false alarm and there was no fire.
why do you keep the rare items in the basement levels? it's exposing them to damage because of the probability of floods.
That’s a good question. I’m assuming that with the gas suppression system, the room is air tight and water would not be able to get into the room with standard flooding… but that’s just making guesses.
Been traveling so I only got around to at now. I would love to own the lot great stories so great to see keep it going 👍👍👍👍👍🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺😎
Thank you 😊 and I hope you enjoyed your trip!
Wow this is amazing. Thanks for showing us behind the scenes at RPSL
You are very welcome 😊. Glad you enjoyed it!
Most awesome video, joining this society feel like joining stamp heaven!!
It really is! 😊 thanks so much for watching!
What a fascinating tour and a charming young lady! Becoming a member is something I have aspired to for a long time but I've never known anyone else who was a member. Thank you for the chance to see it from the inside! Cheers!
Thanks Nyle 😊. Glad you enjoyed it! If you are interested, send them an email and they will connect you with a member or two, I found them to be a super welcoming society. Thanks for watching Nyle!
The rare, old books shown on philately were treasures that took one's breath away! They may only be marvelled at and not possessed unless one is a very serious collector.
Absolutely! 😊The stacks are filled with incredible rarities and important books/documents and plates!... I was overwhelmed to see so many amazing items in one space. Thanks for watching!
I've got a big, thick stack of their certificates of genuiness, so it's great to see where they're coming from. 👍
Oh brilliant! I was told the expertising office is constantly busy… it’s good to know that they have a lovely tea room and building to enjoy during breaks. Thanks for watching 😊
Awesome :-)
Thank you 😊
Great tour. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it 😊 Thanks for watching!
Amazing collection of resource material! Thanks for being able to get into the more restricted areas. 😎
Absolutely 😎👍 … Thanks for watching, Jim
That was really interesting. Thanks for the video.
😃 Glad you found it interesting, thanks so much for watching!!
Thanks for this video! I am glad to have written in to RSPL last year when I visited London and got the chance to visit their building. However, this video allows me to know more on the items I have seen in my visit and also see the exclusive areas that are not open to the public. :)
Oh excellent, it really is a cool (and impressive) building to visit. Glad you stopped by, and glad you found the video helpful. 😊 thanks so much for watching!
@@ExploringStamps Yes, so glad to have visited RSPL. Interesting collection at their tea room and a great philatelic library!
Definitely now on my bucket list when next in the Capital! Great video, and great to see Philately getting aired so well.
Thank you for sharing Graham. Nicola is very knowledgeable and a great presenter. Good to see some proof plates, especially the Cochin Anchal 3rd Maharaja plate. Great video again. 😊😊
You are very welcome, and yes Nicola is awesome and such a pleasure to spend a day at the Royal with. You are the second viewer to comment on the plate!!, VERY COOL. 😆 I always wonder which cuts in the edit room will connect with the viewers, the plate seems to be a winner!! Thanks for watching :)
@@ExploringStamps Yes Graham, apart from British Commonwealth, I collect Cochin State and have exhibited Cochin Anchal Cancellations and Postmarks. So I was happy seeing that plate. Thanks again!!😊
This is the first time i got the chance to view the RPSL, once i was a member of this society, my full name JHANG BAHADUR IQBAL SINGH BABRA from Brunei., thank you.
What a lovely period building
It really is!
Yes I did enjoy that tour Thankyou!
Glad you enjoyed it 😊
Very interesting 🤔as a Worldwide collector 🤠🇧🇸 one day wpuld like to sell my collection I live in the Bahamas a British colony and Commonwealth. my favourite is from Sierra Leone and the Bahamas
A brilliant introduction to the elite Society of the stamp world. And I mean elite in the most complimentary manner. Graham, your video production skills are well shown off in this UA-cam post, staring the lovely and talented Nicola. Well done and I can't wait until my next visit.
Its my Dream place i want to visit .But because of financial issue i could do😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣
Nicola you are a star🤩 you made that tour so interesting, with your openness and natural flair for video. Thank you.
Wonderful tour!
😊 glad you enjoyed it!
So cool
😎👍
They have a place there where you could spend hour after hour admiring the work of the master artists who drew in pen and ink. Those are my favorite.
Given more time while I was there, I would totally do that! 😊 Thanks Buzza Wuzza
What a fantastic video realy enjoyed that . The whole place is magic imagine being able to get some stamps n have a good read and hunt in the library ❤
Amazing information! Every country should protect its stamp history in such a clean and organized way. THANK YOU
I agree!! 😊 Glad you found it interesting, thanks so much for watching!
Thank you for posting this video. I am collecting bird stamps. This tour was so magnificent! Nicola is such a gracious host. And who can argue with a dog lover! Hopefully someday I will visit this museum!!!😊😊😊❤❤❤
You are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.
Nicola was indeed a gracious host, perhaps it is because she IS a dog lover 😁 ❤️ . Thanks so much for watching!
Great video and many thanks to you and RPS staff. Wish I had time to visit when I was in London in November '22! As a librarian, it would have been interesting to talk to the librarians (and others). Next time!! It may also trigger me to join the RPS.
Oh you would totally have loved it! Def check out their membership benefits and see if it’s a fit for you. I know several members that love being part of the society, and they are all very proud to be part of such a historic and important part of the hobby.
Thank you Graham for this wonderful tour of The Royal and thank you Nicola for giving Graham access to special areas of the library. Even though I've been to London I sadly have not visited; so, your video was a joy to watch!
Glad you enjoyed it, Gary! 😊
If you plan on visiting London again, def add this to your list, there is so much more to see than what I’ve included in the video, and Nicola gives a brilliant tour. Thanks for watching!!
Thank you, Graham, for another great video. Nicola was very good and I must go to the Royal Society sometime.
You must! 😊 thank you Derek, glad you enjoyed it.
Incredible!! building, history and stamp resource for stamp collectors🤓
It really is!! Thanks so much for watching 😊
Can't wait for stampex 2023
Same, I am trying to attend again as well.
Wow! Awesome video!
Glad you enjoyed it 😊
Congratulations on an excellent introduction to the Royal Philatelic Society. Well worth a visit, particularly whilst the Clash of Empires exhibition is on until the end of July.
Thank you John 😊. It was absolutely worth the visit, and I also encourage everyone to check out the impressive Clash of Empires exhibition while it on. 👏
Excellent video
Thank you very much! 😊
This was AMAZING!
Right?! That building is quite impressive 😊 thanks for watching!!
Excellent!!!
Thank you 😊
great tour
Thank you 😊
Very Nice
😊🙏
Simplesmente encantada com esse episódio 🎉
😊🤗
First
Yes you are!
Awesome...thank you
😊
Looking forward to this episode
Hope you enjoy it 😊
What an impressive library!
Thank you for the tour. Lovely! I was offered membership twice but it is expensive